USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
Y2K POLL - UPDATE #2
Conducted In Partnership With The National Science Foundation
Y2K

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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.

  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
b. Stockpile food and water
99 Mar 5-7 39 60 1
98 Dec 9-13 26 72 2
c. Buy a generator or wood stove
99 Mar 5-7 24 75 1
98 Dec 9-13 17 81 2
d. Withdraw all your money from the bank
99 Mar 5-7 15 84 1
98 Dec 9-13 16 82 2
e. Withdraw and set aside a large amount of cash
99 Mar 5-7 30 70 *
98 Dec 9-13 31 66 3
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

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:

  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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