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This may not be an original idea, but I think there is something important that policy makers can do right now to help every American preserve their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic - cancel Daylight Savings on November 1 and #KeepTheLightsOn. 1/
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real thing. One of the primary causes is reduced levels of sunlight in Fall and Winter. Some of that we can’t control, but DST compounds this for many. We can control that. 2/
DST hits Nov. 1 this year. There is going to be a wicked brew of factors converging on us at that time. We likely will just have not had a traditional Halloween, stressing many children and parents, another “loss” in the COVID column for many families. 3/
Other Fall social rituals like College Football, the NFL Fall High School sports, end of Summer parities, and traditional social events related to Fall activity may have also been missed. 4/
We will be about two months into virtual schooling for many districts. Teachers, parents and children will be fraying a little by this point, bored, missing social interactions, etc. Many disappointed college students will be deep into their now second semester at home 5/
If restrictions have not been lifted, the economic toll of COVID will be peaking. Retailers who need holiday sales will be staring down the loss of significant holiday season revenue. Parents who have lost jobs or closed businesses will be stressing about holiday gifts 6/
And it will be getting cold. People will be already be inside more. And cold and flu season will be upon us. People will be in fear of the “second wave.” There will be a great deal of possible optimism but possibly stress over vaccines? Are they ready? Are they tested? 7/
And one more tiny thing. Two days after DST kicks in, we have a PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. We will be in the midst of jubilation and anger over the outcome, highly divided, stressed and angry. The timing here is TERRIBLE. 8/
Against the backdrop of all of this, we don’t need to artificially take an hour of sunlight out of peoples lives at the end of the day. It will be pouring gas on a mental health fire. We do not have to do this. We can make the adjustment. 9/
So, why plunge even earlier into darkness? Lets #KeepTheLightsOn. Whatever its required of us to do, we should do it. Let’s do this one simple thing to make it easier on the mental health of literally every American. Thanks.
Oh and of course RT if you agree!
