life's more fun with a dog. and doglife is more fun with milk-bone. ♪ ♪ on the heels of britain's vaccine rollout, the u.s. is poised for a fast start if the fda gives a green light fehr the hearing scheduled 36 hours from now. is congress any closer to reaching an agreement on a new stimulus plan. and president-elect joe biden's new plan includes distributing 100 million convenience and getting schools reopened. the fbi has a new warning for you this morning. and a little something to get you in the holiday mood.

nbc's "grinch" live musical airs today. "early today" starts right now. >> i'm phillip mena. >> i'm frances rivera. more than 15poi.2 million h been infected. the average icu is at 90% capacity capacity in states like rhode island, new mexico, and nevada some have hit zero capacity, this as they meet for possible approval. >> reporter: pfizer and bee on tech's covid vaccine candidate one step closer to the u.s. as a review for the data by the fda finds it's affective for symptomatic infection. >> we tested this vaccine with

the exact same way that we are testing any vaccine. >> reporter: in a 53-page document released ahead of fda's thursday advisory meeting, even a single dose appears to provide some protection and the vaccine has met success criteria for emergency use authorization. in the united kingdom where it's already been approved, a british grandmother was the first to roll up her sleeve. >> there's light at the end of the tunnel not just for the brits but the u.s. also. >> reporter: but the u.s. is heading into a difficult winter. >> we're feeling the staying iing effects before we feel the full brunt of the thanksgiving holiday. >> reporter: california facing a new stay-at-home order as hospitals ramp up. in indiana medical workers reaching the breaking point.

>> when i feel like i just can't put it on one more time, the ppe, i think of my family. >> reporter: as the country passes another grim milestone. more than 15 million positive cases since nbc news began tracking them in february. sarah doll laugallofdallof, nbc. president-elect joe biden i making a bold promise. he plans to hit the ground running after his inauguration. >> right hit the ground running on a number of things especially covid-19 he just announced his new health team, his number nation for hhs secretary, and now he's making a big promise how many will be vaccinated in the first three months, and his health team backing up that promise.

>> this team will help get at the latest, at the last 100 million covid-19 vaccines, at least 100 million vaccine shots into the arms of the american people in the first 100 days my first 100 days won't end the covid-19 virus, but i'm slough convinced that in 100 days we can change the course of the disease and change life in america for the better. >> reporter: the white house coronavirus task force is warning've with vaccines rolling out now, it could be late spring before we really start to see an impact in the number of new cases and deaths in this country. meantime we're tracking effort on capitol hill to provide financial relief for covid, those relief talk still in the works. the senate majority leader mitch mcconnell pitching the idea to dump everything they disagree on and try to get a smaller relief bill passed before christmas,

democrats not agreeing with that, so they're still talking one thing that is happening ford, stopping a government shutdown, congress kicking the can down the road another week to try to come up with a big plan so the shutdown doesn't happen this week phillip? >> the gears grinding to a halt right now would be disastrous. tracie, thank you. over 80% of the state of california because hilt with new stay-at-home orders for the next three weeks, but some business owners are finding it's hard to stay afloat. here's jo ling kent. >> hey, frances. good morning california, 80% of people are now being told to stay at home under these new stay-at-home orders that have been triggered by the fact that icu capacity in certain counties has fallen below 15%, and that's per the governor of california this is taking a huge hit on the local economy once again, but

especially small businesses and independent restaurants really jump out in particular we've been following the story of joseph who owns the tuning fork here in the city of los angeles. here's what he had to say about what he's going through right now in this tough time. >> temporary outdoor dining we had that went out into the streel we were able to utilize for exactly five days before the new restrictions went into effect i don't feel that independent restaurants or any independent business are really being treated fair during this whole pandemic. >> kuras also tells us he's taking things a few at a time. he's not sure when things are going to get better because as of now, there's no concrete plan for any russ straunlt or small business relief as part of a small second package congress hasn't sorted that out, and he feels very, very left

