it's wednesday. go out there and make the best of it. we'll see you back here tomorrow morning. good morning. breaking overnight, first to the finish. the united kingdom grants emergency approval to the pfizer vaccine overnight that is set to begin next week. approval for the vaccine here in the u.s. as the cdc issues its data for who should get immunized first as cases soar and hospitalizations hit never-before-seen highs. no widespread fraud.

attorney general william barr in a stunning break from the president declaring the justice department has found nothing that would alter the outcome of the election as more republican officials facing death threats and intimidation say enough's enough. >> mr. president, have you not condemned these action or this language. >> senators, you have not condemned this language or these actions. this has to stop. if you're going to take a position of leadership, show some. >> just ahead, where in goes next. >> pardon for pay? the justice department investigating a potential bribery scheme, money in exchange for a presidential pardon. the allegation buried in court records as news emerges the president is reportedly considering issuing preemptive pardons to members of his own family before he leaves washington. we're live in washington with the very latest. and back on solid ground. the sailor rescued at sea after clinging to his capsized boat for nearly two days, taking us inside his ordeal. >> for a minute i was thinking this is very bad.

>> this morning what he did to survive in his on words and his heart-felt message of thanks for the crew that saved him. and light it up. the iconic rockefeller christmas tree is just hours away from coming to light and ushering in the holiday season on "today," december 2, 2020. >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb, from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> good morning, everybody. thank you for joining us on a wednesday morning. you see that beauty? it going to look even better once we put like 5,400 lights on it, right, al? >> it is going to be great. five miles of lights, and we are ready for this thing to be lit, baby. >> how cold is it going to be

out, al? >> it going to be brisk but cold and no rain. >> you can watch it in your slippers later. let's get to the news. the major headline out of washington and talk of presidential pardons and the attorney general's striking shift away from the president's claim of election fraud. >> we want to get right to the breaking news right now on the coronavirus. yes, overnight, the british officials approved pfizer's vaccine for use there, and the use of giving shots in great britain next week around the same time that pfizer's request for here in the u.s. before the fda will be heard. we have complete coverage. let's check in with chief correspondent in london richard engel. good morning, richard. >> good morning, savannah. this is a momentous development here in the u.k. but not only here. this is of global significance. for so long this has all been theoretical, when we would have a vaccine and then when would it

be distributed. now there are several vaccines that have proven to be effective and that distribution will begin soon starting here in the u. k. >> in the u.k. this morning, the announcement this country and the world has been waiting for, the coronavirus vaccine rollout is finally beginning. the u.k. approved the pfizer vaccine developed by the bion tech and pfizer which studies show is 95% effective. it makes the u.k. first western country to give a vaccine to the public outside of trials. distribution is a challenge for the u.k.'s national health service. >> the nhs stands ready to make that happen. help is on its way. we can now see the way out and

we're going to be through this. by the end of spring. >> distribution will begin with those who need it most. like several others in trials, it requires two doses. about a month apart to work. the u.k. already has 40 million doses and enough for 20 million people. the military will assist in the rollout with football stadiums, convention centers the and town halls to be converted to mass vaccination centers. a turning point may have come, not just hope for the end of the pandemic, but action to make it happen. this morning i spoke to the inventor of the vaccine. >> what's your reaction to today's news? >> i have to admit, i feel that it's an historic day. it's indeed the beginning of the

end of the pandemic. >> reporter: approval has first been given here in the u.k. do you think the u.s. will be next? >> i'm confident that authorization in the u.s. could happen within the next two weeks. >> reporter: it almost sends chills down your spine to hear him say this could be the beginning of the end of the pandemic. if will take a long time for these vaccines to be rolled out but the rollout has to start sometime and that sometime is very soon. as i said, the pfizer vaccine needs to be kept cold. that is a challenge but it is not impossible. this cooler, for example, is the kind of technology that could be used to distribute it. it is not your average cooler. you can fill it with dry use and it will hold 300 vials of a vaccine and keep them ultra cold for a month. these aren't the actual vaccines but they give you the idea of the kind of technology that is going to be used to get these

out to the people who need them most, starting in this country next week. >> richard, thank goodness for the scientists. thank you so much. appreciate it. >> and here in the u.s. a cdc advisory committee has voted on the first phase of a plan to get those at highest risk of infection vaccinated. miguel almaguer is picking up that part of the story. good morning, miguel. >> reporter: good morning. the white house task force has just told coronavirus governors that the threat could be an all-time high, this after an emergency vote is unprecedented. an independent advisory board deciding who will be first in line for a covid-19 vaccine, even before one is approved for use by the fda. while emergency authorization is expected next week for pfizer's vaccine, we now know who will likely get it first. >> reporter: the most vulnerable americans are one step closer to getting a covid vaccine. on tuesday, an advisory

committee to the cdc is holding an emergency vote to decide who should be first in line. the group formally recommending health care workers and those at nursing homes should be at the top of the list and together roughly 24 million people and likely exceeding the number of doses expected to be available at the end of the month with millions more lining up behind them. >> as you are getting into january, february and march, the second level of people, and the people essential to society. >> reporter: with early vaccinations in short supply, hospitals are being told to stagger early vaccinations, which would prevent wiping out entire medical units if there's an adverse reaction. the latest guidelines now on their way for approval by the director of the cdc. but ultimately distribution decisions are up to state leaders. while the recommendations are expected to be followed, they can be adjusted.

with six vaccine candidates aiming for fda emergency authorization, the cdc has not yet outlined who should get the following round of doses, but previously suggested next would be those would underlying medical conditions critical workers like those in the food supply system and seniors over 65. most americans will likely have to wait until spring it comes as top infectious disease experts look to build public trust in a vaccine developed and set to be delivered at warp speed. >> it's that work at a community level that's most important. this has to be clear messaging from the top, if you will, but a huge effort at a grassroots level. >> this morning hope amid the heart break as the world moves closer to a vaccine. >> nbc news has confirmed trump plans to host a vaccine summit at the white house, some see it as a chance for the

administration to increase pressure on the fda to grant use by next friday for the vaccination. >> thank you >> we want to turn to richard besser, who served as acting director of the cdc. dr. besser, it's good to have you with us. >> it's great to be here >> what a morning it is. the u.k. issuing approval for the vaccine. does that ramp up our officials here in the u.s. >> i hope it doesn't put additional pressure on the fda we have the most thorough, rigorous drug approval, vaccine approval system in the world the way it differs is in the u.k. they will take the data and analysis from a company and go with it, take it at face value here in the u.s., the fda is going to go through all of the data, the raw data from it and

