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#ShutdownStories: The impact of the government shutdown #ShutdownStories: The impact of the government shutdown
(about 20 hours later)
The partial US government shutdown has entered the new year as President Donald Trump's border wall standoff with Congress remains unresolved. The US government has now been partially shut for over two weeks, with President Donald Trump insisting he will keep it closed for "as long as it takes" to get congressional funding for his proposed border wall.
As a result of the shutdown, which began on 22 December, around 800,000 employees are feeling the impacts of no funding and no pay. The shutdown, which began on 22 December, has ended funding for about 25% of the federal government, leaving 800,000 employees to bear the burden of no pay.
And as agencies drop all non-essential work, the consequences are wider-reaching than just quiet Washington DC streets and shuttered museums. As agencies nationwide have dropped all non-essential work, the consequences are wider-reaching than just quiet Washington DC streets and shuttered museums.
Americans nationwide have expressed their worry and anger over the situation, taking to social media to share how they cannot pay their bills or afford medication thanks to the shutdown. Many are now concerned about US air travel, as travel safety agents call in sick and flight controllers work unpaid for long hours.
'We won't be able to pay our mortgage' 'Blue-flu' sparks flight safety concerns
The partial shutdown means about 25% of the US federal government has no funding. Only essential employees will continue working, but they'll do so without pay. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, who have been working without pay, are reportedly calling in sick, sparking concerns that travellers will face long security lines and airports may be too short-staffed to keep up safety standards.
CNN reported hundreds of officers had taken sick leave last week at several major airports in a wave of "blue-flu", named for the blue uniforms they wear.
TSA denied any cause for concern in a statement, saying that while call-outs have increased, they are "causing minimal impact" and security has not been compromised.
Flight traffic controllers are also feeling the effects of the shutdown - especially with record low numbers of fully-certified staff to handle over 43,000 daily flights.
Many have been working long shifts without pay, new technology has gone unimplemented and training programmes for much needed new hires have been put on hold.
Paul Rinaldi, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association said in a public letter to Congress that the furloughs "make an already complicated job even more difficult".
"Right now, we are asking our controllers to maintain the safety and efficiency of the system without the necessary contribution of 3,000 safety professionals."
'Disaster could strike at any time'
Nine departments have been affected by the shutdown, including Homeland Security, Justice, Housing, Agriculture, Commerce, Interior, and the Treasury.Nine departments have been affected by the shutdown, including Homeland Security, Justice, Housing, Agriculture, Commerce, Interior, and the Treasury.
Around 800,000 federal workers are now furloughed - that is, temporarily laid off due to a lack of funding - or working without pay. Most federal workers are furloughed - that is, temporarily laid off due to lack of funds - but those deemed essential are now working without pay.
Many hope they will receive back pay when the government resumes, but that remains uncertain. Some have resorted to second jobs or fundraising to get by in the meantime. Many hope they will receive back pay when the government resumes, but that remains uncertain and is not an option for any contracted workers.
Employees have taken to Twitter to express their frustration over the shutdown, sharing financial difficulties with the hashtag #ShutdownStories. Over the last 17 days, federal employees have taken to social media to express their frustrations with the hashtag #ShutdownStories.
Julie Burr, a contracted worker, told the BBC's Newsday that she has lost two weeks worth of wages thus far - with no guarantee she will be repaid.Julie Burr, a contracted worker, told the BBC's Newsday that she has lost two weeks worth of wages thus far - with no guarantee she will be repaid.
"I am a single mother so I am on my own with this," Ms Burr says. "I am a single mother so I am on my own with this," Ms Burr says. "If it continues...and I keep going without wages, then we get into February's rent and that's when it's going to be difficult."
"I've worked with my landlord and we're ok for the month of January probably, but if it continues...and I keep going without wages, then we get into February's rent and that's when it's going to be difficult."
One federal employee, who requested to be identified only as Stacey, told the BBC she feels like "disaster could strike at any time".One federal employee, who requested to be identified only as Stacey, told the BBC she feels like "disaster could strike at any time".
She said that one of her children is severely autistic and receives medical services from the government. With the shutdown, Stacey now has to worry about affording emergency hospital care or doctor visits.She said that one of her children is severely autistic and receives medical services from the government. With the shutdown, Stacey now has to worry about affording emergency hospital care or doctor visits.
"Obviously if it goes on too long then I'm going to have to look at other options. I love my job but I can't go too long without pay.""Obviously if it goes on too long then I'm going to have to look at other options. I love my job but I can't go too long without pay."
A worker's union representing some 400,000 essential personnel on Monday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for allegedly violating the Fair Labour Standards Act by not paying these employees since 22 December. A worker's union representing some 400,000 essential personnel has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for allegedly violating the Fair Labour Standards Act by not paying employees.
No census in Indiana Parks struggle to stay open
And the impact stretches beyond the capital city. Faced with deteriorating and increasingly hazardous conditions, The National Park Service has announced it will begin using funds from visitor fees to operate some landmarks.
