def government_furloughing(t, states, param, t_start_compensation, t_end_compensation, b_s):
    """
    A function to simulate reimbursement of a fraction b of the income loss by policymakers (f.i. as social benefits, or "tijdelijke werkloosheid")

    Parameters
    ----------
    t : pd.timestamp
        current date
    param: float
        initialised value of b
    t_start_compensation : pd.timestamp
        startdate of compensation
    t_end_lockdown : pd.timestamp
        enddate of compensation
    b_s: float
        fraction of lost labor income furloughed to consumers under 'shock'

    Returns
    -------
    b: float
        fraction of lost labor income compensated
    """
    if t < t_start_compensation:
        return param
    elif ((t >= t_start_compensation) & (t < t_end_compensation)):
        return b_s
    else:
        return param