Pandemics shouldn't suddenly become an issue either since there's now less movement from/to the countries targeted by the nuclear exchange. I don't know why epidemic diseases would "rage" since far fewer people will survive them without medical intervention which would likely cause them to burn out more quickly. Most (Americans at least) aren't physically capable of performing in a labor intensive job and they aren't magically going to become so just because bombs fall. And of course, let's not forget the issue of physical fitness.
We live in specialist societies after all so it's not like the barista at starbucks is suddenly going to be able to go pour concrete or rebuild the US Prime Power infrastructure (if they even survived.) Similarly, the infrastructure is in the toilet so, lack of locally available materials will dramatically hinder the ability to just make use of non-specialists as laborers. I also don't know that un-employment/under-employment would really be effected in a net positive manner. Click to expand.I don't know why epidemic diseases would "rage" since far fewer people will survive them without medical intervention which would likely cause them to burn out more quickly.