Businesses facing the coronavirus shutdown have rediscovered the adage “cash is king” as they struggle to survive the crisis that has no end in sight. Whether companies have temporarily closed their doors or remain open, the problem is the same: The lack of paying customers has wiped out reserves.

To get cash, businesses can apply for the $349 billion relief package that is part of the recently enacted $2.2 trillion CARES Act. But signing up for the program has been a mixed bag.

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