I am currently residing in Boone and things seem surreal here. For the most part, the college kids are partying it up and living as if nothing outside this little town affects them. On the other hand, working people are visibly stressed with the new abnormal and have mostly dispensed with the "customer service" smile.
The sentiment in the rural areas outside of Boone is essentially one of preparedness and foreboding. In general, people are more tense, irate and on edge...which is exactly IMO the main objective: To keep the individual checked by fear, anger and uncertainty.
i think you hit the nail on the head with your "fear, anger, and uncertainty" comment.