>> right? >> and t good morning, america. breakthrough. the pfizer vaccine clears a major hurdle with the fda. on the verge of granting emergency use authorization, the announcement could come at any moment amid new questions about how the vaccine might affect those with allergies, pregnant women and teens. all this as cdc director robert redfield issues a dire warning, that the next 60 to 90 days will also see more american deaths each day than 9/11 or pearl harbor. now the mission under way to make sure the vaccine gets delivered safely the moment it's approved. tracking devices going into every single package and the special faa clearance for each plane. health and human services secretary alex azar joins us live on "gma." republican rebellion. more than 100 gop congressmen now backing a lawsuit filled

with president trump's baseless claims to try to get the supreme court to overturn the election results. the stunning move this morning. winter blast. the storm barreling across the country bringing heavy snow. eight inches already coming down overnight out west. ginger with the latest. breaking overnight, the controversial death penalty sentence. brandon bernard's apology and the reaction overnight. danger in the water. the growing alarm in the pacific after a string of shark attacks, one turning deadly. now a 20-year-old surfer lucky to escape speaking out from his hospital bed. ♪ and the streaming wars blasting off to a galaxy far, far away, disney announcing a blockbuster lineup. the huge return of "star wars" legends, lando and darth vader. good morning, america.

we hope you're doing well on this friday morning. we are starting the day with encouraging news. we now know that the fda's advisory panel has officially recommended the vaccine, the pfizer vaccine, for emergency use so we're on the verge of getting that vaccine. all that's left is for the fda commissioner to make the final decision. >> we have been waiting so long for this and the decision could come any moment. there's a live look there at the pfizer facility in kalamazoo, michigan. the vaccine there right now. once the fda officially grants emergency use authorization, a massive operation will begin in 24 to 48 hours, nearly 3 million doses of this vaccine will ship out to 636 different locations across the country and then the first vaccines can be administered possibly as early as next week. >> in just a moment health and human services secretary alex azar will join us live as "operation warp speed" prepares to move full speed ahead. but first, our chief national affairs correspondent tom llamas starts us off outside fda headquarters in washington, d.c.

he has the latest. good morning, tom. >> reporter: michael, good morning. the entire country playing the waiting game right now. there was some dissent on that fda advisory panel, but it wasn't even close. they voted 17 to 4 in favor of the emergency use authorization, and right now all eyes are on the fda. this morning, a turning point in america's fight against the coronavirus. an fda advisory committee recommending the agency green light pfizer's vaccine for emergency use authorization. >> dr. moore voted yes. dr. cohn voted yes. >> reporter: the panel including infectious disease experts, doctors and scientists voting 17 to 4 in favor of administering the vaccine for anyone 16 years of age and older. >> we do have a favorable look. >> reporter: pfizer's clinical trials have shown the vaccine to be 95% effective with no severe side effects.

but an issue that came up time and time again, those two health care workers who suffered allergic reactions after being given the vaccine in the uk. both have a history of severe allergies. >> there are tens of millions of people in this country who carry epipens with them because they have peanut and egg allergies who will believe now they can't get this vaccine. that's a lot of people. >> reporter: the panel recommending more research has to be done, and the fda says warnings should go out for people who might be allergic to the ingredients in the vaccine but also recommending that the vast majority of people should take the vaccine. another concern, the vaccine and teenagers. some members of the panel say there's not enough data to support giving the shot to 16 and 17-year-olds. the fda also saying they don't have data on the vaccine's safety in pregnant women. >> we have really no data to speak to risks specific to the pregnant woman or the fetus. >> reporter: advising it should be up to women and their health care providers if they choose to receive the vaccine.

in the end, the panel urging the fda to forward, a crucial decision to get the vaccine to the american people. the next step, fda authorization that can occur at any moment. the commissioner of the fda saying the agency, quote, will take the committee's input into account as they continue their review. so there were some questions and concerns from some members of the fda advisory panel, but again, the vast majority voting in favor of the emergency use authorization. one of those members that voted in favor put it this way. the question is not when do we know everything? the question is when do we know enough? and that panel, at least a majority of them, felt they know enough. cecelia? >> tom, thank you so much. as we await that decision, we mentioned the massive operation to deliver those potentially life-saving vaccines around the country. that mission is now ramping up. alex perez is at pfizer's storage facility right there in kalamazoo. good morning, alex. >> reporter: hey, good morning, cecilia. pfizer has been preparing for the moment they get the green

light since march, even doing test runs and test shipments to all 50 states. now, once pfizer gets that fda authorization, they say the work of shipping the first batch of 2.9 million doses to 636 addresses in every state will begin. u.s. marshals will be on hand here at the distribution sites making sure things are running the way they should be. now, this here is a massive facility and employees will be working around the clock. trays of vials will be removed from 300 freezers where they're being stored placed into specially designed boxes that could and will keep the vaccine at the extremely cold temperatures it needs to be at for up to ten days. now, those trays are put on trucks for transportation to airports for distribution. pfizer believes it can get that first batch of 2.9 million doses out of its doors here within 24 hours. george? >> okay, thanks very much. let's get more on this now from health and human services secretary alex azar. secretary azar, thank you for joining us again this morning.

when will the first american outside of a trial get this vaccine? >> well, george, i've got some good news for you here on "good morning america," that just a little bit ago the fda informed pfizer that they do intend to proceed towards an authorization for their vaccine. so in the next couple of days probably as we work to negotiate with pfizer the information doctors need to prescribe it appropriately, we should be seeing the authorization of this first vaccine and we'll -- as you just said, we will work with pfizer to get that shipped out and so we could be seeing people getting vaccinated monday, tuesday of next week. >> what's left to be done? >> so what they do right now is you had in the good commentary earlier, there was really good discussion at the advisory committee yesterday especially around the issues of the allergic reactions we saw in the united kingdom, so to put the appropriate language in there that the fda is considering. also, what's called a fact sheet

for doctors that's an important part of just getting the doctors the information they need so as they work with their patients they can make a very informed decision. so it's really close. really just the last dotting of is and crossing of ts. >> basically the vaccine is going to be approved. just a question of working out the exact language going forward. as you said, monday or tuesday for the first americans to be getting the vaccine, but we'll still face a huge shortfall right now. there's this news overnight that sanofi's clinical trials will be delayed. that was one of the -- of the industries that the administration was counting on. >> we weren't counting on it in terms of getting to the projections that you and i have talked about of having enough vaccine for every american by the second quarter. the sanofi one could be an important addition for technology as one goes forward later in 2021, but, you know, we're looking at 20 million americans being vaccinated just in the next coming weeks, up to 50 million

total by the end of january. we believe we could have 100 million vaccinations in arm by the end of february and the products keep rolling out, especially if we add astrazeneca and johnson and johnson to our arsenal in the january, early february time frame. >> you said earlier this week the government has an option to buy 500 million more doses from pfizer. why hasn't that been exercised? >> we're working with pfizer as well as moderna to increase supplies available. it's really about the production capacity from pfizer and moderna. we're working to increase that. we're using our powers to help them boost their production. it's really -- it's about getting commitments they can deliver by a certain date. that's all in process, very optimistic. >> does that include drawing more on the defense production act? >> if we need to, we would use the defense production act to assist them or to get what we need, but the interactions are very cooperative. we would only use the defense production act if absolutely necessary or to assist them. one thing we can do is help our contractors jump to the front of

the line to deal with their suppliers. >> so you're holding out hope for spring, maybe late spring. meantime, heard dr. redfield say for the next 60 to 90 days more americans are going to die each day than died in 9/11 or pearl harbor. what more can be done right now to bring down those deaths? >> well, george, it is actually relatively simple in terms of our own behaviors. wash your hands, watch your distance, wear face coverings when you can't watch your distance. be careful about those indoor gatherings we've talked about. indoor restaurants, indoor bars, household indoor gatherings with people from outside your household. you can do those things but be careful. you're going to let your guard down. we know people let their guard down and that's what's spreading disease right now. >> secretary azar, thanks for your time this morning. cecelia? george, the vaccine can't come fast enough as the spread of the virus hits staggering levels right here in the united states. more than 292,000 people dying from covid and there are serious

concerns this morning about hospitalizations as they hit yet another high. our chief national correspondent matt gutman has the very latest in tarzana, california. good morning, matt. >> reporter: hey, good morning, cecilia. it looks like i'm standing in a military field hospital but this is actually the e.r. surging area in one of the biggest hospital chains in one of the biggest cities in america. patients are treated in here. triage happens over there. this place opens up. once the e.r. fills up during the day, that as we are seeing these unimaginable death toll levels that you just mentioned. this morning, that solemn statistic. an american is dying of the virus every 30 seconds. the number of deaths jumping by over 44% since last week. >> we are in the time frame now that probably for the next 60 to 90 days we're going to have more deaths per day than we had in 9/11 or at pearl harbor. >> reporter: the virus continues to explode across california where icu beds are at a record

