from coast to coast, the new guidelines to combat coronavirus are moving to extremes as the virus spreads. but how does the president see his performance to date? >> i'd rate it a ten i think we've done a great job. >> we'll look at the state of america as t pandemic explodes. >> the urgent need for reliable tests across the nation has people nervous that they may have symptoms of coronavirus want to be certain. >> we'll go inside italy which remains on almost complete lockdown as residents face another week of quarantine. >> and we will check in with some notables on how they are passing the time while hunkering

down "early today" starts right now >> good morning and thank you for being with us. i'm lindsey reiser. >> and i'm frances rivera. coronavirus tightens its grip. and here's what we know at this hour so far, cases in the states have spiked over 4,400 as the death toll passes 80 the city that never sleeps is officially shut down after new york bans crowds of over 50 people dining out and also closes schools. governor cuomo is also calling on military bases and college dorms to be used as makeshift call centers for the virus amid the frenzy, a glimmer of hope oscar winner tom hanks and his wife rita wilson have been released from the hospital the two were receiving treatment for the virus and had been in isolation in australia last week, they were the celebrities, the first ones, to

go public with their diagnosis first lady melania trump confirmed the cancellation of the white house easter egg roll. she says the safety of all americans is the number one priority and those wide-brimmed derby hats won't be seeing the light of day this may as the kentucky derby gets pushed back to september. it is the first time the derby won't be held on the first saturday in may since 1945. >> speaking of kentucky, officials there force one man into quarantine. refused to self-isolate, now has guards posted outside all day. toilet paper isn't the only thing flying off shelves guns and ammo are, too according to fbi data, more than 5.5 million background checks were conducted in january and february gun sales typically increase in an election year but this year is outpacing 2016 by more than 300,000 nascar has suspended its season through may 3rd the company plans to return to the track at martinsville

speedway on may 9th hoping to complete the season. and celebrity couple ryan reynolds and blake lively are helping to feed those in need. donating $1 million to try to help low-income families affected by the pandemic. >> more states across the country are ordering bars and restaurants to close their dine-in areas. the city of san francisco is imposing some of the most extreme measures issuing a shelter-in-place order nbc's miguel almaguer has this report >> the san francisco bay area. 7 million people told to go home and stay home for three weeks. the move aimed at bringing bustling city streets to a virtual standstill and closing nearly all businesses. the most dramatic and drastic step in the country. >> these measures will be disruptive to day-to-day life. but there is no need to panic. >> while the president said a

nationwide quarantine is not under consideration for now, he did urge americans to stay away from groups larger than ten people >> no matter where you look, this is something. it's an invisible enemy. >> the president predicting the virus could spread through summer at subways, city stations, and iconic venues, more are keeping their distance the white house, with this new warning. >> the reason we're taking these strong and bold steps is because we know there is virus spread before you develop symptoms. >> as a growing number of cities, including new york and l.a., ban restaurants and bars from seating customers, delivery service and drive-throughs are becoming the only options. theaters, gyms, and a long list of several major retails are shuddered. one fine-dining restaurant in seattle n seatt seattle now delivering burgers. >> this is about feeding a city

that was hungry. >> with fear driving some to hoard food, many grocery stores are operating on modified hours. allowing older shoppers in at earlier times. but in california, the governor says anyone 65 or older should self-isolate at home for thousands, getting home was the problem. at o'hare international, massive crowds trickled through enhanced screenings for the coronavirus >> i definitely felt unsafe. if the government's telling me to stay in groups of less than 50 and keep social distancing, i -- that was the opposite. >> as school districts in cities big and small close down, a dozen hotels and casinos on the las vegas strip are set to go dark primary voting in ohio has been postponed. as a symbol of america is now closed on liberty island lisa merck, a nurse in colorado, is recovering from the virus. >> i started getting really sweaty and then i felt like i kind of wanted to collapse

and i remember, like, having this -- like almost this burning sensation, you know, when you take a deep breath. >> americans in unchartered territory. changing the way we gather and the cities we live in. >> the legal order in the san francisco bay area does not impact essential businesses like grocery stores this is the first major move by a region but it likely won't be the last one. >> thanks to miguel almaguer for that report. >> on capitol hill today, the senate will take up the house's multibillion dollar coronavirus relief bill. and president trump will speak with top executives from the restaurant and tourism industries about their response to covid-19. last night, the president acknowledged the virus is not yet under control. unveiling the administration's toughest guidelines yet that includes school closures, avoiding discretionary travel, gatherings in groups of ten or more, and working from home whenever possible. but he started short of calling for mass quarantine. >> at this point, not

nationwide but there are -- you know, some places in our nation that are not very affected at all but we may -- we may look at certain areas. certain hotspots, as they call them >> president also suggesting it could stretch through the summer and admitted the u.s. economy may be heading for a recession. >> the administration insists it is dramatically increasing testing capabilities across the country. but some leading doctors warn the delay may already have dire circumstances. here's nbc's tom costello. >> from connecticut to colorado, ohio to alabama, roughly a dozen states are now offering drive-through covid-19 testing some people, confused by special requirements for testing like an appointment or a doctor's note at christiana hospital in delaware, they tested 536 people in just four hours. >> one in one side of the nose and one in the other side. then we put it in the tube and send it off.

