Few Ohioans polled believe Y2K will cause major problems

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Only 14 percent of Ohioans surveyed in the latest Ohio Poll believe computer mistakes caused by the Y2K bug will cause major problems for them personally.

Sixty-one-percent of those polled said they thought Y2K computer mistakes will cause minor problems for them, while 23 percent said they didn't expect any problems. Two percent said they didn't know.

The poll, released today, was sponsored by the University of Cincinnati and conducted by the Institute for Policy Research at the university. A total of 837 Ohio adults were questioned by telephone in a random, statewide sample conducted from Feb. 25 to March 9, 1999. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The so-called Y2K or millennium bug refers to the fact that some computers could interpret ``00'' in the two-digit year field as the year 1900 and shut down.

Of those surveyed, only 13 percent said they were very concerned about Y2K problems, while 38 percent said they were somewhat concerned. Thirty-two percent said they were not too concerned, and 18 percent said they were not concerned at all.

Those surveyed also were asked whether they are planning to take precautionary measures to protect themselves against Y2K problems.

Forty percent of those polled said they probably will avoid traveling on airplanes on or around Jan. 1, while 59 percent said they probably would not avoid air travel then, and 1 percent didn't know.

Thirty-eight percent said they probably will stockpile food and water, while 61 percent said they probably will not do that. Two percent didn't know.

Asked if they would withdraw and set aside a large amount of cash, 37 percent said they probably will do that, 61 percent said they probably will not set aside a large amount of cash and 2 percent said they didn't know.

Only 20 percent of those surveyed said they probably will buy a generator or wood stove, 79 percent said they probably will not do so and 1 percent didn't know.

-- Norm (nwo@hotmail.com), April 26, 1999

Answers

Love these disconnects - 37% will probably set aside a large amount of cash, but only 14% expect major problems. Wonder what happens to the significant 20% who think they will probably buy a generator or wood stove when they find out those options are no longer available.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), April 26, 1999.

Norm or whoever:

This poll closely confirms one or more done earlier that came up with the same figures.

Dont you realize what would happen if 20% TRIED to buy generators or wood stoves?

Don't you realize that 37% who will probaply withdraw cah is about 1500% MORE than needed to close the banks?

This is Bleak confirmation of the previous pole: MOST PEOPLE ARE BEING MORONS.

This and many more articles (most of Norms) are at www.year2000.com

-- Jon Johnson (narnia4@usa.net), April 26, 1999.

Every DGI that I have spoken with, argues with me but then admits they will empty their bank account later in the year. Most plan on doing it just before Christmas. They might be too late by then!

Gotta stash hid out?

Taz

-- Taz (Tassie @aol.com), April 26, 1999.

Y2K is not adequately being addressed in the Ohio press, that is why no one expresses concern. Look to Canada where the problem has received widespread coverage. 52% of Canadians express a high level of conce

-- bruce johnson (ianchloe@columbus.rr.com), April 26, 1999.

The Ohio press has given poor coverage to the subject. Look to Canada where coverage and discussions of the problem have been thourough. 52% of Canadians feel Y2K will have a significant impa

-- bruce johnson (ianchloe@columbus.rr.com), April 26, 1999.

Looks like the 2 letter truncation virus has attacked Bruce's comput

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-- regular (zzz@z.z), April 26, 1999.