low, and doctors like this one working torturous hours. >> 12 days ago everything was under control and we went from a manageable census to getting overwhelmed. it's been around 20-hour days. >> reporter: the parking garage a makeshift m.a.s.h. unit. >> this last year has been a challenge. we've always drilled for stuff like this. nobody ever drilled for a pandemic lasting almost a year. >> reporter: here in l.a. the entertainment industry hit hard. >> how was everybody's summer? good? yeah? mine was great. >> reporter: talk show host ellen announcing she tested positive for covid-19. the 62-year-old tweeting, i'm feeling fine right now. anybody in close contact with me has been notified. in october, her daytime talk show was one of the first tv productions to return and invite a limited audience and the show's production shut down until january. but finally a moment of light. on monday we brought you the

story of nurse ellen edlund being treated in the icu where she had worked. having treated covid patients herself ellen had asked her doctor whether she'd survive. >> ellen asked you am i going to die? you couldn't tell her categorically no. >> no. because a lot of what we see is that when people get on the ventilator they die. >> reporter: by wednesday she was off the ventilator, even lucid enough to watch our "good morning america" piece from monday and offer this message. >> are you ready? there you go. >> hello. >> oh, it's so wonderful to hear your voice and you are on that road to recovery. >> yes. >> reporter: boy, is it great to see that smile. a long road to recovery ahead for ellen and the rest of the country. infectious disease experts tell us that at least initially that vaccine won't make a dent. what will is compliance and public closures and mask wearing. guys? >> all right, thank you so much, matt.

great to see that smile. we move overseas where the vaccine rollout is well under way. thousands of doses are already administered to health care workers and the elderly, including an american doctor working in the uk. our foreign correspondent james longman spoke with him, and is in london with the latest on this this morning. good morning, james. >> reporter: good morning. michael, the main challenge with this vaccine is it needs to be kept at such low temperatures. we got rare access to a uk hospital to see how health workers are getting it from the freezer to the patients without wasting any of those precious doses. this morning, with the u.s. close to authorizing the pfizer vaccine, we got rare access to see how it's being deployed in britain. since it needs to be kept at 94 degrees below zero a special process has been set up to get it out of the freezer and into patients. once it's brought out of there, it's put immediately into a regular refrigerator and it thaws for three hours. pharmacists assembled each pack, one of these small viles

contains five individual doses. once it goes into a syringe, nurses have just two hours to administer it. we spoke to e.r. director david fontaine-boyd one of the first americans to get the pfizer vaccine. >> it felt a bit surreal. it's been a challenge, you know, working in hospitals. >> reporter: his 96-year-old grandmother who lives in a nursing home in the u.s. is eager to get it too. >> wants to get it herself so that way hopefully we can see each other again. >> reporter: this hospital is doing 25 vaccines an hour. any slower and they risk wasting doses. >> generally we're getting faster and better, so it is a slightly complicated process. >> reporter: 84-year-old tony is grateful for his shot looking forward to seeing his wife of 62 years and his six grandchildren. >> hopefully we'll be able to see them at christmas. >> reporter: now after those two allergic reactions we saw this week, this hospital has changed its protocols. now anyone getting the vaccine must wait for 15 minutes after getting their shot just to make doubly sure there are no complications. michael?

>> thank you so much, james. we have a special edition of "20/20," "the shot: the race for the vaccine" and we'll look at the safety, access and timing of the vaccine. that's on monday at 10:00 p.m. eastern right here on abc. george? >> okay, michael, thanks. to washington now where president trump and his gop allies are moving one more time to defy the will of the voters and overturn joe biden's victory. with more than 100 republican members of congress signing on to this supreme court petition that is certain to fail. mary bruce is tracking the latest. good morning, mary. >> reporter: good morning, george. well, this last-ditch legal effort to overturn the election results is quickly becoming a loyalty test for republicans. the president has made it clear he is taking names and keeping tabs on who is backing him in this fight and now we are seeing a majority of house republicans, 106 of them, are falling in line backing the president in this baseless effort to subvert the will of the voters. it just goes to show the president's grasp on the republican party even as he is leaving office. but, george, this is not viewed

as a legitimate legal challenge. the president's supporters are asking the supreme court to invalidate the results in four states that trump lost, but their brief is riddled with factual inaccuracies and conspiracy theories and is expected to fail. >> in the meantime, mary, we've seen republican elected officials responsible for elections in those states all say that the president's efforts are doomed to fail and oppose the president's efforts, governors, as well. but now you're starting to see at least some republicans in washington stand up as well. >> reporter: yeah, george, we are seeing some real pushback from republicans on the hill. texas republican john cornyn says he is struggling to understand the legal theory behind this case. texas congresswoman kay granger called it a distraction and mitt romney summed it up in just one word, madness. we are seeing the states involved at issue in this case pushing back as well. the top prosecutor in pennsylvania calling the suit, quote, moot, meritless and dangerous. george? >> mary, thanks very much. michael? all right, "time" magazine announcing its person of the year. but they're celebrating two

people on their cover. president-elect joe biden and vice president-elect kamala harris. every elected president since fdr has received the honor, but harris is the first vice president to ever be included. also honored, dr. anthony fauci and frontline health care workers who were named guardians of the year. deservedly so. >> certainly. thank you. coming up we'll look at the mission of the century. how u.p.s. and fedex are preparing to ship and track millions of doses of the vaccine as they make their way across the country. also some big news about the future of "black panther" and the return of "star wars" legends darth vader and lando. first, let's head to ginger. and let's get straight to the weekend forecast sponsored by walmart.

. good morning, welcome to friday. i'm mike knee come. ha knee cove. have we have sprinkles this afternoon, waves of light to moderate rain tonight and tomorrow night. look at these cooler temperatures today, low to upper 50s. and tonight about 45 to 50 degrees. so a healthy rain, no rain monday, tuesday and wednesday. rain a we got a full six seconds to let you guys know that we'll be right back.

i'm gonna show you guys how to make my famous holiday rolls, cause 'tis is the season! first up, you're gonna wanna knead the dough. yeah yeah, good!

give it some life, ya know? then you're gonna wanna talk to the dough like it's your ex-boyfriend. carl! i'm not giving you the sweatshirt back! yeah, and i've stretched it so it won't even fit you anyway! (slap) i thought you liked the slapping... uh, okay guys... you're not doing it. your rolls are gonna be terrible. keep kneading everybody! the americans who drive our trucks and ambulances, who put fear aside and run toward the flames. these are the people we depend on. that's why at the ford motor company, our super dutys have undergone 20 million miles of testing. so that these people can depend on us. ♪ we've always done things our own way. charted our own paths. i wasn't going to just back down from moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. psoriatic arthritis wasn't going to change who i am.

when i learned that my joint pain could mean permanent joint damage, i asked about enbrel. enbrel helps relieve joint pain, and helps stop permanent joint damage. plus enbrel helps skin get clearer in psoriatic arthritis. ask your doctor about enbrel, so you can get back to your true self. -play ball! enbrel may lower your ability to fight infections. serious, sometimes fatal events including infections, tuberculosis, lymphoma, other cancers, nervous system and blood disorders and allergic reactions have occurred. tell your doctor if you've been someplace where fungal infections are common. or if you're prone to infections, have cuts or sores, have had hepatitis b, have been treated for heart failure, or if you have persistent fever, bruising, bleeding or paleness. don't start enbrel if you have an infection like the flu. visit enbrel.com to see how your joint damage could progress. enbrel. eligible patients may pay as little as $5 per month. save morethis week... circle. save $10 when you spend $50 on toys. now through saturday. join target circle on the target app.

this week only. save more with target circle. only at target. good morning. california just recorded its -- there we are, an icu capacity that is unbelievable. the bay area is at 17.8% capacity. but look at san joaquin value, 1.9% capacity. and southern california at 7.7% capacity. as you know, most of the bay area now under that state order, the new state order. and sonoma county will be joining it and

people are saving hundreds on the most reliable in a land not so far away, network with xfinity mobile. they can choose from the latest phones or bring their own. and choose the data option that's right for them. they even get nationwide 5g at no extra cost. and since they are on the carrier rated #1 in customer satisfation, they live happily ever after. again, again! xfinity mobile. your wireless. your rules. your way to stay closer together. click, call, or visit an xfinity store today. our great street, huge yard. there is a bit of an issue with our neighbors fencing.

