root directories

Is there anywhere where we can copy the files from Garmin support?

When you reset the watch, is should restore the folder structure. You can try first with hard-reset of the watch first - sync, then press the Light button for some 30s till it completely shuts down (hold the button through the emergency alert, if it comes), wait little bit, and then restart. If it does not help, do the master reset to factory defaults.

Thank you....I have tried this before and again now.....The directories are there but the dates for the folders are today's date, and they are empty. Its like my Mac has somehow changed them

In your place, I'd first try connecting the watch to a PC and checking whether there are really no files, with it. If the watch works all right, I would not bother with it too much. Otherwise, you can try side-loading the firmware, using a beta installation package. For example, the one from this thread: https://forums.garmin.com/beta-program/instinct-2-series/f/announcements/372716/beta-version-16-02---side-load 

will do that....thanks for taking the time with this