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What we might expect from the
Y2K virus
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Experts have all gone underground with their food reserves and
guns, and were unavailable for comment. Newly appointed experts
claim that the virus will cause disruptions to modem life that will
be most evident immediately and then continue for a few years on
a secondary level.
Here's a translation of what they just said, for the rest of us
who aren't worried about getting sued next year:
Before Y2K there may be a run on the banks (even though they are
the best prepared of any business), which has been foreseen and
the cash reserve has been increased drastically by the federal reserve
to meet this demand.
There may also be an increase in demand on bottled water, power
generators, food, and other essentials for life. Experts encourage
everyone to store food and water for a week or two. Some suggest
reserves that will last one to two years.
On Jan. 1, 2000, there will likely be some mass power outages,
and phone lines being cut all over the county. These will probably
be fixed within a few hours to a few days, electric and telephone
companies claim. Most have already conducted tests and say that
it won't be too severe. Nothing more than a big storm coming through
(in the dead of winter).
On Jan. 4, businesses open. Crashed computer systems may cause
disruptions and tie up personnel in a few days or weeks of manual
operation.
In the days after Jan. 1, depending on the severity of power outages,
other services such as water treatment and sanitation may become
clogged.
In the months that follow January 2000, supplies from foreign
countries may be delayed, causing loss of efficiency and shortages.
Some companies that depend heavily on the timely arrival of parts
from overseas vendors may be forced to layoff personnel or shut
down.
Another unforeseeable side effect may be the failure of embedded
chips that may fail over a period of months or years, causing clocks
to stop working, medical equipment to fail and electric razors to
grow instead of cut hair.
Predictions for Y2K range from very conservative estimates of
minor disruptions ("a bump in the road") to the end of
the world ("the end of the world"). While everyone has
proof' that their predictions will come true, at this point no one
really knows. The ironic truth is the more the apocalyptic is heeded
and prepared for the less hardship will have to be endured. Inversely,
if the problem is ignored (which should not be too much of a problem),
then the hardship could be severe.
Worse case scenario is for everyone to wig out, and become a torey.
As FDR said when the USA entered World War II, "The only thing
we have to fear is fear itself." It may or may not be true
regarding Y2K, but you must admit, it's a good quote.
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