"Er money rushes into Gold when there is a panic"
Some small investors run to gold - countries are far to large to do that -
Even for small investors gold pays no interest, cost (a lot ) of money to store, must be protected and is totally illiquid - try buying a new car with half a gold bar or a sack full of sovereigns................ emotional hangover TBH
At least in the sub-continent they turn it into jewelry so it has some use
And the US can always print more money to pay it debts in it's own money as long as people are willing to buy $ - which they do every time there is a panic