National Science Foundation
Office of Legislative and Public Affairs
Embargoed until 6:00a.m., EST
March 10, 1999
NSF SP 99-02
Media Contact:
Bill Line, (703) 306-1070 or wline@nsf.gov
Program Contact:
George Strawn, (703) 306-1950
UPDATED POLL FINDS AMERICANS' FEAR OF POSSIBLE "Y2K" PROBLEMS FALLS AS
AWARENESS LEVEL RISES
Concern Voiced Over Air Travel, Banking
While a growing number of Americans appear to have less overall
concern from possible Year 2000 problems than those polled three
months ago, concern remains high over air travel and financial
account accuracy, according to a new Gallup poll conducted this
past weekend. The nationwide telephone poll, done in partnership
with the National Science Foundation and USA Today, surveyed
1,021 adults between March 5 and 7. The poll has a margin of
error of plus or minus three percentage points. The March,
1999 poll is a slightly shorter version of a nationwide poll
conducted in mid-December, 1998, with identical wording used in
all questions in both polls. -more-
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"This updated poll shows a much higher percentage of Americans are aware
of the Year 2000 issue now than just three months ago," said George
Strawn, NSF's Computer Networking Division Director.
"It appears the more the public becomes aware of this issue, the less
the public believes major problems might hurt them. We hope this
updated poll information helps raise the American public's awareness of
the Year 2000 issue, encourages Americans to further raise their level
of computer literacy and reduces hasty behavior. With approximately
nine months before the Year 2000, American industry, government and
academia are largely aware of what they need to do to be fully
prepared," Strawn added.
Over 85% of those polled say they have seen or heard "some or a
great deal" about the Year 2000 computer issue, also referred to
as the "Y2K bug," which arises from computers that are
improperly programmed to comprehend a computer's date field
correctly.
Other significant poll findings include:
* Nearly one-quarter of those polled believe "Y2K" computer problems
will last "only a few days around January 1, 2000," up from only 15% who
held this view in December. However, 67% of respondents believe "Y2K"
effects may last from "several weeks" or "from several months to a
year";
* While 54% (up from 47% in December) say they will avoid travelling on
airplanes on or around January 1, 2000, the March poll found a drop
(from 46% in December to 43% now) in respondents believing air traffic
control systems will fail, putting air travel in jeopardy;
* The March, 1999 poll found a drop (from 63% in December to 55% now) of
those polled saying banking and accounting systems will fail, possibly
causing errors in employee paychecks, government payments or other
automated financial transactions;
* Slightly less than one-third of those polled (down from 36% in
December) say city or county "911" communication systems will fail,
possibly putting citizens at risk;
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* The March, 1999 poll found a slight rise (68% to 73%) from December's
level of confidence in all branches of government and those government
agencies' ability to upgrade and correct "Y2K" computer problems;
* Americans' level of confidence remained about the same in March (44%
now, 48% in December) regarding their belief that foreign governments of
other developed and industrialized countries will correct their own
"Y2K" problem;
* 81% (up from 76% in December) say they are not confident in Third
World foreign governments or other less developed countries' ability to
have upgraded their computer systems to prevent "Y2K" problems. Despite
previous media accounts of some Americans who are now preparing for food
delivery or water systems to fail, the updated, March, 1999 poll found:
* A rise-from 26% in December to 39% in March-in the number of Americans
who say they will stockpile food and water and a rise in the number-17%
in December to 24% in March-who say they will buy generators or wood
stoves;
* Statistically, the same number in March as in December say they will
obtain special confirmation of documentation of bank account balances,
retirement funds or other financial records;
* More than eight out of ten respondents say they will not withdraw all
their money from the bank; however, three out of ten say they will
withdraw and set aside a large amount of cash.
NSF is an independent federal agency responsible for funding more than
$3.5 billion annually of research and education in science and
engineering.
-NSF-
ALL MEDIA NOTE: Copies of the March, 1999 poll questions and
response rates are available by calling Bill Line at NSF's
Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, (703) 306-1070, or by
checking NSF's website at www.nsf.gov after 9:00am, March 10th,
1999.
TELEVISION REPORTERS/PRODUCERS NOTE: NSF's Office of
Legislative and Public Affairs has Beta SP videotape copies of
poll-related B-roll items and soundbites of Dr. George Strawn.
Copies are available for courier pickup or for next day delivery
by calling Bill Line at NSF's Office of Legislative and Public
Affairs, (703) 306-1070.