Sunday, March 8, 2020

Influenza Season and Other Epidemics Are More Reasons to Abolish Daylight Saving Time


Every year, I post reasons to abolish Daylight Saving Time, the twice-annual obligation to change the clocks forward or back.  In addition to financial cost, I have cited health concerns because of increased risks of accidents and physical health problems because of the disruption of sleep and schedule, as well as mental health problems.  There is no benefit to the change.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus 2019 reminds that the hour of sleep is lost during the influenza season, an inopportune time to cause a loss of sleep an alteration to the circadian rhythm, as it can weaken immune systems.  But during this additional epidemic that has already spread to most American States and the District of Columbia, it is especially irresponsible.

More and more States in the Union are considering legislation to abolish DST or at least to eliminate the twice-a-year obligation to move the clocks by switching permanently to DST as the new Standard Time or their jurisdiction.  The federal government should coordinate with States on abolishing this costly and unhealthy disruption.

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