new this morning, president-elect joe biden begins the week in a walking boot after fracturing his foot, but it's his all female communications team that's capturing headlines with just 52 days until inauguration. surge upon a surge is the wave ahead following a thanksgiving weekend for millions. plus, ramping up for a covid vaccine. how are the massive challenges working. today shoppers could shell out a world record $13 billion for cyber monday if you're one of the millions of parg gain hunters, other jo ling

kent has the news. the denver broncos forced to play without a true quarterback. all four of their qbs in quarantine plus a few other firsts from the gridiron including a running back with eight touchdowns. we have a remarkable friendship built mile by mile. "early today" starts right now good monday morning. i'm phillip mena. >> i'm frances rivera. a pivotal day ahead. over three weeks before he was declared the winner, he will receive his first briefing today. he fractured his foot while playing with his dog over the weekend. tracie potts joins us today. we could see the president-elect in a boot for the next few weeks. >> reporter: yeah, frances it happened saturday he went to the doctor yesterday. got a ct scan. apparently some hairline fractures there. we may see president-elect biden hobbling along as he gets at that first presidential daily

brief today along with vice president-elect harris their coronavirus team expected to meet with the white house task force sometime this week, possibly as early as today according to dr. deborah birx. that is a first as well. and an historic first, he has named an all female communications team. we're waiting on an announcement this week on his economic team president trump frustrated complaining about these election challenges that don't seem to be working out and answering questions about whether or when he'll concede. >> well, i don't want to give you an actual date a lot of people say the 18th or they say the 14th or january 20th i'm not going to say a date. it's not like you're going to change my mind in other words, my mind will not change in six months >> reporter: over the weekend he lost his challenge to the pennsylvania supreme court and wisconsin has finished the recount that the trump team

requested. turns out there were actually more votes in wisconsin for joe biden. frances? >> tracie, thank you. as millions of americans make their way back home from thanksgiving travel, health officials are warning against a surgeon top of a surge the national outbreak has been devastating this month with the sum r number of cases surpassing 4 million. grim news also bearing down on the empire state as new york reports its highest covid-19 positive test rate since may this as new cases surpass 6,000. on the west coast, california breaking the record with more than 7400 hospitalizations yesterday. and despite a cdc order halting evictions, the associated press reports eviction filings have crept up in several states last month tis in south carolina, ohio, florida, and virginia saw jumps as travel peaked across the country, our blayne alexander is

tracking the latest from atlanta's hartsfield-jackson airport. >> reporter: the thanksgiving holiday is officially in the rear-view mirror millions of americans are making their way back home. this past seven-day period is the biggest stretch travel since the start of the pandemic. health officials warn that could mean a very difficult december millions of americans are taking to the skies and the streets headed home after thanksgiving travel, something health officials pleaded with the public not to do now the same experts say because of that travel we are likely headed into the worst phase of the pandemic. >> what we expect unfortunately as we go for the next couple of weeks into december, that we might see a surge superimposed upon that surge that we're already in >> reporter: over the past week tsa has processed more than 7 million passengers, less than half of what we saw last year, but by far the busiest stretch since the start of the pandemic. >> i encourage it.

everybody get out, enjoy their time. >> keep your masks on, be respectful of others, you'll be fine. >> reporter: while we have holiday weather, with the u.s. topping 13 million cases, experts fear this will be much worse. >> we're entering this post-thanksgiving surge with three, four, ten times as much disease across the country and so that's what worries us the most. >> all as americans continue to disregard health warnings. in denver the mayor who urged his residents who skip holiday travel is now apologizing av taking a flight to see his family. >> it was hypocritical it was a mistake that i deeply regret. >> reporter: and in new york, officials shut down this club packed with nearly 400 people all of it dealing blow after blow to a health care system stretched to the limit. >> if things don't turn around quickly, we're going to have a situation with capacity not only of hospital capacity but staff. >> we're exhausting all efforts

doing everything we can and just still cannot save everyone. >> reporter: for virologist david o'connor see millions disregard health warnings is beyond frustrating. >> it's sad. it's difficult to watch. so i think the next couple of months are going to be the darkest and weakest that we've seen yet in this pandemic. >> reporter: and for the millions of people who did travel, health officials say there are a number of things that you should do on the back end of your trip one is to quarantine, self-isolate, stay away from others if you have to be near elderly members, they are stressing get tested three to five days after you return phillip, back to you. >> can't be stressed enough. blaine, thanks. for the coronavirus on the horizon and inching closer by the day, health departments across the country are developing their plans for a rollout. with more than one vaccine in the works, officials are facing the unprecedented effort of how