neighbor 1: allez! (sound from wind chimes) neighbor 2: (laughing) at least geico makes bundling our home and car insurance easy. which helps us save even more. neighbor 2: hey, sarah, hey, peter! neighbor 1: touché. neighbor 2: ahhh! neighbor 1: pret! neighbor 2: en garde! for bundling made easy, go to geico.com

we made to friday and the healthiest storm of the season is just hours away. you can see on live doppler 7, we have radar returns, but a lot of that is virga, and that is why it will only be in the 50s for highs today. so today through sunday, especially tonight, we'll have two waves of light to moderate rain move from north to south. it will be healthy rain that will soak in and get rid of the fire threat for a while. and hopefully turn our hills green also. here is a look at some of the virga, the biggest chunk of wet weather, here it is on future radar, it starts as sprinkles in the north bay this afternoon and then turns from green, light, to yellow and orange which is moderate rain if you are heading out this evening. rainfall amounts are already around a quarter to a of half inch, even three quarters of an inch up in the north bay. we'll have another round late saturday night through sunday

morning. and then another chance thursday. and coming up on gma, inside the mission of the

no uh uh, no way come on, no no n-n-n-no-no only discover has no annual fee on any card. irish cream cold brew holiday a new way festive is a tap away download the app today a galaxy far awaya irisfrgets closer to home.day a new way

and a low price unlocks a high score. ♪ i know ♪ i know welcome back to "gma." that's taylor swift with her new song "willow" off her surprise album "evermore" released overnight calling it the sister album to "folklore" and she's also revealing some surprise collaborations in a tribute to a special member of her family. cannot tell you who that is yet. you'll have to wait for our next hour to find out. >> that's a tease. so we're going to get to that, and we're following a lot of headlines right now including breaking news in the race for a vaccine. health and human services secretary alex azar just told us moments ago that the fda has informed pfizer they do intend to authorize the vaccine. the final decision could come at any moment. a controversial decision

overnight, brandon bernard executed for his role in a murder when he was 18 years old despite a campaign for clemency from many including kim kardashian. this morning a winter blast moving across the country bringing heavy snow to the north and eight inches overnight coming down in new mexico. and the nba is kicking off a preseason night with a big game tonight, one starring the lakers taking on the clippers, a big battle in los angeles. >> that's a big one certainly. we are now going to turn to the latest on the mission of the century, shipping millions of doses of the coronavirus vaccine around the country. this morning we're learning some new details about how u.p.s. and fedex are preparing to pull it off putting tracking devices in every shipment to make sure that they arrive safely. victor oquendo is joining us now from the fedex hub in memphis with more on all of this. good morning, victor. >> reporter: good morning, cecilia. here at the fedex world hub in memphis, they are used to working around the clock and they do have experience with vaccine distribution, but never on this scale. fedex and u.p.s. have combined to hire some 170,000 seasonal

workers to help get through this. this is the biggest mission in the company's history and they say they're ready. this morning, inside the biggest logistical operation in u.s. history. distributing the covid-19 vaccine across the country. on capitol hill fedex and u.p.s. executives explaining how their companies are planning to ship the vaccine within hours of fda authorization. >> there will be no higher priority shipments in our network than these vaccine shipments. so they will have the highest priority of anything we carry. >> reporter: the two companies planning to divide and conquer. u.p.s. set to handle the eastern part of the united states, while fedex takes the west. both u.p.s. and fedex say their shipments will have multilayered tracking devices on every single item to ensure they'll have an accurate location of all vaccine shipments at all times. >> we have a u.p.s. premiere gold service. there's four radios in this label. this label will go on every single vaccine package and every dry ice package. this allows us to see the

package as soon as it arrives in any of our locations. this is a gps tracker that also gives temperature, it gives us light exposure and motion. it gives us a lot of data, and pfizer is also providing data from their own packages. >> reporter: the faa saying air traffic controllers will be aware of all planes with vaccines on board and will give priority clearance. back on the ground u.s. marshal service will provide transport security. u.p.s. saying its trucks will be given safety escorts. and these are just a few of fedex's 180,000 vehicles worldwide. it's trucks like these that they point to, and they say that separates them from passenger planes that might be carrying vaccines because with these they can take it that all important last mile, cecilia. >> mission of the century. thank you so much. joining us is dr. ashish jha, dean of the brown university school of public health. dr. jha, always great to have you with us. thank you for joining us this morning. i want to start on something

that secretary azar hit on as we are seeing the vaccine on the verge of being shipped out all around the country. are you concerned at all that people might start to let their guard down knowing that this vaccine is right around the corner? >> yeah, so good morning and thanks for having me on. i am a little worried we don't want to send the wrong signal here, right? the vaccines are going to be enormously helpful but will take a couple months before they start having an effect and it's particularly important people be careful right now because everybody that we can avoid getting infected is going to be able to be around for the vaccines just around the corner. >> four members of the fda panel voted no on this. i wonder if that should give anybody pause about wanting to take this vaccine. >> yeah, so we didn't hear from the four members exactly why, but it seems pretty clear from the discussion which i was following closely, that it was really about 16 and 17-year-olds and they were essentially saying we don't have enough data on 16 and 17-year-olds to authorize it for them. so i think adults right now, there's no issues with, and the

fda may or may not decide on 16 or 17-year-olds. but i didn't hear a lot about the safety of those vaccines from any of those four members. >> i want to go back to something i heard dr. redfield say, the head of the cdc, and this dire warning yesterday. he said that the next 60 to 90 days will see more american deaths each day than 9/11 or pearl harbor. that's just hard to even get your head around. you mentioned this, but can you drill down a little more. when will we see this vaccine start to have an effect on these numbers? >> yeah, so i'm hoping that on deaths we may start seeing an effect in the later half of january as we get people in nursing homes vaccinated, that will begin to make a difference but it'll probably be late january, february when we really start seeing the death numbers climbing way down. it's going to be a hard four to six weeks ahead. >> just in terms of these horrific numbers that we are seeing, more deaths each day than 9/11 or pearl harbor. did you ever think we would be here right now? >> you know, i have to be honest, i was asked over the

summer whether we'd get to 2,500 or 3,000 deaths a day and i said, no, i did not. i thought we would do better than this and we would avoid this level of infection. it's a bad situation. again, i think we can turn it around. the power is within us to save lives, but we've got to act in that way, to prioritize saving lives right now. >> we can turn it around. doctor, thank you so much. michael? >> we can and we will. coming up, the 20-year-old surfer narrowly escaping a shark attack. now speaking out from his hospital bed. and the big news about the future of "star wars." darth vader's return. ♪ ♪ just one look at you. ♪ and i know it's gonna be... a lovely day. ♪ ♪ lovely day, lovely day. lovely day. ♪ ♪ lovely day. ♪ lovely day, lovely day. ♪

shop pandora jewelry and receive a free sterling silver bangle as our special gift to you. ...this one's for you. you inspired us to make your humira experience even better... with humira citrate-free. it has the same effectiveness you know and trust, but we removed the citrate buffers, there's less liquid, and a thinner needle... with less pain immediately following injection. ask your doctor about humira citrate-free. and you can use your co-pay card to pay as little as $5 a month. humira can lower your ability to fight infections. serious and sometimes fatal infections,... ...including tuberculosis, and cancers, including lymphoma, have happened,... ...as have blood, liver, and nervous system problems,... ...serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure. tell your doctor if you've been to areas where certain fungal infections are common... and if you've had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections,... or have flu-like symptoms or sores. don't start humira if you have an infection. ask your doctor about humira citrate-free. the same humira you trust with less pain

immediately following injection. if you can't afford your medicine, abbvie may be able to help. less sick days! cold coming on? zicam® is clinically proven to shorten colds!

highly recommend it! zifans love zicam's unique zinc formula. it shortens colds! zicam zinc that cold! ♪

we are back now with a series of shark attacks raising concerns from hawaii to oregon where a 20-year-old is telling his story after surviving an attack while surfing. whit johnson has the details this morning. good morning, whit. >> reporter: michael, good morning to you. that 20-year-old in oregon says it all happened so fast. he didn't even see the shark coming until it clamped down on his leg. experts are reminding people to use caution because at some areas this time of year the sharks are swimming closer to shore looking for food. growing concern this morning following three shark attacks in just the last two weeks from hawaii to oregon where a 20-year-old surfer was lucky to escape, now speaking out by phone from his hospital bed. >> i didn't even get to see it.