do their own analyses and use that to recommend to the committee which is a committee outside of government of experts who will look at it and say do they accept the analysis of the company and the analysis of the fda and should it be approved. i have real concerns if there is political pressure on the fda, we get a vaccine approved, but no one will get it. >> now we know the cliche, if vaccines don't help, vaccinations do. you have to get it >> there's been so much pressure on processes that had been totally apart from the political arm. if we have something that comes forward and people don't want it, in particular people at a very high risk -- when you are looking at the polling data african-american

rates have very low rates at which they will want this vaccines and african-americans have been hit incredibly hard by this pandemic. >> do you assume that the vaccines before the fda or expected to go before the fda the pfizer and the moderna, do you believe they will be approved or a significant question as to that? >> i believe they will be approved, but i am not sure. all vi seen to date is press releases, and i'm skeptical of the press releases because we have seen over the last few weeks a few of them have been fishy as to the data cherry-picked data there. and in addition to the trials of the vaccines safe and effective, they will be looking to see if the companies have the capacity to ramp up the production to the hundreds of the millions of the doses that are going to be needed to vaccinate the entire nation. and they may come back to the additional questions and as you saw in the cdc one of the members voting questioned if

there is enough data to look at the elderly people in nursing homes and maybe the advisory committee says, yes, we will approve it, but we want to see additional data of elderly people and in long-term facile toy -- facilities to make sure that it is safe and effective for people in long-term facilities. >> thank you, dr. besser. >> and a shift now to a top official in the trump administration. >> indeed we're talking about a break from president donald trump. attorney general bill barr now says there has been no widespread evidence of voter fraud. this is as election battleground hammers the president for his postelection rhetoric. good morning kristen >> reporter: good morning to you. attorney general barr dismissed the notion that the election was

rugged an unsubstantiated claim that the president has been pushing for weeks, but at a christmas party the president looking to the future and teedzing a possible 2024 run for the white house. >> reporter: overnight, president trump touting his success and hinting at the inevitable and suggesting another run for the white house. >> it has been an amazing four years and we will be doing another four years, and otherwise -- >> reporter: the comments coming at the white house christmas party on the same day that the attorney general bill barr dismissing claims of voter fraud. >> this was a rigged election at the highest level. >> reporter: bar telling the

associated press to date we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election. the president's lawyer rudy giuliani brushing off barr's comments saying his opinion appears to be without any knowledge or investigation of evidence of systemic fraud overnight a d.o.j. spokesperson making it clear it will continue to vigorously pursue all allegations of fraud still, a striking shift in tone from the attorney general who echoed his boss's claim that mail-in ballots could lead to fraud, including on cnn in september. >> it does leave open the possibility of counterfeiting ballots either by someone here or overseas. >> reporter: barr's comments come as the president faces an overwhelming number of suits in court with over two dozen denied or withdrawn or dismissed. with savannah, tuesday, chris krebs standing by his assessment of the election. >> i'm asking you to show your

work how do you know this election was secure >> it's kind of a keep it simple, stupid, approach paper ballots. 90 to 95% of votes cast in the 2020 election had a voter verifiable paper audit trail you effectively have the receipts and you can check the outcome. >> reporter: mr. trump still lashing out at republican-elected officials states including georgia where president-elect biden has been certified as winner. georgia's election official gabriel sterling, a republican, angrily denouncing the rhetoric. >> it has to stop! mr. president, you have not condemned these actions or this language senators, you have not condemned this language or these actions this has to stop we need you to step up and if you're going to take a position of leadership, show some someone's going to get hurt, someone's going to get shot, someone's going to get killed. >> reporter: meanwhile, here's something else making waves overnight.

the president's former campaign manager brad parscale on fox news acknowledging mr. trump's response to the pandemic may have cost the president the election. take a listen. >> people are scared and i think if he would have been publicly empathetic, he would have won by a landslide. i think he could have leaned into it instead of run away from it >> reporter: it's remarkable to hear those comments there. the interview is the first from him since being pushed out as campaign manager. >> thank you, kristen welker at the white house. >> federal investigators are looking at a potential bribery scheme involving presidential pardons. it was revealed in newly unsealed court documents nbc news chief white house correspondent hallie jackson is

with us for more of that story. >> good morning. we're talking about a potential pay-for-pardon scheme, documents showing a reprieve of sentence for somebody else. it's not clear who's involved, no names, since these documents are soeavily redacted. they also don't say whether yone in the white house knew about the alleged scheme president donald trump overnhtig is tweeting about this saying the pardon investigation is fake news and a justice department official tells nbc no government official was or is a subject or target of the investigation that we're talking about here >> let's stay or the issue of pardon separate topics, though. there's news that perhaps the president is considering pardoning some folks in his own family before he leaves office >> reporter: that's right. president trump is privately talking about the possibility of preemptive pardons for some of his adult children and others close to him according to multiple sources familiar with those discussions. one says he conducting those conversations in part with husband personal attorney rudy

giuliani rudy giuliani is pushing back on that news reported from "the new york times" callings it a lie 100% it is not clear what potential criminal exposure these people have, and the white house on this issue is not commenting. savannah >> thank you, hallie, very much. >> it is 7:18. let's get a check of the weather. good morning, mr. roker. we have a big night tonight. >> we do this is ohio some places picking up 12 inches or more. we'll see more of that today. the remnants of that lake-effect snow are going to be pulling out from oswego to pennsylvania. and that snow will move out and we have very frigid weather and low pressure system moving away and high pressure in the gulf spinning the cold air and look at the freeze warnings, and

southern georgia into parts of central florida. we've got very frigid weather, big low pressure system, that's moving away, high pressure in the gulf, spinning that cold or. look at these freeze warnings, southern georgia into parts of central florida. wind chills 13 in cincinnati, 21 in jacksonville, 33 in memphis, 23 in raleigh, dry winds gusting up to 70 miles per hour, moderate to strong santa anna winds today, extreme winds down to southern california we'll get to your forecast coming up in the next 30 seconds. house plants. and a 3pm happy dance. with pizza buying. and reindeer flying. and just a little joyful crying. with all your family. and all your friends. first bites. and happy ends. it's all essential. in every way. and together. it makes a holiday. let's end the year with what matters. good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall.

let's take a live look outside in san francisco. we're starting out all clear. we've seen mostly clear conditions with the exception of fog in marin county, parts of the north bay seeing some fog rolling through. now elsewhere we're going to be all clear. and temperatures today headed for the mid to upper 60s. and through the forecast our weather on repeat with early morning cold temperatures, patchy fog, and afternoon sunshine and highs reaching into the 60s. weather. hoda >> thank you coming up, inside that incredible rescue at sea off the coast of florida >> it went from a major concern to suddenly a feeling of relief. >> that's the guy. that's the sailor who clung to his boat for dear life he's back on dry land sharing details about how he survived and a special bond he shares with the guys who rescued him. >> plus the key question given the overnight news about a vaccine. will americans get one

