2 issues: Switch character crash & server maintenance

I have had 2 issues that started after the live stream. I am playing on PC with the following specs:
OS: Windows 11 Pro 24H2 64 bit
CPU: Intel i7 13700KF
Graphics: Geforce 4070 8GB (drivers updated)
RAM: 64GB DDR5 6400MT/s
Mobo: MSI Pro Z690-A
Game storage: 1TB Samsung EVO SSD

Issue A: I open POE2 and try to enter the game. I get a message that says "Server is down for maintenance". I try 2-5 times consecutively and then it lets me in.

Issue B: I am playing and I try to go to the character selection screen and the game freezes up. The background motion is still showing (flags waving, shadows moving etc) but the game is frozen. I have to CTRL ALT DELETE and then end task from the task manager.

I specifically noticed these start to happen after the realm came down for maintenance around the time for the Dawn of the Hunt live stream.

I see other posts with issue B but, is anyone having both of these issues? I have updated my graphics drivers and windows.