it was so fast. cole harrington catches waves with friends at a beach in oregon believe a great white shark snuck up behind him and latched on to his leg. >> i was just trying to fight for my life and make sure i got back to the shore. i was looking and asking god to save my life. >> reporter: the shark puncturing his surfboard and leaving him with a bite on his shin. george burgess, a director of the florida program for shark research at the university of florida says increasing shark populations with more people entering the water could lead to more encounters. >> we're trying our best to get some of these populations of sharks back up to former levels and that's because they've been so badly overfished so the shark populations are gradually rising a little bit, a little bit by year. so a little more sharks, a lot more people, more so we can expect that every year. >> reporter: across the pacific, heartbreak in hawaii for the

family of a 56-year-old man who died after a shark attack tuesday. the world surf league announcing news of the incident on instagram and suspending its women's tournament now being moved to another beach. >> unfortunate news on maui. we had a shark incident with a recreational surfer. >> reporter: the victim's board seen here with a massive bite taken out of it. that attack coming on the heels of another off the coast of maui recently, a 35-year-old woman in california bit by a shark on thanksgiving. she's still recovering from her injuries, guys. >> scary situation. >> thank you, whit. we move on now to big news from our parent company, disney, announcing a slate of "star wars" and marvel projects coming to disney plus and plenty major theater releases as well. t.j. holmes is here with that story. hey, t.j. >> last week it was a major industry and streaming shakeup when warner bros. said they would put their next year of blockbuster movies released on streaming. disney said we'll see your move and raise you 100 new titles.

just announced, 100 new projects, most of them are going to be going to streaming. so you're about to get a little lando, vader, pinocchio, even buzz lightyear. the streaming wars are heating up this morning as disney announces a slew of new original programming, hoping to add to its already expectations shattering 86 million disney plus subscribers. >> they're going to take real good care of you. >> reporter: ten new "star wars" projects are on the way. hayden christensen will don vader's mask alongside ewan mcgregor as obi wan kenobi, and donald glover as lando calrissian will return in "lando." >> you might want to buckle up, baby. >> reporter: new march cell projects are on the way including "secret invasion" starring samuel l. jackson as nick fury. disney favorites -- >> glorious. >> reporter: two new series based on "iron man" characters and tom hanks in a live-action

pinocchio and a buzz lightyear origin story. >> to infinity and beyond. >> reporter: while thursday's announcements revealed a jam-packed slate that will still be plenty to catch on the big screen following last week's controversial decision by warner bros. to release all of its upcoming movies on streaming the same day as theaters. >> this world is not yet ready for all that you will do. >> reporter: disney is committing to releasing their long awaited blockbusters on the big screen. >> i'm done running. >> reporter: "black widow" and "eternal" set to debut in theaters next year. >> should i just duck and cover? >> reporter: "wonder woman" director patti jenkins will become the first woman director for a "star wars" film, "rogue squadron" hitting christmas 2023, dedicating it to her late father, a fighter pilot. >> now i've done a movie about two things i love. i'll see you very soon. >> reporter: marvel also revealing that when "black

panther" returns to the big screen producers won't recast the late chadwick boseman's role. >> his portrayal is iconic and transcends any iteration and any other medium from marvel's past. it's for that reason we will not recast the character. >> reporter: instead, the sequel will focus on other characters from wakanda, now missing its king. >> i'm not king of all people. i am king of wakanda. >> disney consumers want to say, thank you, disney, for all these new titles. there will be a dollar increase for the service early next year for disney plus, but back to chadwick boseman. something fans called for immediately after his passing, do not recast his character. it's his. it will forever be him and they are not going to do it, they say specifically to honor chadwick boseman. >> no doubt. >> it's the right decision. >> thank you, t.j. appreciate that. coming up next our "play of the day" and this song, yes, cecilia, it's a clue. ♪ ♪

(teen) mom... it happened again. (vo) add some thrill to your wish list. at the season of audi sales event. did you know diarrhea is often causedtry pepto diarrhea. food? pepto® diarrhea is proven effective to treat symptoms, and it also targets the cause of diarrhea. the 3 times concentrated liquid formula coats and kills bacteria to relieve diarrhea. while the leading competitor does nothing to kill the bacteria,

pepto® diarrhea gets to the source, killing the bad bacteria. so, try pepto® diarrhea, and remember to have it on hand every time you travel. also try pepto®-bismol liquicaps for on-the-go relief. removes ten years of yellow stains. optic white renewal that's like all the way back to 2010. what's that? it's a shake weight. it's a weight you shake. remove ten years of yellow stains with colgate optic white renewal. with salmon, cranberries. my beneful superfood blend has me feeling super healthy, ohh, here comes...superfood wet with beef and pumpkin. it's like a superfood sundae on a monday. (announcer vo) beneful superfood blend. try more of our recipes with no artificial preservatives. thinking about your fi...so are we... prudential helps 25 million people with their financial needs. with over 90 years' of investment experience, our thousands of financial professionals can help. go to prudential.com or talk to an advisor.

jimmy john's® sandwiches? i used promo code "5off20," got $5 off our $20 purchase. i knew she was your favorite! use "5off20" online or on our app. ♪ keep it together 'til this work call wraps ♪ ♪ sip that smooth roast and try your best not to snap ♪ ♪ the best part of wakin' up is folgers in your cup ♪

orgingerbread builds titradition.. a string of lights sparks family ties. a last-minute gift makes a lasting impression. a tray carries your heritage. and an ending means a new beginning. ♪ it's time now for our "play of the day" and we are officially two weeks away from christmas, and who better to get us in the christmas spirit than elton john? there's a new challenge taking off on tiktok set to his hit "step into christmas" getting more than 68 million views. elton and his family are getting in on it as well posting this video, stepping into the christmas spirit. got the two boys.

>> didn't have to go far to get the sunglasses. >> and you're wondering where is elton john -- there he is. there we go. >> of course he was santa. >> getting in the christmas spirit. you know, i kind of like -- why don't we do this, you guys? [ laughter ] >> you get the sunglasses. line them up. speaking of stepping into christmas, coming up we are kicking off 12 days of christmas cookies. wait until you see what we're cooking up. you see what we're cooking up. sugar and a1c. because i can still make my own insulin. and trulicity activates my body to release it like it's supposed to. trulicity is for type 2 diabetes. it's not insulin. and i only need to take it once a week. plus, it lowers the risk of cardiovascular events. trulicity isn't for people with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. don't take trulicity if you're allergic to it,

you or your family have medullary thyroid cancer, or have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. stop trulicity and call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction, a lump or swelling in your neck, severe stomach pain, changes in vision, or diabetic retinopathy. serious side effects may include pancreatitis. taking trulicity with sulfonylurea or insulin raises low blood sugar risk. side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, belly pain, and decreased appetite, which lead to dehydration and may worsen kidney problems. i have it within me to lower my a1c. ask your doctor about trulicity.

at target, order today and get it today! just use target same day delivery or drive up. for groceries, gifts and more on your list. it's the fastest way to get what you need, today. at target. ♪ ♪ ♪ got the whole fam rockin' ♪ hejingle jam-mays ♪olidays ♪ ♪ our 18th time watchin' love actual-lay ♪ ♪ we gon' have the best holiday here at old nav-ay ♪ shop jingle jammies from head to toe to tail. we holiday. only at old navy and oldnavy.com until i found out what itust? it actually was.d me. dust mite droppings? ewww. dead skin cells? gross! so now, i grab my swiffer heavy duty sweeper and dusters.

dusters extends to 6 feet to reach way up high... to grab, trap and lock away gross dust. nice! for dust on my floors, i switch to sweeper. the heavy duty cloths reach deep in grooves to grab, trap and lock dust bunnies... no matter where they hide. no more heebie jeebies. phhhhew. glad i stopped cleaning and started swiffering. welcome back to "gma." welcome back to "gma." love seeing a little fresh coat of snow. this is near albuquerque, new mexico.

you go north an hour and a half and you're on 550 and head up to a foot of snow in some of the higher elevations. denver went from near 70 degrees to about 20. so almost a 50-degree drop in 36 hours. up to three inches. up to a foot of snow elsewhere and i wanted to quick show you where the storm is moving. iowa, wisconsin, northern michigan, my friends in traverse city, it's going to wrap up around you so look for two to five inches plus in a lot of those places. all right. coming up, lizzo's personal battle, revealing her struggle with body positivity. her powerful message for fans this morning. this segment has been sponsored by swiffer. ♪ do you recall, not long ago ♪ we would walk on the sidewalk ♪ ♪ all around the wind blows ♪ we would only hold on to let go ♪ ♪ blow a kiss into the sun ♪ we need someone to lean on ♪ blow a kiss into the sun ♪ all we needed somebody to lean on ♪ ♪ ♪ the volvo xc90 recharge plug-in hybrid.

