"today in the bay." >> that's right. we hope you have a great monday. "today show" is coming up next. we'll be back with the local news update in half an hour and every half hour after that. have a great day. good morning. breaking overnight, grounded. dozens of boeing 777s pulled out of service this morning after this terrifying engine failure over california. >> you could feel it like boom. you could hear it, and you just -- we started shaki. >> terrified passengers on board, and stunned spectators on the ground, as debris rained from the sky. >> all of a sudden, i heard a big boom, and the house shook. >> this morning, the frantic search for answers. what caused the engine to suddenly catch fire and fall apart midair?

and are other planes at risk? 500,000 and counting. the death toll from the coronavirus surpasses a disturbing milestone. more americans killed than in world war i, ii, and vietnam. >> almost unbelievable, but it's true. this is a devastating pandemic. >> this morning, where we stand on the race to vaccinate after weather delays and stubborn supply issues. >> everywhere i look, it's so hard, unavailable, unavailable. >> the very latest just ahead. state of crisis. millions in texas still without food, drinkable water, and other essentials. the misery now into a second week after the worst winter storm there in decades. massive lines, like these, at distribution centers across the state, with desperation setting in. >> we shouldn't have to live like this. >> this morning, a firsthand look at the recovery effort. >> how are you? you doing okay? >> hoda lends a hand in houston. going down. a hot air balloon crashes during a festival in utah.

>> we're going to get wet. >> the pilot's split-second decision that saved lives. those stories, plus, royal rift? new reports this morning on how prince william feels about his brother's decision to leave royal duties permanently. and "today" exclusive. we reveal the first person chosen to ride on the spacex all civilian mission to space. >> honestly, i'm not nervous at all. >> a young woman with a lot of courage and an inspiring survival story, gearing up for the ride of her life today, monday, february 22nd, 2021. >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb, from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. good morning, everybody. welcome to "today" on a monday

morning. we're so glad to have you with us. a new week. gosh, people in texas are really suffering. hoda, you were there in houston and saw it firsthand. >> i went this weekend. we went to a church where they were giving out food and water. i have to tell you, the volunteers are off the chain, but the line of folks who needed things, people who usually have excess now were in need of basics, water and food. we're going to visit with a veteran and talk to some other folks in a little bit. >> looking forward to that. it's a dire situation. >> yeah. >> if anybody can bring a smile, hoda, even behind your mask, it's you. we want to start, and i'm sure you've been following this, a frightening engine failure on a united airlines plane. bursting into flames and coming apart over a neighborhood near denver. any boeing 777 with the same type of engine overnight has been grounded. we have two reports. let's start with nbc's meagan fitzgerald. she's in colorado for us. good morning. >> reporter: savannah, good morning to you. ntsb investigators are carefully combing through the wreckage, trying to figure out what happened. they are zeroing in on a fan blade which is specific to this

engine as a possible cause. this morning, 777s worldwide grounded. >> mayday, mayday. >> reporter: after terrifying moments in the air saturday when a flight going to hawaii made an emergency landing. >> turn immediately. >> reporter: the plane's right engine failed mid flight, bursting into flames. >> all of a sudden, it was just this big -- you could just feel it, like, boom. you could hear it, and you just -- we started shaking. >> i feared for my life. i did at that point. >> so the engine was on fire, and there was more smoke coming out of it. i told my wife, the engine was gone. she got up and looked out the window and was a little panic stricken. >> reporter: the pilots managed to land safely. panic and fear turned to relief. [ applause ] >> reporter: none of the 239 passengers and crew on board were hurt. overnight, boeing saying all 128

of its 777 jets, powered by a specific pratt&whitney engine, should be grounded. the engine maker dispatching a team to work with investigators. the ntsb says two hallow fan blades, unique to the engine, were fractured. an engine cover known as a cowling also came off. that debris scattered in neighborhoods outside denver. >> all of a sudden, i heard a boom, and the house shook. >> i get up and i look at it and right away i see it's the front end of an airplane engine. >> reporter: the faa requiring immediate or stepped-up inspections of the plane. united, the only american carrier affected by the order, saying it would temporarily stop flying nearly two dozen affected 777s. aviation experts puzzled by the flying plane parts. >> this is a bit troubling because the structure should still remain attached, even if you have a fan blade failure. >> reporter: growing concerns over the mysterious malfunction.

