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How would you quantify that ? There were different messages from the scientific community
and it was and is something happening in real time, not something you can just collect data
on for a few years, analyse it and draw some conclusions.
You can probably just say that skipping 5 Cobra meetings is not a good look.
Also maybe should have bought some PPE.
sohi-
This speech on Feb 3rd, where BJ proposes that being the nation to not lock down would be good for business, is also definitely 'not a good look'...
https://twitter.com/PoliticsJOE_UK/status/1251458390028664832
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How would you quantify that ?
Well, primarily by comparing the advice received by the government from its scientific advisors with the steps taken by the government to implement that advice, and seeing where and to what extent there was a discrepancy between the advice received and the measures taken.
In any rapidly developing medical emergency there's going to be differences of opinion between scientists with knowledge of the relevant field. The government can't follow the advice and opinions of all of them, because that would be a logical impossibility where the opinions in question are mutually incompatible. I would however hope that the government would follow the advice of the CSO and CMO because that's what they're there for. To date, I haven't seen any suggestion that the government didn't do so, but I'd be very interested to know of any concrete evidence (not involving the donning of tinfoil hats) that suggests it didn't.
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Brommers
Is there actually any evidence that the government has ignored scientific advice in phasing in lockdown and social distancing? Usual disclaimers apply - I've never voted Tory, I don't ever plan to, and I'm deeply sceptical of the motivations and personal mores of any Tory government, but before sharpening my pitchfork and igniting my flaming torch I'd like to know I've got more to back me up than Guardian opinion pieces and unattributed sources.