around the nation, as more states ease stay-at-home restrictions this, while many states are still showing increases in cr ? coronavirus cases as president trump speaks out about the economic fear that many face. >> pple are absolutely scared, but there are other people that are scared about being locked in a room, and losing their job, and not having any income. >> and protests to reopen the nation faster are growing louder by the day. >> we have new developments, this morning, involving joe biden, his accuser, telling our ali vitali, about what was reported when she says the

incident occurred. >> the emotional mother-daughter reunion as mom was released from the hospital after beating the coronavirus. >> plus, the one and only mike tyson looks like he could get back into that ring at any moment "early today" starts right now >> good morning, i'm cori coffin. >> and i'm phillip mena. it is monday morning, and more than half the country will be seeing at least some of their coronavirus restrictions lifted this week. here's what we know at this hour more than 1 million cases have been confirmed in the united states, and the death toll in this country is now over 68,000. according to johns hopkins university, at least 180,000 people have now recovered from covid-19 in the u.s. >> a troubling new report claims that low-quality masks could be putting our frontline workers at risk according to "the wall street journal," the cdc found that 60% of 67 different imported masks did not meet u.s. standards for keeping out tiny particles and some even had bogus fda

logos. meanwhile, uber will, soon, require drivers and parssengers to wear face coverings the new policy is expected in the coming weeks as society continues to reopen slowly the company already urges everyone to wear masks. >> it is an historic day for the supreme court. for the first time, the justices will be practicing social distancing, and hear oral argument oefrs the phone and the public will be able to listen in, over livestream and a couple in iowa turn to the radio to reach their wedding guests a local dj officiated the ceremony through the radio station window, while the couple stood outside and they got married, live, on the air. >> as more states begin to reopen for business, a grim, new prediction from president trump this morning during a virtual town hall, the president said he believes as many as 100,000 americans could die in this pandemic but he's confident a vaccine will arrive before the years end. nbc's dan chenoman explains.

>> president trump appearing in a virtual town hall hosted by fox news and offering a bold prediction. >> we are very confident we're going to have a vaccine at the end of the year. >> the president also asked about balancing public safety and demands for stay-at-home orders to be eased. >> i think you can really have it both ways i think a lot of people want to go back. they just want to go back. you see it every day you see demonstrations all over the country, and those are meaningful demonstrations. it's big stuff but you also have some people that are very scared. >> this week, 32 states will be all or partially open for business but social distancing guidelines haven' haven't always gone smoothly. >> i notice people trying to hug each other and i'm like yo, you should stop that. >> feels amazing so excited bato be out. back to normal. >> we have closed down tables, every other table, so we are in total compliance with what the state's requiring. >> but health experts caution against reopening too fast and

too soon. >> we're about 200,000 new cases a week, at this point, and in the lastf 60,000 deaths so most of the illness and death has occurred over the last 30 days so, overall, as a country, we still have a long way to go. >> a long way to go in a country eager to get back to work. dan chenoman, nbc news. >> the nation's social distancing guidelines have expired and more states are loosening their restrictions that means the reopening of public spaces, businesses, parks, and malls in more than half of states this week this as the country continues to see a record number of cases and virus-related deaths nbc's blayne alexander has the story. blayne, good morning. >> phillip, good morning to you. the start of a new week brings a wave of states now opening their doors. seven adding to the total, new more than half of the states across the country the race to reopen is heating up, with warm weekend weather drawing people out of their homes, in droves, and more

protests sweeping the country. >> open up our state >> new wave of states will open their doors. >> they are eager to get back to work they're excited. >> starting monday, more than half the country, 32 states, will be at least partially open for business among the latest, arizona, florida, indiana, and missouri, all, reopening monday. both, washington and kentucky, set to join in about a week. >> i'm glad to get people back to work. >> beaches in clearwater, florida, will open their shores monday that's good news for clear sky cafe. >> the tables are about eight feet apart we're doing single-use menus. >> but it's not just a flip of the switch, says governor ron desantis. >> tomorrow's just one step. it's certainly not the florida that we had in february. >> restaurants and stores can only open at half capacity and miami-dade, broward, and palm beach counties will remain closed, despite protests. >> we need to pay our bills. we have mortgages. we have family to feed. >> elsewhere, just because states are reopening does not mean stores are following suit

