i think it's always been this way. I remember, back in 1982/1983... I was in 1st grade. Our school would have nuclear attack drills... I was a 6 year old being shuffled (with every other kid in the school) to the basement of our school, to sit against floor with hands over head, preparing for nuclear impact.
It was 27+ years ago, and I remember those drills to this day, if only because they were so damn terrifying. "If Russia nukes us, you'll be safe in the basement cafeteria."