Dr. Vishek Kapoor: permanent daylight saving time would mean 9 a.m. winter sunrises in Washington and health harms

In the Pacific Northwest, lawmakers are considering letting states remain on permanent daylight saving time (DST). Per Dr. Vishek Kapoor (University of Washington School of Medicine, co-director of the UW Medicine Sleep Center), that change would push winter sunrises later — "sunrise would be at 9 a.m." in Washington — producing much darker mornings across the region. Dr. Kapoor acknowledges the appeal of "more daylight in the evening hours," but warns that "in the morning, the longer dark could impact our health."

He gives a concrete example for schoolchildren: under permanent DST they "would have to wake up two hours before the sun rises and be in school an hour before the sun rises." Sleep experts link loss of morning light and shortened sleep to measurable harms: people getting "six hours and less of sleep" over time show metabolic effects including gaining weight, "increased high blood pressure," "increased risk of cardiovascular diseases," and "increased risk of mood disorders." While he accepts that changing clocks twice a year is inconvenient, Dr. Kapoor recommends staying in permanent standard time because it "aligns better with the activity of the sun and our circadian rhythms," producing brighter winter mornings and earlier summer sunsets.

On policy, several lawmakers including Washington Senator Patty Murray back the Sunshine Protection Act to make DST permanent, but it has not passed. The story notes that currently no states are in constant DST; "Hawaii and Arizona are in permanent standard time." The reporter infers (from Dr. Kapoor's argument and timing examples) that permanent DST would disproportionately affect morning schedules, especially for children and people whose circadian rhythms rely on sunrise cues.

Bottom line: permanent DST shifts morning light later (concrete: 9 a.m. sunrise), risks sleep loss and downstream health outcomes per Dr. Vishek Kapoor, and contrasts with his recommendation for permanent standard time.