at this salon in phoenix, brynn says she desperately misses work but the risk is not worth it. >> i have no money coming in why aren't we listening to the doctors and scientists that are telling us that it's not safe? why put yourself at risk and put your clients at risk >> with the federal guidelines for social distancing officially expired, the call to reopen is growing louder protestors sweeping massachusetts, maine, and illinois, many, without masks, raising new concerns. >> it's devastatingly worrisome is to me personally because if they go home and infect their grandmother or their grandfather, they will feel guilty for the rest of our lives. so we need to protect each other at the same time we're voicing our discontent. >> it comes as ohio's governor is forced to make an aboutface reversing his order requiring customers to wear masks inside stores, saying some residents found it offensive. >> it became clear to me that that was just a bridge too far that people were not going to

accept the government telling them what to do. >> same in still water, oklahoma, where some employees faced physical threats from shoppers who did not want to cover their faces. and with the nation's parks becoming more populated, massachusetts closing at least five parks that were too crowded. same in connecticut as some reached capacity and, in the nation's capital, where the city is still under at a stay-at-home order, it's back to work for some on capitol hill the senate back in session monday, as the house remains in recess >> and today simon property group is opening nearly three dozen malls across the country, including the plaza here in atlanta. that will make nearly 70 malls that are open by the weeks end but just because malls are opening their doors, that does not mean all the stores inside are doing the same thing phillip. >> blayne, thank you >> as the easing of restrictions around the world has allowed some parks and athletic fields to reopen, including golf

courses, over the weekend golfers were able to return to courses in new jersey and philadelphia for the first time since mid-march. but they must continue to follow social distancing guidelines we get the latest from nbc's maura barett. >> the beautiful weather this weekend made for the perfect reopening for golf courses across pennsylvania and new jersey all the golf courses have been closed since mid-march due to coronavirus, unlike states across the country and here in this course outside philadelphia, they saw tee times booked about 95% capacity. they tell me this was a record-breaking weekend after staying in hatheir houses for eight weeks. everybody really excited to get on the course. but a lot of courses not using golf carts most golfers are walking they're not doing any handshakes and everything is booked ahead of time and paid for online. most golfers have been showing

up wearing machks butsks but a f them have been taking them off throughout the day a lot of golfers have said they've been excited to get back out because they have had to stay inside for so long. the governor here, though, said he wanted to open everything including marinas, private campgrounds, thingsof that nature because may is mental health awareness month and he is becoming worried about people staying home so often. he did say, though, if there is an increased spike of cases tracked back to places like golf courses or campgrounds, that he would have to close everything down again it's important to note, though, here, in pennsylvania, they maintained that in order to reopen further businesses, they will need to have adequate testing and contact tracing but the governor hasn't put a specific plan in place to employ extra people to do that kind of work so there is going to be a real eye on these places and making sure people maintain their social distancing and the spread doesn't spike, in order for them to stay open throughout the summer guys. >> okay, maura, thank you. >> new developments this morning concerning an allegation made against the apparent democratic

nominee. joe biden's accuser tells our ali vitali about what she did, and did not, report when she says the incident occurred. >> former senate staffer tara reade, who alleges that former vice president joe biden sexually assaulted her when he was a senator, reiterating to nbc news this weekend that she never used the word sexual assault in a complaint reade said she filed back in 1993. biden has flatly denied her allegation. >> i'm saying, unequivocally, it never happened, period. >> reade cancelled an interview with fox news sunday citing threats against her and her family she told nbc in a text message, she is not sure what explicit words she might have used in the 27-year-old complaint she says was filed. reade said it was regarding harassment she experienced in biden's office, not the alleged sexual assault she also told the associated press she was, quote, too scared to write about the sexual assault. biden has asked for those documents to be released. >> if that document existed, it

