Economists say long shutdown's end should reverse some costs, as government catches up on spending

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy is expected to recover from the blows it experienced during the record six-week federal shutdown, but even as federal spending resumes economists warn some financial losses will never be recovered.

During the 43-day shutdown, scores of federal workers missed paychecks, airlines had to cut back flights due to airport worker shortages, and millions of Americans who rely on federal food assistance were left waiting for their November stipend, all factors that contributed to a period of heightened economic anxiety, economists told Newsday.

Roughly 1.3 million federal workers were unpaid, according to an analysis by the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Workers staying home and travelers foregoing trips all led to permanent financial losses from "missed restaurant mea