don't feel like wearing pants? okay who drank all the milk? enjoy the great taste of dunkin' at home. reports that the curve may be flattening even as the death toll continue to rise, but this has many officials warning about a second phase if people start going out. >> and the financial pain faced by millions of small businesses with congress and the white house saying they'll need another 250 billion on top of the 350 they've already approved seeking solutions. we'll take you to one hard hit hospital where their quick thinking and innovative techniques are paying off big time for coronavirus patients and health care staff. damaging weather and possible tornados in multiple

places throughout the south. tens of thousands are waking up today without power. "early today" starts right now good morning i'm david gura. >> i'm frances rivera. the coronavirus pandemic continue to take a staggering toll on the united states as experts warn americans to brace for city to hit their peaks. the death toll in the country is now nearing 15,000 ascities continue to report some of their deadliest days yet while there are signs that social distancing is hemming our nation has difficult days ahead. >> there is hope in new york as the number of new hospitalizations continues to slow but the state has seen death tolls of more than 700 over the past two days the governor now ordering flags to be lowered in honor of the victims. the safety of nursing homes continues to be a major concern across the country in southern california more than 80 elderly patients had to be evacuated from a center when the employees did not show up to

work 16 employees and 34 residents tested positive for the virus. marriott is offering some relief to health care workers. they've pledged to provide $10 million in free rooms for first responders serving in hot spots around the nation. elderly and high risk shoppers got a surprise when they went to pay for their groceries. their bill had been covered by tyler perry. the movie mogul treated them at 29 stores during the hour reserved for the most vulnerable customers. one of hollywood's famous families is giving back in a big way. the hilton foundation announced a $10 million to coronavirus relief efforts half that money will go to help the homeless in los angeles and others will go to african americans to fight the outbreak. police in several states say

people are pretending to be officers and stopping drivers to warn them about stay at home orders authorities warn that not only is impersonating an officer illegal but performing traffic stop cans be very dangerous. a florida man is charged with creating a hoax he coughed on a man and said he had the rvirus. >> reporter: the united states in the midst of one of the most dire weeks yet for coronavirus losses, models show 61,000 americans may lose their lives by august, but that's half of what was originally projected. >> the numbers soon we'll be over that kumcurv. >> reporter: getting the credit, americans' diligence in following social distancing guidelines >> we are still in awe really of

the american people's strength in this and following through. >> president trump wrestling with the timing of getting americans back to work soon but not too soon >> we are hopefully heading toward a final stretch, the light at the end of the tunnel as i was saying. >> reporter: the death toll rising past 14,000 with new york setting another single day death record and facing oon expected peak in the next 24 hours. >> the bad news isn't just bad the bad news is actually terrible >> reporter: but the good news is cases and hospitalizations in new york appear to be leveling off, an indicator the stay at home order is work >> we need to keep mitigating. we know this is something that is a strain on the american public, but it's just something that we have not only the only tool, it's the best tool >> the cdc also issuing new guidelines allowing some essential workers who were exposed to the virus to return to their jobs if they are

asymptomatic and follow strict guideline to protect others. >> frustration mounting this morning over the rollout of $350 billion in aid earmarked for america's small businesses with employees left in the lurch and april went due business owners are racing to get their hands on some of that much needed relief money. tracie potts joins us with more. a lot of finger pointing when it comes to that and not a whole lot of answers >> reporter: right a lot of finger pointing going on between the banks and the government the government says they've already processed billions of dollars in loan requests the banks say that the way they were processed they can't be assured they will be holding the bag that these loans are fraudulent or processed incorrectly. so while the loans have been approved, the checks have yet to be written and now president trump and lawmakers want to a add another $250 billion to that

fund >> i ask congress to provide additional $250 billion to expand the paycheck protection program. you've seen what's gone on there. it's incredible actually which is allowing our small businesses keep employees on the payroll. >> i've heard nothing or received nothing >> we're still going to see a large number of businesses fail because of this coronavirus crisis >> reporter: and now president trump is taking some heat for firing the inspector general for the intelligence community this was the i.g. who handled the whistle blower complaint president trump says his work was a total disgrace now a letter from a bipartisan group of sfaenators asking the president for a more detailed explanation of that firing by april 13th >> all right tracie potts for us. thank you. the financial pain for millions of americans right now

is unprecedented many of those out of work are still having trouble applying for unemployment while others are waiting for their checks tom costello has more. >> reporter: in illinois, he's done the paperwork and is now hoping his emergency government loan will be approved. his two businesses shut down, a gym and several wedding venues he plans to use the rescue money to rehire his employees. >> it's emotionally draining it's mentally and physically draining and i pray a lot, but that's about all i can do and prepare to open back up hopefully sometime soon in the future. >> reporter: many small businesses desperate for cash are waiting. the government says it's already processed hundreds of thousands of loan applications with billions of dollars but many banks big and small have been slow to write the checks some requiring an existing relationship with businesses to process the loans. a frustrated sba official on a leaked zoom conference call obtained by nbc news

