@RedToothBrush writes well and makes several valid points whether or not you agree with them. In my case, I tend to.
From the above
The reality is at this point, unless we isolate ourselves from the rest of the world in a draconian fashion, that whilst coronavirus is epidemic anywhere we are going to face that too. And the reality is it is not feasible nor realistic to separate ourselves from the rest of the world. Hence all the fuss about no deal brexit last year. We simply do not produce enough food for our own population and we need revenue from exports.
and
That's what political communication is all about. Preparing and conditioning the public to accept certain ideas and messages.
These resonate. Genuinely it's no good if the UK works exceptionally hard and somehow manages to do a better job on containment than France, Germany etc. Beacuse we simply cannot shut our borders, it will just be brought in one way or another. We cannot be a stand alone Island anymore. We rely on goods manufactured all over the world. That could never realistically change completely, though I think when this has calmed down, there will follow a period of reflection on supply chains,imports and exports.
And regrding messages, there is also a need to keep people carrying on. Mass panic is far more dangerous for the country. If panic buying cannot be controlled and there is civil unrest or "food riots" , I can see some vulnerable people will starve unless considerable effort is deployed rationing food and on civil enforcement of compliance. The reality is we are facing a reduced police force, the army will be potentially required to manage key logisitics, possibly build field hospitals, keep utilities going (I don't know just conjecture).
Taking manpower away from other key roles to manage civil unrest due to panic is to the population's detriment. It could impact on health services which will be vitally needed.