Michiana residents weigh in on ditching daylight saving time switch

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. ---The Senate approved a bill on Tuesday to make a permanent daylight-saving time, which would eliminate clock changes twice a year, and some residents and a local doctor supported the move, emphasizing the overall health benefits.

The bill called the Sunshine Protection Act still needs approval from the House and the President Biden’s signature to officially become a law, but whether its springing forward or falling back an hour most folks said they’d rather “ditch the switch” all together.

“It’s hard to adjust each time,” said Michiana Resident Brendan Bradford.

 “I like that it’s warm out,  when it’s sunnier for longer and I’m very excited about the possibility that it will be like this all year around,” added University of Notre Dame Student Cassie Gawlik,

Most folks ABC57 talked to on Eddy Street in South Bend had one thing in common, they all supported ditching the time change in the spring and the fall to make daylight saving time permanent.

Something parents were especially on board with.

“It throws the kid routine off and every time you change the clocks like that, so we got four kids and every time we change the clocks like that they’re waking up really early or going to bed really late so if it makes parenting easier, I’m all for it going away,” said Micah Klutinoty, a Michiana resident and parent of four kids.

Dr. James Harris at the South Bend Clinic also pushed for the U.S. Senate’s new Sunshine Bill, that passed unanimously on Tuesday.

He said a more permanent daylight-saving time makes it easier for folks to stick to their sleep schedule leading to positive impacts on people’s physical and mental health.

“Anytime you change your schedule dramatically like that it can lead to health problems more colds, any kind of stress like that can lead to infections, more illness, more fatigue and more prone to get sick from any number of things,” said Dr. Harris.

Dr. Harris is among many who believe the wartime measure adopted in 1942 is now outdated and said the overwhelming health benefits outweigh the need for seasonal time changes.

“Each of us has built into a circadian rhythm which again tells us when to be awake and when to be asleep so when your schedule changes dramatically it can mess that up. Again, that can have all kinds health affects you can be drowsier, more fatigued, perform less well in school or at work.”

More than a dozen states across the country have already made the switch.