Gameplay issues after June 2020 patch

I'm having issues with my game following the new update/patch. I'll try to attach pictures and explain this the best way I can. Basically there are two main things.

1.) and this is the big one: I'm not able to actually play my sims. I can go to CAS, I can choose a household on the world menu, but once it finishes loading and takes me to the sim's house, the bottom bar disappears and I click on things (ie my sim and the options button) but nothing happens. I have to ctrl-alt-delete to exit my game. 

2.) I'm not able to access anything in the gallery. I click and nothing shows in the big part and the tab headings just have a bunch of "w"s. 

I didn't have any of these issues until the new patch was released and I updated my game. I have tried to repair, I've re-checked for updates. I took everything out - mods and saves specifically - and the first problem went away, I could CAS and play with them on their chosen lot. BUT I want to play my saves. I have a legacy challenge family that I'm trying to work on, and I have homes and sims that I built that I would like to access and save. 

PLEASE HELP! I was excited to explore the new update but I can't even play my game. 

Also, I'm new to the forum so if I'm not posting in the right place PLEASE redirect me.