iPhone: Can't block spam emails/texts after update

Update to iOS 26.5, which was released on Monday.

For Emails, if on the email list (not opened), you slide slowly from right to left, you should see options, one of which is a circle with three dots, which when you tap it options appear and at the bottom of the page is Block Contact.

For Text Messages, open the message and tap the block underneath the photo circle and then tap Block Contact.

I am also getting the spam messages from random email addresses and when I go to block nothing happens. Tried creating a Junk contact and add the email to it then block it. It will show blocked but once I get out of the contact and go back it is not blocked. Tried adding to an already blocked contact and the messages still come through. Power cycled the phone, cleared out old blocked items (at 3300 blocked so under the limit), but no change.

Does there happen to be another method? When I follow this one all looks well until I close and reopen Mail. None are blocked upon the reopen. If I follow the instructions and then send to trash upon reopening Mail and looking in trash they are no longer blocked.