Yes, PEI does get damaged. See https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/pei-sheet-replacement-best-technique/4789, https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/has-anyone-tried-to-replace-the-pei-on-the-new-lulzbot-flex/23903/2, and https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/pei-layer-replacement-has-anyone-done-it/5959 or any of the other 50+ results in this forum of the search “PEI replacement”. Expand you search to the internet at large and I’m sure you will find additional information including videos.
The magnetic bed with a flexible plate can make object removal easier. I’m sure there are numerous topics on the subject if you are willing to search for them.