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USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
Y2K POLL - UPDATE #2
Conducted In Partnership With The National Science Foundation |
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In cooperation with USA Today, the National Science Foundation has sponsored a
number of initiatives designed to increase public awareness of important science,
technology and education issues. A recent poll, conducted for USAToday by the
Gallup Organization, was directed at learning more about public understanding of
issues related to the so called Year 2000 problem.
-- TOPLINE RESULTS --
TIMBERLINE: 127004
PRINCETON JOB # 99-03-015
RESULTS ARE BASED ON TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH -- 1,021 -- NATIONAL ADULTS, AGED 18+, CONDUCTED MARCH 5-7, 1999.
FOR RESULTS BASED ON THE TOTAL SAMPLE OF NATIONAL ADULTS, ONE CAN SAY WITH 95% CONFIDENCE THAT THE MARGIN OF SAMPLING ERROR IS +or- 3 PERCENTAGE POINTS.
1. As you may know, most computer systems around the world have to be reprogrammed so that they can accurately recognize the date once we reach the Year 2000. Do you think that computer mistakes due to the Year-2000 issue will cause major problems, minor problems, or no problems at all?
|
Major problems |
Minor problems | No
problems at all |
No
opinion |
99 Mar 5-7 | 21 | 65 | 12 | 2 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 34 | 51 | 10 | 5 |
2. Do you think that computer mistakes due to the Year-2000 issue will cause major problems, minor problems or no problems at all for you personally?
| Major problems | Minor problems | No
problems at all | No opinion |
99 Mar 5-7 | 9 | 56 | 32 | 3 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 14 | 53 | 30 | 3 |
3. How much have you seen or heard about the Year 2000 computer bug problem, sometimes called the Millennium Bug or the Y-2-K bug, before now -- a great deal, some, not much, or nothing at all?
| A great deal | Some | Not much | Nothing at all | No Opinion |
99 Mar 5-7 | 56 | 30 | 11 | 3 | * |
98 Dec 9-13 | 39 | 40 | 13 | 8 | * |
4. To the extent Y2K computer problems occur, how long do you think they will last -- [ROTATE 1-4/4-1]?
99 Mar 5-7 | 98 Dec 9-13 | |
23 | 15 | For only a few days around January 1, 2000 |
30 | 30 | For several weeks (or) |
37 | 38 | For several months to a year (or) |
7 | 11 | For more than a year |
3 | 6 | No opinion |
100 | 100 | |
5. Do you or your household plan to take any steps to prepare or protect yourself from problems that might result from the Y2K computer problem? IF YES: What specific actions or precautions are you planning to take as January 1, 2000 approaches?
BASED ON FORM A: N = 516; MARGIN OF SAMPLING ERROR = +/- 5 PCT. PTS.
22 | Stocking up on food |
12 | Stocking up on water |
11 | Having more cash on hand |
9 | Keeping better financial records/closer monitoring of financial records |
6 | Stocking up on household supplies (candles, radio, firewood, etc.) |
5 | Stocking up on gasoline |
4 | Purchase a generator/heater |
4 | Updating computer |
4 | Withdrawing cash from various accounts |
2 | Saving more money |
1 | Making sure everything is Y2K compliant |
1 | No air travel |
7 | Other (miscellaneous) |
44 | No, do not plan to take any steps |
7 | No opinion |
139% |
Percentages add to more than 100% due to multiple responses
6. For each of the following, please say whether that is something you probably will or will not do in order
to protect yourself against problems associated with the Y2K computer bug. First, ... Next, ...
ROTATE A-F
BASED ON FORM B: N = 505; MARGIN OF SAMPLING ERROR = +/- 5 PCT. PTS.
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Yes |
No |
No opinion |
a. Obtain special confirmation or documentation of your bank account balances, retirement funds, or other financial records |
99 Mar 5-7 |
66 |
33 |
1 |
98 Dec 9-13 |
65 |
33 |
2
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b. Stockpile food and water |
99 Mar 5-7 | 39 | 60 | 1 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 26 | 72 | 2
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c. Buy a generator or wood stove |
99 Mar 5-7 | 24 | 75 | 1 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 17 | 81 | 2
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d. Withdraw all your money from the bank |
99 Mar 5-7 | 15 | 84 | 1 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 16 | 82 | 2
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e. Withdraw and set aside a large amount of cash |
99 Mar 5-7 | 30 | 70 | * |
98 Dec 9-13 | 31 | 66 | 3
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f. Avoid travelling on airplanes on or around January 1, 2000 |
99 Mar 5-7 | 54 | 44 | 2 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 47 | 50 | 3
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7. Next I'm going to read some specific problems. As I read each one, please say whether you think it likely or unlikely to occur as a result of Y2K.First, ... Next, ... ROTATE A-F:
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Likely |
Unlikely |
No opinion |
a. Air traffic control systems will fail, putting air travel in jeopardy |
99 Mar 5-7 | 43 | 55 | 2 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 46 | 52 | 2 |
b. Banking and accounting systems will fail, possibly causing errors in employee paychecks, government payments, and other automated financial transactions |
99 Mar 5-7 | 55 | 43 | 2 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 63 | 36 | 1 |
c. Food and retail distribution systems will fail, possibly causing grocery and other store shortages |
99 Mar 5-7 | 40 | 58 | 2 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 37 | 61 | 2 |
d. Hospital equipment and services will fail, putting patients at risk |
99 Mar 5-7 | 32 | 66 | 2 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 33 | 65 | 2 |
e. City or county emergency "911" communication systems will fail, putting citizens at risk |
99 Mar 5-7 | 32 | 66 | 2 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 36 | 62 | 2 |
f. Nuclear power or defense systems could fail, causing a major accident |
99 Mar 5-7 | 27 | 69 | 4 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 30 | 67 | 3 |
8.
As you may know, efforts are currently underway throughout the country to upgrade computer systems in order to correct the Y2K computer problem. We'd like to know whether you are generally confident or NOT confident that each of the following levels government and business will have upgraded their computer systems before any Y2K problems can occur. ROTATE A-G
| Yes, confident | No, not confident | No opinion |
a. The U.S. government, including all federal offices and agencies |
99 Mar 5-7 | 73 | 26 | 1 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 68 | 29 | 3 |
b. Your state government |
99 Mar 5-7 | 77 | 21 | 2 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 73 | 25 | 2 |
c. Your local government |
99 Mar 5-7 | 71 | 27 | 2 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 68 | 30 | 2 |
d. U.S. corporations and large businesses |
99 Mar 5-7 | 85 | 13 | 2 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 82 | 16 | 2 |
e. Small U.S. businesses |
99 Mar 5-7 | 54 | 43 | 3 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 56 | 41 | 3 |
f. Foreign governments of other developed and industrialized countries |
99 Mar 5-7 | 44 | 51 | 5 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 48 | 46 | 6 |
g. Foreign governments of Third World and other less developed countries |
99 Mar 5-7 | 15 | 81 | 4 |
98 Dec 9-13 | 18 | 76 | 6 |
USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL: Y2K - UPDATE #2, MARCH 5-7, 1999
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