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♪ should auld acquaintance be forgot ♪ ♪ and never brought to mind ♪ should auld acquaintance be forgot ♪ ♪ and auld lang syne ♪ we'll take a cup of kindness yet ♪ ♪ for auld lang syne next customer please. ♪ ♪ anna could only imagine a comfortable night's sleep without frequent heartburn waking her up. now, that dream... . ...is her reality. nexium 24hr stops acid before it starts, for all-day, all-night protection. can you imagine 24 hours without heartburn? voce viva. the new fragrance. valentino at macy's the fragrance destination.

voce vicyber deal days!rance. plus - take an extra 20% off! get athletic shoes for the family - $39.99 & under... diamond pendants and earrings - $35.99... and get 50-60% off cuddl duds home! plus, free store pickup. shop cyber deal days at kohl's. a very good morning to you. 7:26. i'm laura garcia. here's today's top stories including possible new covid restrictions in san francisco. >> reporter: i'm cierra johnson. covid cases continue to rise in this county. mayor london breed says they are looking into enforcing tighter restrictions. she did not clarify what those tighter restrictions could include but did make mention of l.a. county and how they beened outdoor dining saying that is not completely off the table at this point. >> reporter: i'm bob redell. santa clara county fined 181 stores and restaurants over the thanksgiving weekend for

violations of covid-19 rules. the top violation not having a sign indicating capacity and social distancing protocols. many businesses told us that they fixed the problems within minutes but were out hundreds if not thousands in fines. another cold start to our morning across the bay area. here's kari with a look at the forecast. at least for most of us it's not foggy. we're waking up to sunshine in the south bay. we'll see at times patchy fog in the north bay but look at how cold it is. we started out below freezing. right now ukiah and clear lake below freezing in napa. elsewhere we're close with morgan hill at 33 degrees. then we'll reach into the mid-60s for today. afternoon highs feeling nice with sunshine and the rest of the forecast continues just like today with cold mornings and nice and mild afternoons with mostly dry conditions.

laura? thanks so much, kari. we hope to see you in half an hour. [ sfx: ding ding ding ]

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it's dangerous. and we do know how to keep you and your loved ones safe. wear a mask. wash your hands. stay six feet apart. we can do this. if we do it together. it is 7:30, wednesday morning, december 2nd, 2020. it is christmas tree lighting day. it's happening tonight so tune in >> we're about 12 1/2 hours away public this year have no fear, those, ladies and gentlemen, you will have a front row seat to the beloved holiday tradition that's been going on for about 90 years now you can enjoy them from the comfort of your sophia

>> big names >> who >> kelly clarkson. >> dolly parton. >> gwen stephanie. meghan trainor and she is going to perform for us later today. ease join us, 8:00 central, right here on nbc. >> your headlines here at 7:30 the cdc set to make a big change to its covid quarantine guidelines the new guidelines say for those who come into close contact with a covid positive individual should quarantine for 7 to 10 days after exposure, and that is down from the 14 days currently recommended. fire in 2019 killing 34 people have been indicted on manslaughter charges individuals can end their quarantine after seven days if

they receive a negative test or ten days if they don't get a test. >> the captain of the california dive boat killing 34 people has been indicted on 34 counts of seaman's manslaughter charges. it includes miscondublgt including not having a night watchman. 34 people were sleeping below deck when a fire erupted the captain was one of five crew members who managed to escape. boylan was indicted by a grand jury tuesday on 34 counts of seaman as manslaughter the indictment alleges misconduct and negligence, including the failure to having night watch. >> spacex ceo elon musk says he is highly confident his company will land humans on mars by the year 2026. speaking on a webcast tuesday, musk said the goal may be achieved even sooner he said the company is planning to send an uncrewed vehicle to the moon in four years the company says it's building at a facility in texas right now. >> meanwhile, that story we can't get enough of, new details on that story of incredible survival we told you about

alive yesterday. >> a florida man found alive almost 90 miles off shore clinging to his capsized ship. this morning he is telling us how he imagined to survive >> kerry sanders has the latest on this. >> stewart bee headed out to sea on friday and his boat mostly sank and he was clinging on. this morning he is back on dry land and happily telling his story of how he was spotted and rescued by the crew on a passing cargo ship with an energy that contradicts his exhausting four-day ordeal, stewart bee is back on land. he thanked the sailors who rescued him nearly 96 miles off of the florida coast.

crew members on a cargo ship spotted the individual, barely visible, and clinging on to the bow of his capsized boat. >> for a minute i was thinking around i was trying to think of what i could do to get hope >> reporter: he had departed port canaveral but then his engine stalled. he decided to bunk down for the night but awoke to an unfolding disaster >> i was sleeping and the water came gushing in, and pushed me to the front. i took in a little bit of water and i opened the hatch and got out that way. >> reporter: the crew spotted a suspicious looking speck in the ocean. it was stewart bee >> we just rescued one person from capsizing boat. >> the entire crew had the sense of joy that they found me.

for me it went from a major concern to suddenly a feeling of relief, calmness relief, this is over >> reporter: on facebook, a sailor who first welcomed him on the ship and then spent hours with him in the galley writing i saw his teary eyes as he made sign of the cross. he was drifting in the open sea for days, maintaining the stance at the top of his capsized boat, to not make any single move as it may trigger his yacht to sink fully. the cargo ship turned rescue vessel arrived in delaware tuesday. the crew and the former truck driver now bonded for life. >> these guys are just the nicest people ever. they kept feeding me, and i said, i don't eat that much. we are all good friends now. >> kerry we needed that story now. how does stewart plan to celebrate once he gets back home >> well, he says when he gets

back here to florida he's going to celebrate with a peanut butter and banana sandwich up may have noticed on side of that cargo ship it says chiquita so the bananas absolutely make sense. for those who wonder whether that superstition about having bananas at sea are bad luck for sailors, this would absolutely prove otherwise. by the way, he says being on that cargo ship was better than being on a cruise ship i think we can all understand why. >> he made some life long friends. >> i knew nothing about the whole banana things. >> the bananas and the what? >> it goes back to the 1700s bananas on boats are considered bad luck. so the next time that you go out with your friends do not bring bananas. >> chiquita may not like to hear that. i love that story. >> with the overnight news of a vaccine approved in the u.k., we'll take a look look at the push to battle vaccine

skepticism by some americans keir simmons has that story right after this ♪ should auld acquaintance be forgot ♪ ♪ and auld lang syne ♪ we'll take a cup of kindness yet ♪ ♪ for auld lang syne next customer please. ♪ ♪ gingerbread builds tradition.ng. 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.