In Indiana, the political standoff stopped US census work, with 40% of census bureau employees sent home without pay just after Christmas, according to the News and Tribune. Deputy director P Daniel Smith said in a statement to US media: "It has become clear that highly visited parks with limited staff have urgent needs that cannot be addressed solely through the generosity of our partners."
Crisis centre on verge of closure The rare move could face legal issues, however, as the fees are meant to be used for larger-scale projects, not daily maintenance, the Associated Press reported.
Pathways to Safety International, an organisation that assists US Citizens overseas who have been victim of sexual assault or domestic violence, says it will have to close on 13 January if the government shutdown doesn't end by then. Theresa Pierno, head of the National Parks Conservation Association, said in a statement that dipping into these funds "will dig our parks into an even bigger financial hole".
The organisation's funding comes through a federal grant from the US Department of Justice. That money ran out on the 6 January. Employees have volunteered to work for a week for free but after that operations will be suspended. "National parks were already struggling before this government shutdown," Ms Pierno noted, adding that the administration was "robbing money" to keep parks open during the shutdown.
Executive Director Paula Lucas told the BBC that it would cause "an emergency situation for Americans stranded abroad without critical services." Most parks, especially ones that do not collect fees, will still have no services like public toilets, waste pickup, road maintenance and support centres.
Rubbish piles in national parks National parks have typically been closed under prior government shutdowns.
The National Park Service has suspended all non-emergency services, including all visitor services like public toilets, waste pickup, road maintenance and support centres, with over 21,000 employees now furloughed. While volunteers banded together in the last two weeks to help clean park grounds nationwide, many remain hazardous due to waste and unsafe roads.
The parks remain generally accessible to the public, but conditions have deteriorated due to a lack of staff. But the biggest concern with keeping parks open on a skeleton staff is a seriously stunted response to emergencies.
Noticeably, rubbish quickly began to pile up outside national sites, including around the National Mall and the White House. At least seven people have died in national parks since the shutdown, the Washington Post reported.
Draining local resources
Without federal employees to keep national landmarks clean, cities have had to use their own funds.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has been using the district's local resources to keep the capital clean at a cost of $46,000 (£36,500) per week.Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has been using the district's local resources to keep the capital clean at a cost of $46,000 (£36,500) per week.
In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo has committed to paying $65,000 a day to ensure the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island stay rubbish-free and open for tourists.In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo has committed to paying $65,000 a day to ensure the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island stay rubbish-free and open for tourists.
The Los Angeles Times reported human waste has created a health hazard in Yosemite after visitors began using the roadside as a replacement for public toilets. Across the country, small towns built around federal institutions are bracing for long-term effects thanks to the shutdown.
And without snow ploughs or rangers to help handle wintry conditions, the Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks in California have seen an increase in vehicle accidents due to dangerously icy roads. In Ogden, Utah, restaurants and small businesses have slashed hours after losing the patronage of thousands of federal employees in the area, the Washington Post reported.
In recent days, nonprofits and volunteers have pitched in to clean up parklands across the US. In Joshua Tree, volunteers nicknamed "toilet angels" have helped haul hundreds of pounds of rubbish out of the park and restock toiletries.
The lack of staff has also impacted visitor safety by way of rescues: One backpacker in Texas had to be carried for two hours by a single ranger after breaking his leg on a trail.
In addition, any park-operated monuments and homes are also closed, including the Frederick Douglass Historic Site, Ford's Theatre and Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument.
Science setbacksScience setbacks
As many federally employed scientists stop working at agencies like the National Science Foundation, labs across the country are facing repercussions.As many federally employed scientists stop working at agencies like the National Science Foundation, labs across the country are facing repercussions.
Researchers are concerned about their ability to access federal data and getting in touch with grant officials about project funding.Researchers are concerned about their ability to access federal data and getting in touch with grant officials about project funding.
Rush Holt, head of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, emphasised the impact in a statement. Rush Holt, head of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, said in a statement the shutdown "can disrupt or delay research projects, lead to uncertainty over new research, and reduce researcher access to agency data and infrastructure".
"Any shutdown of the federal government can disrupt or delay research projects, lead to uncertainty over new research, and reduce researcher access to agency data and infrastructure," Mr Holt said. Hundreds of Nasa (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) staff will also be absent from US astronomy's biggest conference this year, unable to present their findings due to the lack of funding.
Panda cam goes offline Smithsonian shuttered
Tourists in DC will find all of the popular Smithsonian museums - like the Air and Space, African American History and Natural History museums - are now closed. DC tourists have been shut out of all the popular Smithsonian museums since the shutdown as well as the Gallery of Art and Arboretum.
The National Zoo and all live-animal broadcasts - panda cam included - are also offline. The animals will still be cared for, the Smithsonian said.
Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda St Thomas told the BBC an estimated 1.2 million visitors will be turned away if the shutdown continues through January. She noted two thirds of Smithsonian employees are now furloughed.Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda St Thomas told the BBC an estimated 1.2 million visitors will be turned away if the shutdown continues through January. She noted two thirds of Smithsonian employees are now furloughed.
The National Arboretum and National Archives have also shuttered. Thanks to an earlier appropriations bill, the US Botanic Garden and Capitol Building are still open. So are nonfederal museums, with some - like the Woodrow Wilson House - offering free admission to federal workers.
