Well, you have to know that when people are suffering they look to the government to help them, so it becomes political pretty fast, regardless of the actual responsibility for the event.  For the rationale, look to the scientists.  The opinions of people who don't have scientifically-based knowledge on the subject are not particularly valuable in this case and I'm not a scientist so I'm deferring to them.  The politicians can put on blinders if they wish, but it's going to bite them in the back end anyway!