♪ ♪ pick the speed that's right for you, with options faster than gig. and get reliable internet with top-notch coverage. plus, help keep your data safe and private with security included. no antlers on the table. how come you get to eat first? get started with this great offer, or ask about our fastest speed, 2 gig up and down. switch today. "good morning america" is sponsored by the u.p.s. store. store.

. good morning. facebook ceo mark zuckerberg says he won't require employees to be vaccinated before returning to their offices. he said that he is confident about the vaccine and will get one himself. a company spokesperson tells us employees have the option to work remotely until at least july of 2021. mike nicco, working remotely, hey, mike. >> yes, i am. thank you, reggie. here is a look at some virga falling from sky. and tonight and tomorrow night, two rounds of light to moderate rain. tonight some sprinkles develop in the north bay this afternoon. yellows and oranges, light to moderate rain, for all of us during the evening and

overnight. from a quarter to nearly an inch of rain possible by sunday. >> and coming up on gma, top tiktok stars sharing their christmas tree hacks. plus the 12 days of christmas cookies.

good morning, america. it's 8:00 a.m. breakthrough. the pfizer vaccine clears a major hurdle with the fda on the verge of granting emergency use authorization for the game-changing vaccine. the announcement could come at and moment as there are new questions about how the vaccine might affect people with allergies, pregnant women and teens. health and human services secretary alex azar joins us on "gma." new warning, the fbi and department of homeland security alerting schools that hackers are targeting kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms online. how they're trying to disrupt distance learning and what you need to watch out for. lizzo's secret struggle. >> why am i so disgusting and hating my body? >> the superstar known for her positive body image admitting her battle with feeling beautiful.

the thoughts taking a toll on mental health. how to stay positive even when it's hard, and lizzo's powerful message this morning. ♪ rockin' around the christmas tree ♪ christmas countdown. >> we're the crafty lumberjacks. >> tiktok's top influencers sharing their tricks to take your tree to another level. the simple diy hacks to take your tree from green to supreme. ♪ all that you said taylor swift's surprise. the superstar dropping a brand-new album. her secret collaborations and the special tribute to her grandmother, all the details this morning. ♪ underneath the tree christmas cookie extravaganza. we're kicking off a sweet supersize countdown with 12 of our favorite chefs and one very special guest. all ahead as we say -- >> good morning, america. yum, yum, yum, yum. >> okay, can't wait for the

>> okay, can't wait for the cookies. good morning, america. happy friday, everybody. >> happy friday. i just asked the team if we're getting cookies today. >> every day we have cookies. >> yes. >> mark your calendar. we are exactly two weeks away from christmas and we cannot wait to kick off our "gma" 12 full days of christmas cookies, 12 of our favorite chefs will be showing us how to make their favorite holiday treats, and chef lorena garcia is making almond alfajores with dulce de leche. you don't want to miss it. >> i'm glad you had to read that. >> i think you were supposed to read it and for some reason it ended up on my lap. [ speaking foreign language ] >> truly in the spirit of those cookies right now. that's great. we start with news on the covid vaccine. alex azar revealed moments ago on "gma" that the fda revealed they are going to approve the vaccine. tom llamas is in washington, d.c. with the latest. good morning, tom.

>> reporter: good morning to you, and that's right. some major news in our first hour of this broadcast. we'll show you what secretary azar said in just a moment but right now it looks like all signs are pointing that the fda will be issuing that emergency use authorization. this morning, a turning point in america's fight against the coronavirus. an fda advisory committee recommending the agency green light pfizer's vaccine for emergency use authorization. the panel including infectious disease experts, doctors and scientists voting 17 to 4 in favor of administering the vaccine for anyone 16 years of age and older. >> we do have a favorable look. >> reporter: pfizer's clinical trials have shown it to be 95% effective with no severe side effects. but an issue that came up time and time again, those two health care workers who suffered allergic reactions after being given the vaccine in the uk. both have a history of severe allergies. the panel recommending more research has to be done and the

fda says warnings should go out for people who might be allergic to the ingredients in the vaccine, but also recommending that the vast majority of people should take the vaccine. but in the end, the panel urging the fda to move forward. the next step, fda authorization that can occur at any moment. this morning, george spoke with health and human services secretary, alex azar, on the expectations regarding future widespread vaccine distribution. >> when will the first american outside of a trial get this vaccine? >> well, george, i've got some good news for you here on "good morning america," that just a little bit ago the fda informed pfizer that they do intend to proceed towards an authorization for their vaccine. so in the next couple of days probably as we work to negotiate with pfizer the information doctors need to prescribe it appropriately, we should be seeing the authorization of this first vaccine and we'll -- as you just said, we will work with

pfizer to get that shipped out. so we could be seeing people getting vaccinated monday, tuesday of next week. >> reporter: so major breaking news announced right here on "gma." the big question right now, when is it going to happen? the president already tweeting that the fda is moving too slow. the fda has released a statement telling pfizer that, quote, we will rapidly work towards finalization and issuance of an emergency use authorization. that statement coming out a short time ago. michael, it feels like we're getting close. just not there yet. >> hopefully right around the corner. tom, thank you so much for that. we turn to a new warning for schools as millions of children attend class online. this morning, the fbi and department of homeland security issuing a new alert about hackers targeting kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms threatening to hold data or data hostage. more than 100 schools have already been hit from maryland to texas and alabama. the fbi says if you are targeted by a ransomware attack, do not pay to recover your data. >> good warning there.

coming up, superstar lizzo is opening up about body positivity and her empowering message about getting through it all. and we're counting down to christmas with tiktok's top influencers. simple at-home tips to take your decorations to the next level. plus chef lorena garcia is helping us kick off our 12 days of christmas cookies. the secret to get picture perfect icing is all coming up right here on "gma." all coming up right here on "gma." ♪ needles. essential for sewing, but maybe not for people with certain inflammatory conditions. because there are options. like an "unjection™". xeljanz. the first and only pill of its kind that treats moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or moderate to severe ulcerative colitis when other medicines have not helped enough. xeljanz can lower your ability to fight infections. before and during treatment, your doctor should check for infections, like tb and do blood tests. tell your doctor if you've had hepatitis b or c, have flu-like symptoms,

or are prone to infections. serious, sometimes fatal infections, cancers including lymphoma, and blood clots have happened. taking a higher than recommended dose of xeljanz for ra may increase risk of death. tears in the stomach or intestines and serious allergic reactions have happened. needles. fine for some. but for you, there's a pill that may provide symptom relief. ask your doctor about the pill first prescribed for ra more than seven years ago. xeljanz. an "unjection™". save morethis week... circle. save $10 when you spend $50 on toys. now through saturday. join target circle on the target app. this week only. save more with target circle. only at target. with new rewards from chase freedom unlimited, i now earn even more cash back? oh i got to tell everyone. hey, rita! you now earn 3% on dining, including takeout! bon appetit. hey kim, you now earn 5% on travel purchased through chase! way ahead of you! hey, neal! you can earn 3% at drugstores.

buddy, i'm right here. why are you yelling? because that's what i do! you're always earning with 5% cash back on travel purchased through chase, 3% at drugstores, 3% on dining including takeout, and 1.5% on everything else you buy. chase. make more of what's yours. tand save an extra 20 or 15%.. off!... save on floorcare... get 15% off select toys... and up to 30% off beauty and fragrance gift sets... plus, get kohl's cash! plus, shop our daily deal reveal! plus, free store pickup. give with all your heart. kohl's you saved the bottle... and the ship is for friendship. this is incredibly thoughtful. my turn! no! um...you should wait. it's a charger! it's gonna power our friendship.

