Now that the coronavirus has broken out of China and established a foothold in Europe and the Middle East, many are on edge. This week, the stock market for one jumped off a cliff —something it is wont to do when faced with global uncertainty.

While nothing about this global health emergency is certain, we can predict with a high degree of confidence some outcomes — good and bad — that will emerge in the weeks ahead.

Take the markets. Once they get jittery, they tend to stay jittery — until they don’t.

JOSH HAWLEY: CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK WAS 'EPIC FAILURE' BY CHINA, BUT AMERICANS SHOULD NOT PANIC

The coronavirus is sure to break out in different parts of the world in the weeks ahead. This will lead to new restrictive measures that will disrupt trade, supply chains and travel.

New rumors will fly on the internet and elsewhere. Public concern will spike alongside them. And politicians will burst forth lots of suggestions about what to do — and what not to do —because, well, they always feel they have to “do something” whenever a big problem is afoot.

What is also likely is that concerns may ebb as flu season comes to end. Respiratory diseases like the flu tend to wax and wane with the weather. This one will probably do the same.

Of course, the coronavirus will probably be back next flu season. But that’s the next round. We’ll have to see how well the world is prepared for that. Who knows? Perhaps a vaccine will have been developed by then.

It is understandable that the latest outbreaks in Italy and Iran have sent ripples of concern around the world.

In the case of Italy, we’re seeing a rapid spread of the disease close to the heart of Europe. That’s bound to create more disruptions.

More from Opinion