The public health messaging in some European countries, notably France and Italy has been terrible.....they seem to be addressing that now.
The precautionary approach they've taken has not been a sensible balance of risk.
In my opinion most of western EU nations message has been relatively simple and consistent.
Limited to trips outside only with a document with your name, address and reason for being out, etc. Limited to up to 10/30 k from home, etc.
Schools closed, workers furloughed, etc.
I agree there have been silly mistakes such as Macron's AZ slip up which was hastily corrected. But the AZ blood clot situation has been well covered here in France. It's only belatedly been addressed in UK after they denied it was an issue.
In contrast the UK message has been so confusing that even experts have been caught out. Don't go out unless you go out. And if you do go out, don't go out.
There have been mistakes all round. but in my opinion, the worst mistakes have been by BJ: shaking hands with all and sundry against expert advice, delaying lockdowns, returns to school and gearing up for testing in schools only for schools to close again after one week, etc, etc.
It has only been the vaccination progress in UK that has produced the saving grace, despite Boris claiming it had little effect on the progress of the pandemic.