I know it isn't generally done on these groups, for kinda obvious reasons, but a screenshot after this has occurred would help me.  I've never had Gmail search be unavailable if I'm in a place where a search is appropriate.  I can't picture what confluence of events would cause it to not be available when in a mailbox.
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Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

Science has become just another voice in the room; it has lost its platform.  Now, you simply declare your own truth.

       ~ Dr. Paul A. Offit, in New York Times article, How Anti-Vaccine Sentiment Took Hold in the United States, September 23, 2019