>> the white house says 2,000 labs will have the ability to conduct tests. processing nearly 2 million tests by the end of the week each test could take hours, or days, to process but across much of the country, frustration at the lack of tests and slow results a virginia man who returned from a trip to new york is now unconscious on a ventilator and in icu it took three days to get a positive test result. >> like, he's sleeping but, you know, he's got all these tubes and he's on his stomach. and they're just doing everything they can to keep him alive. but it's -- it's heartbreaking i just want him to come home. >> mass general emergency physician clayton dalton says the delays will almost certainly have dire consequences. >> i do think that these early failures will result in more people getting sick and more people dying than might otherwise have happened. >> hospitals across the country are now setting up triage tents to screen patients outside of the er new york governor cuomo calling

for the army corps of engineers to set up medical tents. the white house says facilities dedicated to treating covid-19 patients are already under consideration. in hardest-hit states, the white house promises more drive and walk-through testing sites this week able to screen up to 4,000 people per day >> i want it to be clear to everybody, this is just another tool for states and local public health systems and healthcare systems to use it's not replacing testing that goes on at a doctor's office or in a hospital. >> in the san francisco area, google has set up a pilot program to help identify people at highest risk, and direct them to a local testing site. >> many of us can get this virus and it could be mild or even no symptoms at all. but they could actually still give it to a friend or a loved one. and, for them, their lungs. >> meanwhile, a vaccine clinical trial with 40 people began in seattle. though, researchers caution, it could take up to 18 months before a vaccine is approved and

widely available. >> here on in the washington, d.c. area, more than 100 cases so far both d.c. and maryland shutting down bars and restaurants and theaters maryland's governor now asking for 6,000 extra hospital beds, expecting a surge in patients. frances. >> all right tom, thank you. >> the united states has begun testing its very first coronavirus vaccine. 45 people will ultimately get two doses. the shots use what's called messenger rna and do not actually contain the virus itself the first dose went to jennifer haller from seattle and she later spoke to msnbc's ari melber. >> we feel -- all of us -- i know we feel so helpless like what can we do and i am so excited that there was actually something that i could do, and i did it regular potential side effects from -- from a vaccine totally up for those and then, of course, there's the absolute unknown, right? this one has never been tested in a human and i'm up for it.

i'm ready. >> jennifer will continue to follow up with researchers during the study, which is expected to last 14 months. >> we love her optimism. let's turn now to nbc meteorologist janessa webb who is always full of optimism every time we have these he headlines, we come to you. >> i want to bring everyone a smile even if the weather is kind of severe for the south today. we are watching very closely, the deep south, there is a small section across central texas and southern oklahoma this afternoon. i think the primary threat will be the damaging winds. also, a little bit of hail a few tornados are possible. that severe threat really heightened for tomorrow afternoon. torrential rain that's going to run through o slice temperatures

in half across western texas only going to see highs in the mid-60s. still, a little sunshine for the northeast but that rain, it's coming our way. >> yeah. kind of a tale of two seasons. >> now, the cincinnati zoo is bringing the safari right to you. the zoo and botanical garden is currently closed until further notice as a precaution against coronavirus. but since people can't visit the animals, the institution is offering digital alternatives, including hosting home safari facebook live sessions they will be offered weekdays at 3:00 p.m., highlighting animals, including an activity for kids to do at home where you can just be mesmerized by watching a hippo getting fed. >> fiona lives there just ahead, coronavirus fears affect wall street sparking a historic selloff. >> more in our social distancing our new normal that's our promise. now, you can skip the line with walgreens express,

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the dow plunged nearly 3,000 points despite the fed's massive relief effort. the nearly 13% drop was the worst day ever for the dow while the nasdaq had its biggest one-day dip ever futures are pointing to a big rebound at the open. after president trump vowed on twitter to support industries hit hard by the, quote, chinese virus. >> in uncertain times, one thing is certain and that is americans always find a way to help each other. here is nbc's kevin tibbles. >> one nation hunkered down. but not without friends among strangers. >> we have a package for you >> chicago's volunteer my block, my hood, my city, has already delivered more than 170 donated senior care packages more on the way. >> coronavirus doesn't care what side of the city you live on, right? if you need help, we're going to be there to help you. >> and for kids going without, good, old peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and other lunch

items, free at this cafe as they say on facebook, kids should never be hungry even story time. >> when duncan showed his teacher his new picture. >> read online by frozen star josh gad why? so we can all have a little fun together. >> so happy she could hardly speak. >> in times like these, we may be isolated. but no one should be alone kevin tibbles, nbc news, chicago. >> we're having people come together in a way like we've never done before. and at least that bright spot. >> it's uplifting. >> up next, robots join the fight against coronavirus. >> and the epidemic gripping the globe. pceunprecedented new measures inla overseas to slow the spread of the virus. flu symptoms, on sunday night and every night. nyquil severe. the nightime, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, best sleep with a cold, medicine.