The National Gallery of Art has managed to acquire enough funds to stay open until Thursday. Thanks to an earlier appropriations bill, the US Botanic Garden and Capitol Building are also open. Native tribes hurting
Meanwhile, nonfederal museums remain open with some, like the Woodrow Wilson House, offering free admission to federal workers.
Native tribes struggling
Native American tribes receive substantial federal funding for essential services like healthcare and food as part of a deal negotiated decades ago in exchange for Native lands.Native American tribes receive substantial federal funding for essential services like healthcare and food as part of a deal negotiated decades ago in exchange for Native lands.
In Michigan, a Chippewa tribe has already been forced to use their own funds to pay some $100,000 (£79,400) to keep clinics and food pantries open, the New York Times reported.In Michigan, a Chippewa tribe has already been forced to use their own funds to pay some $100,000 (£79,400) to keep clinics and food pantries open, the New York Times reported.
Similar stories have cropped up across the country. Some Navajo tribes in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah are trapped in their homes without access to groceries and medicine due to unploughed roads.Similar stories have cropped up across the country. Some Navajo tribes in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah are trapped in their homes without access to groceries and medicine due to unploughed roads.
In Minnesota, police officers on the Boise Forte Indian Reservation are already working without pay.In Minnesota, police officers on the Boise Forte Indian Reservation are already working without pay.
Discounted drinks in DC Farm finance troubles
Washington DC's local government is still operating, and has been reminding tourists that businesses and restaurants are also open for business. With the Department of Agriculture unfunded, farmers across the country are facing troubles applying for federal assistance.
And many local spots are offering discounts to government employees to help ease the strain of the shutdown. Farmers were promised aid as President Trump's trade war with China continues, but the offices handling applications has been closed since 28 December.
Celebrity chef José Andrés, who owns a number of restaurants in the Washington DC area, announced that federal employees and their families could get a free sandwich at any of his establishments throughout the shutdown. Federal loan applications and information sites for farmers are also going unmaintained.
Italian restaurant Carmine's will also be offering free food to workers. Government reports - including some supply and demand estimates farmers rely on - will also not be released on time, even if the shutdown ends soon.
As Washington locals band together to address food concerns, the shutdown has also sparked national concerns over benefit programmes like food stamps. E-verify down
The Department of Agriculture confirmed eligible families would continue to receive food assistance in January, but some programmes will operate solely on state funding through the shutdown. Operated by the Department of Homeland Security, the E-verify programme allows employers to confirm that potential hires are able to work legally in the US.
The National Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Association, which provides food and education to low-income pregnant mothers and children, issued a statement urging lawmakers to end the shutdown before state agencies run out of funds. It has been offline since 22 December, which could make it easier for illegal immigrants to get jobs if employers bypass verification.
"Over seven million mothers, pregnant women, and children rely on WIC," association president Rev Douglas Greenaway said. Inmates feast, guards go unpaid
"The uncertainty and confusion that a shutdown causes is not only disruptive to people's lives, but could also lead to significant health consequences." Thanks to meals scheduled prior to the shutdown, federal inmates have been feasting on holiday treats like grilled steak, biscuits and pies.
Their guards, meanwhile, have been working through the holidays without pay.
"You are seeing prisoners getting steak, roast beef and Cornish hens, and you can't put that kind of food on the table for your own family," Eric Young, president of the national prison workers union, told USA Today.
Unsurprisingly, tensions are high between staff and prisoners.
"The inmates know what's going on, they know about the shutdown, and they are laughing at us," one prison chief told the paper.
Crisis centre on verge of closure
Pathways to Safety International, an organisation that assists US Citizens overseas who have been victim of sexual assault or domestic violence, says it will have to close on 13 January if the government shutdown doesn't end by then.
The organisation's funding comes through the US Department of Justice. That money ran out on the 6 January. Employees have volunteered to work for a week for free but after that operations will be suspended.
Executive Director Paula Lucas told the BBC that it would cause "an emergency situation for Americans stranded abroad without critical services."
Funds almost out for federal courts
The Administrative Office of the US Courts says it has enough funding to operate until 11 January, at which point all non-essential staff at 94 federal district courts and other top courts nationwide will join the furloughed.
This could mean civil cases are suspended, and hearings and filings are rescheduled, Bloomberg reported.
Criminal cases will be prioritised, but with courts operating on minimum staffing, there could still be delays in proceedings.
'Unofficial' marriages only'Unofficial' marriages only
The shutdown has also made its mark on some late December weddings in Washington DC.The shutdown has also made its mark on some late December weddings in Washington DC.
One couple tweeted that their marriage remains unofficial since marriage bureau staff in the capital were furloughed during their wedding.One couple tweeted that their marriage remains unofficial since marriage bureau staff in the capital were furloughed during their wedding.
But those hoping to file for divorce can still do so as the intake centre has stayed open, Buzzfeed News reported.But those hoping to file for divorce can still do so as the intake centre has stayed open, Buzzfeed News reported.
Are you a federal employee or contractor affected by the government shutdown? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you a federal employee or contractor affected by the government shutdown? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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