I am not holding out much hope for the people responsible for this to face consequences for their mismanagement. Here in China Xi Jinping has already been recast as the man who led the country to victory in the "people's war", mere weeks after widespread condemnation of his administration's disastrous failure to respond. Once the media switches their focus from outrage at the politicians to feel-good stories of community solidarity, people will forget how angry they were. The political elite will weather the storm, even as thousands die on their watch.

I don't share your optimism. We already seeing not acting recast as strategy.

At least German politicians had the sense to step aside and hand the mess they made to the scientific experts to clean up.

The UK's moronic lack of response?