Unless I have an “in” and can directly send/hand a cover letter to the opening’s hiring manager, I can’t imagine ever writing a cover letter again.
I've never read a cover letter that I found valuable for hiring anyone, though. And I'm sure mine were never of any actual value either.
cheers
IMO it's too disheartening to put effort into such personal writing without the awareness of some kind of direct value or benefit, since chances are it's going straight into the void.