Yes obviously there's a system for sending out these emails. I wouldn't in a million years believe that Google doesn't have an automated system for everything. My gripe with this entire situation is that there is absolut no communication. I work in IT and never have I heard of an email handling system with this issue. Especially considering they run the biggest mail service in the world in the building next door. Nothing makes sense here and the silence just makes them look rediculous.
The actual customer friendly path would be if the community managers started giving some updates. Not just that the issue is adressed and that "the codes have begun to roll out in sequence". Because that's a lie, just take a quick peak at the forum here or on Reddit.