For some reason, every time I read a post about nuclear attack/EMP attack/ end of the world I picture a balding, overweight, middle-aged single guy hunkered down in a bunker eating a cold MRE, wearing a tinfoil hat and looking at a big map of the US while listening to his little radio(in a metal can of course) and scratching his head going. "now what?"
If I ever resemble that remark I grant you permission to shoot me and take my stuff.
(unless the wife took the stuff in the divorce that had to happen so that I'd meet your singleness criteria....)
EMP preparedness on an individual level is difficult to impossible for your personal power and electronics. It reduces to basic survival preparedness (wood stoves, candles and card games).
HOWEVER - with millions upon millions of $$ spent on such public infrastructure as digital 800 MHz trunked radio systems for police, fire and dogcatchers you'd hope that some EMP resistance would be part of the design. But that's probably not the case. So at the flash, all services will cease communication.
THAT's just one example of the negative consequence of folks listening to the soothing words. Yes, it would cost more. But it would (maybe?) work when needed. The soothing words justify not spending the money now at potentially disastrous cost later.
(BTW- I'm an Electrical Engineer and have worked in defense business around EMP-protected equipment. I'm not "expert" but I have some basis in education and training for my concern.)