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this robot is taking cleaning to a whole new level. using ultraviolet radiation, the light strike kills every bacteria and virus hit by its lights say it can even kill coronavirus germs on surfaces. one of these high-tech bots is being used other than a healthcare facility. the westin is using them to disinfect suites. >> this just blow that away. wow, especially this time. the battle to contain the global spread of the coronavirus continues as more and more countries announce lockdowns, travel restrictions, and border

closings european countries like italy, france, and spain, are currently on lockdown. and now, canada, switzerland, russia, and malaysia are putting new measures in place. iran hits a new milestone. and around wuhan, china, that gets back to normal for the latest on the global fight against covid-19, we turn to chapman. chapman, good morning. >> lockdown around urine and arou europe and around the world really nearly 28,000 total cases in the country. with more than 2,000 dead. restrictions remain in place, though, people can go out for essentials like groceries, they remain three feet apart in public and face questioning and possible fines by authorities to ensure they are out for legitimate reasons italy second only to china in total cases and deaths from covid-19 where restrictions are now being relaxed in the province where the outbreak began china reporting 21 new cases

saying 21 of those are imported. bringing the total number of cases in the country to more than 81,000. canada announcing it's closing its borders to noncitizens prime minister justin trudeau noting there will be some exceptions, including u.s. citizens though, that could change, as they fall into line with other countries in europe and asia and closing their borders to try to stem the flow of people. and trying to control infection rates. iran also suffering -- continue to suffer. state media announcing the death of a grand ayatollah and member of the assembly of experts the group that chooses the country's supreme leader where this coronavirus has sickened and killed several members of the country's political and reler religious elite. and back here in europe, boris johnson calling on companies including ford and rolls royce to help with the production of medical equipment such as ventilators for hospitals. frances. >> almost every day we're hearing about these tough measures chapman for us, thank you,

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coronavirus is creating a new hurdle for the 2020 race four states were scheduled to hold their primaries today as of right now, florida, illinois, and arizona are going ahead, as planned. but ohio governor mike dewine says his state will not open the polls today. calling it an unacceptable health risk for voters the move defies yesterday's decision from a judge, who declined a request to push the contest until june ohio officials say all early ballots will still count, whether or not the election is delayed. louisiana, kentucky, and georgia, have already postponed their primaries in the wake of the outbreak

meanwhile, nbc news is projecting that joe biden will win the washington state primary. the former vice president is leading bernie sanders by about 1 1/2 percentage points. >> italy is under lockdown to try to combat the spread of coronavirus as the death toll increases to more than 2,100 but citizens in isolation are dealing with it in a unique way. >> claudio lavanga has the story. >> been locked in their homes for about a week now to stop the spread of coronavirus. and this is how they are coping with it now. every single evening at 6:00 p.m., many italians across the nation show up at their windows, terraces, and balconies, to sing a song, play an instrument, or in that particular case, play pots and pans because they know they will still be secluded for at least another week before they can see

the benefits of the nationwide lockdown to see if effectively turning cities like rome into ghost towns will spread the spread of the coronavirus because the number of italians who are testing positive to coronavirus and who are dying from it is still on the rise. but at least for now, these italians at least think the best and temporary cure is to follow the old italian saying that goes -- that literally means sing and it will all be okay claudio lavanga, nbc news, rome. >> those are the positive sounds that we're seeing. coronavirus, if there's anything yeah well, the shed aquarium in chicago is closed to visitors. the penguins got to visit some of the animals the aquarium tweeted this video of wellington the penguin taking in the sights. he is certainly out of his habitat but he seems intrigued by the uncharted waters around

him. >> the world needs more of these videos. >> yeah. anything we can get, we will take thanks for waking up with us i'm frances rivera. >> and i'm lindsey reiser. stay safe out there. we'll see you right back here we'll see you right back here tomorrow morning ♪ hershey's. the original cookies n' crème.

good morning and thank you for joining us during what is an unprecedented morning in the coronavirus crisis right here in the bay area. nearly 7 million people are waking up to a shelter in place order. we have our entire team together and spread out. i'm laura garcia. >> and i'm marcus washington along with kari and mike. we have never faced anything like this before, something that we'll all get through together. we want you to know we are here for you and we want to be your resource to help you and your family make it through. >> that is so true. as you can see we're practicing our own social distancing here at the station just like you are being asked to do in your lives.