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wish you were here. to see how bright the human spirit can shine. to see that no matter what nature does, people will do more. with one of the industry's largest catastrophe response teams, state farm will always be among the first to arrive and the last to leave. to help show that human nature is greater than nature. like a good neighbor, state farm is there.® 7:41 with more of our week-long series across the platforms of nbc with the race for the vaccine. >> we got the big name from the u.k. overnight, becoming the first nation to grant emergency approval to pfizer's coronavirus vaccine. >> as the fda gets ready to hear the company's request, next week there are already questions about how many americans will actually be vaccinated

senior international correspondent keir simmons is in the u.k. is taking a look at that >> savannah had it right, it's not just enough to have vaccines, people have to get vaccinated for it to work. i've been talking to the leading i've been ta expert here in london. tonight news they have approved a coronavirus vaccine is being closely watched. many have questions and many experts have concern michael osterholm serves on the president-elect biden's advisory board. >> i have a major fear many americans won't take them because of a fear there's safety issues with the vaccine. >> reporter: with the u.k. preparing to roll out vaccines next week and the u.s. close

behind, polling suggests 58% of americans are likely to get vaccinated, but 42% of americans say they won't even some front line medical workers are cautious a recent poll by the american nurses foundation says that a third of nurses say they'll get the vaccine, a third say no, the rest are unsure. >> i think we're feeling a little reticent to accept to the front of the line right now. >> reporter: according to the w.h.o. around 70% of the u.s. need the covid vaccine to achieve community immunity but public opinion may not make that possible vaccines became a hot political topic. >> because the vaccines were me. >> reporter: and were developed incredibly fast. >> the process of the speed did not compromise at all safety nor did it compromise scientific integrity. i really want to settle that concern that people have about that >> reporter: a pew research center poll saw a huge drop in

vaccine confidence with doubt surrounding the influx of the vaccines and differing results, possible side effects, concerns over being the first in line, at this morning's news conference, u.k. health officials reassuring the british public. >> because those strict tests have been done and complied with and everyone can be absolutely confident that no corners whatsoever have been cut >> reporter: heidi larson has spent decades understanding why some people hesitate and others oppose vaccinations. >> i think we've created such polarization across society, well beyond vaccines but vaccines have certainly been a victim of the polarization >> reporter: now she head as cutting edge team in london called the vaccine confidence project. she says covid vaccines need to be explained to people >> there's been a lot of

attention to fast, fast, fast, warp speed, but the reality is that they are faster, because of the new technology and now is the time to talk to the people about these different things. >> reporter: they aim to combat the influence of the anti-vaccine groups active around the world and largely unregulated in social media. heidi lawson also advises facebook on how to counteract growing vaccine misinformation online but she says it's not simply closing accounts >> you can't delete doubt. >> reporter: you can't delete doubt? >> yes i don't think conflict is going to resolve this, i think it going to aggravate it. we do need a listening ear >> reporter: and if you're having doubts, a good place to go is the cdc web site itself. there is a clear link there with

lots of questions answered about vaccines, craig. >> keir, you ever mentioned a survey in your story showing one third of nurses won't get the vaccine. do we have any idea what's behind that hesitancy? >> reporter: it's a really great question remember that the pharmaceutical companies are still publishing their data so i think many health workers are experts in a way and are waiting to see data before they can say they're fully confident. meanwhile, the ad council is about to spend $50 million on a campaign to give people more information. so we're going to see things shift. people are hoping they shift a good deal as the vaccines roll out. >> indeed. keer simmons in london and savannah, you're going to have more tomorrow, right. >> yeah, looking forward to our conversation with bill gates he's spent billions to support the race for a vaccine there's a lot about vaccines around the world we'll talk to him about public confidence in vaccines ands massive undertaking to distribute them across the

world. we have that exclusive conversation which will air tomorrow morning on "today." >> we have 7:46. let check with mr. roker >> who would like a big storm this weekend >> boo no >> too bad, you're getting one we have two systems pushing toward the east coast, abundant moisture and heavy moisture coming up from the gulf and that is going to fuel flooding in the mid-atlantic states. that is going to power a big powerful storm. it's kind of what we call an inside runner. it will bring strong winds, power outages for the northeast. strong wind continuing too early to give you exact numbers but here's what we're looking at as far as snow, you get in interior sections of new england, into interior new york, moderate to heavy snow along the coast, modest to heavy snow from boston down to roanoke. that's what's going on around the country.

good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. we take a look at our high temperatures for today. expect it to reach into the mid to upper 60s with a lot of sunshine, and i know it's cold this morning but it's still going to be a nice day. as we take a look at our forecast, we are looking at more of the same, chilly mornings, near freezing in some spots, but reaching into the upper 60s by the beginning of next week we'll continue to warm up. a high of 70 on tuesday. we've got afternoon football on nbc! whoo >> you are en fuego. i'm going to explode we got the tree lighting >> you got to sustain this for like 13 more hours >> you go it >> yes, he can >> coming up, guys, do you want your holiday packages to arrive on time? in 2020 the shipping deadline is

more important than ever >> vicky nguyen standing by to walk us through all the dates to circle she also going to share a way that you can avoid an added fee. some stores are charging an added fee this year. we'll tell you all about that. but first, these messages. we're at the movies and we need to silence our phone. who knows where that button is? i don't have silent. everyone does -- right up here. it happens to all of us. we buy a new home, and we turn into our parents. what i do is help new homeowners overcome this. what is that, an adjustable spanner? good choice, steve. okay, don't forget you're not assisting him. you hired him. if you have nowhere to sit, you have too many.

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talk to a doctor, by phone, online, or in-person. a very good morning to you. it is 7:56. i'm laura garcia. here is a look at what's happening now. >> reporter: i'm kris sanchez with big vaccine news. the uk gave emergency approval for the pfizer vaccine for health care workers, care facility residents and people over the age of 80. the fda will consider approval for the same vaccine a week from tomorrow. just yesterday the cdc put health care workers, residents of care facilities at the top of the priority list. the estimate is there will be enough of the pfizer and moderna vaccine for 2 million people to get vaccinated by the end of the year. the nasdaq marketplace wants to require companies who list on its stock exchange to place a woman or member after minority group on its board if they want to be part of the nasdaq.

this is already a law in california. the nasdaq has to get permission from the securities and exchange commission. kari has a look at the forecast for this midweek wednesday. another cool start. yes, but we'll have a nice day and we want to make plans to get out around 2:00 to 3:00 where we do have the warmest temperatures reaching into the mid-60s. we'll see more weather like this extending into early next week. laura? all right, sounds good. we'll be back with another local news update in half an hour. enjoy your wednesday morning. today's ways of working may work differently tomorrow.

