and YouTube said in a joint statement that they
will also attempt to disseminate across their
platforms essential updates from government
health organizations. Misinformation and
confusion in social media posts have been
problematic for years. The spread of the
coronavirus has exacerbated the problems for
which Facebook and others were lambasted
during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Facebook says it is giving $100 million in grants
— cash and advertising credits — to small
businesses to help them during the coronavirus.
SUPPLY & DEMAND
Amazon, in an attempt to fill its warehouses with
toilet paper, hand sanitizer and other items in
high demand, that it will limit what suppliers can
send to its warehouses for the next three weeks.
Among the items that suppliers and third-party
sellers can ship to Amazon include canned
beans, diapers, dog food, disinfecting wipes,
medical supplies and household goods. Items
like jeans, phone cases and other non-essentials
will not be allowed.
HEAVY INDUSTRY
Ford Motor Co. will shut down all of its vehicle
and engine factories in Europe starting this week
to help contain the coronavirus and because
sales are down and parts are running short. The
company expects the shutdown to last for a
number of weeks, but reopening depends on
spread of the virus, national restrictions, parts
supplies and dealer stock requirements.
The U.S. factories for Ford, General Motors and
Fiat Chrysler remain in operation, but some
members of the United Auto Workers union are