The empty shelf problems in/around DC last weekend were mostly due to regional weather and employment issues. However, the snapshot represents an example of how people react to their first encounter. The conditions in the video represent a worst case scenario for those who have been watching the supply chain issue coming over the horizon. {Go Deep}
I doubt our average 2022 result will be this bad overall, however, there are areas where this might be the status. For most people outside urban areas, this severity of a food store shortage is unlikely, unless the federal government gets involved. If the federal government intervenes, this will be more common.
We know from prior examples, if these types of conditions were to last for just 72 hours across every store in a metropolitan region, you would see a level of panic begin. Civic stability remains relatively stable for 72 hours (3 days). However, if these conditions are persistent for more than 3 days, the general mindset of the population changes quickly. Things rapidly deteriorate. After three days, all reference points for civic norms are gone.
Those who remember Miami-Dade, specifically the Homestead region, in the aftermath of hurricane Andrew have a solid reference for what happens. New Orleans after hurricane Katrina was a lesser, albeit more public version. Hunger, fear and desperation are not a good combination.