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to sing for us after this. it's 8:00 on "today. coming up, breaking overnight, paving the way the united kingdom approved pfizer's coronavirus vaccine figures say distribution will start next week. in the u.s., the cdc makes its recommendation over who should be first in line >> as you get into january, february and march, you will then get the second, third and fourth level of people, people essential to society >> what it means with another surge pushing hospitals to the brink. >> we're at capacity

we're constantly managing our beds >> we're live with everything you need to know plus, ready, set, ship with the holiday season well under way. how you can make sure to get your packages on time. >> don't be a last-minute shopper this year. forget it. just get it ordered now and shipped asap >> we'll have the deadlines you don't want to miss then, walking in a windsor wonderland for the first time in decades, the queen will celebrate christmas in windsor castle. >> she's going to feel cozy and christmassy, even though she's not up in norfolk. >> the new traditions and how they measure up to netflix's show "the crown. and 'tis the season from a new album to a baby on the way and we'll catch up with meghan trainor about all of the ways she's celebrating. >> it's been the longest

christmas of my life and i'm so happy about it >> and then she'll treat us to a performs, today, november 22nd, 2020 >> ringing in the new years with some exciting news, we're engaged! >> good morning to my aka sister, happy sin city >> i'm in philadelphia celebrating with mile-per-hour sister, who is turning 60 on the "today" show whoo >> i mean, the virtual plaza, you guys are really stepping up the game i love it. good morning, everybody. you put a smile on our face every morning when we see you. thanks for starting your day and being here with us >> we're excited we're going to hear from meghan trainor. she's expecting a baby we'll hear from her. and a really cool music start for tomorrow oh, nothing, just carrie underwood. she's going to tell us about her christmas special and perform a song for us.

if you want chills. >> and a christmas album, too. >> yes, i have been listening to it since you told me. and that "o holy night" and she sings that one beautifully. looking forward to that. we begin with the possible turning point in the fight against the covid-19 pandemic. overnight great britain approved pfizer's vaccine for use there starting next week this is the same vaccine that is being considered for emergency approval by the fda here in the u.s. richard engel joins us with the latest on this good morning again >> reporter: good morning, savannah this is being called an emergency use vaccine, but the plans they have in this country are much broader than that they will initially start next week care homes, with elderly facilities and the people who take care of them. but then quickly move beyond that, they are talking about packing people into stadiums, converting football stadiums, town halls, convention centers

into mass vaccination centers using the military, using the national health service in this country. until now this has all been sort of theoretical we've talked about when a vaccine might be ready, when the distribution might happen. now officials say it is going to happen and it is going to happen next week, all for the pfizer vaccine, which was developed in coordination with a union of tt the beginn european company called b ed biontech. this is momentous for the u.k. and for the rest of the world. it means according to the inventor of the vaccine that the beginning of the end of the pandemic may be starting now it may take months for it to happen but the counterattack to covid-19 has been launched >> richard, thank you very much. despite hopes of a vaccine very soon, the virus continues to ravage the country right now and the hospitalizations have hit record highs and the doctors

and nurses are waving warning flags in every part of the united states. stephanie gosk joins us with that part of the story. good morning, stephanie. >> good morning, hoda. the front line health care workers are tired and overworked and the u.s. hospitalizations are rapidly approaching 100,000. in cities and states nationwide, the health care system is reaching a breaking point. doctors, news and hospital staff sounding the alarm as the u.s. now sees the most covid hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic. >> i've seen more people die in the last seven days than i have talked to my own family members. >> reporter: lindsey is an icu nurse in waterloo, iowa. she says the unprecedented surge in patients is straining resources. >> we're seeing community members coming in, they can't breathe anymore. so they come into the hospital and it just seems to be nonstop. >> reporter: in sioux falls, south dakota, one hospital is facing a daily juggling act.

>> we are at capacity. we're constantly managing our beds >> reporter: since november 1st, the total number of hospitalized covid patients in the united states has doubled, nearing 100,000. in california officials warn the state could see hospitalizations there triple by christmas, the governor now considering a wider stay-at-home order and as new york hospitals scramble to expand capacity, nurses at one medical center in westchester county are on a two-day strike, protesting what they call inadequate staffing. what they are being asked to do, they say, has simply becoming too much >> we've done this through covid, tears, not going home, being sick, not eating, no breaks >> reporter: and it is not just the physical toll, buzz many tell us on the front lines that the emotional toll is more difficult. >> in some cases it's like we have done all we can do and the

only thing left we can do is hold their hand and be supportive at times. >> reporter: a system that is already strain and the thanksgiving holiday may have only fueled the surge. >> take it serious you never know who you're going to come across that you may affect >> reporter: here in new york city where hospitals like this one were maxed out in the spring, the gnumbers are back o the rise. the governor is calling on all hospitals in the state to increase bed capacity by 50% and that call is out to all retired health care workers to consider coming back on the job >> it's tough to hear those desperate pleas from the health care workers. >> president donald trump's claims of widespread voter fraud has been rejected by one of his most powerful allies attorney general william barr says he has not seen fraud on a scale that could have changed

the election outcome meanwhile trump attorney rudy giuliani responded saying that it appears to be withohave made comments without any knowledge of systemic fraud. >> all right 8:08 on the dot otherwise known as boost the clock >> when a traveler waiting for take-off recorded a spontaneous act outside. >> he took it, flips it and boom stacks it up and then celebration. like he won a gold medal. anyway. look, you can watch that a few times. you can see it as he dives on the baggage cart. >> look at that. look at what he does. >> anyway, he didn't know how many days he was -- he was just having some fun himself. >> and up next, get ready to take some notes, folks

we have going to share the holiday's best shipping strategies. we are going to share the holiday's best shipping strategies >> good morning. 'tis the season of shopping and shipping you'll want to get it done early this year. i'm vicky nguyen with the dates to put on your calendar now to make sure those gifts get under the tree now plus how to save big when you are are shipping next on "today." we're back and yummy broccolini! (doorbell rings) thanks. (doorbell rings) thank you. ♪ is that my leotard? no. yes... ehh, you can keep it. cyber deal days! plus - take an extra 20% off! get athletic shoes for the family - $39.99 & under... diamond pendants and earrings - $35.99... and get 50-60% off cuddl duds home! plus, free store pickup. shop cyber deal days at kohl's.

