I've got to confess, barring some very interesting and highly visible events soon, I do not believe that 25% of the people will prepare. I think 5% are preparing and 20% grudingly admit it is a good idea (that will never be put into action.) The poll numbers simply don't match my personal attempts at y2k "missionary work".

-- Dave (aaa@aaa.com), July 27, 1999

Answers

To me, the answer is simple: NOT ENOUGH!

-- (cannot-say@this.time), July 27, 1999.

You're generally on target, Dave.

But I'd say it's more like 1% are preparing and 24% grudingly admit that if they see the rest of the herd start panicking this fall then they'll run down to the local Tons O'Grub supermarket and battle it out with little ol' ladies for the last can of Who Hash.

By the way, when this happens, the other 75% who have yet to have a thought regarding y2k will also join in the fun. It'll make the closing hours of Woodstock '99 look like a girl scout picnic.

-- rick blaine (y2kazoo@hotmail.com), July 27, 1999.

Yes- I think that most folks are waiting for "a sign"- this will tell them to start stocking up, yank the dough out of the stock market, etc- unfortunately, I'm not sure what this sign is that they're looking for. and it would seem, perhaps, that if it is a big enough sign for these folks to notice- so will everyone. I can just see the panicked on-line traders, all trying in vain to put their sell orders in, with the system maxed out and crashing, as the market plunges. As well- the hint of gas/food shortages bring back memories of the gas lines- remember those?? And the hint of food shortages; well , have you ever been in Wash DC before the threat of a few inches of snow?? Talk about cleared out shelves..... what DO they DO with all of that milk and bread and batteries?? And where do their flashlights and shovels go to each year?? anyway- just a thought.

-- farmer (hillsidefarm@drbs.net), July 27, 1999.

A year and half later no one on my block has prepared. A lack of planning on their part does not constitute an emergency on my part. It's every man for himself.

-- readyforY2K (readyforY2K@ready4Y2K.com), July 27, 1999.

IMO, the answer is: less than 1%. Preparing means action. 1%, if that, are preparing. Talking about preparing, saying they are going to prepare, thinking about preparing, aware and concerned, know the buzz words of concern, yada, yada, yada, = maybe 20%. This figure totally depends on how the question is worded and who is asking the question. In other words, how will it impact the precious image they dearly want to protect.

-- daryl (rushmore@dailypost.com), July 27, 1999.

I think the small percentage that are preparing tend to be concerned about ATM's, and tend not to worry about basics like drinking water. I'm talking about the general population and not this forum.

-- Linkmeister (link@librarian.edu), July 27, 1999.

I agree with Daryl and Rick. Based on who I have talked to, or who have talked to me, 1% seems an accurate number. IMHO, the balance of 24% are "thinking" of preparing.

The remaining 75% are fast asleep, listening to the major networks on the BOOB tube, thinking all is well...

I will be first to admit I was wrong if nothing happens at rollover, and I will be relieved and overjoyed. I won't mind being the fool of 2000...

Y2k may only be a beginning...

watchin' the boy eat...

The Dog

-- Dog (Desert Dog@-sand.com), July 27, 1999.

I would love it if I turned out to be a stupid fool who spent too much money to prepare. Be eating a lot of tuna... I agree--it's 1 percent and 24 percent. People who goodnaturedly accept my saying to prep undoubtedly haven't. Some people ignore me... The unlikeliest people turn out to be prepping.

-- Mara Wayne (MaraWayne@aol.com), July 27, 1999.

Just remember folks, THEY ARE THE SHARKS, we are the swimmers.

GOT AMMO?

-- FLAME AWAY (BLehman202@aol.com), July 27, 1999.

One percent prepping and 24 percent watching and wondering is not what I see. The 1 percent figure is correct for heavy duty, prepped- for-TEOTWAWKI folks, if not a little less. Another 2 percent are probably prepped for something between a 5.0 and 7.5 event. Give another 5 percent a prep level in the 3.5 to 5.0 range.

This leaves the large majority of the population who claim to be prepping (25 or 33%, depending on news story) at less than a 3.5 level of Y2K preps. Koskinen's "three-day storm" level of prep is probably what they have done and they now feel confident that they're ready for whatever Y2K will throw at them. "Really hardcore" members of that group probably went out and bought a generator and have a five gallon can of gas to feed it with. They're the ones who intend to run their homes "as usual" during the three day storm on a Coleman 2500 watt generator.

Y2K is going to teach more than the unprepared a lesson. The under prepared are going to be in a lot of trouble too.

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), July 27, 1999.

1% prepped as most of we think of it and 24% prepped in the 3-5 day mantra. Eyes rolling back thinking of the 2 year old cans in the back of the cupboard that nobody would eat and saying "Yeah I'm ready. Put me down as a yes."

-- Carlos (riffraff1@cybertime.net), July 27, 1999.

As much as 10% prepared for at least 2-4 weeks...3 days isn't preparation in my book. Not everyone is telling what they are doing. Some are preparing by buying a few extra cans each week, buying some chickens, and similar low-key activities. But every little bit will help...

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), July 27, 1999.

I seriously doubt that even 1 percent are preparing. That is why a relatively mild y2k will turn out to be a disaster, and severe disruptions.......?

-- Forrest Covington (theforrest@mindspring.com), July 28, 1999.