♪ ♪ good morning, good morning welcome back to "gma." great to have everybody with us on this friday morning so just

two weeks ago until christmas and next week right here on "gma," the one and only nicole kidman is joining us to talk about "the prom." >> cannot wait to talk to her about that. she's fresh off the big show "the undoing." i know you saw that. >> yes. so if you don't know about "the undoing" -- >> nothing like "the prom." >> nothing like "the prom." a murder mystery and these two guys love the show. everybody here is talking about it. they've all talked it up. i went home to watch it last week, set up the tv, told my husband, turn it on, came out so i preface this, he set it up. >> blame. >> big murderer mystery, if you don't know it, the murder happens right out of the gate and i'm like i don't get the big mystery. what is everybody talking about? i didn't know until after that we watched the last episode first. >> i was wondering where you were going with this. so i know whodunit. i don't know what led up to it. >> go back. you -- >> no, i'm not even. >> i know people who read the

last chapter of thrillers. >> i love you, babe. i'm still mad at you. >> i have a feeling we shouldn't bring up "the undoing" anymore. >> it's undone. >> you know who is always -- who's never done is lara with "pop news." hey, lara, how are you doing? hey, you guys. i just want to say, cecilia, just watch it. it's worth it. you got to do it. >> okay. >> we're still talking about it in our house. it's so fantastic. so is this. we begin this morning with taylor swift. as we reported yesterday she dropped a new album overnight called "evermore" and a new video for the song "willow." it already has over 3 million views, you guys, since midnight and taylor also releasing lyric videos for all 15 songs on the album including one called "marjorie," a tribute to her late grandmother. the video shows home movies. there they are. that's marjorie playing with taylor as a baby. taylor even worked some recordings of her grandmother's

singing vocals into the song. taylor also revealing to fans that her boyfriend, joe, is listed in the song credits and helped her write three of the songs on this one as well. the title track "evermore" being one of them. that new album, "evermore," is streaming everywhere right now. thanks again, taylor, for thinking of us. also this morning one of the great movie franchises of all time and its star are officially back. disney confirming that "indiana jones 5" is set to hit theaters in july, 2022 and harrison ford will dust off his hat and whip for the final installment. disney also confirming director james mangold, director of "ford v ferrari" on board to direct. talk of that has swirled for years even harrison himself was hopeful when he spoke with amy robach back in 2015. take a look. >> i would love to do another indiana jones and work with steven again and if we get a

script, i'd love to do it. >> i think he said he wanted to see you do it before you turn 80. >> i'd like to see me do it before i turn 80. >> well, steven spielberg on board to produce will get his wish. the movie coming out just in time. harrison turns the big 8-0 two weeks before the movie is released in july of 2022. also this morning, rupaul making history. the host of "rupaul's drag race" has just been informed he has the guinness world record for the most consecutive emmy wins. his reaction -- >> so, ma, look at me. there's my picture in everything and here's the certificate they gave me. this is a real honor. thank you so much and i got to tell you, it's a real joy hosting "rupaul's drag race" and being a part of something that people get so much joy from. >> and that joyful show is making history alongside its record-setting host. ahead of its 13th season

announcing their first transgender contestant competing with 13 other queens for the title of america's next drag superstar. season 13 of this great show "rupaul's drag race" set to kick off on vh1 january 1st. finally as school winds down for the holidays, students around the country have started a really touching new tiktok trend, surprising professors with kind messages. they start with their cameras off and turn them all on at the same time displaying their notes. it's a little off-putting for teachers though. take a look. >> okay, here we go. seriously? is it my fault? do you have your cameras off? >> so, dr. brown, i really want to -- >> oh, you guys. thank you. very thoughtful.

hold on just a second. >> so sweet. so sweet. i love this tiktok trend. some of those signs reading thanks, dr. brown. thank you for making a difference every single day. other videos just like this one is popping up all over tiktok in a very deserving new trend and with that i wish you guys a happy friday, back to you in the studio. >> what a great way to end this morning. >> lara, thanks so much. we turn now to our "gma" cover story, lizzo a chart-topping grammy winning artist known for her upbeat hits and personality, now the superstar is revealing that she's got struggles with her body positivity. abc's zohreen shah has more on this. good morning, zohreen. >> reporter: good morning, cecilia. 2020 is apparently taking us all down. lizzo who literally has a song about feeling good revealing in an emotional video even she is struggling during this time. but she is also sharing an uplifting message about how she's getting through it.

♪ i do my hair toss, check my nails ♪ >> reporter: she is the queen of positivity. superstar lizzo known for uplifting and posing naked for an album cover and instagramming her curves in bikini photos. ♪ hey >> reporter: now confessing she's been struggling with confidence. >> i came home and i took my clothes off to take a shower and i just started having all of these really negative thoughts about myself like, you know, what's wrong with me? maybe everything -- all the mean things people say about me are true. and, you know, why am i so disgusting and hating my body? >> reporter: in this emotional tiktok video with almost 2 million views, the 32-year-old saying this week she normally would have something positive to say. she didn't this time and she's okay with that. >> i think these are normal. they happen to everybody. they happen to the best of us.

we are the best of us. >> it confirms that even someone like lizzo who is bigger than life has that little moment, has that one day. >> reporter: psychotherapist theresa williams saying it's a teachable moment for fans to see their idols go through difficult times, especially during the pandemic. >> we need to work on our mental health every day. we have to be very aware of the state of mind that we're in. >> reporter: as for lizzo she has a message for herself that applies to everyone. >> and i just have to know that tomorrow, how i feel in here is going to change and i can only hope that it changes for the better. but i know i'm beautiful. i just don't feel it but i know i'll get through it. >> reporter: lizzo with this uplifting message saying for anyone who has these thoughts too, i hope you have a better day tomorrow. now, dr. williams says she thinks people will start feeling better post-pandemic because they will likely be more active and spend less time on social

media as they get busier. michael? >> zohreen, she says she'll get thr through it and her sharing those messages will help others as well. we are counting down to christmas with the influencers. some of the big names on social media are here with holiday decorating hacks. liz, tamara and the crafty lumberjacks. good morning to all of you, and thank you for joining us all. liz, i'll start with you. you are a home decor specialist and you'll help us do something that can be a real hassle, string our christmas lights. so what is the best way to do it and, of course, make it look good? >> good morning, i have three quick and easy tips. so my first tip is actually put your christmas lights on vertically versus the spiral pattern and put it up like this, start from the bottom and work your way up to the top and make your hook own come right back down and this will weave in and

out. so this usually allows you to use less light, especially if you plan to display your tree in the corner of a room or against a wall. this way you won't have to worry about adding extra lights to the back which means you'll save money on additional lights. it also makes it easy to replace a string if the legs go out because that is such a hassle. another tip, something to keep in mind that if a strand does go out to check the lights fuse box. so every single christmas light has a fuse box and comes with a spare set of fuses in the replacement bag. so always best to give this a try first before tossing your lights out. >> that's great advice. i've had to unravel it too many times. the crafty lumberjacks are up next. dennis and andrew, you guys, have a christmas tree in the house takes real planning. what is the best strategy? yes, well, it's all about location, location, location. you want to find that perfect spot for your tree. don't be afraid to move your furniture, shift things around and avoid putting it in direct

sunlight or by a heat source because you want that tree to stay as fresh for as long as possible. >> once you find that perfect spot think about decorating around it. you don't have to go all out to take it to the next level. you can leave the artwork on the walls and just wrap it with wrapping paper and make a present. >> looks good. >> if you don't have wrapping paper, rummage through your closets. we wrapped a sweater around a frame here, free and festive. >> tree strategy for decorating. when we decorate and put our ornaments on we like to think about doing it in a triangle pattern. start with three ornaments. make a triangle and go down from there. that way everything is evenly spaced out, and you won't get ornaments right next to each other. >> no ornaments? no problem. bring your family together and have a craft night and made these stars out of paper straws. the holidays whether celebrating, christmas, kwanzaa, hanukkah, it's about bringing those families together and having those memories. >> i have to break my tree down and start all over again after

talking to you. tamara, you are a lifestyle influencer and have more than 800,000 followers and you have hacks to help keep things glam under the tree so break that down for us. >> yes, all right. so an inexpensive way to glam under under the tree are to create gorgeous decorative boxes. you start with a cardboard box. all have them at home, any shape or size is good, all right. then you buy some fur material and get it at your craft stores. it costs about $15 a yard for one box and you use about half a yard so like $7. you're going to cut it up into five pieces which is going to get you around your box. you use a hot glue gun. glue it around your box and one important thing, you have to make sure you seal the edge, more hot glue, mesh the fur and you got it good. what that will look like at this point is this. all right. so this is my favorite part. we're going to use the ribbon to glam up our boxes.

what we're going to do, wrap it around the box and make four loops. okay, then we use a christmas topper to top it all offer. it's a christmas ornament. make sure it's flat so it sticks on the box nicely then there you go. >> that's beautiful. >> so inexpensive. make as many as you want. good to go. >> well, i appreciate all of you joining us. you really got me more into the christmas spirit. i got to go home and start all over again. thank you for that. now we're going to go to ginger. hey, ginger. >> michael, all i know is i need a sequin suit. hey, they've got a new giraffe at the philadelphia zoo. . good morning, welcome to friday. i'm mike knee come. ha knee cove. have we have sprinkles this afternoon, waves of light to moderate rain tonight and tomorrow night. look at these cooler temperatures today, low to upper

