3 of 4 Americans preparing for Y2K

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3 of 4 Americans preparing for Y2K

Survey shows half of nation concerned over potential problems

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) 1999 WorldNetDaily.com

An "overwhelming majority" of Americans -- 77 percent -- say they are planning to prepare on some level for the possible adverse impacts of the Y2K computer bug, a new Zogby America survey shows.

Almost half say they plan to stock up with food and emergency equipment before the New Year. Overall, 49 percent said they were "concerned" over potential problems that could result if computers in key business and economic systems fail to recognize dates after Jan. 1, 2000, while about 50 percent said they were "not concerned." The poll of 1,008 "likely voters" was conducted in July.

Survey highlights include:

+Just over 19 percent of those surveyed said they planned to stock up in a major way with survival foods and emergency equipment, while another 26 percent will stock up more lightly with food and emergency items.

+On average, the 77 percent who will take some precautions -- just in case there are computer failures in some critical sectors such as power, transportation, finance, health care or communications -- plan simple steps, such as verifying their financial and banking records (48 percent), or keeping extra cash on hand (37 percent). About 33 percent will fill their car's gas tank, 23 percent will refill medical prescriptions, 13 percent will stock up on heating fuel, 15 percent plan to review or alter their investment portfolios, and about 20 percent plan to avoid air travel around the New Year.

+20 percent plan no preparations, and two percent are unsure, the survey shows.

While not weighing in on the actual technical problems Y2K may cause, Zogby economic analyst David Beatty says, "At this point, it appears the public's responses to Y2K will not cause serious mischief for the economy. How people respond will help some sectors and hurt others, but the effects are likely to be brief."

Regarding employment, Beatty predicts, "If some businesses, especially small firms, are ill-prepared for Y2K, then some employees could be sidelined temporarily, or there may be stepped-up demand for employees to fix the computers or to perform tasks with workarounds."

The Federal Reserve's well-publicized plan to dramatically increase the amount of cash in the overall money supply brought this comment from Beatty, in light of the poll: "Some of the extra cash people hold outside the banks will be spent for stocking up, sending it right back into the banks. If they are holding extra cash in January, 69 percent say they will redeposit those funds, though it seems likely a fair amount of it will get spent, possibly adding zip to the economy in the new year if Y2K causes few problems."

According to the survey, more than 62 percent of the public believes that government, the media and business leaders have placed the right amount of emphasis on Y2K solutions, while 19 percent say the three entities have overreacted, and 14 percent say there's been too little emphasis on Y2K solutions.

Reflecting their personal concerns and interests, institutions people fear may be negatively affected by Y2K include financial networks (35 percent), government (31 percent), communications (30 percent), business and manufacturing (30 percent), airlines (28 percent), cars and other transportation (18 percent), public utilities (26 percent), health care facilities (24 percent), and the military (23 percent), the survey shows.

======================================== End

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), September 03, 1999

Answers

Don't really want to be a nit-picker, but:

Your headline is wrong. It should be "3 out of 4 Americans SAY THEY PLAN to prepare for Y2K."

They haven't prepared and most won't. See also a new survey linked at Gary Norths site today. Only about 20% of the visitors to the site (pretty much a "doomer" site) have prepared in any fashion.

-- Jon Johnson (narnia4@usa.net), September 03, 1999.


Ray---Great find. I'd really like to have a link to the original survey info. In the mean time I'll check Zogby's site. I've found his polls to be very accurate and neutral.

-- cb (_@_._), September 03, 1999.

Ray,

I think Jon is right. There is now more awareness and talk about the whole Y2k situation, but very little extra preparation. Most of us are around enough other people each week to see if there is any serious preparation talk going on. I don't think so. Using that old hurricane analogy, people know there is a possible storm out in the ocean, but don't see any evidence of it nearby yet. So, when asked if they plan to make any preparations, they say "sure" but really mean "if it looks like it will hit them." That means no serious preparation until the last hours, when it's no longer possible to do it correctly.

