USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
AMERICANS AND THE Y2K MILLENNIUM COMPUTER BUG

WAVE 5

­ FINAL TOPLINE ­
Y2K

logo

#129384
Lydia Saad
December 16-19, 1999

RESULTS ARE BASED ON TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH -- 1,011 -- NATIONAL ADULTS, AGED 18+, CONDUCTED DECEMBER 16-19, 1999.

FOR RESULTS BASED ON THE TOTAL SAMPLE OF NATIONAL ADULTS, ONE CAN SAY WITH 95% CONFIDENCE THAT THE MARGIN OF SAMPLING ERROR IS ± 3 PERCENTAGE POINTS.

NOTE: THIS REPRESENTS THE 5TH WAVE OF Y2K TRACKING IN THIS SERIES. NOT ALL QUESTIONS WERE ASKED IN ALL FIVE SURVEYS. DASHES ARE USED TO INDICATE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL QUESTION WAS NOT ASKED FOR A GIVEN TIME PERIOD.

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

1999 Dec 16-19

7

70

21

2

1999 Nov 18-21

12

71

14

3

1999 Aug 25-29

11

71

15

3

1999 Mar 5-7

21

65

12

2

1998 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

1999 Dec 16-19

3

44

52

1

1999 Nov 18-21

3

50

45

2

1999 Aug 25-29

7

52

40

1

1999 Mar 5-7

9

56

32

3

1998 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

1999 Dec 16-19

67

21

8

4

--

1999 Nov 18-21

70

20

6

4

*

1999 Aug 25-29

64

24

9

3

*

1999 Mar 5-7

56

30

11

3

*

1998 Dec 9-13

39

40

13

8

*

The rest of the questions on this survey will deal with the Year 2000 computer issue. For convenience we will refer to it throughout the survey as the "Y2K" computer bug.

4. Overall, how concerned are you about the Y2K computer bug problem – very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?
 

Very concerned

Somewhat concerned

Not too concerned

Not at all concerned

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

4

25

46

24

1

1999 Nov 18-21

--

--

--

--

--

1999 Aug 25-29

6

30

45

19

*

1999 Mar 5-7

--

--

--

--

--

1998 Dec 9-13

16

40

31

13

*

5.To the extent Y2K computer problems occur, how long do you think they will last – for only a few days around January 1, 2000, for several weeks, for several months to a year, or for more than a year?
 

A few days

Several weeks

Several months to a year

More than a year

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

55

27

13

2

3

1999 Nov 18-21

41

32

19

5

3

1999 Aug 25-29

37

34

22

5

2

1999 Mar 5-7

23

30

37

7

3

1998 Dec 9-13

15

30

38

11

6

6.A 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? [OPEN-ENDED]

BASED ON – 505 – ASKED FORM A; ± 5 PCT PTS

 

Dec 9-13, 1998

Mar 5-7, 1999

Aug 25-29, 1999

Nov 18-21, 1999

Dec 16-19, 1999

Stocking up on food

--

22

21

23

20

Stocking up on water

--

12

15

18

20

Stocking up on household supplies (candles, radio, firewood, etc.)

--

6

7

10

12

Having more cash on hand

--

11

10

10

9

Purchase a generator/heater

--

4

6

6

4

Stocking up on gasoline

--

5

3

3

4

Updating computer

--

4

4

4

3

Withdrawing cash from various accounts

--

4

4

2

3

Keeping better financial records/closer monitoring

--

9

8

7

3

No air travel

--

1

1

1

1

Making sure everything is Y2K compliant

--

1

*

*

1

Saving more money

--

2

1

*

*

Other (miscellaneous)

--

7

6

5

8

No, do not plan to take any steps

--

44

51

51

51

No opinion

--

7

5

4

3

Total:

 

139%

142%

144%

142%

* Note: Due to multiple mentions (up to five were allowed) totals add to more than 100%

6B. Next, I’m going to read a list of some things people may or may not do in order to protect themselves against possible problems associated with the Y2K computer bug. For each one, please say if that is something you have already done as of today, something you probably WILL do, or something you will probably not do. How about... (Random order)

NOTE: DEC. 1998-NOV 1999 WORDING: 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.