behind as for enforcement of stay-at-home orders and gathers and restaurants and things like that, it looks like county by county it really varies. there's about seven particular counties where the sheriffs have come out and said they're not going to come out and enforce rules necessarily, but, of course, a lot of small businesses planning to adhere to it with a few exceptions to the rule, but certainly a huge hit on the economy 30% -- 30% to 40% of these businesses nationwide are not expected to make it through january. frances? >> that's a tough reality. i hope they can ride it out, thanks. popular home security cameras like nest and ring are the latest to have a warning by the fbi. >> reporter: good morning, frances. this is a new and terrifying twist where hackers take over

home security cameras to torment families these cyber crooks are now sending police to unsuspected homes to create chaos and confusion. we're going to show you some simple steps you can take right now to prevent this from happening to you police approach this home in florida for an emergency that doesn't exist. >> someone called them and said they were my husband and said that they caught me having an affair and murdered me. >> reporter: it's called swatting someone calls you in a fake emergency so they send a heavily armed strikeforce, often a s.w.a.t. team. it can have deadly consequences. this video is part of the new twist on the dangerous prank hackers are now breaking into the home's security cameras so they can watch the s.w.a.t.'ing unfold in real time. the fbi is investigating more than a dozen cases. >> why is the fbi so concerned

>> is this a major safety issue? >> reporter: any device can be vulnerable the devices are secure, but hackers can take over if your username or password are compromised. so make sure your device's firmware is updated, you use a unique long password, and a t two-step identification. >> it's time to be sure you check on those usernames and passwords and set up that two-factor authentication. >> we need those reminders vicky, thank you. more than a dozen military leaders in ft. hood in texas have found themselves in serious hot water. it comes after the investigation of the brutal killing of army specialist vanessa guillen last

spring, and now big changes are being made to change the culture at the military base. >> reporter: in one of the biggest disciplinary actions ever taken by the army, 14 soldiers including general officers is have been fired or suspended at ft. hood. sources say they created an environmental that generated sexual assault or bad behavior. >> in my 30 years of service, that was the biggest gut punch i've ever received we've got a problem we've got to fix. >> reporter: it comes after the brutal murder of army specialist vanessa guillen who went missing in april, her remains found two months later a soldier who two months later killed himself is felt to be involved in her death. they say leadership created a per missive environment for sexual assault and sexual

harassment guillen's family praised their actions but more needs to be done. >> we demand justice for our soldiers and vanessa guillen and our soldiers who put their lives at risk. >> reporter: the army excepted all the reviews. a bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced the i am vanessa guillen act which would make crime punishable in the military. let's turn now to nbc meteorologist janessa webb with a look at how we're doing this morning. good morning, janessa. >> good to see you a little more activity due to lake-effect snow that's impacted ohio and the northeast the higher terrain is going to pick up a huge amoulkts of accumulation, up to 6 to 8 inches in this area. the system will push offshore as

we go late into the evening. ew 50s across west virginia, into virginia this afternoon. but if you like the heat, you need to get to the south and southeast. we're in the mid-70s the sky is going to dance tonight. i'll talk about the aurora borealis forecast coming up. >> i always wanted to see that. >> so cool. a 7-year-old girl has raised nearly $20,000 for a hospital and their coronavirus ppe. she eenlt spent most of the pandemic crafting these colorful bracelets and selling them for 2 bucks. she started with an initial goal of $2 and was inspired to do

something. h haylee's mom says she's created so many. >> they've made the best out of a really, really bad situation. in twoments we'll tell you how david bowey became a alifspe oddity. one santa claus unites an entire neighborhood. ewww. dead skin cells? gross! so now, i grab my swiffer heavy duty sweeper and dusters. dusters extends to 6 feet to reach way up high... to grab, trap and lock away gross dust. nice! for dust on my floors, i switch to sweeper. the heavy duty cloths reach deep in grooves to grab, trap and lock dust bunnies... no matter where they hide. no more heebie jeebies. phhhhew. glad i stopped cleaning and started swiffering. less sick days! cold coming on? zicam® is clinically proven to shorten colds! highly recommend it!

