Rev 2/26/22 (see Notes)
I finally got around to buying a small metal 64GB USB-3 flash drive from Sandisk (Ultra Luxe) to use for Linux installations, and found that it works very well. The installation-process went extremely quickly (I'd say less than 10 minutes, although I didn't time it), and the resulting installation runs without a hitch and has fast response. Although I can't guarantee that every one is as fast, I'll buy a Sandisk Ultra Luxe the next time I need a flash drive for this purpose.
The Sandisk Ultra-FIT (stubby) is good if you plan on leaving the drive plugged in, because it has a plastic connector-shroud, which I've worn out as a result of plugging and unplugging it frequently. (The bottom of the shroud came off.) However, it still worked even with part of the shroud missing, although caps required tape to keep them in place.
Notes
Rev 2/26/22 - Deleted reference to 64GB Verbatim Metal Executive because it died after using it for a couple of times. So, the disappointing performance which I obtained from it while it was working might not be typical.
