Plummeting stock markets and panic buying is a coronavirus crisis mutating into a potentially catastrophic economic crash unless calm is restored.
Falling share prices will slash pensions in a double blow for the elderly who are among the most at risk from the illness.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak must use tomorrow’s Budget to boost the economy and invest speedily in public services, particularly a National Health Service, or the danger posed by coronavirus multiplies.
Self-isolation by people showing even minor symptoms is sensible but nurses, bus drivers, shop staff, lorry drivers, police, energy engineers and other key workers not turning up for work risks creating major problems.
Advice to wash our hands regularly for 20 seconds appears increasingly inadequate when the death toll is creeping up slowly.
Coronavirus is a test of us individually but it is also a test of a Government headed by a Prime Minister who too often goes missing.
High stakes
The people who should not pay to make Grenfell-style cladding high rise blocks safe are the terrified families living in potential fire traps.
The people who should pay to make the homes safe are the builders and developers who recklessly used flammable materials.
Our probe finding as many as 550,000 people in 1,600 dangerous towers uncovers a scandal the Government mustn’t be allowed to ignore.
Either Boris Johnson forces companies to fund a debt of honour to householders in jeopardy or the PM must use public funds.
As the inquiry into the Grenfell inferno 1,000 day ago is told of jaw-dropping mistakes that contributed to the loss of 72 lives, making all our homes safe should be a top priority.
Royal pain
The Sussexes bowing out as working royals is a sad day for the monarchy.
Let’s hope Harry and Meghan and the Cambridges work out their differences soon.