zifans love zicam's unique zinc formula. it shortens colds! zicam zinc that cold! at 30 calories v8 is surprisingly filling. you can have yogurt for 30 calories too, but the portion might be a little less satisfying. v8 the original plant powered drink. veg up. olay regenerist faced 131 premium products,tisfying. is skincare from around the world better than olay? from 12 countries, over 10 years. olay's hydration was unbeaten every time. face anything. find out more at olay.com plus have high blood pressure. they may not be able to take just anything for pain. that's why doctors recommend tylenol®. it won't raise blood pressure the way that advil® aleve or motrin® sometimes can. for trusted relief, trust tylenol®. during kohl's friends and family sale! that advil® aleve or motrin® sometimes can. plus, take an extra 25% off! get 15% off fisher price toys... up to 50% off boots for the family...

and save on keurig! plus, get kohl's cash! plus, free store pickup. give with all your heart. kohl's. are my smile can't compete. on for this? anyone? mmm. nope! for a smile that's always camera -ready. crest 3d white removes 95% of stains in just 3 days. a community in arkansas has really gotten into the christmas spirit by making their holiday displays more inclusive while also showing support for a local family rahim ellis has this heartfelt story. good morning. >> good morning, phillip >> reporter: for the thirst year in a row, chris kennedy decorated his front yard to make kids smile, especially his 4-year-old. >> our original thing with even

putting out black santas is so that our daughter sees hers represents in every way possible. >> reporter: but the holiday joy was shattered when an anonymous letter arrived regarding the black santa. >> please remove your negro santa claus. you should not try to deceive children into believing i am negro. >> what went through you >> anger and sadness. >> they thought little rock, arkansas, might not be the place for them. >> i said get the biggest you can find. >> reporter: neighbors quickly denounced the letter. >> it was hateful and had nothing to do with christmas or the kind of merge i want to live in. >> it doesn't stand for what our community is about. >> it was heartwarming and a bit

overwhelming >> and that's the true spirit of christmas. >> people everywhere have offered to send the family toys and gifts for their daughter chris said he would rather they send the gifts to a local charity and spread the christmas magic around phillip? >> that's the story we like to hear. when we return, madonna inked for the very first time. and will door daesh deliver? steve sedgwick breaks down with the hottest ipos of the year skrooirk instantly clear every day congestion with vicks sinex saline nasal mist.

for drug free relief that works fast. vicks sinex. instantly clear everday congestion. ♪ just one look at you... ♪ ♪ and i know it's gonna be... ♪ shop pandora jewelry and receive a free sterling silver bangle as our special gift to you. brushing only reaches and receive a free sterling silver bangle 25% of your mouth. listerine® cleans virtually 100%. helping to prevent gum disease and bad breath. never settle for 25%. always go for 100. bring out the bold™ it only takes a second for an everyday item to become dangerous. tide pods child-guard pack helps keep your laundry pacs in a safe place and your child safer. to close, twist until it clicks. tide pods child-guard packaging.

in "today's quick hits," nbcuniversal has announced peacock has passed the 20 million signup mark. this comes as parent kompany comcast in october said the streaming service had reach eed2 million accounts >> inked for the first time. the pop icon showdown off her new ink. it features her six kids on her wrist. the mint launched the ziggy coin into space where it floated in earth's atmosphere for about 45 minutes. let's see about the inner atmosphere when it comes to aurora borealis. here's janessa webb.

>> we're going to see poor viewing in the northeast all the way into areas of the upper midwest. it's a rare sight. so if you're available, make sure you go out and see it. >> not in our area, but i hope we get all the videos we possibly can of everybody who was lucky enough to witness that thank you, janessa. coming up, "forbes" unveils its list of the most powerful women in the world they helped with homeowners, too! ok! plus motorcycle, boat and rv insurance! geico's got you covered! like a blanket! houston? you seeing this? geico. expect great savings and a whole lot more. geico. honey honey? new nyquil severe honey is maximum strength cold and flu medicine with soothing honey-licious taste.

nyquil honey. the nighttime, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever best sleep with a cold medicine. i will send out an army to find you in the middle of the darkest night it's true, i will rescue you oh, i will rescue you during kohl's friends and family sale! plus, take an extra 25% off! get 15% off fisher price toys... up to 50% off boots for the family... and save on keurig! plus, get kohl's cash! plus, free store pickup. give with all your heart. kohl's. with new bounce pet hair & lint guard,tually attract pet hair? your clothes can repel pet hair. look how the shirt on the left attracts pet hair like a magnet!

