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Coronavirus Updates

Global cases rose to nearly 4.26 million yesterday with over 287,300 deaths. The number of confirmed U.S. cases is approaching 1.39 million with 81,795 confirmed deaths.

• The White House mandated on Monday that all personnel entering the West Wing must wear masks after two aides tested positive in recent days.
• New York Gov. Cuomo said some businesses in northern parts of the state can resume operations starting Friday. See where your state stands on reopening here.
• Saudi Arabia on Monday announced plans to triple its value-added tax starting July 1 in an attempt to boost its coronavirus-hit economy and raise oil prices.
• The CDC released an analysis suggesting there may be ~5,000 more COVID-19 deaths in New York City than originally reported.
• Northwestern University announced a plan to furlough employees, reduce executive salaries, and draw from its endowment to help alleviate a predicted $90 million budget shortfall.
• Those still waiting on stimulus checks must submit their bank account information by noon on Wednesday to be eligible for direct deposit.

Deadly Training Exercise Off Iranian Coast

At least 19 sailors were killed and 15 injured after a missile struck a warship during a training exercise, the Iranian Navy announced on Monday. The incident occurred on Sunday in the Gulf of Oman, off the southeast coast of Iran.

More: Iranian patrol boats in the Persian Gulf previously had an encounter with several U.S. Navy warships in late April.

Interpol Issues Red Notice For U.S. Citizen

Interpol released a ‘red notice’ seeking the arrest of Anne Sacoolas on Monday. The wife of a U.S. intelligence official, Mrs. Sacoolas is accused of killing a teenage motorcyclist while driving on the wrong side of the road in the UK. The notice came after a Home Office extradition request was rejected by the U.S. in January.

More: An Interpol Red Notice is NOT an arrest warrant, but an alert to law enforcement officers about internationally-wanted fugitives. Read more about it here.

The Coronavirus Effect

• Major U.S. stock indices showed mixed results on Monday (Dow -0.5%, S&P +0.02%, Nasdaq +0.8%) following last week’s across-the-board gains.
• Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced on Twitter that the company’s Fremont, CA factory has reopened in defiance of local shutdown laws.
• Endeavor Group Holdings secured a $260 million loan on Monday to bolster the company’s struggling entertainment business.
• Twitter will begin to add labels to tweets that contain disputed information regarding COVID-19.

Let’s Touch Base

MLB owners on Monday approved a proposal that would begin the season without fans around the Fourth of July. The deal now heads to the players’ union for approval, where it likely faces an uphill battle, as a key aspect involves players’ salaries being paid out of a 50-50 revenue split - a distinction that led to the 1994 players’ strike.

More: NBC Sports’ Peter King held a telephone interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci yesterday to discuss COVID-19’s potential impact on the NFL’s future.

Half and Half

Bitcoin experienced a ‘halving’ event on Monday, as so-called bitcoin ‘miners’ saw their rewards decrease by half going forward. Halving events are programmed into bitcoin’s code by its mysterious inventor, Satoshi Nakamoto, and are scheduled to occur once every four years.

More: Bitcoin miners are people who use specialized computing rigs to solve complex mathematical problems in exchange for bitcoins, or BTC. Starting today, the reward for solving a problem falls from 12.5 BTC to 6.25 BTC.

How Sweet It Is

Love can make people do crazy things - just ask California native Richard Farmer. He was driving home last month when he saw a 93-year-old man walking along the side of the road. Intrigued, Richard stopped and asked the man, named Mike, if he needed help.

Mike explained to Richard that he had shared a chocolate bar with his wife each night for the past 20 years, and wasn’t about to let the pandemic put an end to his streak. And, thanks to Richard’s timely assistance, it didn’t.

Let Them Eat (Cup)Cake

When FedEx driver Jordan Price of Fishers, Indiana, discovered one of his packages was intended for a home-bound birthday girl, he came up with a plan to celebrate the little girl’s special day.

After delivering the birthday parcel, Jordan quietly snuck out to Dairy Queen. He returned minutes later, bearing ice cream cupcakes for the toddler and her family to enjoy.

Giving Thanks

In the fight against COVID-19, we often take our health care workers for granted - though many have been asked to shoulder additional risks to care for the rising number of infected patients.

More than 4,000 staff members at New York City’s Elmhurst Hospital were recently given a free three-night round-trip vacation as thanks for their tenacious fight against the virus.

The worst thing that can happen to a business is to lose a customer or miss out on an opportunity. With software from OutboundEngine, that doesn't have to happen.

OutboundEngine has thrived for more than 10 years because we focus on marketing that protects and grows your business. And now, it's available to virtually every established small business.

Sounds great, but how does it work?

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Want to learn more?

We know that giving over your phone number or email can sometimes be stressful if you don’t feel you have enough information. Visit this page to learn more and fill out the form to be sent a sample campaign. If you're interested, great. If not, we understand and hope you will choose to give us a try at another time.

OutboundEngine + the DONUT

At OutboundEngine, our preeminent value is a desire to serve. That’s why we support the ethos of The DONUT in helping to mend our divides and to serve regardless of affiliation, politics or news preferences.

We look forward to the opportunity to learn more about your business and how OutboundEngine can support your continued success.

Marc A. Pickren

Chief Executive Officer, OutboundEngine