From the point of view of preventing the nhs from over topping, it worked.
Economically, obviously not great.
Doing it earlier would have prevented some deaths up top, and may have reduced number overall, so maybe it should have happened then.
Going off the reported effects on mental health, and development of youngsters, maybe it shouldn't have happened at all, though keeping them in school wouldn't necessarily have been possible, given the numbers of teachers off sick or dead as a result.
In short, it's impossible to say, especially if you have a focus on only one aspect.