"they want to try to save the system before throwing it out."

THIS is why I think benefits should be given to players that stay loyal to a covenant rather than punishing players that just want to play the game in all of its forms in a way that best serves their group/raid.

Lots of ideas were shared for this route back when covenants were announced at Blizzcon:

If your experience isn’t predicated on what others can do, and you can pick a covenant and never change it - then having a system that allows players to change up their covenant abilities doesn’t impact you.

Which is what people are asking for - and you’ve confirmed that it wouldn’t impact you.

So I don’t understand why you’re at odds with people in favor of a flexible system.