We can all count ourselves lucky that we're not directly affected by the US Government shutdown. Unless you happen to be visiting the States and were planning on visiting some national parks, international observers will not experience many direct effects of the spending 'cooldown' that has resulted from the Republican and Democratic budgetary dispute.
With only 'vital' services up and running in many organisations (97% of NASA employees, for example, are on unpaid leave for the duration of the furlough), it has had a knock-on effect on social media. Not only the influx of shutdown related tweets, but also the fact that many popular Twitter accounts have been forced to go temporarily silent.
Here's a quick look at how the situation is playing out on Twitter (or not playing out, as the case may be):
Sorry, but we won't be tweeting/responding to replies during the government shutdown. Be back as soon as possible. http://t.co/qIx8cigrnb
— NASA (@NASA) October 1, 2013
Due to the gov't shutdown, all public NASA activities/events are cancelled or postponed until further notice. Sorry for the inconvenience.
— Asteroid Watch (@AsteroidWatch) October 1, 2013
Because of the federal gov’t shutdown this National Park Service Twitter feed is inactive. We’ll start tweeting again when we get back
— Yosemite National Pk (@YosemiteNPS) October 1, 2013
We will not be posting to Facebook or tweeting except in the case of emergencies during the #shutdown.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) October 1, 2013
All animals will continue to be fed & cared for. A #shutdown won't affect our commitment to the safety of staff & excellence in animal care.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) October 1, 2013
We do not plan on updating social media other than to inform you of the operating status of the museums #shutdown
— Smithsonian (@smithsonian) October 1, 2013
Due to Congress’s failure to pass legislation to fund the government, updates to this account will be limited. #Shutdown
— FLOTUS (@FLOTUS) October 1, 2013
@BarackObama won't be silenced, however:
"We're better than this." —President Obama on the government shutdown #EnoughAlready
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 1, 2013
There's plenty of photos of affected locations:
Barricades going up at #lincolnmemorial. First physical signs of #governmentshutdown @WUSA9 pic.twitter.com/jFHGegyll6
— Delia Gonçalves (@9NewsDelia) October 1, 2013
A birthday bummer. #Yosemite National Park is closed, celebrating it's 123rd anniversary alone. What a view! pic.twitter.com/5ve6kmwKep
— Samantha Augeri (@SamanthaAugeri) October 2, 2013
Park Police barricade road along National Mall and #Smithsonian museums. #shutdown #obamacare pic.twitter.com/BsVDWUROdJ
— M. Scott Mahaskey (@smahaskey) October 1, 2013
Still, some people are taking advantage of the situation:
During #shutdown there is a sudden availability of government office space. Might as well use it... http://t.co/WvehokRUAl
— Paul Lewis (@PaulLewis) October 2, 2013