50s. and tonight about 45 to 50 degrees. so a healthy rain, no rain monday, tuesday and wednesday. rain a we have a preview of tonight's "20/20" special about rodney reed on death row for the 1996 murder of stacey stites. he was granted a stay of execution after a support campaign that was led by celebrities like kim kardashian. deborah roberts joins us now. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, george. after more than two decades on death row rodney reed has been in a holding pattern for the last year awaiting a hearing which his new lawyers say could give him a shot at a new trial and a chance to prove his innocence. >> it's been 24 years since you lost your daughter stacey. tell me a little about stacey. >> from the time she was able to move she was up and at 'em. she was into everything and did everything and friends with everybody. >> reporter: at 19 years old stacey stites was engaged to a

police officer in small town texas, excited about her wedding. stacey's co-workers grew concerned when she didn't show for her early morning shift at a local supermarket. >> they found stacey on the side of a road in a bunch of wildflowers. >> had to be devastating. >> it was awful. it was awful. >> this morning investigators charged 29-year-old rodney reed with capital murder in connection with the death of stacey stites. >> rodney reed was charged with sexual assault, kidnapping and murder of stacey stites. with those two enhancements of a kidnap and a rape where it resulted in a death it became a death penalty case. >> when you look at the actual police reports of the investigation, there was a lot of mistakes early on. >> reporter: losing all his appeals on death row for more than 20 years, reed still maintains his innocence. >> did you kill stacey stites? >> i absolutely did not.

>> reporter: last november just weeks from an execution date reed was granted a stay. national attention by "a" listers like kim kardashian and new lawyers from the innocence project raised new questions about whether he was actually guilty. >> what i spend my time doing is calling individuals who may have information from that time back in 1996 who are willing to come forward. >> reporter: years after his conviction a witness coming forward to support his claim that he was having a secret affair with stites but the state saying her account wasn't believable. our 20/20 investigation reveals the defense team says it has new science and more questions from an old witness. you'll also hear from stacy's family. >> thanks, deb. the special airs tonight at 9:00, 8:00 central. we'll be right back. airs tonight at 9:00, 8:00 central. we'll be right back.

if you have been outside, you know it has a different feel and look to it. a lot of cloud cover out there. tonight and tomorrow the best

chances of lilts ght it moderat rain. you will see sprinkles this afternoon and then rainfall dood!totals, next cha

hey, bay area. >> we have kerry washington, and plus learn how to up cycle your holiday decor.

>> that is at 9:00. >> and another update in about 30 minutes. and you can always find the latest on our app and ♪ yout on our app and ♪ you make every day feel like it's christmas ♪ two weeks and counting, just 14 days until christmas we are counting down and so many people getting into the holiday spirit with their decked out trees. >> we've asked to you share your photos using the #gmaseeyourtree. take a look at this tree from kennesaw, georgia. gia and her daughters were ballerinas and decorated them with point shoes and tutus. >> that's beautiful, and take a look at this one. michelle of fulton, new york says it's decorated with three generations of disney ornaments, keep sending us your creative photos with #gmaseeyourtree. we go from trees to cookies or, yeah, now, it's time to officially kick off "gma's" 12 days of christmas cookies getting into the holiday spirit

with 12 treats from some of our favorite chef, one for each of the 12 days of christmas. up first, 12 drummers drumming so let's reach into our cookie calendar and see what we'll be tasting today. oh, look at that these are -- you say it, cecilia. >> say it. >> almond alfajores filled with dulce de leche. yes. and show us how to make her special recipe, please welcome executive chef lorena garcia. lorena, thank you so much for joining us. what ingredients do we need to get started with these delicious cookies? >> thank you so much. i'm ready to drum. ingredients you can find in your local grocery stores like butter, vanilla, flour, almond flour, of course, dulce de leche and a little icing to decorate. >> what's the best tip you've got for us for making it easier to roll out the dough for those of us like myself who are not dough rolling inclined?

>> absolutely. keep your hands clean. use a couple of parchment paper and put the dough in the middle and just with a rolling pain check it out, you'll be able to roll it easier. uniformly so everything is at the same size and you're ready to go. >> once you roll it out put it in the freezer? >> yes. you have to put -- actually i just took out this one from the freezer because it's going to be easier for you to cut it. okay? so check it out. it's easier to be able to release it from the cookie cutter. you want to be able to use a cookie cutter that is round because you want to kind of stimulate the drum. >> after they're cooked how do you put them together? >> let me show you so i'll put it in the oven at 350 degrees for about i would say 10 to 15 minutes and we're ready to put them together. i have ones here that i'm ready to rock 'n' roll. check it out. you have dulce de leche, which you can use, you know, ice cream scoopers are super cool.

what you do or use a spatula. you just do a little -- a little scoop of the dulce de leche, put it in the cookie, check it out, just like so, okay. and then you just put the other cookie. make a little sandwich. this is how you put it out. don't worry if you don't make it perfect because what you're going to do is take a little bit of this icing, i put a little bit of red coloring in the icing that you buy in the grocery store and you just cover the sides, okay, as simple as this. check it out and then you can buy, you know, sugar so you have so many different color, what i like to do is dunk the cookie with the icing on the sugar. >> i just dunked it all over my suit. >> and you see a drum and it's already a drum and then what you have, one of the things i did is take the icing you buy in the supermarket and put it in a sandwich bag and literally open a little hole and cover the top of the cookie, check it out, just like that.

and look, guy, look at this. you have a delicious drum. are you ready to drum? >> there's that shot. i wanted everybody at home to see how beautiful and detailed they are. the girls are diving in. i'm jumping in soon. you may have just answered it but your trick for getting the frosting to look so professor am. how did you do that? >> you can use a little spatula, you can use a butter knife and that will help you just to spread it out. you don't have to do it perfectly because once you dunk it with the coconut you can put right on top and it will stick to it. you're not going to be able to see imperfections. again, super quick and fast. >> some imperfections but the cookie tastes perfect. >> it's really good. >> it's really good. >> right?

for that i have to say you to my beloved chef our executive pastry chef, chica, she cannot be better in doing this little intrinsic decorations so i have a good teacher. >> thank to you jessica and you, lorena, thank you for joins us. you can get her cookie recipe plus 25 more on our website, goodmorningamerica.com. and on "gma" saturday the one and only cookie monster is going to share his sugar cookie recipe. don't go anywhere. we're going to be right back. >> ah, num, num, num.

abundant wind and solar energy, we have the power to take on climate change. use less from 4 to 9 pm to keep california golden.

♪ imagine all the people you know that song, "imagine" from john lennon lost 40 years ago this week and now a new book by james patterson illuminates his creative genius and joins us now. thanks for joining us. what drew you to this subject? >> you know, there had been books written about lennon and the beatles before and mostly by rock journalists. i wanted to be much more intimate about it. i really -- i was living on central park west when john was shot. that night i went up there and there were already hundreds of people in front of the dakota singing songs, playing music and just one of those shocking, you know, we've seen jfk and bobby and martin luther king and now

john and then in central park a couple days later had that big thing and somebody was just holding up a big poster that said, why? >> i know. >> i wanted to tell the story. >> i was on the upper west side at that time as well just going to school and it was such a shocking, shocking moment. and it came after a period of time where john lennon spent a lot of time there in the dakota, a lot of time alone, isolation, trying to find his creativity again. >> i think he was trying to find himself but i think he had become a really good dad. i think he was a really good -- i think he was in love with yoko and she was in love with him and he had just done his first album in five years, "double fantasy." >> this is your only new book. tell us about the latest in the alex cross series. >> oh, alex is back. yeah. well, i mean the nice thing is people are saying it's one of the best since "along came a spider." that's good. somebody dies in this book. i won't say who but that will keep people going. it's christmastime and alex

comes back for christmas and then with the beatles and john lennon it's sort of -- i don't think anybody watching doesn't have somebody on their list who loves the beatles or loves alex cross, so and it's good. and also people are reading a lot more now which is the only -- one of the only good things about what's happened in the last seven or eight months. >> such a challenging year for so many as we head into christmas and you're trying to give an extra boost to book sellers and librarians. >> yeah, i always try to do this every year. we give out -- because a lot of book sellers and librarians are not the high earners. but they really work hard and the letters i get back from book sellers, i mean the thank you letters are unbelievable. i got to go to the dentition -- dentist this year. i got to give my parents represents for the first time in a couple of years. we'll keep doing that so that's a good holiday christmas whatever -- whatever you celebrate. >> we have a question from instagram, a viewer question. what gives you inspiration?

