I just received this package of Y2K stuff in the mail from CINCUSNAVEUR...I'll see how much of it I can include before junior wakes up...

Ready or Not... Y2K--We're OK Really... How Bad Will Y2K Be?

Frankly, no one truly can tell. Some think all the media hype is highly exaggerated--that the Millennium will come and go just like all the other New Years we've been through before. Some are so over the top about it that they are panicked into hoarding unreasonable amounts of food and water. The threatening things we all have heard over the past year are highly unlikely to happen. Only some things will go wrwong, will fail to work, will cause us inconveniences. Most of these are readily corrected. The Tuned-in people most likely will position themselves between a "speed Bump" mentality and a "Wacky-World" mentality. The predictions are that we will experience some interruptions and some slow-downs. However, if a lot of things break down at the same time, the inconveniences can multiply. Everyone's risk factor will be different--both at work and at home. So everyone should examine his or her own contingency situation. Just be ready like you would be for any emergency--like a severe snow storm.

BE PREPARED MAKE A PLAN IMPLEMENT THE PLAN AND GET ON WITH YOUR EVERYDAY BUSINESS.

The next Century holds wonderful, unbelievable promise for us all..

******cute "bug" picture *********

Y2K--We're Ok You. The Navy and the Millennium Bug

You know what the Millennium Bug is all about. The following pages contain a series of Questions and Answers, Check Lists, and Specific Cautions that will help you intelligently get through the possibility of breakdowns that the Bug is supposed to drop on you and your family.

DON'T PANIC! JUST BE PREPARED. BE READY....

for the potential problems and concerns we've outlined for you. Let common sense and basic preparedness take care of the Millennium Bug bad news we hear from the Doomsday people. The Navy Y2K Program has been aggressively addressing the issues and is aware of your needs. Browse through the following sheets, do some reasonable preparation as you would if a bad winter storm were predicted and relax!

The same BE PREPARED principles that have gotten you through this century will provide safe waters through the new one just around the corner.

****another "cute" bug picture ******

Y2K --We're Ok To do's and Not to-do's

Do's

Put together a Y2K emergency preparedness plan.

Check out your home for any key items which could malfunction because of Y2K. Verify status of utilities at home or barracks.

Begin your Y2K-Ok food buying early--not the lst month of the year (Why did we get this mid-November then????), and do it a little at a time.

Store 1 week supply of non-perishable food and water.

Keep your auto gas tank over half-full, starting mid-December.

Keep paper copies of your important records, prescriptions, etc.

Keep a small amount of cash on hand. If you think you'll need more, get travelers checks. Get an amount you normally would get for a long weekend.

Find out what your community has planned in preparation for Y2K...and read the information the Navy has been putting out. Get involved. Be ready.

******(yawn).....bug.....*****

Y2K-We're ok To do's and not to do's

Not to do's

Do not panic if some things do not work just right the first week or two of the Year 2000. Think instead of how to correct them.

Do not take large amounts of money out of the bank. Banks are fine. Do not keep a lot of cash at home. Use travelers checks.

do not make unnecessary phone calls for the first several days in January. Open lines are needed for emergencies...(thought everything was okay, what emergencies?)

Do not rush out the last day of December, 1999 to fill up your gas tank. (If everyone panic buys that last day, it will cause an artificial fuel shortage!).

Do not wait until the last few days of December to go to the supermarket. Do not stock up on perishables like bread and milk. They are just going to go bad. (again, though everything was okay?)

Do not be taken in by scam artists. Don't give out credit card numbers to phone callers, even if they say they are from your bank, special accounts, etc.

***bug***

Y2K--We're Ok

Getting Ready!

Food and Water

Stock one week supply of non-perishable food and about 1 gallon of water per person per day.

Medical

Have an emergency medical kit on hand.

Have emergency supplies of all crditical medications.

Have copies handy of important medical records, authorizations, insurance cards, etc.

communications and support

Have on hand a good radio with batteries, as well as extra batteries.

Have a small amount of cash at home -- play it safe..Use Travelers Checks for more.

Involve the whole family in all your Y23K plans.

Investigate your neighborhood support network.

Understand the method of reporting emergencies if telephone service is not available.

Follow the instructions your base commander has provided.

Possible Utility Failure

Gas (and other utioities) --have shotoff plans understood by all family members. Have tools ready.

Have ready warm clothes and bedding.

Keep handy emergency lights, batteries, candles.

Have propane camping stove for cooking. Use outdoors only.

Consider if anyone in the famiy has a special risk. (Medical, physical, etc.). Be prepared if regular services are temporarily unavailable. Have sufficient medicines and renew prescriptions.

Be prepared to relocate to a shelter for protection during a prolonged utility outage.

****Bug has a big slash through it now*****

Y2K--We're Ok

Outside Services

finances

Have a little cash on hand for necessary purchases.

Use travelers checks for extra money at home.

ATM's possibly may not work.

Retain manual records and compare with first Year 2000 bank statement, credit card statements, etc.

If records are needed from storage, remove before 12-31.

Pay bills before 12/31, keep manual records.

Automatic payments may fail.

get paper copy of credit report before 12/31. Get copy of report after Jan. 2000. Compare.

Insurance Policies

Check with agent for Y2K coverage.

Keep records of Y2K damages.

Keep current policies on hand.

Have copy of card.

Employment

Keep manual record of pay receipts, deposits, benefits statements, etc.

Ask about Y2K pay policies.

Ask about Y2K readiness.

