For example, gas-stations already ration gas: they won't sell you more than so much at a time (because the pumps only go so fast). And gas-stations ration how many vehicles they'll fill (because they only have so many pumps). And they won't sell more than so much gas at a time in the event of a rush (because the gas-station only has so much available between refuels). And your car rations how much gas you're able buy at once (because the tank is only so large).
But.. I feel like that's just a framing we can push onto about anything; we're basically just looking for things to apply the word "ration" to.
Communication can be difficult. I'm sorry I wasn't able to communicate with you. I agree with your evident opinion that the things you enumerate are not rationing.
For example, gas-stations already ration gas: they won't sell you more than so much at a time (because the pumps only go so fast). And gas-stations ration how many vehicles they'll fill (because they only have so many pumps). And they won't sell more than so much gas at a time in the event of a rush (because the gas-station only has so much available between refuels). And your car rations how much gas you're able buy at once (because the tank is only so large).
But.. I feel like that's just a framing we can push onto about anything; we're basically just looking for things to apply the word "ration" to.