this post was submitted on 30 Mar 2026
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I’ve seen stories about other countries beginning to implement work from home, mandating places shut down by a certain time, etc. Would the US government start doing similar things out of necessity? I imagine things getting more expensive will do that naturally but probably not to the levels needed if oil goes to $200. Can’t imagine the current admin jumping to enforce anything that looks like a Covid shutdown though. Just curious what people here think, because it seems like it’s going to get tight sooner rather than later.

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[–] PorkrollPosadist@hexbear.net 27 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

A large part of New Jersey was subject to fuel rationing in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The hurricane wrought unprecedented damage to the power grid, shutting off power to over 2.6 million "customers." In effect, leaving the vast majority of gas stations out of service for an extended period of time due to the lack of electricity (real Workers and Resources: Soviet Republic hours). The refineries also faced heavy disruption, either due to electrical failures or physical damage, leading to ongoing logistical complications. The lack of electricity drove up demand for gasoline substantially for use in generators. For about two to three weeks, the handful of gas stations which had both gas AND electricity had wait times of up to 6 hours. There were a lot of shenanigans going on. All the hardware stores sold out of jerry cans immediately, and people were filling any fucking container they could find with gasoline. 5 gallon paint buckets, plastic totes, gallon milk jugs, you name it. There was also a lot of petty theft. People stealing generators out of back yards, breaking into sheds to steal lawn mower gas, etc.

Police were stationed at all the gas stations. A law was imposed limiting people to buying gas only on alternate days, and only $20 worth at a time. There was a LOT of small-scale bribery and scalping. A good time if you were pumping gas (NJ is one of two states which have mandatory full-service gas stations). My buddy worked as a gas station attendant at the time and people were handing him 20 dollar bills all day long to ignore the $20 quota and fill up their tanks. Good times as long as the gas station itself didn't run out causing somebody who had been waiting in line for five hours to go apeshit.

Long story short, it will be an absolute disaster. Law of the jungle.