The federal government shuts down again, creating more uncertainty in uncertain times.

As of this writing, the federal government remains shut down, and according to news reports from Washington, D.C., that appears unlikely to change soon—negotiations are at an impasse. Of course, that might change by the time this email hits your inbox; in theory, at least, one of the federal government’s top priorities should be to keep the federal government operating. 

Sara Rubin here, thinking about things big and small that are impacted when our federal leaders fail us. Many people might not even notice the shutdown, assuming it lasts just a short time. We might not attempt to go to a federal campground or seek military retiree services until after everything is humming again. 

But the impacts are real, and they are impacting real people in Monterey County. Among those who received furlough notices from work are the more than 100 civilians who work at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey and staff members for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. 

Some of the impacts are unknown, part of the chaotic nature of abrupt federal changes we’ve come to expect. At the county level, “many discretionary programs, grants, inspections and administrative support functions may be suspended, delayed or scaled back,” County of Monterey spokesperson Maia Carroll told Associate Editor Erik Chalhoub.

In the realm of health care, Staff Writer Pam Marino reports on the potential $14 million in annual funding that could be lost to Natividad, the county’s safety net hospital. “That’s significant,” Natividad CEO Dr. Chad Harris said.

There are impacts to entertainment. Features Editor Dave Faries reports that the Blue Angels—already in Salinas parked at the airport—will need to leave town before the California International Airshow begins on Saturday if the shutdown continues. (They currently have clearance to remain in town until tomorrow.) 

As the shutdown began, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, issued a statement expressing his frustration at his Republican colleagues. Worth noting is that Panetta is a reach-across-the-aisle, bipartisan kind of member of Congress, eager to team up with Republicans. 

“In my limited time in Congress, there have been 29 continuing resolutions (CRs) to keep the government open that have been voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives prior to this month’s CR,” Panetta said. “Although I am not proud that Congress has relied on CRs that many times, I am proud that every one of those CRs were bipartisan and a result of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats.” 

Of course, this time is different—the Republicans are reportedly unwilling to negotiate on the depth of cuts to health care, and Democrats are finally showing they will have a spine in defending those millions of constituents who rely on subsidized health care. 

It’s hard to imagine where we go from here; the president may well delight in the federal government being shut down. Panetta maintains his old-fashioned optimism: “I believe that it is never too late for Republicans and Democrats to live up to our obligation to govern by working together,” he said.

I hope he’s right, even if I have my doubts in this moment. Meanwhile, a workforce is waiting on our federal leadership for a chance to resume doing their jobs.