[throwaway22032]

Everything you write here is true, but at the end of the day, if someone lives 50 miles from their job and fuel prices went up enough they would either move or get a new job.

Same if the local grocery stores all closed.

They're not just gonna curl up and die. They might stay and struggle and try to make it work until it's not possible, sure.

You're overcomplicating something that really doesn't need to be. I've been poor, have poor friends, we have autonomy, lol.