on sunday, japan's faa counterpart ordered airlines in that country to stop flying these 777 aircrafts with that specifically engine. savannah? >> meagan, thank you. let's bring in greg fife, a former senior air flight safety investigator with the national transportation safety board. greg, we're always happy to have you. good morning. >> morning. >> you look at these situations, obviously, with a very trained eye. what jumps out at you here? >> well, there are a couple things, savannah. one, of course, is this blade failure. this isn't the first time it's happened. it is a unique situation, but there was a previous united airlines 777 and a jal 777 that both experienced these failures over the last two years. so, of course, that is of concern. i think the bigger issue, besides the blade, in determining why it is failing is this post-event fire that continued to burn until landing.

>> not only that, we also saw this debris field, where you have these huge chunks of aircraft raining down from the sky. that's got to be a big concern. as i understand it, it's something of a mystery. >> it is. but there is a phenomenon where these blades -- this is the fan section, so these are the largest blades of the engine. if they come out of the front of the engine, like they did, of course, it took the engine cowling off, but it just deformed it. it's the aerodynamic forces. remember, this aircraft is moving 250, 300 miles an hour, so the aerodynamic forces helped take the rest of this engine cowling off. that is a big concern because the engine does have what's called a containment ring, so that shrapnel does not damage the rest of the engine. so all of these things will be looked at by the safety board and its team. >> yeah, so that wasn't meant to happen either, of course. even in an accident situation. i keep thinking, greg, what would have happened if this had taken place over the pacific? this was a plane headed to

hawaii. >> well, there's two parts to that answer. that is, one, the faa requires that a manufacturer of a two-engine airplane like this certify it so it can fly on one engine, which it did, and it did it successfully. however, if this aircraft had been out over the ocean, let's say, an hour, two hours, the bigger concern, besides the parts coming off, is the fact that there was this post-accident or post-event fire. i'm not sure why that fire continued to burn. there is a fire suppression system on that engine, so that is going to be an issue that the board is going to have to look at. >> that work begins today. greg, thank you very much. we appreciate your expertise. >> you're welcome. another major story we're visiting this morning, the coronavirus and the pandemic's once unthinkable toll in the u.s. more than 500,000 lives lost in less than 1 year. >> it's staggering to think about. first reported fatality came on february 29th. three months later, it was

100,000 dead. >> by mid-september, the death toll climbed to 200,000 and surpassed 300,000 by mid-december. >> then came the deadliest period in the pandemic, 400,000 deaths on january 19th. now, just one month later, here we are, 500,000 covid deaths in this country. >> i can't believe we're saying that. it is an astonishing average. nearly 1,400 deaths every single day. of course, it is not a story about numbers. each one of those people is somebody's son, daughter, spouse or parent. the sobering reality comes as states play catchup with vaccinations, after shipping delays from coast to coast. let's go to nbc's gabe gutierrez for the latest. good morning. >> reporter: hoda, good morning. winter weather delayed shipments forced the cancellation of appointments last week. here in new york, we're expecting more pfizer doses today. more from moderna later this week. all this as the u.s. hits that grim milestone.

the toll is towering. 500,000 american lives lost to covid-19, more than on the battlefields of world war i, ii, and vietnam combined. >> covid murdered by parents, and it didn't have to be that way. >> reporter: the unfathomable heartbreak fueling urgency at vaccination centers nationwide, after severe weather and delivery delays forced the cancellation of thousands of appointments. >> i've been canceled twice already. >> reporter: many others still scrambling to get their spots in line. >> everywhere i look, it's so hard. you know, says unavailable, unavailable. >> reporter: the biden administration says it is confident it can catch up. of the 6 million delayed doses, 2 million have already been distributed. >> it's a temporary setback. we'll get it up to where we need to be by the middle of the week. >> reporter: and as vaccinations tick up, hospitalizations and deaths are dropping. d't think

enough people yet to get the i think you're seeing the natural peaking and coming down. >> reporter: still, the virus' slow but steady retreat is giving renewed hope to 93-year-old dolores herman of indiana. covid took her beloved husband of 74 years, irvin. >> always said he was a man of few words, but if you got him started talking, especially when he started talking about time in service, you couldn't shut him up. >> reporter: last month, dolores returned to the same hospital where her husband passed away to get vaccinated. their grandson, ian, is an icu physician. >> each of those 500,000 people is someone's grandpa, somebody's dad, somebody's sister, mom. i mean, it's not a nameless, faceless number. >> reporter: one of hundreds of thousands of families hoping to soon share a proper good-bye in person.

