States has key role in easing financial pain

A £30bn package to boost the economy and get the country through the outbreak was a central part of the Budget and shows how seriously the threat is being taken.

Vital though it is to issue advice on hand washing, tell people which countries they should avoid and what they should do if they get sick, this is about more than health.

Managing a populace through a pandemic is a major test of infrastructure and planning.

That is not to downplay the human tragedy and the terrible loss of life but is recognition that a global event of this scale has consequences for everyone.

Even those who shake off the disease as nothing more than a mild cold will be affected as stock markets crash, businesses fail, and villages, towns, cities and entire countries go into quarantine.

The measures shown across the world to be needed to slow the spread of the virus and give hospitals a chance of coping are severe. Self-isolation, meetings cancelled, sports matches called off, travel plans disrupted.

The economic shock of a sharp blow to so many sectors of the economy is already being felt across the world. Regardless of our infection rates now and in the coming months, the Bailiwick and its main industry will not be immune to that.

And as the days and weeks go by, more severe measures are likely to be needed in these islands to slow the spread of the virus. Each will put a greater strain on individuals – particularly the self-employed – and businesses.

The States of Guernsey will need to be counted in that and help mitigate the damage that the outbreak will do at both a personal and economic level.

A hardship fund is being looked at, along with help for individuals through social security.

Speed and scale of response and flexibility will be key to ensuring that those people and firms who need help get it when they need it most.