PS I have as much trust in Google ... no, less trust, than my ability to throw an ocean liner the length of a football field.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1369658

re: Google just sent me the following: On May 30, you may lose access to apps that are using less secure sign-in technology. Will this have any affect on Thunderbird?

If you are already using 'Authentication Method: OAuth2' for receiving and sending, then it will have no effect on you at all. Gmail believes using OAuth to be a better sign-in technology.

If you are using 'Authentication Method: Normal Password' then you need to make a few adjustments.

The following is a simple adjustment that applies to both POP and IMAP mail accounts. It can be done immediately - you do not have to wait.

1. Enable cookies. You must have this enabled so that gmail functions.

• Menu app icon > Preferences > Privacy & Security
• Under 'Web Content'
• select checkbox 'Accept cookies from sites'

2. Change Authentication Method.

• Right click on gmail mail account name folder in Folder Pane and select 'Settings'.

Account settings will open in new tab and the account name should be selected.

• Bottom right - Outgoing Server (SMTP) - click on 'Edit Server_SMTP' button
• Change the 'Authentication Method' to 'OAuth2'
• click on OK

• Select 'Server Settings' for gmail account
• Change the 'Authentication Method' to 'OAuth2'

Now...Exit Thunderbird Wait a few moments and then start Thunderbird. You will get a prompt by gmail to enter password - enter normal password and allow Thunderbird access to server. An OAuth token will then get saved in the Password Manager. From then onwards Thunderbird will use that OAuth token to access server.