BASED ON – 506 – NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM B; ± 5 PCT PTS

A. Obtain special confirmation or documentation of your bank account balances, retirement funds, or other financial records

 

Have done/Will do

Probably will not do

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

48

50

2

 

Yes, will do

No, will not do

No opinion

1999 Nov 18-21

58

41

1

1999 Aug 25-29

51

48

1

1999 Mar 5-7

66

33

1

1998 Dec 9-13

65

33

2

B. Stockpile food and water

 

Have done/Will do

Probably will not do

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

42

58

*

 

Yes, will do

No, will not do

No opinion

1999 Nov 18-21

40

59

1

1999 Aug 25-29

36

63

1

1999 Mar 5-7

39

60

1

1998 Dec 9-13

26

72

2

C. Buy a generator or wood stove

 

Have done/Will do

Probably will not do

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

12

87

1

 

Yes, will do

No, will not do

No opinion

1999 Nov 18-21

13

85

2

1999 Aug 25-29

14

86

*

1999 Mar 5-7

24

75

1

1998 Dec 9-13

17

81

2

D. Withdraw all your money from the bank

 

Have done/Will do

Probably will not do

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

6

93

1

 

Yes, will do

No, will not do

No opinion

1999 Nov 18-21

8

91

1

1999 Aug 25-29

10

90

*

1999 Mar 5-7

15

84

1

1998 Dec 9-13

16

82

2

E. Withdraw and set aside a large amount of cash

 

Have done/Will do

Probably will not do

No opinion

1999 Dec. 9-12

21

78

1

 

Yes, will do

No, will not do

No opinion

1999 Nov 18-21

25

73

2

1999 Aug 25-29

25

74

1

1999 Mar 5-7

30

70

*

1998 Dec 9-13

31

66

3

F. Avoid travelling on airplanes on or around January 1, 2000

 

Have done/Will do

Probably will not do

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

51

48

1

 

Yes, will do

No, will not do

No opinion

1999 Nov 18-21

55

43

2

1999 Aug 25-29

43

55

2

1999 Mar 5-7

54

44

2

1998 Dec 9-13

47

50

3

G. Stock up on gasoline

 

Have done/Will do

Probably will not do

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

21

78

1

 

Yes, will do

No, will not do

No opinion

1999 Nov 18-21

28

71

1

1999 Aug 25-29

21

77

2

1999 Mar 5-7

--

--

--

1998 Dec 9-13

--

--

--

H. Make sure the gas tank in your car, truck or other automobile is full on New Year’s Eve

 

Have done/Will do

Probably will not do

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

75

24

1

 

Yes, will do

No, will not do

No opinion

1999 Nov 18-21

--

--

--

1999 Aug 25-29

--

--

--

1999 Mar 5-7

--

--

--

1998 Dec 9-13

--

--

--

Y2K PREPARATION SUMMARY

 

Dec 9-13, 1998

Mar 5-7, 1999

Aug 25-29, 1999

Nov 18-21, 1999

Dec 16-19, 1999

Fill gas tank in your car/truck

--

--

--

--

75

Avoid travelling on airplanes

47

54

43

55

51

Obtain bank confirmation

65

66

51

58

48

Stockpile food and water

26

39

36

40

42

Stock up on gasoline

--

--

21

28

21

Withdraw large amount of cash

31

30

25

25

21

Buy generator/wood stove

17

24

14

13

12

Withdraw all money from bank

16

15

10

8

6

7. Thinking about the U.S. economy, which of the following statements best describes the possible effect you think the Y2K bug will have on the economy – [It will cause a total economic breakdown or catastrophe, it will cause serious problems in the economy such as slowing production or creating a recession, it will cause only minor problems in the economy, or it will have no negative impact on the economy]?

 

Economic breakdown/ catastrophe

Serious problems

Only minor problems

No negative impact on the economy

Other/ No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

1

8

60

30

1

1999 Nov 18-21

--

--

--

--

--

1999 Aug 25-29

2

13

63

20

2

1999 Mar 5-7

--

--

--

--

--

1999 Dec 9-13

4

25

55

14

2

8. Thinking more generally about the kind of problems which could possibly be created by the Y2K computer bug, which of the following best describes how serious these problems will be in the United States – [Y2K will result in disasters which could cause the loss of human life, Y2K will cause economic and social disruptions, but will not be life threatening, Y2K will cause only minor disruptions and inconveniences, or Y2K will have no negative impact on people’s lives]?
 

