I am sure that is right, DtG. As I am sure I said before, 'the best scientific advice' when unconstrained may well be different to the best when constrained in various ways. That is why I think Professor Whitty et al did themselves no favours at all by being too political. They needed to be clear at all times exactly what question they were answering and what the constraints were.

It has taken some time to sink in, but some of the scientists are now starting to do that. Last night's press conference was a good example. Mid you, it is quite enlightening to see the comments people make on Facebook as the conference processed. There are plenty of our-government-can=never-be-wrong comments, and there was a lot of chatter about how rude Angela McLean was being. I did not see it myself, unless by 'rude' you mean not letting some of George Eustance's spin pass without clarification.