"as compared to a COVID-19 policy based solely on recommendations" - what is this comparator? Sweden?

I do not think that it is possible to derive much out of just simple comparisons without taking into account cultural differences.

Have a look at this https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/coronavirus-data-explor...

If you just put these 4 countries into your data, you will get a lot of confusion. Just calculating numbers will not answer this question.

But this study will be definitely used to make unsubstantiated policy decisions.