You are correct in not trying to bend the thumb safety lever. Doing so would surely break it.
The only thing to do is remove the pin securing the thumb safety lever in the frame and thoroughly cleaning the pin, safety lever, the frame recess for the safety lever and the sear safety. Before doing that make sure the seqr safety is not binding on the sear bar.
To remove the securing pin first remove the left grip. Then using a suitable small diameter drift, drive the pin down and out of the frame.
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