Federal workers in Washington apparently are not considered a hardy bunch when it comes to hot or cold weather, noted Grumpy Editor.
During winter, “snow days” keep many at home. Last week it was the heat.
The government’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) encouraged federal workers (those paid by taxpayers) to perform their duties from home as the temperature soared to the upper 90s.
Apparently homes and apartments have better air conditioning than federal buildings.
OPM, which acts as the government's human resources department, said it was reminding agencies about "what they can do to protect all federal workers during potentially dangerous heat waves."
A memo warned “severe heat and humidity seen so far this summer make it necessary for us all to take precautions and protect ourselves and our family's health and well-being."
OPM also reminded federal workers to stay inside as much as possible, wear light-colored clothing and drink extra water.
"I know that all federal employees are dedicated and committed to doing all they can to serve the American people," wrote OPM Acting Director Beth Cobert. She added, “we all must be mindful of protecting our health during severe weather events --- whether cold and storm during winter or the kind of high temperatures and humidity we've been experiencing this summer."
One wonders what would happen to these folks if they were transferred to perennially hot summer cities such as Palm Springs, Las Vegas or Phoenix.
IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE…
Although Hillary Clinton made history as the first woman to secure a presidential nomination from a major U.S. party, some key newspapers around the country placed dominant photos of overjoyed, smiling husband Bill on front pages instead of art of his wife. Among them were the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Houston Chronicle, San Diego Union-Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Detroit Free Press and Seattle Times.
Reaction from Seattle Times readers, for example, was so strong that Leon Espinoza, assistant managing editor, apologized in print and explained: “Wednesday’s front page, which featured a banner headline, ‘Clinton makes history with formal nomination,’ failed to include a photograph of Hillary Clinton, the first woman to lead a major-party ticket, instead putting the visual focus on former President Bill Clinton, who made an impassioned case for her election as the next president. The omission upset many readers. In hindsight, we focused too much on the live moment and not enough on the history being made. We apologize for missing the mark.”
A Travel + Leisure ad in the June issue brought some angry reaction from the American Family Association and some readers. A Hilton ad showed a gay male couple in bed holding each other and sharing earbuds. The AFA said it was "unnatural and offensive."
Look for some eyebrows raised at judging slated at the Salem, Ore. fair this month. Along with awards for best apple pies and plumpest pigs, pot will be judged for its finer attributes, including color, aroma, leaf structure and lack of pests.
Sharp-eyed TV viewers of the Democrats’ convention in Philadelphia noted there were no American flags on the stage on opening day --- but there was U.S. flag burning outside the arena.
In business news: Here we go again: Now September was being eyed by the Federal Open Market Committee as the time an interest rate hike may be back on the table after a Fed statement mentioned "near-term risks to the economic outlook have diminished”…On the other hand, an overlooked business story last week indicated the weakest U.S. recovery since 1949. Gross domestic product grew at a seasonally and inflation-adjusted annual rate of only 1.2 percent in the second quarter. Also on the negative side: U.S. homeownership rate fell to the lowest level since 1965…End of the line? Boeing Co. said that it might halt production of the two-deck 747 that was introduced in 1970.
A Los Angeles Times editor reminded newsroom staffers to keep opinions off social media…Too bad some cable and over-the-air TV talkers don’t get messages to cool it with on-air opinions.
Chicago TV news reporter Anthony Ponce, after working at local news stations for 13 years, has become a full-time Lyft driver.
He’ll also be interviewing and recording conversations with passengers to produce a podcast called "Backseat Rider."
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