dr. anthony fauci says that americans should expect to still be wearing masks outside their homes a year from now. he says that the country should reach some level of normality by this fall. hoda and savannah? >> all right. thank you so much, gabe. joining us now is dr. jha, the dean of brown university's school of public health. dr. jha, good morning. >> dr. jha, we're talking about this 500,000 number. i mean, that is about the equivalent of the population of the entire city of atlanta. if we would have told you a year ago at this moment, we are going to be reaching 500,000 deaths by this point, would you believe that? >> yeah, so good morning. this short answer is no, i didn't believe it. i really thought we were going to do much better in this pandemic. you know, we have such a great public health agency in the cdc. we have so much capability as a country, great doctors and nurses, hospitals, good public health system. i just never, ever thought we'd hit anything close to this.

this has been, i think, an unfortunate surprise for a lot of us. >> so many lessons to learn, and there will be time for that. we're still in the middle of it. do you think, though, dr. jha, that we have turned that corner? we do see the cases declining. obviously, the vaccination efforts are stepping up. there are these other strains out there that threaten that progress. >> i think we have turned a corner, and i'm actually hopeful that, from here on out, things will be reasonably okay. there is that one big kind of almost thunderstorm looming, right? that's the strains that are out there. particularly, the uk strain, which is starting to take off in so many parts of the country, that will become dominant by late march. i think that's one more storm we have to weather. after that, i really do believe we will be in a glide path toward a better late spring, summer, fall. >> in the few seconds i have left, this is a big week. the johnson & johnson vaccine comes up for emergency approval

from the fda. that could be a huge difference, this one-shot vaccine. >> yeah, i'm pretty excited about the johnson & johnson based on what i've seen. it is a really good vaccine. we'll see what the fda says. if it is off the rise, i'm starting to encourage all my family, when eligible, to get it. >> dr. jha, thank you very much. we appreciate your time all along as we've covered this pandemic. >> thank you. we move to the massive recovery effort in texas after that dangerous and deadly winter weather that crippled the state. craig joins us now with the latest here. hey, craig. >> hoda, savannah, good morning. good morning to you, as well. president biden has now signed a major disaster declaration to get federal aid to the hardest hit areas. today, unfortunately, more scenes like this are expected. long lines of people in desperate need of food and water, one week after the storm first hit. morgan chesky is on duty once again for us in ft. worth. good morning. >> reporter: craig, good morning

to you. it is hard to believe a week ago today i'd be standing in snow, ice and single digit temperatures. since then, texas has experienced what could become the costliest weather event in its history with millions struggling. the deep freeze in texas is finally over, but millions statewide now dealing with the fallout. >> i don't have water again after four days without it because of frozen pipes. >> reporter: thousands still without power. more than 8 million people unable to drink their water. >> you know, this whole boil thing sucks, especially when you have four kids and three dogs and two adults in the house. >> reporter: relief is pouring in. gilbert gomez able to get his hands on a few days' worth of water. how are you feeling? >> just devastating. we shouldn't have to live like this, you know? >> reporter: over the weekend, president biden signing a major disaster declaration, unlocking critical federal aid for hard-hit communities. officials in the state now targeting outrageous energy bills. the governor announcing a

temporary ban on cutting off power if a customer can't pay. houston's mayor saying this to hoda on sunday. >> consumers should not be made to pay the price for these exorbitant bills. >> reporter: that's exactly what happened to scott willoughby, not knowing his bill could vary. when the power went down, the bill took off. what was the damage? >> $16,798, something like that. >> reporter: this was not a bill. this was withdrawn? >> straight from my account. >> reporter: by the time willoughby switched providers, he ended up paying 80 times more than the typical $200 bill. some well-known texanses now pitching in to help. beto o'rourke driving a truck of water from e flying back from cancun. even houston-born beyonce offering emergency funding on her website.

