New Jersey’s manufacturing companies have faced some very big struggles during the pandemic including low demand, financial issues and ensuring workplace safety. Wednesday they shared their stories with state lawmakers during a manufacturing caucus roundtable and discussed their frustrations with roadblocks they encountered when they tried to help the state by switching over their plants to manufacture personal protective equipment.

There were more calls for restaurants to reopen for indoor dining. The New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association held a press conference in New Brunswick to warn that bars, taverns and restaurants are in danger of closing or going bankrupt. They urged Gov. Phil Murphy to reconsider his ban against indoor dining.

New Brunswick-based Johnson & Johnson is accelerating its timeline for an early stage human trial of its potential coronavirus vaccine. The trial was supposed to start in September, but it’s being moved up to July based on positive preclinical data.

The Federal Reserve pledged to keep interest rates near zero to help the economy recovery.