Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Into the Void: Surviving Y2K

You know, I've been thinking a little more about this Y2K mess, and there just may be something to it. After all, no one really knows what will happen at midnight Dec. 31, 1999, other than it will become Jan. 1, 2000.

This is the only guarantee we have, in spite of the assurances we've been given by banks, the utility companies and the government. This is something that's never happened before and will, therefore, be a unique experience in the history of man.

Let's face it, the last time something like this occurred there were no computers or electronic date-sensitive equipment to be affected. Time's change, and today we have literally become slaves to our technology, and this isn't a good thing.

So, just in case the worst does happen and all computers in the world do collapse, how do we survive.

For those who have bomb shelters left over from the "Red Scare" of the cold war years, the first step would be to see if the shelter doors still work, then clean it out and stock it up.

However, most of us don't have bomb or storm shelters we can hide in until the Y2K crisis ends, should it actually occur. What do we do, you ask?

Well, the initial step is not to panic. After all, panicking will lead to stupidity and there will be plenty of that without adding any more to it.

The next step also requires something quite rare these days, the use of common sense. Check your home to see just how dependent you and your family are on today's technology. Is there a way of heating the home without using electricity or natural gas? If not, look at some way of keeping the house warm.

From there, it wouldn't hurt to have extra water on hands. But, please, don't be stupid and start filling up hundreds of gallons. Instead try and have at least three gallons of water per person for at most a week.

So-called experts have said the Y2K threat should be treated the same way severe winter weather is make sure there is enough food to last at least a week for the entire family, but not so much as to spoil before it can be used. Stocking up on canned goods is always a good idea, but not to the point of going broke doing it.

It wouldn't hurt to have some ready cash on hand, in case something does happen the financial industry didn't anticipate. However, taking all of your money out of the banks and burying it in the back yard in a fruit jar is not a wise idea. Neither is listening to people who have supposedly "safe" places for your money during the Y2K ordeal. Let's face it, their "safe" place will be in their back pocket. Instead, keep the November and December bank statement to show what you had in your accounts.

Money in banks is federally protected by the FDIC, so even if the worst does occur, the last bank statements will be proof of account balances. This, people, means your money is safer in banks than anywhere else regardless of what happens.

Having an alternate method of lighting is a good idea as well. Camping lanterns, or something more decorative, depending on taste and budget, will do the job nicely. Additionally, don't forget fuel for whatever type of lighting chosen, and have matches on hand to light the lamps.

Batteries, now here's a tough one. Get extra batteries for flashlights and radios. Why radios? Duh, many radio stations will be operating by generators, and those not will be on the air eventually. When this occurs we'll know the electricity is back on and can then turn on the electric lights.

Now, none of this requires an advanced degree in astrophysics. It's just old fashioned common sense, something not seen much these days.

In all likelihood nothing will happen when the calendar changes, and these tips should be taken as are severe winter weather warnings as something that could occur and cause problems for a few days.

However, the biggest threat seems to be from stupid people who want something drastic and bad to happen at midnight New Year's Eve.

Utility companies will have crews on hand at this time just in case something happens, or should some idiot try and sabotage equipment.

In the event someone is successful in their sabotage effort, the problems will be centralized locally and not widespread. Nothing we haven't been through with any severe thunderstorm in this area.

Of course, if this proves to be the end of the world, all the precautions we take will be meaningless and we can all follow the kyag rule.

Regardless, it's nothing to lose any sleep over.