Actually I think the "summon lift" button is a better example of idempotence. It doesn't matter how many times you mash the button, the lift is coming ASAP, no quicker. Hitting the button when it's lit doesn't cancel summoning the lift.
By 'lift' you mean 'elevator'? When I first read this I thought you meant 'summon lyft' the ride service but then realized what you meant!
Interestingly in the 'old days' of elevator operators hitting it multiple times would be either a 'hurry up' for the operator or an annoyance that maybe made it come slower!
You can delete an email or mark it as read even if it's been done before (on another open screen as an example).