pet hair is no match for bounce. with bounce, you can love your pets, and lint roll less. tremfya® can help adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis uncover clearer skin that can last. most patients who saw 90% clearer skin at 28 weeks stayed clearer through 48 weeks. in another study, the majority of tremfya® patients saw 90% clearer skin at 3 years. serious allergic reactions may occur. tremfya® may increase your risk of infections and lower your ability to fight them. tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms or if you had a vaccine or plan to. tremfya®. uncover clearer skin that can last. janssen can help you explore cost support options.

report how americans are doing about income as we approach the end of the year of the pandemic. plus jordache earned some of that cash. steve sedgwick live in launch. always good to see you >> let's start with doordash they're way above what the previous estimates were. it's been a big beneficiary as restaurant have closed their dining rooms and moved to delivery. 42% of americans still have their household income below where it was pre-pandemic. only one in six americans have seen their income return to pre-pandemic levels and 80% are worried about their households due to covid-19. >> thank you, steve. the grinch steals the slow

the christmas classic gets the musical treatment. we're back in one minute ♪ just one look at you... ♪ ♪ and i know it's gonna be... ♪ shop pandora jewelry and receive a free sterling silver bangle as our special gift to you. and receive a free sterling silver bangle vicks vapopatch. easy to wear with soothing vicks vapors for her, for you, for the whole family. trusted soothing vapors, from vicks new aveeno® restorative skin therapy. with our highest concentration of prebiotic oat intensely moisturizes over time to improve skin's resilience. aveeno® healthy. it's our nature™.

"forbes" announced its list of the most 100 powerful women in 2020. the list features influential leaders from 30 countries in politics, entertainment, business, and more german chancellor angela merkel claimed the number one spot for the tenth year in a row with christine lagarde coming in second for the second year in a row. kamala harris became the third debuting in the number three spot other notable female politicians made the cut, nancy pelosi, number 7, and stacey abrams

earning the 100 spot. getting ready to take a trip down to whoville tonight "how the grinch stole christmas" is getting musical treatment on nbcing and mark barger got a look behind the scenes behind this big production. >> i abhor christmas trees and i scorn every wreath. >> reporter: to get into the spirit of playing the grinch, matthew morrison did not have to look too far. >> 2020. there's a lot of people out there that feel particularly grinchy this year, so it was kind of easy to pull upon the collective global sorrow that is going on >> reporter: the pandemic has sidelined many actors including morrison for months on end so when the opportunity that did come along happened to be a musical about an iconic character, all the better. >> it was a challenge for me honestly i don't live in that kind of anger and darkness that he has.

>> we're not here to enjoy ourselves. >> reporter: safety protocols prevented the london production from performing live, so among the rehearsal for masks made it a joy for showtime. >> we show so much expression in the little ticks of our mouth or nose, so it was really -- it felt very fresh and live and in the moment. >> reporter: and as dad to now 3-year-old son revel, morrison discovered one unexpected bonus. >> we wake up and like, oh, revel, you have grinchy breath, so i get him to brush his teeth. teachable moments, you know. >> reporter: one life's lesson among the grinch's bigger ones this christmas holiday season. mark barger, nbc news. >> catch "the grinch" on nbc, 8:00 p.m. eastern, 7:00 p.m. central. >> so many versions of "the

grinch," tv, musical, cartoon. now add this for the kids to watch. thanks so much for starting your morning with us. i'm frances rivera. >> and i'm phillip mena. have a great wednesday please be smart out there. we leave you with ♪ ♪ life's more fun with a dog. and doglife is more fun with milk-bone. ♪ ♪

right now at 4:30, a south bay surge. the concerning covid case that is have health officials sounding the alarm this morning. plus -- >> we're in survival mode. hopefully we can make it. >> restaurant owners are expressing outrage saying they need more help to survive the pandemic. we'll talk about the growing number that could soon be forced to close and what they're now planning to do. and racing full steam ahead for funding. the move b.a.r.t. and other transit agencies across the nation will make as they deal with declining ridership. "today in the bay" starts right now. a very good wednesday mni