I take what you say very seriously. You do not lightly consider, and while not all your reasons may be reasons I myself share, they seem to me well chosen for you, well considered per your experiences, and I respect them.

I am sure some folks around there are quite prepared for power outages, food shortages, and crises of every kind, because I speak to people from Germany, and all around the world, on other forums, where even people from UA and RU can speak directly. It can be very enlightening to see people presently at war agreeing on various matters. Sometimes it feels like the apocryphal tale of WWI enemies having cease fire on Christmas and singing carols together. Other times it seems like that would have been impossible, and people could never be less than murderously hostile in such circumstances.

I hope that if matters become very difficult for you it is in the good company of your family, and you benefit from community and strong bonds of affection.

"Those who prepare now and prepare for hard times benefit from the lack of knowledge or ignorance of those who do not."

Maybe, by staving off panic buying, as you said. But those that are prepared will benefit from each the others' preparations, in having certainly prepared differently and having things to trade, or different skills to help each other with. That's the real magic of community in difficult times, having help and other eyeballs watching your back.

I would very much enjoy meeting you. Perhaps someday we will.