Science to the rescue

In response to the pandemic, governments are keen to say that we should listen to the science. But this supposes there is an agreed body of scientific knowledge. In fact, there are deep and profouond differences between the scientists involved. Those advising Sweden clearly had a different theory that those advising the UK or Italy. Scientists outside of epidemiology have been critical of the epidemologists. Science is a melee of competing and often incompatible views. So how should we respond? Should we stop hiding behind 'the science' and openly admit that it is our decision who to endorse? Can we seek to weigh and judge different scientific opinions if we are not ourselves experts? Or should it be democratic, so that the scientific theories with the most support wins out? Or is this a route to irrational and dangerous decision making?