The sky is falling, except there’s no one left to tell you about it. With all the recent talk of government shutdown focused on our elected officials and their salaries, it is easy to lose sight of the services being cut.

All national parks and monuments have been closed, no one can apply for a small business loan, adoptions have been put on hold, NASA has seen most of its work suspended and tourism services have had to adapt on the fly.

Neon Tommy reporters found out how the ongoing government shutdown is effecting these programs and more.

 

Some Federal Employees Are Working, But Pay Is Delayed

The government shutdown means most federal employees are working with delayed pay or are being furloughed. Two of the many agencies affected are the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, and the Centers For Disease Control, or CDC. Air Traffic Controllers, under the jurisdiction of the FAA, are on the job and will see their pay delayed. Sarah Dunn of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association said,

“It’s obviously frustrating…while they are frustrated, they are not going to let it detract from their work…”

FAA safety inspectors are being furloughed. The Associated Press reported that their union’s spokeswoman Kori Blalock Keller said,

“The inspectors check to make sure airlines are maintaining their planes safely, conduct inspections at airports of planes and pilots, and visit domestic and foreign repair stations where airlines send planes for major overhauls, among other safety jobs.”

The CDC media relations phone line says the personnel are not in the office because of furlough due to the lack of appropriations. CDC spokeswoman Barbara Reynolds says the CDC’s “biggest worry is what we are missing,” and two-thirds of the CDC’s employees have been told they cannot come to work.

She cleared up the misconception associated with the distribution of flu shots. A small percentage of 135 million doses that have been produced are shipped through certain funding and in two weeks there will not be enough money to ship that small percentage. This does not affect all of the distribution channels of the vaccine.

In the food born illness sector of the CDC, Reynolds said there are normally eight people in one section of said department, but because of the shutdown, she says there is only one person. She said the one person is trying to do the work of all eight. Reynolds did say, however, that, “If there is a serious health outbreak, CDC can do the work you would expect.”

-Max Schwartz

Reach Senior Reporter Max Schwartz here.

 

Planned Parenthood Keeps Doors Open

Planned Parenthood, which is government funded, has not suffered much due to the government shutdown. Serena Josel, the Pubic Affairs Director for Planned Parenthood in Los Angeles, said that the health center and operations programs aren’t affected as much as other programs. This is because the health care is considered “critical funding.” This status refers to a program that is essential, regardless of the state of the government. Health care programs nationally are not affected the same way the state parks or zoos are affected. Continual funding the health care providers is necessary to many people and communities, so it can’t be shutdown.

All Planned Parenthood locations are open and operational during the shutdown, Josel says. The only way they are affected is that there are not background checks done on new employees and volunteers. Although some of their patients might suffer in other ways from the shutdown, they will continue to receive help from Planned Parenthood, Josel says. Most of its funding comes from the government - taxpayers money - yet they aren’t suffering from the shutdown.

Opponents of Obamacare might not be happy about this: Planned Parenthood provides birth control and funds abortions. Conservative lawmakers fighting against Obamacare for this reason don’t approve. However, Planned Parenthood’s health care services are largely preventive. Taxpayer funds are not used for abortions. Funding should not be taken from organizations that provide health care for the economically downtrodden.

-Kristy Plaza

Reach Executive Producer Kristy Plaza here.

 

D.C. Organization Makes Most Of Shutdown

The government shutdown has negatively affected businesses large and small, but some have averted the crisis and turned it into an opportunity. Culture Tourism D.C. is an organization that celebrates the culture and heritage in Washington D.C.  While tourism has gone down since the shutdown, Culture Tourism D.C. has plans to keep their business thriving. They have “used this as an opportunity to talk about all the organizations that are not federally funded,“ said Michelle Cragle, director of marketing for the organization.

As a service that focuses on more than just the typical tourism spots in D.C., they are hoping this shutdown will help them expand the rich culture that makes the capital so unique. From dance shows to theatrical performances, the shutdown has “given them a platform to promote D.C. as being more than just a federal town,” Cragle continued. It has given them the chance to go back to the very foundation of their organization and dive deeper into the heritage of D.C.

For the duration of the shutdown they are setting up a new promotional website to highlight attractions that will remain open and offer special discounts to federal employees. The 250 member organization remains committed to keeping tourism and heritage in Washington D.C. alive.

-Alyssa Spear

Reach Staff Reporter Alyssa Spear here.

