Business

CBS News reports: As the coronavirus pandemic intensifies across the U.S., many restaurants and cafes have switched to drive-thru, delivery and take-out only systems — but still, some workers feel uncomfortable putting their health at risk to come to work. This week, Starbucks said it would pay all of its employees for the next month, even if they choose to …

The Hill reports: “We need to shut down so that the worst case that was happening in [Wuhan, China] or Northern Italy, that we avoid that,” Microsoft founder Bill Gates said in an interview on the TED Connects program, referring to regions hit particularly hard by the virus. Asked about suggestions being floated in the U.S. about relaxing social distancing …

ABC News reports: U.S. equity markets registered the strongest one-day rebound in history on Tuesday amid investor optimism that members of Congress will overcome their differences to reach a deal on a nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package. In the final hour of trading, gains picked up steam giving the Dow Jones Industrial Average a 2,112 point gain, the biggest …

Bloomberg News reports: U.S. stocks started the week down as investors saw little progress on a congressional spending package to blunt the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Measures of corporate credit risk eased after the Federal Reserve announced a massive second wave of initiatives to support a shuttered American economy. The S&P 500 closed lower, despite a late-session surge, after …

The New York Daily News reports: Amazon Prime is taking as long as a month to deliver some items that usually arrive in two days as the coronavirus pandemic slams the e-commerce titan. Items such as NutriBullet blenders, computer cables and best-selling books would not be delivered until at least April 21 if ordered on Monday, Amazon listings showed. Shoppers …

Boston’s CBS News affiliate reports: Governor Charlie Baker has ordered all non-essential businesses to close, effective noon Tuesday, March 24. The governor also announced Monday that he and state health officials are issuing a stay at home advisory for the residents of Massachusetts. Both will remain in effect until April 7. “We will always allow all grocery stores, pharmacies, and …

Reuters reports: Amazon.com Inc said on Sunday it is raising overtime pay for associates working in its U.S. warehouses as the world’s largest online retailer tries to meet the rapidly growing demand for online shopping from consumers stuck at home during the coronavirus outbreak. Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest person, also said, “My own time and thinking …

NewJersey.com reports: Gov. Phil Murphy vowed Friday to implement more restrictions on New Jersey residents within the next 24 hours, including shutting down nonessential businesses to help fight the coronavirus outbreak as the statewide total hit 890 and is expected to “go into the many thousands.” “It brings me no joy, but we have no choice. We will, within the …

NBC News New York reports: Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that 100 percent of non-essential work forces are now required to stay home, calling it “the most drastic measure we can take” as he said the entire state of New York was “on pause.” Two days ago, that decree applied to 50 percent of the non-essential work force. A day …

Axios reports: Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley resigned from Boeing’s board of directors on Thursday in protest of the company asking for federal aid amid fears of mass revenue loss due to the novel coronavirus. Boeing asked for a $60 billion bailout from the federal government on Tuesday. “While I know cash is tight, that is equally true for numerous …

MarketWatch reports: Many investors didn’t trust airline stocks through the bull market. Their valuation to earnings ratios were low, even as profits rose dramatically. But despite a history of rough patches during unforeseen events, such as the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the volcanic eruption in Iceland in 2010 that disrupted air travel, large U.S. airline companies spent most of …

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports: One Las Vegas strip club is staying open amid a 30-day shutdown recommended by Gov. Steve Sisolak and taking social distancing to another level by offering drive-through strip shows. Little Darlings strip club will begin offering drive-through strip shows for those who want to indulge in some adult entertainment, but do not want to enter …

The Atlantic reports: Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Queens, New York, received a text Wednesday evening that they long feared might come: “We’re writing to let you know that a positive case of the coronavirus (COVID-19) was found at our facility today.” This is the realization of a major threat to Amazon’s operations. Millions of people across the nation …

The Washington Post reports: The New York Stock Exchange announced Wednesday that it is closing its trading floor and going completely electronic as the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the stock market. The move stemmed partly from traders testing positive for the coronavirus, NYSE President Stacey Cunningham said on CNBC. “NYSE’s trading floors provide unique value to issuers …

CNBC reports: The biggest mall owner in the U.S., Simon Property Group, announced it will be closing all of its malls and outlet centers in the country, effective at 7 p.m. until March 29. “The health and safety of our shoppers, retailers and employees is of paramount importance,” CEO David Simon said in a statement. Simon is the first U.S. …

Reuters reports: U.S. fruit and vegetable producers are bracing for dramatic disruptions to their labor force after the U.S. government said it was suspending visa interviews in Mexico to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. The expected restrictions on migrant workers come as Americans strip grocery stores bare in preparation for potential orders to quarantine. Starting on Wednesday, new applications …

NBC News reports: Stock markets surged on Tuesday, after the government doubled down on its economic response to the coronavirus outbreak, ramping up financial assistance for affected businesses, and floating a $1 trillion stimulus package that includes putting cash in the hands of Americans. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day with a gain of around 1,000 points, bouncing …

Reuters reports: Amazon.com Inc is suspending sellers from sending non-essential products to its U.S. and U.K. warehouses until April 5 in the latest move to free up inventory space for much-needed supplies that are in shortage as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. In a note sent to sellers on Tuesday, Amazon said it is seeing increasing online shopping demand …

USA Today reports: Marriott International is poised to place tens of thousands of employees on furlough as the hotel giant reels from the coronavirus outbreak. The travel industry is grappling with a tidal wave of cancelations as Americans heed public warnings to stay home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Marriott, which had about 174,000 employees globally at the end …

The Hill reports: United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz is telling top lawmakers that the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on his industry is “much worse” than that experienced from the 9/11 terrorist attacks. “We unequivocally support prudent steps like these to keep the American people safe. But, these actions have also created a fast-moving, financial crisis unlike anything the …