Hmm...in times of uncertainty, particularly when people are concerned about their personal status and well-being, it is reasonable to increase one's sense of alarm, wariness or risk management.
Some folks get freaked out, others respond more calmly. If there are hard times ahead, I expect it will bring out the best in some people and the worst in others.
As to whether or not people are facing real problems, I'll merely repeat an old maxim:
"What a piece of bread looks like depends on how hungry one is."