You make a good point about Californians being prepared for disasters.
I have a sister who lives in Southern California and she has lived through wildfires and earthquakes. She keeps her garage stocked with her earthquake supplies and is prepared to evacuate in case of wildfires.
Outside of hurricane prone areas in the South, there was probably no area in the US better prepared for shelter in place orders.
Been to the northeast during nor'easter season?
We went to visit my son in NH for Thanksgiving one year just as nor'easter was hitting.
The storm knocked out power for almost a week, and all around us, generators were humming along. He had just bought his house and did not have one, although he did have a coal stove for heat.
The stores were still all stocked with batteries, water, LED lights, bread, milk, etc in the stores.
Those folks are READY up in the New England states.
Plus, do you have any idea how desolate it is up there???
You have to be stocked.