texans looking out for their own, even on south padre island, where all those cold, stunned sea turtles were warmed up enough to return to sea. restoring power and water, not the only major concern. there's massive food concern across the state. we have seen those heartbreaking scenes of grocery store shelves that are still bear today. texas governor greg abbott loosened regulations to allow kitchens to prepare more meals to get them to texans in dire need. craig, we'll send it back to you. >> all right. morgan chesky for us there in ft. worth. thank you. let's bring in al for our first check of the weather. good morning. >> good morning, everybody. good to see you. as we take a look, we have 14 million people under winter weather advisories here in the northeast. quick hit. light snow makes its way to the northeast, wet weather as you go further to the south. basically, the heaviest amounts, 6 to 8 inches, tug hill plateau and here in new england. we have a big atmospheric river pushing in from the west coast. this is going to be coming all the way across the pacific ocean, into the pacific

northwest. heavy rain. avalanche warnings for the cascades. this has been the deadliest season for avalanches out there since 2015. 30 people died. tuesday, snow in the northern rockies, lighter showers along the coast. continues to push in. heavy rain, could see localized flooding, 2 to 5 inches locally. snowfall amounts upwards of over 18 inches. as you get to the cascades and northern rockies. we'll get to your forecast in the next 30 seconds. and the best part, it's powered by verizon. but it gets crazier. bring a friend every month and get every month for $5. which is why i brought them. two $5-a-months right here. hey. hey. plus the players of my squad. hey. what's up? then finally my whole livestream. boom! 12 months of $5 wireless. visi wireless that gets better with friends.

good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. we are taking a live look outside at our beautiful start to our monday morning in san francisco. and we'll see a lot of sunshine today as our temperatures warm up. we'll head up to 67 degrees here. 71 in napa and 68 degrees in oakland with our south bay temperatures in the low 70s, up to 72 in morgan hill. and then as we go through the forecast, another spring-like day tomorrow but cooling down the rest of the week. weather. savannah >> al, thank you. coming up, we told you about the plans for an all civilian mission to space and the billionaire leading it this morning, the first member of his groundbreaking crew joins us for an exclusive, live interview and reveal why a trip to space is nothing compared to what she's already lived through. plus, there's new drama tied to harry and meghan's permanent split from royal duties. how does prince william feel

about the news a live report from london. fi

hoda, ahead, your firsthand look at the crisis in texas. >> yeah. we were in houston we got to visit a food bank and see how people are holding up. we're going to get to that, and you'll meet remarkable folks, coming up after your local news. ♪ this is the first day of my life♪ ♪ i was born right in the doorway♪ ♪ i don't know where i am, ♪ ♪ i don't know where i've been♪ ♪ but i know where i wanna go♪ ♪♪ here's to the duers. to all the people who realize they can du more with less asthma thanks to dupixent, the add-on treatment

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a very good morning to you. it's 7:26, i'm laura garcia. a look at today's top stories including a search for a woman tied to an east bay crime suspect. >> i'm bob redell here in martinez behind me in the detention facility, darion williams is now locked up. he is suspected of shooting to death a 64-year-old man this weekend in discovery bay. while law enforcement is on the lookout for williams 4-year-old son and his girlfriend. detectives say 31-year-old kimberly meeks and the child were last seen in an audi suv. police want to see what she may know about the violent crime her boyfriend is accused of

committing. i'm cierra johnson in san francisco. it appears that the san francisco school board is shifting gears from renaming more than 40 schools to getting their students back in schools. this according to an op-ed written by a school board president lopez in the chronicle she did admit there were some mistakes made in renaming 44 of the schools and now the board's main focus is reopening those schools. meteorologist kari hall joins me now with a look at our forecast. looking forward to this monday. >> it's going to be a beautiful day, laura. make some plans to get outside and take it in. we're waking up to sunshine. as we take a live look outside in san jose. and into the afternoon. we have a cool start, take a look at our highs reaching 70 degrees. that's well above normal. 72 in morgan hill. and some low 70s for parts of the north bay as well. then as we go through the forecast, we'll have one more day of this spring-like weather before it cools off.

it will also be windy and that dry and cool weather continues into the weekend. laura? >> all right. we are prepared. thanks so much. another local news update in half an hour. see you then. my family history is black history. and i want to share something with you all. this is my grandfather's actual diploma from when he graduated and later be a teacher and administrator and his most important job, to me that is, my grandfather.

