It finally came to me. The answer to how to tell the truth about Y2K without disrupting the economy.
Misinformation results in fear and irrational behavior.
Because of a careless mistake by one man and a devious scheme by another, the day's cash from the Building and Loan was not deposited at the bank. As a result, there is a run on the Building and Loan. The people are afraid and want their money immediately in cash. As if I had the money back in a safe. The money's not here.