Poll: Americans OK With Y2K
Just 1 percent of Americans report experiencing any problems related to the Y2K computer bug, but most felt the effort spent before the new year trying to fix any problems was worthwhile. By just about two to one, Americans credited the lack of Y2K problems to the time and effort spent fixing them, not to any belief that the problems weren't serious to begin with.
WHY WERE THERE FEW Y2K PROBLEMS?
| Time and effort spent fixing them | 63% |
| Problems not serious to begin with | 32 |
About a quarter of the public said they had stocked up on food or water in preparation for Y2K. That was the most frequently cited precaution taken by Americans ahead of time. But 61 percent said they had done nothing at all to prepare for Y2K. And, after the fact, just 16 percent now say they had been very or somewhat worried about the possibility of serious Y2K problems in the U.S.
THE TERRORISM THREAT
Americans reported more concern about the possibility of terrorist acts at the start of the new year than they had about Y2K. Just over half -- 52 percent -- said they had been very or somewhat worried about the possibility of terrorism in the United States that night. Three percent, in fact, said they had changed their plans because of that fear and most of those said they had just stayed home.
But just as in their response to the lack of Y2K glitches, Americans credit the government's precautionary actions for the lack of terrorist activities during the New Year's weekend. By 59 percent to 32 percent, the public says it was those precautions that made the difference, not that the threats weren't serious. More than three in four felt that the government actions in response to any threat of terrorism prior to the weekend were appropriate.
GOVERNMENT PRECAUTIONS AGAINST TERRORISM
| Appropriate | 79% |
| Too cautious | 8 |
| Not cautious enough | 6 |
In fact, the public is more optimistic now about being able to limit terrorist acts in the new century than they were just two weeks before the new year. Forty-five percent now say that acts of terrorism will increase this century, down from 69 percent who said that in a CBS News poll conducted in mid-December.
TERRORISM IN THE NEXT CENTURY
| NOW | 12/99 | |
| | | |
| Will Increase | 45% | 69% |
| Will Decrease | 5 | 6 |
| Stay Same | 43 | 22 |
In this poll, just 36 percent say they are very concerned about the possibility of terrorist acts in the United States. In 1998, nearly twice as many, 66 percent, said that was something they were very concerned about.
HOW WAS THE PARTY?
Most Americans DID think that this New Year's Eve was one to celebrate: 58 percent said the turnover from 1999 to 2000 was an especially exciting event.
One in five -- 18 percent -- said they did something different this New Year's Eve than what they usually do. But 40 percent of those who said they did something different noted that what they did differently this year was to stay at home to celebrate.
This poll was conducted among a nationwide random sample of 707 adults interviewed by telephone January 2, 2000. The error due to sampling could be plus or minus four percentage points for results based on the entire sample. For full question wording and poll findings, please contact the CBS Election and Survey Unit at 212-975-5554.