While moving from M1 to M2 a number of sales-related emails are generated and stack up in the queue. I don't want these messages to be sent to customers regarding "old" orders. How can I clear out the email queue without the cron job sending them?

I've googled around, looked in SE, and even unsuccessfully hit up Magento support and can't find a way to do this...

The closest I've found is this: Magento2.2.2 Order email confirmation after switched back on sends old order confirmation email but at some point, I need to turn async. sending back on, so I'm right back in the same place...or am I misunderstanding it?