Over the years there have been numerous issues/events/crazes that have caused intense panic and hysteria amongst the general public at large here in the UK, and then seemingly forgotten about soon after, once both the public and the media had moved onto the next 'big issue'.

As you all know full well, the foremost panic at the moment (both here and the world over) is Coronavirus. Does anyone remember any big issues/events/crazes during their lifetime (ultimately post-WW2) that became fully-fledged panics and then quickly forgotten?