So is the panic premature and everything will return to normal?

$RUNE THORChain does not comment on the situation in any way - it's a lie.
Validators begin to suspend their work. - only those who have obligations to other users who want to sell in a panic. The validators remain in sole possession.
On January 26, interactions with loans were suspended. "It's a half-truth. They were stopped almost 3 years ago, when there was no room left for loans. Since 29, only the ability to repay loans has been stopped (which no one has done for the last six months anyway) in order to determine whether there is any risk from loans and how to encourage users to withdraw them faster in order to switch to a more diverse lending system.
But, apparently, no consensus was reached. - A consensus has been reached, and one of the seven different initial proposals has been combined. It is currently in the final discussion stage between developers, major node holders and the community (from those who do not read food, but participate in the life of the project)