Does this mean anything for the protection the planet receives from cosmic rays or solar wind?

Indeed. Some people believe these “unshielded” periods might had some influence on the evolution of the species. Without those, the rate of change is just not enough to get to humans...

Definitely

https://m.phys.org/news/2012-11-cosmic-rays-reveal-event-ear...

I'm not contesting but merely interested in references.