http://216.46.238.34/articles/?a=1999/11/26/54723

Poll Shows Y2K Concerns November 26, 1999

A USA Today poll, out this week. reports that a large percentage of Americans remain concerned about the Y2K computer bug set to hit when the year ends on December 31. According to the USA Today poll:

25 percent of Americans plan on withdrawing "large amounts of cash before years end;

13 percent said they will purchase a back-up generator or wood stove;

19 percent are concerned nuclear power or military systems will go haywire;

28 percent expect some failure of 911 and emergency response systems;

22 percent expect hospital and medical system failures.

While the numbers show that Americans are slightly less concerned about the Y2K bug than they were a year ago, the percentage of Americans fearing the worst remains high.

With just a little over a month to go until the Y2K D-Day, news continues to surface that wont help relieve Y2K jitters.

**Canadian federal authorities announced this week that their Y2K "command center  also referred to in the Canadian press as "the bunker  is ready to go. Canadas National Contingency Planning Group said the bunker will be operational from December 29 to January 7.

The bunker, outfitted with computers and satellite phones, will serve as a nation-wide communication center in the event of telephone or power failures around the nation. A staff of 250 is already prepared to monitor Y2K problems, including Canadas banking system.

**The U.S. Department of Energy announced this week that it is prepared to sell crude oil from the nations Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Some experts say the U.S. took the action just in case the Y2K bug causes pipeline or shipping problems and disrupts the flow of imported oil.

**In Chicago, the Sun-Times reports that Mayor Richard Daley is angered about a memo sent from the Chicago police superintendent to his police officers. In the memo, the police superintendent recommended that his departments 17,000 employees stock up on food, water and other essentials. The memo recommended a two-week supply of water for each member of the family.

-- Uncle Bob (UNCLB0B@Tminus35&counting.down), November 26, 1999

Answers

Planning to withdraw "large amounts of cash", buying generators, etc. are not the actions of people who think it will be a BITR. I'm surprised the percentages are so large. Compare with this poll.. also by USA Today POLL-Y2K worries shrink, but U.S. stockpiling more Or this AOL poll Finally...Whenever you hear/see "survey says" you might want to keep in mind the info in this article: Whose voice is speaking?: How Opinion Polling and Cost-Benefit Analysis Synthesize New Publics

In the article note the mention of Patrick Caddell, co-producer of "Y2K The Movie" (and political pollster) in the section on Polling as an INSTRUMENT OF DECEPTION.

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), November 26, 1999.

Blew the link for the other USA poll.. POLL-Y2K worries shrink, but U.S. stockpiling more

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), November 26, 1999.