Chat about Novel Coronavirus - 2019-nCoV - COVID-19

Rishi Sunak: Reducing distancing from 2 to 1 meter is a decision for ministers, not scientists

Sunak is right here, all the decisions are for ministers. The scientists advise, the ministers decide.

To date, a combination of poor advice, poor preparation and a government content to take a riskier approach have caused the shitshow here in the UK.

From what I've seen the jury is out on the 2 meter rule. The issue is, it's almost certainly safer than 1 meter, but at a higher economic cost as it prevents a significant number of businesses from being viable.

It is a ministerial decision whether to reduce it based on scientific advice as to just what increased risk there is.

I think announcing the review is probably the right thing. In reality, it's always been under review, but with internal party pressure and conflicting evidence/reports being selectively published in the media, indicating you're actively reviewing it is a good idea. The eventual decision is the tricky bit.