The point of the OP is "Square should make sure the long-lasting grind content is out earlier in the expansion, both in anticipation of unforeseen events causing disruptions in the patch cycle and because people who want to casually grind these would like more than half an expansion to work on them in." Bringing up Covid was just illustrating that an unforeseen event happened, disrupting the patch cycle; I don't assume malice on the OP by putting the words "you wanted them to work through a pandemic and put their lives on the line for your entertainment," and frankly I think it's disingenuous of everyone who is putting that on OP.

The strengths and weaknesses of the 3-month patch cycle are well known. One thing that mitigates one of those weaknesses is getting grind content out sooner. Waiting until halfway through the expansion was a problem in Stormblood as much as it is in Shadowbringers in my opinion, the pandemic just exacerbates the issue.