The article supports the position that many of us have been arguing that weather/seasonality is the primary driver of cases (much more than distancing or Npis...we don’t know the ratios...but from the curves we’ve seen the differences is likely on several orders of impact). You asked the question if you can’t control the weather how is it helpful. I point out why is the standard “helpful”? Sometimes it just points out (at least that aspect of) things can’t be controlled. You then answer your own question and say well the modeling (there’s another one too that flows from modeling....since you can’t lockdown forever if you must lockdown don’t do it during happy times like summer).
the fact though remains that beyond the hard lockdowns of China and Australia and isolated countries like Taiwan and New Zealand no where in the world has managed to control the virus with Npis. This article is just another explanation as to why. If seasonality is the primary driver, you can’t control the weather.
the npis at most help only on the margins...help you be Denmark instead of Sweden, California instead of Florida (oops...I meant Arizona). But the health experts never calculated the costs of their npis (only the benefits) especially among the easiest to target (the kids): whether resulting depressions, suicide, drop in health, abuse or substance abuse resulting from lost schools, closed playgrounds, closed activities, restricted socializing, and sports.