>> big banks had no problem taking billions of dollarst in are now the biggest banks that are resisting helping small business. >> reporter: in fact those 2008 bank loans weren't free. today there are some 30 million small businesses nationwide, the government says the loans won't have to be repaid if employers retain or hire back employees. >> but many lenders fear they'll be left holding the bag if the loan isn't processed properly or if it turns out to be fraud lentd. >> reporter: executives tell nbc news the loan regulations are confusing and complicated. >> the banks have asked the government to soften up some of these regulations so they can move these loans through quicker. >> reporter: the government insists it's doing all it can to get the money out fast and some loans are getting through. wayne owns 14 bike shops in d.c., virginia and florida he's been approved for his loan his bank telling him the money

should arrive within days. >> we need to ensure the fact that we can keep our employees and thei>> reporter: a lifeline 110 employees and their families nbc news, arlington, virginia. >> outside of our country the coronavirus continues its global reign with the united states asia and europe being hardest hit. wuhan china has lifted its lockdown prime minister boris johnson remains in intensive care. this as many christians around the world are celebrating holy week for the latest let's turn to caliperry who's live in london >> good morning. absolutely horrific day across the united kingdom almost a thousand people dying from the coronavirus the deadliest day by far since the outbreak began but some good news with the prime minister we understand that his condition is improving, that he is

reacting to treatment and an a official saying he was able to sit up in bed and converse with the medical personnel there. hopefully that will continue across europe the conversation now starting about when and how to get life back to some sense of normality this in countries that have been hit incredibly hard by the virus. you take italy as one example. there are some discussions that shops could maybe open on april 13th and maybe by may 4th that t people can get out and work. that will come with new regulations about ppe gear, masks and social distancing. the pope continuing this holy week via remote. all of those things will happen over the internet and the streets continue to be clear and we'll finish with a little bit of good news the city of wuhan, people on the streets, some people heading to that train station, reuniting with family so we'll take the

good news as we can get it >> thank you breaking overnight, several tornados were reported in central arkansas and indiana the video shows a large tornado moving across harrisburg, arkansas late in the evening reporting causing damage to dozens of homes leaving thousands without power. injuries have been reported but we won't know the extent of the damage until sun rise. wheen while in indiana nearly 100,000 people are without power after another tornado ripped through the area causing significant damage to several buildings. there are also several reports of power lines and trees down. >> going to be a tough morning for them let's see how it's longing for the rest of the day. >> good morning. it has been a very busy evening and weir going to continue to watch the severe weather threat now for the carolinas. the squall line continues to make its way across that area, even west virginia this is a very strong cold front making its way across the central u.s.

also a heightened awareness for central texas this afternoon from houston all the way to bay city, the coastal areas of texas, 39 million under that severe weather risk. also plenty of snow for the higher elevations of new york city all t wheayntinue to builds going to start with the severe weather. >> still to come -- >> watch for your severe weather outbreak and also an update on flattening the curve coming up >> still to come, markets brace for another unemployment record. >> and inside the effort to put washington state on the ttg cuin edge of flattening the curve "early today" is back in two that's why even in uncertain times like these, we're still here for you. with delivery, drive-thru and mobile order where possible,

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wealth care workers are continuing to turn the tide in their coronavirus battle what they did right and what other states could learn. >> reporter: washington state got hit first. in early march the governor issuing a stark warning to those who didn't social distance >> the penalties are you might be killing your grand dad if you don't do it. >> reporter: now health officials say they have done what every other state hopes to do, flatten the curve. >> i will say the last few days we've been able to take our first breath >> reporter: inside the medical center, a look at how far they have come in a short period of time they have 29 covid patients. at their peak it was 41. >> we're in the hot zone and we have got about 20 patients on this floor. >> reporter: infectious sease door givg us a tour using the hospital's camera. >> we've cvert this ward into a covid ward so it's taken a lot of work to g to this

