While a majority of Americans think computer mistakes due to the Year-2000 issue will cause only minor problems for themselves or in general, many will take some extra precautions just in case. Nearly half surveyed in a recent Gallup Poll say they will avoid traveling on airplanes around January 1, 2000, and nearly two-thirds say they will seek confirmation of bank account, retirement fund or other financial records.
Nearly 80% of poll respondents say they have seen or heard “some or a great deal” about the Year 2000 computer problem, and over two-thirds of those polled believe Y2K problems will persist several weeks to several months, and possibly as long as a year. Other key findings are:
<> 46% say some air traffic control systems will fail, putting air travel in jeopardy;
<> Nearly two-thirds of respondents say banking and accounting systems will fail, possibly causing errors in employee paychecks, government payments or other automated financial transactions;
<> Over one-third of those polled say city or county emergency “911” communications systems will fail, possibly putting citizens at risk;
<> Half of respondents say they plan to make sure their personal computers are programmed correctly
<> Over half believe their employers are taking sufficient steps to correct any problems they might face because of Y2K problems;
<> 76% are not confident foreign governments in less developed countries have will have corrected Y2K problems from occurring.
Despite media accounts of some Americans who are now preparing for food delivery or water systems to fail, the poll concludes:
<> 72% do not plan to stockpile food or water;
<> Over 80% do not plan to buy generators or wood stoves;
<> Over 80% do not plan to withdraw all their money from the bank;
<> 55% say the Y2K bug will cause only minor problems in the economy;
<> Over two-thirds are confident the U.S. federal, state and local governments have efforts underway to correct the Y2K computer problem;
<> 82% expressed confidence U.S. corporations and large businesses will have upgraded their computer systems to correct Y2K problems.
Full USA Today/Gallup Poll Results:
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