 

Statue Of Liberty Closed Again

Tourists who expected to board a boat and climb the Statue of Liberty were denied as the historical symbol was exempted due to the recent federal government shutdown. Rafael Abreu, the director of sales and marketing for Statue tours, said that there has been a significant decline in ridership. “Our ridership has decreased up to fifty, maybe even sixty percent per day,” Abreu said. Abreu added that if this government shutdown continues, he will be forced to layoff employees and restructure the business, similar to what they had to do when Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast.

Those who expected to travel the Statue of Liberty but are now no longer able to do so, have the option to get a full refund or utilize their purchased ticket to take the Harbor Tour. Here, tourists are still able to view the famous architecture and landmarks of the city. In terms of how he has witnessed tourists’ reaction to the shutdown, Abreu says that the visitors who purchased tickets have been very sympathetic. “Tourists, and even those who live in the city, have not expressed any negativity whatsoever. Actually, they seem much more optimistic about the whole situation."

-Katie Fell

Reach Staff Reporter Katie Fell here.

 

T Minus Eleven Days Unit Shutdown Hits Courts

Federal courthouses are remaining open through the government shutdown, but judicial employees will still be affected. According to an Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts memorandum, external funds will cover staffer’s paychecks for ten business days. These funds come from filing fee and long-term appropriation revenues and is typically not included in the Courts’ annual budget. After ten days, there will be some setbacks to the lower courts, include furloughing of certain employees and probation reductions because they don’t fall under the federal Anti-Deficiency Act’s definition of essential work.

According to a representative from the U.S. 9th District Court of Appeals' Pasadena office, staffers are awaiting the looming Oct.15 date because they have no idea which employees will be furloughed yet:

“They’ll let us know who’s essential to the court the day of. We’re still being funded until Oct.15, but we’ll just have to see what happens after that,” the representative said. “Hopefully the government will get back on track by then.”

-Daffany Chan

Reach Staff Reporter Daffany Chan here.

 

Alphabet Soup Programs Go Down The Drain

Members of Congress managed to keep their full paychecks throughout the shutdown, while low-income mothers who rely on government funding are left questioning how they will continue to feed their children. With the government shutdown came the temporary end of funding for the Special  Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (otherwise known as WIC).

Almost 9 million mothers with children under the age of five rely on the program to supply food for their children. The program provides vouchers for healthy food, instant formula and breastfeeding support. WIC operations that are still open in California are currently running off of reserve funds. Once these funds run out, women will be left on their own. Maria D’angelo, founder and president of The Children’s Life Saving Foundation works to transform the lives of LA’s homeless families. Many of the families she works with receive funding from WIC when they first arrive at the foundation. “The end of WIC is certainly going to affect every mother and child involved with the program,” says D’angelo. As Congress squabbles over funding, women across America are left fearing for the nutrition of their children.

-Madison Mills

Reach Staff Reporter Madison Mills here.

 

South Dakota Resort Owner: Government Shutdown 'Is Ridiculous'

Although most businesses around Mount Rushmore are not directly affected by the government shutdown, the feeling of discontent with the nation’s current state is still felt among some surrounding business owners. “I think we have way too much government,” said Dani Banks owner of the Holy Smoke Resort. “I can’t stand anyone in congress right now."

Like several hotels and restaurants in Keystone, South Dakota, the Holy Smoke Resort is a seasonal business that closes its doors to visitors by early to mid-October each year. “I’m not really affected by the shutdown because we’ve closed our doors already,” Banks said. “Most businesses here are seasonal because the weather, I mean right now we are in the middle of a blizzard.” Not directly affected by the shutdown, Banks still maintains frustration with the current government’s state. “I think we need to eliminate everyone in congress and elect new officials because this is ridiculous,” Banks said.

-Celeste Alvarez

Reach Staff Reporter Celeste Alvarez here.

 

Restaurants Taste Government Shutdown

Local restaurants near prominent Philadelphia attractions face decreasing business as a result of the Independence National Historical Park closing and most of its employees furloughed during the government shutdown.

Twelve of the park's buildings are currently closed to the public, turning away about 10,000 potential visitors each day. Restaurants such as the City Tavern, located in one of the buildings, were told to close up shop by the National Park Service. According to its public relations director Molly Yun, the restaurant had to cancel its reservations for the week, including for birthday parties and tourists. For restaurants located near the national park, business is still open… but not faring much better. Marie Gorisolia is a bartender at South Street Souvlaki, less than a mile from Liberty Bell. She describes business before the government shutdown as "steady," stating the restaurant received a good deal of its clientele from tourists.

