When Covid started, our local government was very clear from the start in saying "If people think we have over reacted, then that means we have done a good job."

Alas, that doesn't always fly with the populace.

Trouble is that it is not always true either. You can legitimately overreact and in hindsight it can be hard to distinguish between these two things.

Plus, even if you did overreact, that can still be the better side to have erred on, in moderation.