A quick look around town this week suggests that the shutdown of U.S. government services has so far had no observable impact on Harvard. But regional and national news reports indicate that some of its effects won’t be known for days or even weeks. What we do know is that when services are cut, it’s people who bear the brunt. For some federal employees, it’s the loss of a paycheck. For vacationers, it’s the closing of a national park or museum that was part of a planned fall vacation. For others it may be a delay in paperwork for a much-needed benefit.
We can all hope that the standoff in Washington will end quickly and our national government will resume its normal operations. But until then, we should be alert to the possibility that some within our community may be suffering its consequences and be ready to extend a helping hand.
