I foresee *major* problems in impoverished and/or congested urban areas -- and yes, mobs will go out into the suburbs and further out; being attenuated by a number of factors over time and as they spread out.
And forget about being someone with a chronic illness dependent on drugs. You're scewed.
Ghetto people do not have the wherewithal to survive; we all know that. They have no skills and a poor work ethic, and thus cannot even support themselves with day labor.
But “country people”? They are not to be held on a pedestal. I know lots of white trash who live in rural areas, because I am related to them. They are pretty worthless too, and will pose the same threat as urban ghetto dwellers. Like the ghetto dwellers, they won’t be sitting at home quietly starving. No, they will go hunting humans and looting and raping and killing.
I propose we define it further: farmers and those who work the land will have an advantage. Even if they possess a little bit of leftover chemical fertilizer from the previous year, and the ability to put a tiny crop in the ground, that can give them and their family another year.
Folks with good organizational skills and who work well in a team will be more successful than the rebellious lone wolf who thinks he’s hot shit.
People who made the effort to learn survival skills will have a leg up on those that did not. I taught myself how to make water filters out of everyday items, and learned how to make and use activated charcoal for that purpose. It was pretty fun!
People who possess patience will be more successful than those who make rash decisions.
PS: I read that the last mass-produced non-electronic diesel is an early 1990’s Chevy Blazer, and all later models are electronically-controlled. That sucks!