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about that holiday shipping. >> you gave me a little start. the deadlines can creep up on you, especially this year. you don't want to wait until the last minute because shipping is a thing. >> who best to fill us in than vicky nguyen >> good morning. call it what you will, want it. holiday shipping is ship a geddon, ship apocalypse, ship-a-thon, the pandemic is already stretching shipping companies thin, and add to that the rise of holiday shopping and we have to prepare if we want our gifts to arrive on time. retailers are making big changes to make sure you get what you need when you want it. holiday shipping is officially

in overdrive >> online shopping is going to be bigger than ever this year. >> reporter: if part because of earlier black friday sales and consumer reluctance to shop in stores, which means an unprecedented amount of packages are being shipped. during the peak season, more than 86 million packages are expected to be shipped each day, 18 million more day than last year major carriers have already locked in their shipping deadlines. mark these dates on your calendar december 15th is the last day for all ups and fedex ground shipments. december 18th for first class mail with the post office. but in the fine print, they all warn there's no guarantee your shipment will be on time experts say a huge increase in demand and unprecedented slowdowns in the supply chain are to blame the good news, ups and fedex are currently delivering 97% of packages on time and 95% on time with the u.s. postal service the postal service expects traffic to increase the week of december 7th with december 14th expected to be the busiest with mailing and shipping.

>> the nightmare scenario is that your kid doesn't get the special gift under the tree because of shipping. >> what do you do to make sure it gets there? >> don't wait until last minute. get it now and ship it >> and bulkier items like big tvs and bicycles might take longer to ship if you plan to ship your own packages, compare different options for price, and check out ship gooder and parcel monkey and enter all of the details and you will get the different prices from different shippers, and drop it off or request a pickup. to speed up delivery thousands of walmart and best buy and other sources are doubling as fulfillment centers and some retailers are offering same-day delivery in select cities. >> how much quicker will customers see their packages >> it's always going to be with inside our promise some are ordering in the morning and receiving them in the

afternoon, as fast as that >> tom ward is the senior vice president of product at walmart. >> in the past you might order something and have to wait for it to come from a big giant warehouse. now if you order and it's in a store near you, someone is going to get it to you quickly >> that's right. >> i've been telling people not to wait until the last minute and now you're saying they can procrastinate. >> they can procrastinate or buy more gifts and spoil more people or themselves and rest assured it will arrive quickly >> if you want to play it safe, don't wait for the last minute. leave room for errors and delays. there is no reason to have heartache on this holiday season to get those dates on the calendar. >> so used to free shipping, but now there are shipping surcharges that you might find. >> and it is a surprise at the checkout, so look at the total carefully, and we have seen the major retailers adding the shipping is surcharge on top of the fees.

one way is bopuis. >> i like that. >> extra shipping. they're being charged buy online and pick up in store. >> it's catching on. >> nobody knows what it is >> it's sweeping the nation. >> buy online pick up in store >> they call that the last mile. you go to the store, get the item, and avoid those fees you make sure you have the item in hand so there's no surprises when you open the box. >> i like that >> extra shipping. they're being charged so much more so in some cases they're passing it on. >> what if you're a procrastinator and you're waiting? are you going to end up paying boucup bucks to ship >> yes december 11th, prices are going to start going up significantly. >> so get on it. my anxiety is going up as well i'm glad you told us thanks, vicky. >> i'm still shopping on december 15th. >> you're going to be in trouble then >> try bopus >> great advice.

now to the guy who always speaks to the nation, mr. roker >> or you can do a craig melvin, which is gift card us. and i like that shot with vicky in the foreground. >> it's a selfie >> you're right. >> and we are off of the rails. >> lake effect snow in the northeast, wet weather through the eastern texas area temperatures cool out west especially through the plains and here in northeast and even there in the hot spots, and there it is going to be cooler than average down in the southern florida and southern texas. a morning freeze down through the gulf, heavy rain developing in eastern texas, colder in the rockies, plenty of sunshine out west tree lighting for tonight. it going to be breezy at about 6:00, 42 degrees, a wind chill of 37. 8:00 when we start off on nbc, 41, a wind chill of 34 by the time the tree gets lit, it's going to be 40 degrees with

a wind chill of 42 everyone, once the tree gets lit -- >> we all get lit! >> yeah! bopus! good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. let's take a look outside where we are enjoying some sunshine, but it's very chilly, so make sure you're wearing extra layers as you head out the door. we'll go from the 30s and 40s we're seeing now to the 60s for afternoon highs. we're going to see these temperatures heating up pretty quickly for the afternoon and cooling down as well. we'll see more of the same as we go into the rest of the week with more sunshine in the forecast even into next week. we're looking at more of the dry weather continuing. >> and that's your latest weather. >> al, thank you turning to an incredibly personal announcement for a hollywood star elliott page, former live known

as ellen page has announced that he's transgender, news that received an outpouring of support from hollywood. >> reporter: an actor and advocate now sharing his truth elliott page, formerly known as ellen page hosting in an open letter, hi, friends, i want to share with you i am trans. i feel lucky to be writing this, to be here, to have arrived at this place in my life. adding i can't begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who i am enough to pursue my authentic self." the emotional announcement reaching millions. page's wife of two years, emma portner writing that elliott's existence is a gift in and of itself. shine on, sweetie. ellen degeneres writing you inspire me with your strong and honesty.

page became a star in the movie "juno. he is currently in the hit netflix series, "the umbrella academy," already working to update his name across all projects he's involved with on the platform a longtime advocate for lgbtq community, the 33-year-old came out as gay in a deeply emotional speech back in 2014. >> i'm tired of hiding and i'm tired of lying by omission [ applause ] i suffered for years because i was scared to be out we deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise >> and while page now says his joy is real, he admits it is also fragile, pointing to fears about the hate and violence the transgender community faces.

the star ending his letter with this promise -- to all trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse and the threat of violence every day, i see you, i love you and i will do everything i can to change this world for the better for "today," natalie morales, nbc news >> courageous for sure >> how about we move on to pop start. sheinelle jones, what you got? >> we're going to end the year with some music. >> like it >> we're nearing the end of 2020 if you can believe it. that means that everybody is getting the music review in review, and so we are going to have some fun, and this is from spotify, and i don't have spotify, but -- >> how do you listen to music? >> pandora okay. >> don't judge, enjoy.