-- Gordon (gpconnolly@aol.com), September 03, 1999.


I don't believe the survey at all. There's 12 people in my vicinity and I am the only one prepared. That's not to say that when things start to rock, that they won't run out and get some beans and rice, but even then that still won't be enough to get through really tough times. Ninety percent of the households in my vicinity are all retired over 70 people. You would think they would be GIs and know better because of living through the depression and WWII. Some will be in denial until the bitter end.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), September 03, 1999.

Got it. CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL ZOGBY INFO

-- cb (_@_._), September 03, 1999.


Maybe the same folks that were compiling Clintons popularity polls at the height of the Lewinsky scandal had their fingers in this pie!!

Might be interesting to see what happens after Labor Day.

The Jobs report came in on the positive side so the bond market took off about 45 minutes ago followed by overnight stock indicies, should be an interesting market to watch today.

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), September 03, 1999.


Excerpt from Zogby survey:

According the survey, more than 62% of the public believes that government, the media and business leaders have placed the right amount of emphasis on Y2K solutions, while 19% say the three entities have overreacted, and 14% say there's been too little emphasis on Y2K solutions.

Hmmmmmmm... Maybe not so encouraging after all. I guess I'm in the minority on this one.

-- cb (_@_._), September 03, 1999.


WND tells it like it is, folks. No spin. No crap.

The panic has begun. Stock up while you still can!!

-- (ramen@noodles.yum), September 03, 1999.


Yes, maybe 3 of 4 only plan at this point, but when the trigger is released, this poll shows that a lot of people will start running for supplies etc. at the same time. That is what is scary. Everyone is mostly still waiting to do something.

Could it be possible that y2k panic will not hit until January when y2k disruptions will be very visible and disruptive? (This is of course, if by some unseen Hand, the commies and terrorists don't attack.)

-- BB (peace2u@bellatlantic.net), September 03, 1999.


Only 30% percent of americans believe in heaven, but 90% think they're going to spend eternity there.

OK I made the numbers up. Bet the real numbers are pretty close, though.

-- yes (we@are.deluded), September 03, 1999.



Yes

Only 30% percent of americans believe in heaven, but 90% think they're going to spend eternity there.

OK I made the numbers up. Bet the real numbers are pretty close, though.

And you are a figment of your own imagination----and so are your numbers. An extreme disconnect in logic with your statement!!! Probably more accurate to say maybe 90% believe in a God, but only 30% (+ or - 29.9999...%) believe they're going to spend eternity in a heaven.

-- cb (_@_._), September 03, 1999.


I think the American mind has been numbed to the point of extinction. As an example, look to Cape Hatteras Island where the 500 or 5000 people are now isolated and civil workers are rsking life and limb to get food, water, etc to them. One woman interviewed on TV said that she "woke up late and it was too late to evacuate". I can't exactly imagine going to bed with a hurricane looming in my front yard. And if I did, I sure as heck would have been up before daylight! I really don't feel sorry for those people. They refused to evacuate and they obviously are not prepared. I think that they probably depict most American's thought processes. If you aren't prepared when you have had 10 days of warnings re hurricane Dennis, or you live in earthquake prone areas, or flood areas, why would you prepare for something as nebulous as a computer glitch? Especially when you don't own a computer. (that seems to be lots of people's logic). I don't think I am going to be as compassionate as I thought I would be with regards to my DWGI neighbors.

Taz....who thinks the people on Hatteras should sit there and figure out how to collect rain water for their thirst. They are getting what they deserve. And they have been through it before and STILL DON'T GET IT!!

-- Taz (Tassie@aol.com), September 03, 1999.


Taz

Good perspective and well articulated. In a contest between apathy -vs- ignorance, I would have to conclude both in reference to most of the ameRICOn public on most things. Greed and opportunism also plays a large part.