to track it all. >> reporter: the final delivery of the long-awaited covid vaccine will come down to local health departments. >> the port at the distal end, namely getting it into people's arms, is going to be more challenging than the regular flu season >> reporter: skilled at measles, flu, other vaccination efforts, they've never had to do something like this. why does the covid-19 vaccine present unique problems? >> we all have to remember, we've never been in a position where we have to vaccinate 330 million people this is the most massive effort to date. >> reporter: we talked to health officials across the country about the challenges ahead in houston the memorial herman hospital is doing practice drills. >> we've done all of the preparation. we've completed the plans. we've practiced in terms of the

distribution so we think we're ready to go. >> reporter: they're part of the pilot distribution program organized by pfizer, maker of one of the vaccine candidates. that means preparing to track everyone who gets it because pfizer's vaccine requires two doses 21 days apart and using the freezers to store the medicine at antarctic like temperatures in rural wisconsin that is the challenge. does the typical rural hospital have the capacity to keep the vaccine at minus 94 degrees zero >> absolutely not. >> reporter: add to that over worked staff treating covid patients and no sign of $6 billion in federal funds needed to distribute the vaccines >> can't do anything without cash we're cash strapped right now. that's not going to change between now and when the vaccine comes out. >> reporter: in rural and urban areas, the biggest problem may be trust

the most recent gallup poll shows only 6 in 10 americans would agree to be vaccinated. >> people who get it early should be the champions. we should know about them. we can build on that especially the black population that is more hesitant. >> reporter: so they can take the next step in ending the pandemic pope francis made history as he installed 13 new cardinals including will ton gregory an archbishop from washington, d.c. he's the first african-american cardinal to hold the title he had to quarantine for ten days the pope installed the first cardinals from brew na and rwanda. mother nature giving us an

active weather monday. janessa webb. >> good morning. very active pattern for the east coast. it will linger all the way into tuesday, potentially wednesday severe weather threat across georgia, atlanta having a tornado warning at this time the system will continue to track to the east. so across the carolinas to d.c., even new york city we're going to watch for that potential of damaging winds. watching the power outages for later on tonight on the other side of the front is cooler air and it's going to be lake enhancement for the ohio valley this will be the first big snowfall of the season in this area where squalls persist they could see up to 5 to 10r t, duluth, 25 well below the freezing mark

and today also marks the end of hurricane season i'll have a recap coming up. >> yes could not come soon enough, janessa. thank you so much. over the weekend that mysterious desert monolith in utah has vanished. it happened ten days after it appeared in its place is that little stack of red rocks and a steel triangular shaped object they don't know who removed it officials speculate it had been an art installation. got to get a surveillance camera out there? >> monolith banksy. still to come, a warning about the new screen time scam with zoom. ready, set, click. how to browse for the best deals on this cyber monday unique delayed-release formula that works to turn down acid production, blocking heartburn at the source.

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zoom invite phishing scam. they are targeting people by sending a phony email, text, social media message that includes zoom's logo along like your zoom account has been suspended. clicking on the links can download malware which can grant access to your accounts. the bureau reports that scammers registered nearly 2500 zoom domains this year. important story. a lot of people were online looking for sales. consumers shattered records on black friday today cyber monday is set to be the biggest online shopping day ever here's nbc's jo ling kent. >> reporter: the pandemic is ushering in a huge new wave of online shopping. this cyber monday is expected to be the biggest online sales day in history with shoppers shelling out up to $12.7 billion. it comes after consumers spent a record $9 billion online on black friday coming out to $6.3

million a minute the good news for those to click buy, cyber monday isn't a one day event. they're pushing deals for cyber week up to 40% off ninja supplies 50 dozen lars off bissell, shark. and h.p. laptops slashed. >> the categories i expect to be discounted will be the toy catego category. >> among the gifts hardest to find are gaming con soles like the ps 5 they'll continue to restock in the weeks ahead, but the x factor this year is shipping with delays already plaguing the system for so many shoppers, free and/or fast delivery is essential to make or break your order, that's why stores like best buy have turned part of their stores into mini fulfillment centers like this to get you your stuff as quickly as they can

so experts recommend ordering online by december 11th to take advantage of shipping that arrives before christmas after that, the price you pay will rise. >> run a simple web search, free shipping, the name of the retailer and see what pops up. sometimes you'll find that code where with the majority of shoppers preferring to shop online, the president of shopify says it will never be the same. >> what we are seeing now is not an anomaly it is the blueprint for the future retail. the growth of ecommerce will continue there is no going back to a precovid retail model. >> reporter: this challenging season forever changing how we give and receive jo ling kent, nbc news, los angeles. >> happy clicking today then when we return, one of the biggest names pays tributes.