>> you have napster? >> and hot meal? >> savannah? >> well, i am not proud, but it is "paw patrol." the number two was also a paw patrol number three i think was either lady a. or little big town >> mine was alycia keys' "underdog. that happens to be haley and hope's songs, and so that got lots of repeats. >> okay, craig melvin. >> so for all of us i think it is our kids' top picks. this is dellano's song. you remember this one? no surprise, right?" i believe. >> 30 seconds left, al

bring us home. >> no surprise, elton john, "philadelphia freedom. >> we hear it from your dressing room, babe >> and thank you coming up. need gift ideas for the guys in your life? jill is here our week of holiday steals and deals rolls on, baby, after your good morning. 8:26. i'm marcus washington. developing for you in san mateo county investigators are looking at possible foul play in the death of a man found along skyline boulevard and highway 92 in redwood city. authorities found the man's body along the side of the road. it may have been there for some time. mike inouye said it should remain closed through noon today. new for you this morning a santa rosa man is recovering from burns after a fire ripped through his home on sebastopol road. sadly a small dog trapped inside did not make it out. a look at the forecast for you this morning.

nice and cold for us. it's going to shape up to be a nice day, right? we are feeling some cold temperatures. i wanted to show you where we are right now as you get ready to head out the door. we're freezing in ukiah and temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s. reaching into the mid-60s around the bay area and more of the same weather through the forecast even into early next week. marcus? >> thanks, kari. another local news update in 30 minutes. in a land not so far away. people are saving hundreds

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again, again! xfinity mobile. your wireless. your rules. your way to stay closer together. click, call, or visit an xfinity store today. wednesday, it's december 2nd, 2020 we're putting you in the mood. tonight it a big night we have holiday music with meghan trainor coming up tonight. >> good song from her. and we've got meghan this morning. she's got a baby on the way. a really happy season for her and her hubby.

she's going to tell us more about that and perform that brand new holiday song >> also, we're going to go over the pond we'll head to london for details behind the queen's decision to change her plans for the first time in decades. >> and jill helped us to cross off all of the women on our l t lists and now she has her sights on all of the men today. >> and the third hour, vicky nguyen is going to show us how to spot the best christmas tree on the lot and how to be safe when you are cutting down the tree when you do that. >> she never sleeps that vicky. tomorrow we're going to share our tree trimming traditions it will be first first let's get a check of the weather. >> let's show you what we have going on starting off we've got friday a developing storm for the weekend along the eastern seaboard sunshine, fire risk out west mild on saturday a real mess in the mid atlantic states into the northeast with a possible snowstorm going on.

in and then as we head into sunday, sunday, plenty of sunshine from florida through the gulf into the southwest. that's what's going on around the country. good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. we take a look at our seven-day forecast, we have seen these cold mornings and then it shapes up to be a nice day. we'll see this on repeat. we are going to continue to have dry weather over the next few days and for san francisco expect high temperatures reaching into the low 60s. we are not looking at any rain in the forecast but it's going to be cool in some spots, freezing in the inland valleys extending into early next week. before delayed three times! fourth time is a charm it's in the afternoon. what could go wrong. let's go to heinz field! ravens fly into the steelers

let's see if they can catch up at heinz field, pittsburgh, we're talking ravens, steelers, 3:30 it's wednesday afternoon football boy, that rolls off the tongue it's fantastic >> it was worth it just for that i mean, this is crazy. >> it's 2020 >> it's whacky >> it's going to be a great game, though >> yes, it is. only undefeated team left in football coming up, we'll take you inside the queen's christmas. her plans for this season, including that big break from a three-decade-long tradition. but first, this is "today" on

welcome back. the pandemic is forcing many families to change their holiday plans for the season, and that evidently includes the royal

family, too. >> nbc's kelly cobiella has more on how their 2020 holiday season are also getting a 2020 update. kelly, what say you? we have some big, big changes actually new rules in place for christmas here make it basically impossible for big families to get together lots of families are scaling back and the queen is no exception. the royal walk to church at the qun'eecountry home is as much a part of christmas in england as presents under the tree but this year buckingham palace says queen elizabeth and prince philip, who are 94 and 99 will skip the fanfare, celebrating quietly in windsor castle for the first time in more than three decades. the church service cancelled for royal fans don't gather. >> the royal family used to spend christmas at windsor up until about 37 years ago it's going to be very familiar territory.

she's going to feel cozy and christmassy, even though she's not up in norfolk. >> reporter: buck -- christmases were almost always in windsor and the royal sisters were the stars of family plays and christmas cards. >> so that's the queen >> at age 13 and her little sister >> reporter: the last royal windsor christmas was in the '80s, the era of ronald reagan and margaret thatcher and shoulder pads. she was a young monday when the royals held their final christmas here in 1987 flash forward to christmas 2020 and the queen getting rid of video calls with some help of coaching from daughter princess anne. >> good morning. i am very glad to have joined

you. >> and now, with the help of video calls, preparing for virtual christmas, turkey dinner, gag gifts and even a night of charades all online. >> it's hard to imagine the royal family holding charades on zoom, isn't it >> it is it's very much the queen saying, look, it's not going to be a normal visit >> reporter: the queen will likely get a visit from prince charles and camilla. according to the rules here over christmas, you can only meet inside with members of two other households during christmas, and guys, the queen has four children, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, and so, yeah, impossible. >> that is what i hear is the queen is quite a mean charades player. >> you should see her at twitter. >> coming up next, holiday gift guide sealed with ideas and bargains and presents for the

we're back with steals and deals, the ultimate holiday gift guide. jill has covered beauty, tech, women. now is the hard stuff for the guys remember. all you have to do is the qr code in the bottom of the screen there, and you can have instant access to the steals and deals with jill. good morning. >> hi, guys. good morning. today you said it, it's all about gifts for the guys and we've got savings on luxury items from gadgets to grooming for all those men in your life and they will love this because i guarantee some of these things they definitely don't have let's start with the taha men's leather wallets. retail is $40 and all of the men's wallets are genuine

leather and come in a box with nine card slots and additional pockets. four styles and variety of colors and functional security features. the retail $40, the deal $12 that's 70% off >> wow that's great next up is time for the sterling luxury watches. retail is $698 to $895. styles include collectible skeletonized styles, crystal and mother of pearl pieces every sterling watch comes with a two-year guarantee and it's very on trend for women to wear men-sized watches and there have also female companions to these. and you can check it out on dot-com with his and hers. the deal is $89, up to 90% off this is the five-piece shaving kit, retail 154. this is for the guy who would never buy this for himself but

you know would love it three full-sized luxury shaving products the pre-shave oil, and the shaving cream and the aftershave soother. it comes with a super soft shaving brush and three scents to choose from. the deal is 54.95, 64% off and next up the gamma shaver and this is a professional barber shaver and this is very cool, al. i think that carson liked this, too, because it is cordless and comes with the usb charger and hypoallergenic, and it is going to work without irritating the delicate skin and cordless run time of 130 minutes. retail is $69.95 and deal is $30 which is 57% off. next up, the sound box bluetooth speaker.

it is going to feature 12 hours of music we have been talking about music today, and streaming and hands free calling and great for socially distanced backyard get togethers. and stay connected up to 33 feet away and a rechargeable battery and the deal is $14 and that is 77% off. and for all those stylish guys, the men's sweaters or jackets, retail 90 to 170 crew necks, v-neck, water resistant jackets, and that is a few of the styles. you can go to today.com for all of the styles. the deal is $29, up to 83% off so that wraps up day three of my ultimate holiday gift guide and stay tuned tomorrow for big bargains for those little kids and if all else fails, savannah, i saw you got al a bacon ornament >> that is right >> that is another option as

well just throwing it out there >> that is a classic >> a big hunk of bacon on your tree >> who is saying no to that? >> what a joyous feeling. >> thank you, jill >> let's do the products one more time. the tahari leather wallet, sterling luxury watches and the e-shave luxury shaver, and the sound bot speaker and the swe sweaters and jackets from cutter box. >> you can access those deals using that qr code or the old fashioned way as well, today.com/deals. >> coming up next on this wednesday morning, a special conversation and a holiday performance with music star and soon to be mom meghan trainor.

