I don't think so. Switching to the new user names is taking them ages.

I have encountered this too. I don't force people to use Signal, but I also don't use any other messenger, so if they want to contact me they will just have the use it and else the content is probably just not that important.

I think among the people who choose to use Signal the number of those who also like to use features like stories is rather slim. Therefore stories might not be the most well tested feature. I deactivated them right away.