Disasters which could cause loss of human life

Economic and social disruptions, but not life threatening

Only minor disruptions and inconveniences

No negative impact on people’s lives

Other/No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

3

9

69

18

1

1999 Nov 18-21

--

--

--

--

--

1999 Aug 25-29

3

15

69

11

2

1999 Mar 5-7

-

-

-

-

-

1999 Dec 9-13

6

28

54

9

3

9. 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, ... [RANDOM ORDER]

A. Air traffic control systems will fail, putting air travel in jeopardy

 

Yes, likely

No, not likely

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

27

69

3

1999 Nov 18-21

34

64

2

1999 Aug 25-29

35

62

3

1999 Mar 5-7

43

55

2

1998 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
 

Yes, likely

No, not likely

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

34

64

2

1999 Nov 18-21

38

59

3

1999 Aug 25-29

48

52

*

1999 Mar 5-7

55

43

2

1998 Dec 9-13

63

36

1

C. Food and retail distribution systems will fail, possibly causing grocery and other store shortages
 

Yes, likely

No, not likely

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

25

73

2

1999 Nov 18-21

32

66

2

1999 Aug 25-29

35

65

1

1999 Mar 5-7

40

58

2

1998 Dec 9-13

37

61

2

D. NOT ASKED

E. Hospital equipment and services will fail, putting patients at risk
 

Yes, likely

No, not likely

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

20

78

2

1999 Nov 18-21

22

76

2

1999 Aug 25-29

22

76

2

1999 Mar 5-7

32

66

2

1998 Dec 9-13

33

65

2

F. City or county emergency "911" communication systems will fail, putting citizens at risk
 

Yes, likely

No, not likely

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

22

75

3

1999 Nov 18-21

28

70

2

1999 Aug 25-29

27

71

1

1999 Mar 5-7

32

66

2

1998 Dec 9-13

36

62

2

G. Passenger cars and trucks will fail to work properly, possibly causing social and economic disruption
 

Yes, likely

No, not likely

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

12

86

2

1999 Nov 18-21

13

85

2

1999 Aug 25-29

12

87

1

1999 Mar 5-7

--

--

--

1998 Dec 9-13

17

81

2

H. Nuclear power or defense systems could fail, causing a major accident
 

Yes, likely

No, not likely

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

15

82

3

1999 Nov 18-21

19

78

3

1999 Aug 25-29

18

80

2

1999 Mar 5-7

27

69

4

1998 Dec 9-13

30

67

3

Y2K OUTLOOK SUMMARY

 

Dec 9-13, 1998

Mar 5-7, 1999

Aug 25-29, 1999

Nov 18-21,
1999

Dec 16-19, 1999

Banking/accounting will fail

63

55

48

38

34

Air traffic control will fail

46

43

35

34

27

Food/retail distribution will fail

37

40

35

32

25

Emergency/ "911" will fail

36

32

27

28

22

Hospital equipment/services will fail

33

32

22

22

20

Nuclear power/defense systems will fail

30

27

18

19

15

Passenger cars/trucks will fail

17

--

12

13

12

10. Which of the following currently applies to you -- Are you employed for pay, unemployed, retired, a homemaker, or, a student? [ASKED FOR SCREENING PURPOSES]

11. 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 of government and business will have upgraded their computer systems before any Y2K problems can occur. How about...

A. The U.S. government, including all federal offices and agencies
 

Yes, confident

No, not confident

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

85

14

1

1999 Aug 25-29

81

16

3

1999 Mar 5-7

73

26

1

1998 Dec 9-13

68

29

3

B. Your state government
 

Yes, confident

No, not confident

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

86

12

2

1999 Aug 25-29

85

14

1

1999 Mar 5-7

77

21

2

1998 Dec 9-13

73

25

2

C. Your local government
 

Yes, confident

No, not confident

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

83

16

1

1999 Aug 25-29

83

16

1

1999 Mar 5-7

71

27

2

1998 Dec 9-13

68

30

2

D. U.S. corporations and large businesses
 

Yes, confident

No, not confident

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

90

8

2

1999 Aug 25-29

91

8

1

1999 Mar 5-7

85

13

2

1998 Dec 9-13

82

16

2

E. Small U.S. businesses
 

Yes, confident

No, not confident

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

68

29

3

1999 Aug 25-29

65

34

1

1999 Mar 5-7

54

43

3

1998 Dec 9-13

56

41

3

F. Foreign governments of other developed and industrialized countries
 

Yes, confident

No, not confident

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

48

45

7

1999 Aug 25-29

49

46

5

1999 Mar 5-7

44

51

5

1998 Dec 9-13

48

46

6

G. Foreign governments of Third World and other less developed countries
 

Yes, confident

No, not confident

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

17

75

8

1999 Aug 25-29

19

75

6

1999 Mar 5-7

15

81

4

1998 Dec 9-13

18

76

6

H. Your employer or workplace

BASED ON – 637—FULL AND PART-TIME EMPLOYEES; ± 4 PCT PTS

 