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passes to hill the chiefs took down tom brady and the bucs, 27-24. shifting fields. coronavirus has thrown a blitz at their season. the san francisco 49ers are searching for a temporary home after santa clara county ordered a three-week ban on all contact sports the team is working with the league they were scheduled to host their next two games. all four of the denver broncos starting quarterbacks were ruled out of sunday's game after jeff driscoll tested positive for the virus the other three, including starter drew locke were in close contact with driskel without masks. they had to sign a wide receiver from the practice squad to play quarterback against the first place saints on sunday rookie kendall hinton threw two interceptions and had one completion the week's night cap saw the packers and bears reignite their long-standing rivalry.

aaron rodgers was red hot finding mercedes lewis rod goegers to al lazard. green bay held a 24 point lead at the half and did not look back they get the sunday night win, 41-25. so much has changed because of the coronavirus and the ravens are a game that's supposed to be on thanksgiving, that's been pushed back to tomorrow. >> hard to keep track. lionel messi paid tribute to a fellow legend. he removed his jersey to show off a number 10, diego maradona. he died of a heart attack last week at 60 years old. first soccer starve my lifetime there. >> when early day returns,

janessa will break down what has been an historic hurricane season a heartwarming story of a friendship really going the distance the small ones you've been dreaming about. the ones you couldn't be more ready for, and even the ones that take you by surprise. these are the moments you'll remember, the ones that are impossible to forget. to new memories. hilton and our family of hotels. ♪ 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. ♪ no matter how you celebrate this year,

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an unlikely friendship forged on a running trail is helping two extraordinary boys achieve their goals together nbc's jose diaz-vallart has their story. >> nice here. >> tethered by a common goal nkts there's some gravel, don't trip. >> reporter: and a passion for running. >> go boys >> hall scott and rebel hays can navigate almost any cross-country course paul, a freshman at west fork high school is legally blind but with rebel's help and a lot of determination -- >> that a boy. >> he's become a successful cross-country runner.

>> they think if you're blind you cannot run i have proven it can be done. >> rebel an 11-year-old junior has always loved running so when he was looking for volunteers to help blind runners, he answered the call to action >> i just wanted to jump in because it makes me feel good when i help people. >> come on, paul, you can do it. >> reporter: the two pairing up for the past three years scaling hills, crossing finish lines all with rebel's careful instruction. >> all right >> reporter: under the guidance of coach tiffany server. >> keep it going. >> they welcomed paul's older siblings onto the cross-country team starting in 2014 making inclusion the core value. >> we're called in this life to love others and serve others and use our talents to the fullest and rebel's just a perfect demonstration of that. >> off the field paul and rebel forming a lasting friendship.

>> is this your card >> nope. >> paul's mom moved by rebel's efforts. >> i am humbled that people are willing to be so generous just because they see a genuine need in someone else. >> she says when the run is done, they get to just be kids again. >> they do typical kind of goofy things joke around. things i don't see paul doing with any other students ever. >> reporter: rebel's mom says it's a unique bond built on kindness with a unifying message. what have you learned from these two boys >> there's so much more to paul and rebel's story than running they're showing the world that it doesn't matter, you can be nice to people and you can make friendships no matter the differences. >> thanks to jose diaz-vallart i can't wait to see this relationship and where it goes. >> that bond they have is forever. the communication and the rhythm that they've established over

this time. it's a great story we appreciate it. >> we thank you for waking up with us on "early today."rivera >> i'm phillip mena. the first story in the week long

right now at 4:30 people across the bay area are waking up to new covid-19 restrictions. santa clara county among the most severe. why there are many questions surrounding this new travel policy. plus -- >> to find that out while we're getting on a plane and no one to tell us, it was extremely disappointing. no place like home, but what do you do when you don't have one anymore. why the future of the 49ers home games are in limbo due to restrictions. a chill in the air lingering across the bay area. just how long our morning temperatures are