Local Government

Know local emergency services number

Register with local service if vital medical services are needed during power outage.

Expect delays in benefit registration.

Register before 12/15 or after 1/15

keep a paper copy of all forms

Federal Government

Get personal earnings, Estimates and benefit estimates from Social Security Admin.

expect delays in benefits.

mail early. Expect delays til 1/15

Transportation and Travel

Anticipate delays, especially air travel.

Have hard copy of reservations.

Fill gas tank before last week in December.

****Bug with slash through it *****

Y2K--We're Ok

Medical preparedness

Military medical treatment facilities are fully prepared for Y2K , as are most host nation facilities. Since many beneficiaries utilize the host nations's medical facilities where thy are stationed. Tricare Europe and Dept. of JDef. are evaluating the readiness of these facilities (a little late, yes). Because the amount of preparation may vary from location to location, Tricare Europe is recommending some common sense precautions for beneficiaries who routinely use host nation medical facilities:

check with your local military authorities to get their assessment of local host nation medical preparedness for Y2K (benevidciaries residing a MTF, contact your TRICARE service center or Hospital Administration Office: for those in remote area, recommend contacting your TRICAREj point of contact or Unit adminstration Office). These offices will assist in identifying alternatives for medical care, as required.

Beneficiaries who believe there is a significant possiblity they may require hospitalizaiton in a host nation facility between 1 dec 1999 and 31 jan 2000 should discuss this situation with their provider.

This applies especially to pregnant women expecting to deliver in the December 1999 or Jan 2000 time frame, and patients with significant medical problems who have required hospitalization in the past.

If you scheduled surgery that can safely be posponed, talk to your provider about delaying the procedure until after the Y2K transition period.

If a medical emergency arises, contact the emergency phone number for your particular location.. If telephone service is disrupted, use the alternative emergency reporting procedure established by the base.

The stork nesting program allows pregnant women to temporarily reside on or near a military medical facility offering OB services. Contact your local TRICARE service center to obtain further information on the Stork Nesting Prograrm.

****Bug with slash*****

Color Me Ready!

(same bug holding dynamite with 2000 label and saying "BYTE")

Color in "Byte" the Bug with Ferocious colors and hang him on your refrigerator...

Forgive spelling errors......whew....never thought I'd get it all in..

Most Tiredly,

Ynott

-- Ynott (Ynott@incorruptible.com), November 11, 1999

Answers

Thanks, lotta transcription there.

I don't like the bossy tone of this. Anyway,

"Do not stock up on perishables like bread and milk. They are just going to go bad." "Some are so over the top about it that they are panicked into hoarding unreasonable amounts of food and water."

I just hate reading that. I know many families who have spent way more $$$ hoarding beanie babies than I have on food preps. Cost of my stash is about equal to the cost of 28 beanie babies.

Cauto.

-- lisa (lisa@work.now), November 11, 1999.

The military pay scale has been horrific with incidents of bread lines and food stamps. One can't urge them to make longer time preparations.

-- Paula (chowbabe@pacbell.net), November 11, 1999.

Thanks for all the work Ynott...that was an interesting read. I love the following quote...

"The Tuned-in people most likely will position themselves between a "speed Bump" mentality and a Wacky-World" mentality."

I quess it's the cool thing to be a Tuned-in person...gee wiz

-- Mabel Dodge (cynical@me.net), November 11, 1999.

I keep reading the phrase "media hype". Where? What media? Certainly not TV - not here anyway it's all hunkey dorey here. I don't even see much hype in the tabloid headlines yet - figured they would have a field day with this topic. Nope - don't see any media hype.

-- April (Alwzapril@home.com), November 11, 1999.

I thought you might like a reaction to this. I asked our jag officer if he had read it and he said, "No, I threw it out....too much doom and gloom....Nothing is gonna happen." I said, "What's the worst that would happen if you stocked up? You have extra food and don't have to go shopping for a while. You plan on giving up eating?" He got angry and wouldn't look me in the eye and walked away to yell at one of his four children. I worry about folks like that. His wife never saw it. She'll never get that benefit.

I loaned her my copy of the Millennium Bug in January and she kept it for four months, but never read it. I asked her. What to do? Absolutely nothing. I feel real sorry for them.

I hardly thought that pamphlet was "doom and gloom". Did any of you? I also thought it came a whole lot too late.

-- Ynott (Ynott@incorruptible.com), November 12, 1999.

Please forgive the ignorance, but what is the CINCUSNAUEUR ?? Thank you, Hatti

-- Hatti (klavine@tco.com), November 12, 1999.

Hattie,

Not a funny question at all . As a civilian among many navy personnel, I find the use of acronyms somewhat daunting.

CINCUSNAVEUR is the acronym for Commander in Chief of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe.

-- Ynott (Ynott@incorruptible.com), November 12, 1999.

Ynott, Thank you, Hatti

-- Hatti (klavine@tco.com), November 12, 1999.

Ynott,

What... they didn't have anything in this one about the bases making sure that there would be food on base? I find that strange, as the ones that I have seen state-side have said that. What about the message to remember your neighbors.... especially the elderly?

I do find it interesting that a different package is being sent to the over-seas sailors. Hmmmmmmmmm

-- cannot-say (cannotsay25@hotmail.com), November 12, 1999.

Ynott, thanks for all the work posting this. Very interesting. Sorry there's so much DGI. If the force of thought alone created reality, nothing WOULD happen! Wouldn't that be nice? Can our minds bend the computers to ignore the code flaw? Time Will Tell.

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), November 12, 1999.