-- cb (_@_._), September 03, 1999.


"Probably more accurate to say maybe 90% believe in a God, but only 30% (+ or - 29.9999...%) believe they're going to spend eternity in a heaven."

Nope. Ask people. Regardless of how they've lived their lives, they all think it's gonna be halo, harps & white robes. They all think, "I'm not such a bad fellow, I'm a decent person, God will let me in." Nothing bad can happen to them. No gloom & doom in the afterlife. And of course, no need to store beans & rice in this world either. It's all part of the same thought process. Gee whiz, what's wrong with you doomers anyway?

-- pass (the@celestial.beer), September 03, 1999.


What they say -vs- what they believe? And 68% of the public say they believe oral sex is not sex. But--But--But our guv'mint says its only a "bump in the road" and 62% say the guv'mint has acted properly. Probably from the same survey pool. Greed, opportunism or delusional!!?? Maybe identity politics?; with greed and opportunism preying on the delusional, greedy ignorant.The moment of TRUTH will tell the tale concerning both issues. I personally believe and say I believe Y2k will be at least a 7+. Maybe right---Maybe wrong.

-- cb (_@_._), September 03, 1999.


Taz--absolutely right, thought the same thing. Local TV news showed Marines delivering MREs to those people. MREs??? A hurricane/tropical storm is offshore, the Weather Channel and Carolina TV stations have been talking since Dennis drew close about the coast and barrier islands being chewed up, and they didn't have enough food for a week? Is this what the "three-day" mantra has done? E.g., we need only hold out for three days and the government will take care of us after that. Tried to access Raleigh News & Observer but am having computer probs again--maybe you could have a quick look if you have time, see if there's an illustrative article:

http://www.nando.net/nao/

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), September 03, 1999.


I live (an am hunkering down) in San Antonio-- IMHO a really big (pop. 1M) DWGI city. In my gated yuppie commuinty our homeowner's ASSN declined last Jan. to even consider neighborhood preps/defense. Of ~100 home in my neighborhood mine is the only one preping. In my last trip to Sam's Club the only customer who spoke to me (as I was wheeling my flatcart ladden with (more) canned food (etc) shared with me that he, too, was seriously preparing (in the next county over); and the check-out guy shared that he and his entire GI family was preparing. "How you 'gonna defend your stash [here in the city]", I asked. Following the description of his arsenal, he made other "light" remarks indicating to me that he "got it". Personally, I believe that 3 of 4 SAID they would prepare (when asked directly by some survey-taking person; but I do not beieve that 3/4 of the public will prepare for "even" a 3-day storm-- ESPECIALLY not a 3-day two- digits-for-a-date storm. But, I do know that there are "isolated" preparers throughout this city. I GI in 2/98, thanks to E.&J.Y.'s TB2000 and have been prepping ever since as if each day was my last to prep. I'm prepped for a "BITR" through "TEOTH-- AWKI" scenarios. I wish to thank all the contribuitors here (big brains, D.A.'s, and serious posters alike) for helping me keep "on track". I am prepared to be "toast" as I live within five miles of EVERYTHING you'd consider civilization. And while I personally believe, 'a la Milne & Infomagic, in the "cascading cross default devolutionary spiral", I "recognize" that today that's "JUST" a "belief". I, too, see this board as being, in addition to anything else it may be, as an early- warning (virtual) neighborhood watch. So prep on, those of you who are so inclined-- when 3/4 of the mythical "average" persoms out there move from "say" they're gonna prep to "prepping"-- you wont' need to read here that it's "too late". . .

-- Dewer Dye (qwerty@????.com), September 03, 1999.

>one out of a hundred in San Antonio

Same in the New England neighborhood I am about to leave for a rural area. These yuppie folks aren't prepared and won't prepare. Ever--no matter what they might tell a pollster.

-- cgbg jr (cgbgjr@webtv.net), September 03, 1999.


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