point. >> rorter: the hospital has transformed. the nursing station is wrapped with protective plastic with an entire unit converted. >> now all the air flows out of the patient rooms and out of the hospital. >> reporter: a public website detailing its experience dr. nick johnson works in the er >> i think the relationship betweenest testing and ppe and something i didn't understand but the faster we can figure out that a patient is negative the less ppe that we actually burn through. >> have you in some respects had to adapt on the fly. >> absolutely. i think a lot of us has been us learning as we go. this is a new disease that none of us had seen before. i think the most dramatic thing for me is watching people recover and really understanding how long it takes some people to get better. >> reporter: with fewer patients a chance to process. >> this is a very good opportunity for us to think about how we can improve the

care of our patients with covid. >> reporter: the virus may have hit them hard at first but now these health care workers are leading the way. nbc news, new york still ahead, a sobering new look at the historic unemployment in america. and searching for a way to stay entertained in quarantine google has the answer. that's next on "early today. (background music) but others smell this... (upbeat music) that's why febreze plug has two alternating scents and eliminate odors for 1200 hours. ♪breathe happy febreze... ♪la la la la la. theryou're not good enough. hard to control. but i am enough. and i know what i'm made of. put your skin in the game.

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an oil rebound is curbing coronavirus concerns on wall street investors cheered news that an upcoming opec meeting could lead to production cuts futures point to another day in positive territory >> and another key read on the jobs front with new unemployment day that that's expected to shock many on wall street. here with the early read is karen tso. good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you. yes, the stats from the labor department seem to be the most up to date read on the jobs market and wall street will be impacted by that number. we are expected to see up to 15 million people seeking unemployment benefits over the last three weeks to the tune of about 5 million more over the past week adding to losses we've seen in that job market but some estimate some as high as 9 million. we're expected to see a pickup in those numbers because some

employees are encouraging their workers to tap an extra $600 per week so those numbers may be bolstered. we're seeing many people under lockdown looking is hope to tap based gaming streaming platform, that is normally about $15 a month. they've had to lower the resolution from 4k to hd in the hope it may protect users who may surge and push their way to that platform so let's see how it plays out for google but they're hoping it will benefit from extra gamers. >> something to do for the kids on spring break next week. janessa is following our progress on flatteninghe t curve. >> and bernie sanders jumps out

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it appears the pandemic is putting an end to the presidential primary bernie sanders has announced he is suspending his campaign calling his path to victory virtually impossible that decision leaves joe biden as the apparent democratic nominee and clears the way for former president obama to come off the sidelines and endorse his former vice president. senator sanders vowed to use his delegates to leverage a more progressive platform for the democratic party >> she played a pivotal role in the peemt. linda tripp has died

she secretly recorded 20 hours of conversations with then white house intern monica lun sewinsk. she posted a tweet hoping for her recovery linda tripp was 70 years old next up, signs of love he can't be by his wife's side but he's giving her a big display of affection. >> reporter: the side of the road may seem like a lousy place for a date >> i went home and changed my pants. i got fresh jeans on. >> reporter: these days there's no better spot to see lisa, his wife of 30 years >> there she is. chemo erapy for leemiaergoing because of coronavirus she can't have any guests not even her husband 16 and kids >> my heart aches because i'm not with my wife to let me in but they woul't.

>> reporter: so johnad an idea >> i love you, which is true. >> reporter: showing up outside hewindow with signof love. >>ive us a smile, honey. >> what a fun surprise wellyou look great and i like your hat >> reporr: defying the distance >> all right, babes. i can e you. >>eporter: wh a roadside attraction nbc news >> there you go. romance and love comes in many forms these days >> just incredible >> with difference in floors and through that glass too the cast at full house reunited to bring us full quarantine. >> whatever happened to paper boy.lity, the milkman, the >> you've got six cast members shown doing various quarantine activiti it endedith a messe of hope, staying safe, stay homand

unlike full house, this will go away even with fuller house and everything >> there you go. absolutely thank you very much for watching "early today." i'm david gura >> and i'm frances lately, i've discovered that while keeping safe and staying in, we can still go out! -sort of. so while you're discovering new things to do in the box, we'll be here for you... at the drive-thru, on the mobile app, and with delivery. on the mobile app, 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.

while keeping safe and staying in, we can still go out! -sort of. so while you're discovering new things to do in the box, we'll be here for you... at the drive-thru, on the mobile app, and with delivery. she was telling her boss, you have to do something because there's a lot of people sick over here. good morning, your headlines right now at 4:30, a deadly outbreak at an east bay nursing home could be the biggest of in. the new numbers reveals situations across the state. nearly 15,000 people have died from coronavirus. here in california, more