ATLANTA — There's no doubt it's been a tough year for employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They've faced mass layoffs, a shooting and now a government shutdown .

"Since the incoming of this new administration, I mean, it's only gotten worse," said Peter Farrugia, executive committee chair of AFGE Local 2883, a union representing CDC employees like himself. "We have had multiple members, multiple CDC employees who have put in their resignations because they physically cannot handle this anymore."

Health and Human Services estimates the shutdown will furlough about 8,700 CDC employees, which is nearly two-thirds of the agency's workforce. Many of them are worried about how long this could last.

"I barely make all of my bills as it is. I consider myself living pay

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