IMHO the panic buying was started by the media taking a comment by one of the medical officials completely out of context. He advised to have about '2 weeks' of provisions for anyone requiring to SELF QUARANTINE, but of course the dumbo division just heard 'two weeks' and presto, there we have WWE for bog roll in the aisles of Woolies.
I'm glad they're finally waking up and cancelling large gatherings, but the flipside to that is our events/entertainment industry will take a massive hit as well. Where do those people generally work in the off season? Hospitality and tourism, another taking a big hit.
Glad I'm not flying any more. Currently at the start of 3 days off as my employer has wisely decided to spilt the work group into two, with neither group working at all with the other and deep cleaning/sanitising happening during the workday and after hours