Don’t worry.  Government advice on dealing with the virus is based on “scientific advice” provided without fear or favour by some of the UK’s best scientific brains; and as if that wasn’t enough their names are kept out of the limelight to ensure that no political bias – or journalistic influence – sullies their opinion.  Hunky dory.

Oh yes, and just to ram home the point, the boffins are grouped together in a committee, known by the acronym Sage; which, for some of us, smacks of the wisdom of the ancients; and, for others, is very Waitrose – customers of “value” food chains being more likely to stock up on cans of beans than air-dried herbs.

So, all well and good.  Except that it now transpires that Dominic Cummings, political advisor and arch-villain, has attended Sage meetings along with one of his wacky weirdos.  Does that hint of political influence?

“No,” says Downing St categorically: “Mr Cummings attended simply to learn some science, and far from exerting political muscle, he just asked a few questions.”

If Mr Cummings wants to learn the rudiments of science there are plenty of online courses available to him – and at this time he may be glad to know many of them have waived any fees they might otherwise have charged, so he will have no need even to file expenses.   As to questions: well, there’s questions and questions.

“Do you think there could be public health benefits from asking people to wear home-made face masks?” is a question.  But then so is, “Are you bloody crazy?  Have you got no idea of what this government is trying to achieve?  Do you have no f***ing understanding of the economic impact of what you are suggesting?   Or its political implications?”