Yes, confident

No, not confident

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

89

10

1

1999 Aug 25-29

87

12

1

1999 Mar 5-7

--

--

--

1998 Dec 9-13

--

--

--

I. Airlines owned by US companies
 

Yes, confident

No, not confident

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

85

13

2

1999 Aug 25-29

--

--

--

1999 Mar 5-7

--

--

--

1998 Dec 9-13

--

--

--

J. Airlines owned by foreign companies
 

Yes, confident

No, not confident

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

43

50

7

1999 Aug 25-29

--

--

--

1999 Mar 5-7

--

--

--

1998 Dec 9-13

--

--

--

CONFIDENCE SUMMARY

 

Dec 9-13, 1998

Mar 5-7,
1999

Aug 25-29, 1999

Dec 16-19, 1999

U.S. corporations/large businesses

82

85

91

90

Your employer or workplace

--

--

87

89

Your state government

73

77

85

86

U.S. federal government

68

73

81

85

I. Airlines owned by US companies

--

--

--

85

Your local government

68

71

83

83

Small U.S. businesses

56

54

65

68

Foreign governments/developed

48

44

49

48

J. Airlines owned by foreign companies

--

--

--

43

Foreign governments/less developed

18

15

19

17

12. Do you have a personal computer in your household, or not?

 

Yes, have computer

No, do not have

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

61

39

--

1999 Aug 25-29

60

40

*

1999 Mar 5-7

--

--

--

1998 Dec 9-13

56

44

*

13. Do you, personally, use your home computer to connect to the Internet or an online service such as Prodigy or America Online?

BASED ON – 651—WHO HAVE HOME COMPUTER; ± 4 PCT PTS

 

Yes, connect to Internet

No, do not

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

72

28

--

1999 Aug 25-29

74

26

*

1999 Mar 5-7

--

--

--

1998 Dec 9-13

66

33

1

14. Do you use a computer at work or school?

 

Yes, use computer

No, do not

Doesn’t apply/no opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

58

37

5

1999 Aug 25-29

58

35

7

1999 Mar 5-7

--

--

--

1998 Dec 9-13

59

38

3

15. Do you, personally, use the Internet or other computer on-line service at your place of work or school?

BASED ON – 587 – WITH COMPUTER AT WORK; ± 4 PCT PTS

 

Yes, use the Internet

No, do not

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

71

29

0

1999 Aug 25-29

66

34

0

1999 Mar 5-7

--

--

--

1998 Dec 9-13

63

37

0

COMPUTER ACCESS SUMMARY:

 

Dec 9-13,
1998

Mar 5-7,
1999

Aug 25-29, 1999

Dec 16-19, 1999

Total at Home

56

--

60

61

Total at Work

59

--

58

58

Only at Home

15

--

18

18

Only at Work

18

--

16

15

In either location (home or work)

74

--

76

76

In both locations (home and work)

41

--

42

43

In neither location

26

--

24

24

INTERNET ACCESS SUMMARY:

 

Dec 9-13,
1998

Mar 5-7,
1999

Aug 25-29, 1999

Dec 16-19, 1999

Total at Home

37

--

44

44

Total at Work

37

--

38

41

Only at Home

16

--

21

18

Only at Work

16

--

15

15

In either location (home or work)

53

--

59

59

In both locations (home and work)

21

--

24

26

In neither location

47

--

41

41

16. Which of the following best describes the Y2K readiness of your home computer?

BASED ON – 614 – WITH HOME COMPUTER; ± 4 PCT PTS

 

Yes, certain programmed correctly

No, certain not programmed correctly

Unsure it is programmed correctly

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

65

12

21

2

17. (If not programmed correctly or unsure [Q. 16 '2-4']): Do you plan to take steps to make sure your computer is programmed correctly or are you going to wait and see what happens?

BASED ON – 224 – WHO’S HOME COMPUTER IS NOT Y2K READY, OR WHO ARE UNSURE; ± 7 PCT PTS

 

Will take steps

Wait and see what happens

No opinion

1999 Dec 16-19

22

76

2

16/17 HOME COMPUTER Y2K STATUS SUMMARY:

Programmed correctly

65

Not programmed correctly, will take steps

7

Not programmed correctly, will wait and see

27

No opinion

1

 

100

Top of Document

Previous level page

search

site map

NSF

OLPA

Questions

Forward to next section