I’D THINK IT WOULD BOOST IT: Suntory chief warns of coronavirus hit to alcohol consumption. “The chief executive of Suntory has warned that the coronavirus outbreak is hitting alcohol consumption, which will eventually impact on profits at the third-largest spirits maker . . . The global epidemic has disrupted supply chains and sapped consumer demand, causing a $285m blow to sales at Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s biggest brewer, and a potential £200m hit to operating profits at Smirnoff vodka maker Diageo. In Japan, beverage groups from Kirin to Suntory are preparing for similar fallouts as nightlife and restaurant activity come to a near-standstill even though it is nearly cherry blossom season, normally the busiest time of the year for parties.”

I’ve laid by a couple of extra bottles of bourbon, just in case of quarantine.