>> you know, i don't work for a living. i play for a living. somebody said you're lucky if you find something in life you love to do then it's a miracle if somebody will pay you to do it. that's my gig. i love writing books and it's not work for me. >> you have figured it out. james patterson, thanks a lot for joining us. have a great christmas. >> thank you, yeah, have a great holiday. >> "the last days of john lennon" and "deadly cross" are available right now. let's go to ginger. >> putting on my list. thank you. what do you think happened at roswell? well, the history channel is taking a fresh look at the epic crash in their show "history's greatest mysteries." they'll look into new discoveries that could unlock the secrets of that legendary 1947 crash in the new mexico desert and one of the theories, the weather. so they let me be a part of the investigation. i've been storm chasing for years. you can watch a thunderstorm go from a pretty typical growing cumulus to a cumulonimbus very quickly and just as quickly you can have it die out.

when it dies out is when the whole thing collapses and air suddenly rushes to the ground. if you are anywhere near that the aircraft could have an accident and go down. >> could it be that simple? the three-part series "roswell: first witness" premieres tomorrow at 9:00 eastern with good morning. it is almost here. it being our healthiest storm of the season. and it arrives with sprinkles in the north bay at 4:00, light to moderate rain for the rest of we have a really important topic to talk about. we turn to our series on wellness uncovered. this mk at the stark racial disparities in maternal health and infant health in the united states. here's janai norman with what many are calling a public health crisis. >> reporter: ayesha smith was thrilled to be pregnant, but the baby girl she'd named savannah

was stillborn at 38 weeks and 5 days. >> leaving the hospital empty-handed and driving home without my baby was perhaps the hardest thing i've ever done in my life. >> reporter: according to the cdc, about 25,000 women develop severe complications during pregnancy each year. about 700 women die giving birth, and black women are two to three times more likely to die. >> the disparity in maternal mortality between black people and everyone else is one of the most clear signs that structural racism exists. >> reporter: on top of that dr. neel shah says c-section rates have skyrocketed and they present more risks for mothers. >> how do you think that the health system falls short during a woman's most critical and vulnerable time? >> childbirth in particular, 80% to 90% of the root cause are failures of communication and teamwork.

what that looks like around racism when black women express concerns about the way that they're feeling particularly around pain, the whole health system is slow to respond. >> reporter: dr. shah is dedicated to finding solutions and says something as simple as a whiteboard and standard labor assessment that incorporates the patient's input and expertise along with the physicians could save lives. ayesha says she spoke up during her second pregnancy and was diagnosed and treated for gestational diabetes, delivering a healthy baby boy in 2019. >> be your own advocate. ask the questions. team up with a doctor that you feel comfortable with because your life depends on it. your child's life depends on it. >> reporter: for "good morning america," janai norman, abc news, new york. >> and our thanks to janai for staying on the story. it's so important. let's bring in dr. jennifer ashton right now this. is right in your wheelhouse. you're an ob/gyn. i was looking at the numbers,

black women two to six times more likely to die from pregnancy complications depending on where they live in the country so the department of health and human services have this new plan to bring these numbers down. how can they do it? can they do it? >> well, we first of all have to try, right? this is a priority for our country in terms of health and our outcome measures and if you look at their goals, i think they're very important and pointed, targeted objectives. their goal is to reduce maternal mortality by 50%. that's a must. that has to happen. they also want to lower the c-section delivery rate by 25% because, again, that has real risks for the mother both in the short-term and the long-term and then prepregnancy and during pregnancy, they want to achieve blood pressure control in 80% of women of reproductive age is a direct response to the fact that cardiovascular deaths are number one in terms of driving our maternal mortality rate up.

>> another disturbing trend we're seeing is these numbers, it seems like they could be getting worse during the pandemic. so what's your advice, particularly for women of color right now on this? how should they be advocating further help when they get in there to see a doctor? >> when we hear the term advocate i think a lot of people think that implies a fighting or combative relationship with your obstetrician or midwife. it's the exact opposite. it's a collaboration. that shared communication is key. think nuclear submarine. you know how you hear the same thing being repeated again and again. that's where dr. shah's whiteboard concept is so important and divide it up. good pre-pregnancy health, good pregnancy communication and prenatal care and then postpartum care for a year afterwards. >> yes, so important. okay. dr. ashton we always appreciate your perspective.

the pandemic has touched all of us and in chicago it brought two strangers together. this segment is sponsored by quaker, and showing an unlikely partnership to ensure no one in their community goes hungry. take a look. >> reporter: meet the wonderful pastor, sandra gillespie. >> good morning. how are you? >> reporter: for more than a decade she's been feeding her community. >> with covid we've seen so many people that normally wouldn't come to the pantry that now have to come. >> reporter: people like vernon martin. >> actually my first day. i have a been laid off my job. i got another job and they laid me off of that one too. i'm just trying to do all we can so we can hold on to the little money we got to pay bills. >> reporter: but in may this community lifeline nearly shut down after pastor sandy lost a volunteer to covid.

>> his name was bruce. it terrified us. my pantry is primarily staffed with older people who volunteer. when the pandemic hit, i basically would just say, if you don't feel comfortable don't come. >> reporter: she was left with food but not enough people to serve it. >> and god intervened and sent a team to help us. >> reporter: that team led by a man name franklin, a researcher from the university of chicago who are workers in need of new jobs. >> we had a team of data collectors that would go to schools to residents. >> reporter: with that work no longer safe, they shipped from the pantry to keep it safe. >> franklin and his team, it was the perfect marriage. no doubt in my mind. we would have had to close because we wouldn't have been able to handle all of our food with just the few volunteers that we have. >> reporter: but as temperatures dropped, it would be too dangerous to move inside, and sandy faces yet another existential challenge. >> we know we're going to be challenged. but how dare i stop meeting the

needs because it's cold. we're just going to stay outside. even if it means we have to take shifts so i'm going to put on another hat and i'm going to put on another sweater and i'm going to serve the people. >> hi, sandy. hi, franklin. >> hi. >> reporter: for that inspiring dedication, our sponsor quaker is saying thank you. >> we're so inspired by everything you're doing to help the chicago community. at quaker we believe that the circumstances of life should never be a barrier to good nutrition. as part of an ongoing giving campaign, i wanted to share with you that we're partnering with feeding america and committing up to $250,000 back into communities in need across the country. we also decided we're going to donate an additional $250,000 to the chicago community alone. >> thank you. thank you so much. >> oh, listen, you're so welcome and, listen, that's not all we're doing. we heard you were concerned about operating through the

winter months, we want to give you heaters. so we can share the warmth and goodness with you all winter long. >> thank you. thank you so much. so much. you're going to meet the need in so many people's lives. they'll allow us to continue and we don't freeze to death while standing in january passing out food. thank you guys so much. so much. >> and thank you to our sponsor quaker. you can learn more about its partnership with feeding america and how you can get involved by going to quakernourishes.com. we'll be right back on "good

people are saving hundreds on the most reliable in a land not so far away, network with xfinity mobile. they can choose from the latest phones or bring their own. and choose the data option that's right for them. they even get nationwide 5g at no extra cost. and since they are on the carrier rated #1 in customer satisfation, they live happily ever after. again, again! xfinity mobile. your wireless. your rules. your way to stay closer together. click, call, or visit an xfinity store today.

>> announcer: next week who is counting down to christmas with the biggest >> announcer: next week who is counting down to christmas with the biggest stars. >> good morning, america. >> gal gadot. pedro pascal, george, jamie and lady a perform. on abc's "good morning america". >> you won't want to miss it. thanks for watching, everybody and also later on tamron hall she is talking with facebook's sheryl sandberg, her first interview since the election. it's a rare, one-hour interview with sandberg. she's talking about the calls to boycott facebook, mark zuckerberg and so much more so you'll want to check your local listings for that. >> make sure do you that and make sure have you a great weekend, everybody. bye.

good morning. i'm kumasi aaron. sonoma county is taking preemptive action to slow the spread. starting at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, they will enter the stay-at-home order. it shuts down hair and nail salons, indoor and outdoor dining, wineries, bar, family entertainment centers. and the anticipation of rain is running high. right now we have live doppler show something virga out there. we'll have a nice soaking rain tonight and tomorrow. so some sprinkle in the north bay this afternoon, and then light to moderate rain develops as we head into the evening hours. healthiest storm of the season.

>> and now time for live with kelly and ryan. we'll be back at 11:00 for >> announcer: it's "live with kelly and ryan!" today, kerry washington. and a couple helping animals, our good news story of the day. all next on the "live"! and now, here are kelly ripa and ryan seacrest! [cheers and applause] >> ryan: good morning. are you the trivia dancer of the day? are you going for the prize? >> kelly: today... for the first time, i believe it's because of the base,