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♪ i got it all from you ♪ i'm always pushing through ♪ i know we'll make it to the finish line ♪ ♪ i know you're waiting on the other side ♪ ♪ i'm like you on-demand glucose monitoring. because they're always on. another life-changing technology from abbott. so you don't wait for life. you live it. the city music series on "today" is proudly presented to you by citi.

>> we're counting down to tonight's holiday tree lighting and getting ready with one of the stars you will see tonight, meghan trainor. >> and joe fryer caught up with meghan to catch up with some of the really big celebrations happening in her life. ♪ it's a celebration get ready for the holidays ♪ >> reporter: for meghan trainor, there is plenty to celebrate she's out with her very first holiday album. "a very trainor holiday." she says it's a dream come true. clearly looking behind you there, you've basically been celebrating christmas for two months already are you still in the holiday mood >> it's been the longest christmas of my life and i'm so happy about it, yes. >> a mix of holiday classics and festive original songs

trainor's own family even made a session appearance on the album. >> trying to write the perfect sound track to our family christmas. we did that. >> reporter: she can soon add one more person to her family's celebration. she and her husband are expecting their first child, a baby boy due in february trainor made the announcement right here on "today" with hoda and jenna back in october. >> whoo! >> we're pregnant! >> oh my gosh! are you kidding! >> we're pregnant! >> in my heart, i've never been more nervous in my life. i was anxious excited to tell hoda i've been telling her since i was 19 years old, i'm going to come back one day and have a full belly and have babies and be a mama. she's like you're going to be the best mom that was like our bond and i finally did it i wish i could have seen her in person but it was still great just to get to see her face. >> reporter: you mentioned two months ago you were having a pretty easy pregnancy.

is it still that case? >> a little bump in the road i got diagnosed with gestational diabetes but it's manageable and i'm okay and the baby's healthy. i just have to really pay attention to everything i eat. it's nice to learn so much about food and health and nice to hear so many women experience this. >> reporter: december for you, it's your birthday on december 22nd, which i believe is also your wedding anniversary and then there's christmas how are you going to celebrate all those holidays this year >> because we're pregnant, we don't drink, we don't party, we don't celebrate. at this point i don't know what we can do to celebrate i'm going to be so happy i told everyone for my birthday just give me baby stuff. >> reporter: it's fair to say 2020 has been less than stellar but in a lot of ways we've been reminded of all the things to be grateful for, haven't we >> i'm so happy and i feel so accomplished with the christmas album and the baby being

healthy. we're almost there i'm in my third trimester so we're doing good >> for today, joe fryer, nbc "today." >> could you love meghan trainor any more >> could see love you any more >> she's amazing let's hear some music. >> let's do it performing "holidays," here she is, meghan trainor ♪ it's a celebration, get ready for the holidays ♪ ♪ it's a celebration, so baby don't you stop ♪ ♪ you've got that look in your r eyes ♪ ♪ let's have a time of our you ♪ even lives, you can feel it ♪

♪ even if you dance alone ♪ you deserve a cheer ♪ because you've been working way too long, baby listen ♪ so don't ♪ it's a celebration, get ready for the holidays ♪ ♪ it's a celebration, so baby don't you stop dancing with me ♪ ♪ holiday, holiday, holiday, holiday, holiday ♪ ♪ holiday, holiday, holiday, holiday ♪ ♪ oh baby don't you stop ♪ let me hear you say i'm ready for the holidays ♪ crazy, can you feel we're going crazy, can you feel it ♪ ♪ even if you dance alone, you

♪ you've been deserve a cheer ♪ ♪ you've been working way too long ♪ ♪ baby listen, it's a celebration, yeah ♪ ♪ holiday, holiday, holiday ♪ oh, it's a celebration, don't stop dancing with me ♪ ♪ holiday, stop dancing with me ♪ ♪ holiday, holiday, holiday ♪ ooh, it's a holiday ♪ ♪ ♪ holiday, holiday, holiday, holiday ♪ ♪ holiday, holiday, holiday,

holiday ♪ >> yes >> meghan! >> earth wind and fire >> it sounds so good >> she is like our little sister, and we are so happy for all of the good stuff in her life. her album is out now, and if you love that, you will love it even more tonight at the rockefeller tree lighting. be there or be square. we'll see you for that at 8, 7 central right here on nbc, meghan, dolly parton >> the weather will be okay for tonight. a little chilly but nothing we can't handle >> we are back with the third and fourth hours of "today" right after this a quick check of your local news and some weather

good morning to you. it's 8:56. i'm marcus washington. san francisco may be poised to enact tough new covid restrictions because new cases are still rising. at this point it's not clear what the new rules will be. it may involve a dining ban similar to the one approved in l.a. county or quarantine orders

for those traveling far away. it comes as the mayor raised eyebrows after attending a dinner last month at the french laundry in wine country, the same restaurant governor newsom attended that made a lot of people upset. by all accounts her dinner fell within covid guidelines. the first covid vaccine approved in the united kingdom. you can go to our home page for more on that. we'll see you at midday. it's down to the wire,

the team's been working around the clock. we've had to rethink our whole approach. we're going to give togetherness. logistically, it's been a nightmare. i'm not sure it's going to work. it'll work. i didn't know you were listening. tracking the surge, new news as the u.s. gets closer to an fda-approved vaccine. >> how some in the south bay plan to protest against restrictions.

live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza, this is the third hour of "today." and good morning and welcome to the third hour of "today" on wednesday december 2nd, and sheinelle and craig is back and you pointed out to day iargyle day. >> yes, and roker has been rocking argyle. >> yes. and look at craig. >> are those new argyle socks? >> yes. is that a new thing? something for the holidays >> yes. >> argyle socks. >> okay.