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Transcript/ScriptPLAYBOOK SLUG: US DST Religion & Economy TV
HEADLINE: Sun Struck: Will U.S. Adopt Permanent Daylight Saving?
TEASER: From prayers to putting, time shift could reshape Americans’ habits.
PUBLISHED AT: 04/08/2022 at 9:40am
BYLINE: Veronica Balderas Iglesias
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER/VIDEO EDITOR: Veronica Balderas Iglesias
SCRIPT EDITORS: Tom Detzel, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, AFP, AP, storyblock, see courtesies in script
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:39
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:
UPDATE: Radio Tracks for Reversioning Included))
((INTRO))
[[Daylight Saving Time starts in the spring, when clocks are set ahead one hour to make daylight last later through the fall. Now, the U.S. Congress wants to make the shift permanent – even though there was a backlash the last time they did it. VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias looks into the so-called Sunshine Protection Act.]]
((Mandatory cg: Agudath Israel of America))
((NARRATOR))
((NAT SOUND: Jewish morning prayers))
The sunrise prayer that Orthodox Jews perform lasts some 45 minutes each day, and then it’s off to take care of worldly affairs.
But if the U.S. Congress does as expected, the routine might change.
((VIDEO: Agencies/Law being debated in the Senate))
A law called the “Sunshine Protection Act” would shift U.S. clocks an hour forward all year round. That means more daylight in the evening – but less in the morning, too.
((Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudath Israel of America))
“In some cities there’s going to be days, weeks or even months of sunrise after 8 o’clock.
((Mandatory cg: Agudath Israel of America))
And if you finish your prayers after 9 o’clock or a quarter to nine, how do you get to the office?”
((NARRATOR))
Rabbi Abba Cohen is with the Orthodox Jewish Group Agudath Israel of America. The group has opposed the change since it was tried, then abandoned, in the 1970’s.
One reason: Worry about the safety of school kids commuting in the morning dark.
((Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudath Israel of America))
“It was jet black outside and kids were going to school either by either walking either by bicycle, by car or by bus. There were accidents, there were a number of incidents unfortunately that involved assault.”
((NAT SOUND: Muslim call to prayer at mosque))
Islamic prayers are also timed with the sun. Muslims said changing the clock isn’t a big issue …
((Ahmed Mostafa, Prays at Mosque))
“You know, anyway, we have to come so we have to adjust ourselves to whatever time we have.”
((NARRATOR))
… but it does matter during the Holy Month of Ramadan, when they fast during the daylight hours.
[[RADIO INTRO: explained Saif Rahman, the Director of Public and Government Affairs at Dar El-Hijrah Islamic Center]]
((Saif Rahman, Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center))
“We’ve just switched time, and people will have to get used to a longer day, essentially to fast. Next year Ramadan is going to be 12 days earlier, which will be right around the time change. I think having a consistent time is something that people would prefer.”
((NARRATOR))
The act would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Prayers aren’t the only issue that’s come up.
Supporters say the change is good for businesses. That may come at the expense of Americans’ overall well-being.
The National Association of Convenience Stores, for instance, says the late daylight translates into 5 billion more dollars a year in sales.
And golfers can play later, a boon for courses.
[[RADIO INTRO: Tim Krebs is Area Director of Operations at Troon Golf and National Links Trust.]]
((Tim Krebs, Troon Golf and National Links Trust))
“There's a full restaurant, the food truck, and this golf course like I said is very busy,
so it tends to become in the afternoons and evenings kind of a hangout for
people to hit range balls and afterwards get something to eat something to drink and socialize with their friends.”
But critics say Daylight Savings Time
((Mandatory cg: Cleveland Clinic))
….disrupts the body’s natural rhythms.
Studies show the risk of cancer, heart attack and obesity spikes when biologic clocks are off.
[[RADIO INTRO: Anne Marie Morse is a spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine]]
((Mandatory cg: SKYPE))
((Anne Marie Morse, American Academy of Sleep Medicine))
“There's a 6 percent increase in fatal car accidents as associated with daylight saving time year after year. You can't argue against statistics that are saying that we're putting people at risk.”
((NARRATOR))
Congress tried to make Daylight Saving Time permanent in 1973, supposedly to save energy, but reversed course after complaints that children were killed in morning traffic accidents.
This latest effort cleared the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent.
Now it’s up to the House of Representatives to act, while President Joe Biden, who has veto power, hasn’t taken a stance.
((Veronica Balderas Iglesias, for VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington
BylineVeronica Balderas Iglesias
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