would be stored in the national archives. >> there is also mounting pressure for biden to documente university of delaware. >> this is like the hillary e-mails because there was nothing there. >> several obama administration alumni say no allegations like reade's ever surfaced during biden's extensive vetting for the 200 ticket meanwhile, conservatives point out the response to reade stands in stark contrast to the way democrats and biden rallied around supreme court nominee brett cavanaugh's accuser. >> there should be a presumption of innocence, across the board however, you can't just apply it only to people who you agree with, politically. that's -- that's a problem. >> during the cavanaugh hearings, biden said dr. ford should be given the benefit of the doubt. ali vitali, nbc news, washington. >> let's get your first check of today's weather with nbc meteorologist janessa webb happy monday. >> happy monday, you two good morning, everyone what a wonderful weekend

hopefully, you got to step outside this weekend, while practicing social distancing our temperatures were way above average. finally, hitting 80 degrees for the first time this year in new york city. right now, temperatures are very much on the warm side, and that will continue throughout your afternoon. but we are dealing with just a quick burst of rain that's really impacting washington, d.c. it's currently making its way offshore but most of the northeast is staying dry throughout your overnight. now, the next section of the country that we'll be watching for the next 24 hours is the severe weather threat across the southern plains, into areas of tennessee. where we just have about under 5 million people that will be r afternoon. we're cooling off a little bit for new york city to boston, back in the mid-60s.

so not going to lose that sunshine just yet. soak it up before wednesday, before more rain comes our way. >> sounds good i think we'll do just that. janessa, thank you it's been almost 15 years since his last match but mike tyson has still got it check it out at 53 years old, the retired boxer showing no signs of slowing down he posted the short training video dealing out a swift series of powerful punches, and reminded all of his fans just how he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history. >> talking about possibly doing some charity matches, which would be really neat. >> i just want to see him box again like that. still got that punch. >> people would pay to see it. coming up, a mother's heartwarming reunion with her toddler after beating coronavirus. >> and as the pandemic ravages 'l, tries around the world wel check in with italy and how that hard-hit nation has recovered. and it continuously eliminates odors in the air and on soft surfaces. for 45 days.

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coronavirus, but some hard-hit countries, like italy, are easing their way out of lockdown just some countries are now reporting an uptick in new infections for the latest, we turn to nbc's claudio for us claudio, good morning. >> good morning, cori. well, today is the official start of phase two for italy but it feels a little more like phase one because the lockdown is not ended, as millions of italians were hoping for after they spent nearly two months at home but the government has given at least some concessions they are, for instance, opening up public e first time since the start of the lockdown, on march the 9th and so italians can start finally go for a jog, a cycle, or a walk. so expect parks in across the nations, teeming with people, finally stretching their legs. of course, parks are not the only places where italians are going to be allowed to go

starting today they also can go and visit -- and here is where it gets a bit difficult -- the government said they can go and visit people with whom they have a stable relation or a stable emotional bond what does that mean? well, italians have been asking themselves it means, of course, family, relatives, boyfriends, girlfriends. but not, for instance, friends so they will have to wait a little while before they can go and have a dinner with their friends. also, they will have to wait for may 18th for shops and museums to open. and they'll have to wait all the way till june the 1st to finally be able to go back to, for instance, restaurants and bars cori, phillip. >> wow they have been waiting much longer than americans have so i'm sure they're itching to get out there. claudio, thank you. >> still to come here. taylor swift gives back to the medical heroes on the front lines of this pandemic. >> plus, recovered and reunited. the heartwarming moment a mother sees her daughter for the first time after beating coronavirus so i was constantly double-checking.

