Antiviral Drug Offers Promise | PPE Puts Women In Danger | Donald Trump’s Best Friend

Plus: Elon Musk Rants About `Fascist’ COVID-19 Closures

Know Now

• Fed Will Leave Rates At Zero As Powell Vows Continued Aggressive Action To Prop Up Economy

• Trump: ‘China Wants Me To Lose Re-Election’ As President Attacks Beijing’s Handling Of Coronavirus

• Oil Giant Shell Has Cut Its Dividend For The First Time Since World War Two 

• Polls Show Biden Ahead of Trump In Two Key Red States—Texas and North Carolina

• Elon Musk Rants About `Fascist’ COVID-19 Closures As Another Tesla Call Veers Off Course

Top Take-Aways

The antiviral remdesivir shows “positive data” in COVID-19 patients. Dr. Fauci announced the antiviral shows a “better” mortality rate and shorter recoveries in coronavirus patients, and that it will be the “standard of care.” Stocks rallied and Dow went up 500 points after Gilead Science’s remdesivir coronavirus treatment showed promise.

Facebook reported first quarter earnings of $17.7 billion—up nearly 18% from a year ago. “With people relying on our services more than ever, we're focused on keeping people safe, informed and connected,” said Mark Zuckerberg.

All Costco customers will be required to wear a face mask inside stores starting Monday, making it the first major U.S. retailer to mandate its customers wear face coverings.

The National Institutes of Health is asking scientists and inventors to compete in a “shark tank” style $500 million challenge to develop rapid coronavirus testing technologies for this summer. MORE: Contrary to health experts, Jared Kushner says, “We have all the testing we need.” 

Some healthcare workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic say that standard-sized personal protective equipment is mostly designed with male bodies in mind—and that puts women in danger as they treat coronavirus patients.

Is the online fitness boom here to stay? The near-$100 billion fitness industry has quickly shifted virtual, but how will those without a digital strategy weigh in?

Today's Must-Read

Before the coronavirus pandemic began, Las Vegas billionaire Phil Ruffin’s schedule would be packed with strategy meetings and walks on the floors of his casinos. Then he would usually call Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump to see how business was going up the Strip at the Trump International Hotel, which he owns 50-50 with his closest friend, President Donald Trump.

But since March 17, when Gov. Sisolak ordered all non-essential businesses to close—including Nevada’s economic lifeblood, casinos—Ruffin finds himself in an unfamiliar position. He had to tell his paying guests to check out of his hotels and then he furloughed 4,400 employees (out of 5,500) without pay. 

Ruffin, also the owner of Treasure Island, certainly has the money to cover employee salaries during the lockdown. Forbes estimates that his net worth is $3.2 billion with an estimated corporate war chest of $500 million. According to Reporter Will Yakowicz, he has enough cash to keep his casinos closed for 20 years. But he’d rather gamble on a new venture—a hidden jackpot in the pandemic.

Across Forbes

Forbes Advisor: When buying a home, one of the primary stressors is the in-person closing process. Now, is COVID-19 changing how to close a home purchase forever?