It won't cost the taxpayers a dime. Think about it. You have to pay the government employee whether they work or not. If they aren't there because they are babysitting, there is no additional cost unless you hire a replacement. That won't be necessary because most government workers are non-essential and wouldn't be missed.
and they are also disproportionately minorities as well.
90% of government employees NEVER work anyway.
They BS and gossip all day when they aren’t busy surfing the internet and taking 2 hour lunches, when they bother to show up at all.
If regular people could see what these gritters are up to all help would break loose.