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all right. this was the scene when a louisiana mom, just out of the hospital after beating coronavirus, was finally allowed to hold her 2-year-old daughter again. i'm not crying you're crying. >> you know been dreaming of that moment the entire time she was in the hospital. got to share with all of us. beautiful. ryan reynolds. he is out there doing his part

to make sure the class of 2020 is still celebrated. the actor delivered a surprise virtual commencement speech for the graduating class of his old high school, where he shared with the students, some inspiring words. and at the end of his speech, reynolds offered to buy each graduate a large pizza from his favorite local pizza shop. >> so we got -- >> wilder. right? that's why it was perfect. van wilder's graduation speech. >> there you go. whether we return, janessa will break down the latest coronavirus hotspots for us. >> avengers assemble to deliver a heroic message at the kids' choice awards. this is "early today." noooo... nooooo... yeeeesss... quick, the quicker picker upper! bounty picks up messes quicker and is 2x more absorbent than the leading ordinary brand.

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discover what's good - pantene nutrient blends hi, everyone our frontline workers continue to get the job done. let's take a look at our latest data we haven't seen this graph this low since early april. but the big, dramatic change here, for the start of this week, is the midwest, also, the south, now up to about 3%. for the northeast, we continue to really decline, down to about 1% of these cases. so we really need to continue to practice our social distancing, but, man, we are seeing just isolated spots that continue to see some uptick of cases but we saw a record amount of testing done that was done on friday. so, hopefully, we continue to see that guys. >> here here all right, janessa thank you so much. up next, all you cool tsndca a

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bed, weak, fighting pneumonia, and really scared, i went to the hospital i found an overworked, nearly overwhelmed staff. every one of them was kind and sympathetic, gentle, and caring, from the moment i arrived until the moment, days later, when i was wheeled out, through a gauntlet of cheering medical workers. >> veteran 60-minutes correspondent leslie stahl, last night, revealing her own battle with coronavirus, at the age of 78 and i don't know anyone, here, in the new york city area, that

doesn't know someone who has contracted this. it's everyone. >> yeah. it literally has affected everyone's lives. >> glad to see recovered. >> leading the news, tiger king's carole baskin had her first interview since the netflix documentary was released but it wasn't with who she thought. baskin believed she was being interviewed by jimmy fallon but she was really speaking with two youtubers over a phony zoom call they had been contacting baskin for weeks and even created a sound board of jimmy fallon's voice clips to make the conversation more believable and they basically told her, you're not going to see him but you are going to hear him. thankfully, for her part, she said it was all in good fun. >> those guys are playing with fire anyone who's seen tiger king, things do not seem to end well for those who get on her bad side the coronavirus pandemic did not stop the slime at the kids choice awards. nickelodeon held a virtual telecast called celebrate together hosted by victoria justice.

the avengers end game stars reunited to accept their award for favorite movie >> we're stronger together we'll get through this. >> whatever it takes. >> love you 3,000. >> and in addition to the awards the show made a $1 million donation to no kid hungry, the national campaign to help end childhood hunger and support people who have been affected by covid-19. >> very importantly, they still got the slime in there. >> they did, they did. they made it work. >> taylor swift expressed her appreciation for a fan currently working on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic the singer surprised whitney hilton, a registered nurse with utah, with a handwritten thank you note and a bundle of merchandise. this surprise came in honor of hilton's 30th birthday and her homecoming after she travelled to work in new york city, the epicenter of the outbreak. swift wrote, i can't thank you enough for risking your life to help people and for spreading the message loudly and we thank you for watching "early today." i'm cori coffin. >> and i'm phillip mena. we leave yg serenades his

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country will ease restrictions demonstrators continue to push for even greater freedom this, as a number of states are facing their worst days ever >> we are very confident that we're going to have a vaccine at the end of the year. by the end of the year, have a vaccine. >> president trump, optimistic about a vaccine, while his secretary of state says he believes he knows how, and where, the vaccine originated. in a chinese lab. >> an all-out brawl aboard a spirit airlines flight forces an emergency landing. we'll tell you what happened and how growing crowds a