Today, however, Gorisolia notices far less people entering the restaurant known for its Greek cuisine. "Right now, there were only three guys in the restaurant and they just left," she said, while working a lunch shift. Gorisolia is unsure how to help boost clientele during this difficult time, but hopes to see more tourism soon. "The streets are quiet… very quiet," she said.

-Kathy Zerbib

Reach Film Editor Kathy Zerbib here.

 

Shutdown Caused Consulates In China To Stop Issuing Visas

Chinese tourists visiting the United States voiced their dissatisfaction on Weibo, the Chinese Twitter. “Now I am at the Yellowstone National Park, but no way for me to get in there. It’s so disappointing,” said a tourist from Shenzhen, China in her Weibo post. “All the restrooms are locked up in the Death Valley National Park! Now I need somewhere to pee!” said a traveler from Shanghai, China with anger and frustration.

The government shutdown led to temporary close of all national parks and museums in America. This means that most of the Chinese tourists who are visiting and who are planning traveling in America during their “golden week” vacation may need to change their plan. According to 163.com, a popular news website in China, the U.S. Consulates in four Chinese cities have already stopped processing tourist visas since Oct.1.

The number of tourist visa applications from China ranges from 20,000 to 30,000 per day. In 2012, more than one million Chinese visitors came to America. They contributed about seven million U.S. dollars to American sales revenue and tourism industries. “I flew so far to get here but there is nothing to see,” a Henan tourist visiting Washington told China News.

-Zihao Yang

Reach Staff Reporter Zihao Yang here.

 

Head Start Comes To Dead Stop

The absence of federal money will very quickly start forcing preschools funded by Head Start in Los Angeles to stop providing services. Head Start is an early childhood education program, aimed at delivering high quality preschool care to children in low-income neighborhoods.

Head Start schools in Los Angeles are still serving children, unlike those in Florida, but as the shutdown is prolonged many of the schools will be forced to close their doors.

“It’s very hard for the families we serve. They could potentially lose their jobs since they can’t get childcare for their kids. It’s like a ripple effect,” said Yvette Magallon, a teacher at Hoover Intergenerational Care.

“If the school is closed then the families have to find a place for their kids in the day since they can’t take their kids to work. If they can’t find childcare and have to stay home, they might lose their job.”

Hoover Intergenerational Care Preschool is not a Head Start institution, but provides very similar services to Head Start funded schools, like meal services and literacy building. 

Hoover receives its funding from the state of California, but earlier in the year the state cut funding for one week. Hoover Intergenerational Care was forced to close down for one week, a situation many of Head Start preschools will face if the shutdown continues.

Magallon added too how ultimately “the children are the ones missing out. If their program closes, then they don’t have any kind of school to attend.”

-Matthew Tinoco

Reach Staff Reporter Matthew Tinoco here.

 

Shutdown Happens At Worst Time For Small Businesses

Small businesses are another casualty of the government shutdown, Besty Burton, owner of The King’s English Bookstore says. Even though her Salt Lake City bookstore is thousands of miles away from the ongoing disputes taking place in Washington, she says hundreds of small businesses like hers will be affect the most. Her biggest concern however, has little to do with the government or small business employees.

“The biggest way this will affect us is consumer confidence,” Burton said. In her book, “consumer confidence is everything” and she has already seen the way the government shutdown has had a toll on her costumers. “In three days, I can see the difference in the store, people are saying ‘we don’t know how long this is going to last’… We are getting fewer costumers spending less money,” she said.

For business sales, Burton says the shutdown couldn’t have occurred at worse time. The shutdown, she explained strikes in the last quarter for small businesses, which is the most important time of the year for financial gains. “We make most of our money this quarter,” Burton said.

Burton has been the owner of The King’s English Bookstore for 36 years and has seen her share of shutdowns but she says none can compare to this one. The last government shutdown, which lasted 21 days was easier on businesses she continued, “you can survive this much more easily in the first quarter than in the last.”   

At the root of the problem is the Affordable Care Act, which Republicans are hoping to impede. If Congress doesn’t reach a deal soon, the outcome of the shutdown could be costly for businesses like The King’s English Bookstore. “The shutdown has way more consequences than anything that would come from the Affordable Care Act,” she said. Burton is hoping Republicans come together to solve this issue soon so she can get back to what she does best--selling books.

-Rachel Scott

Reach Executive Producer Rachel Scott here.