guys, guys, it's 7:30. it's monday, february the 22nd you know what this is? we've seen a lot of snow in recent weeks this, by the way, is the world's largest snow maze. it is in canada. it took six weeks to build oh, my gosh, that seems like fun. >> until you get stuck in there. >> wow >> get stuck in the maze. >> that's beautiful. >> they'll find you. >> it's not "the shining." all right. that got a big laugh from al back there headlines at 7:30. president biden's nominee for attorney general will be in the hot seat today his confirmation hearing gets

under way on capitol hill. judge merrick garland is expected to face tough questions on topics, including the investigation of biden's son, hunter, as well as fallout from the capitol riots five years ago. president obama nominated garland for the supreme court, in the last year of his term but republicans blocked the nomination. you may have noticed a jump in gas prices in the last week the national average is now $2.63. that's a 13-cent jump from a week ago the price hike is blamed on the storms across the gulf coast, which forced refineries to shut down experts say gas prices may keep going up until they're back online now to heart-stopping moments for a utah couple, when the hot air balloon they were in took a sudden plunge check this out it happened saturday at a hot air balloon festival our affiliate in salt lake city was on board with his girlfriend the balloon ran into high winds.

the pilot forced to make an emergency landing into a reservoir. >> we're going to get wet! >> oh, my gosh. >> then it, like, tips over sideways, and the whole thing is filling up with water. >> no, no, no, do not get out. do not get out, please >> man >> ice cold water soaked the group from head to toe, but moments later, the pilot was able to level the balloon and get it airborne again, bringing them to safety he says he never felt their lives were in any real danger. the couple said they planned to go to the festival again next year. >> our kfl photographer in salt lake got the shot. well done. everybody was all right. also this morning, we have an exciting follow-up to an nbc news exclusive those plans to put four civilians into space on a spacex rocket, a multi-day mission that will orbit the earth. >> 37-year-old billionaire is paying for this trip and a massive fundraiser to benefit

st. jude's children hospital now, he has selected his first fellow crew mate nbc's tom costello remains on this story for us. tom, let us know, who is she >> reporter: she's a survivor of childhood cancer who decided when she was 10 she wanted to come back and work on the medical staff at st. jude, which she has. none of these four civilians has any astronaut experience, but they are signing up for the ride of their lives 10-year-olds aren't supposed to worry about losing a leg or their life to cancer, but 19 years ago, hayley arceneaux had big dreams beat cancer, earn a black belt in taekwondo, learn fluent spanish, travel the world, and return to st. jude to help kids like her today, hayley is 29, and she's done all that and more now a physician's assistant in the oncology unit at st. jude. she had one more childhood dream she thought was out of reach after losing a piece of her femur to bone cancer.

>> a few months before i was diagnosed, my family went to nasa in houston. of course, i wanted to be an astronaut after i went there >> reporter: enter jared isaacman a 37-year-old billionaire and civilian pilot who has also always wanted to go into space, and recently told us of his plans to pay elon musk's spacex to send him and three other civilian astronauts into orbit, and wrapping it into a $200 million fundraising effort for st. jude. >> this is a significant first step towards a world where everyone can go and explore amongst the stars. >> reporter: jared's first pick for a fellow crew member, hayley someone who benefitted from the life-saving research and care at st. jude and is now giving back. >> i think she's going to send a message to the world that you can face, you know, really, really difficult times, even as a child, and still grow up and fulfill your dreams. >> reporter: anyone who contributes any amount to the st. jude fundraising effort can

be considered for the third astronaut seat the fourth seat will go to someone with an entrepreneurial vision to make a difference. already, jared has been swamped with video applications. >> i'm a pilot, scuba diver, skydiver, have done research in siberia. >> i create and host my own science videos, bringing space down to earth for all ages. >> reporter: inspiration 4 will be the first ever, all civilian crew, mostly controlled from the ground. >> honestly, i'm not nervous at all. i think that my cancer journey prepared me for this. >> reporter: as for hailey's mom -- there's not a professional astronaut on this mission. >> i asked, how many astronauts were going along with the four that's when she said none and was a little taken aback by that. >> reporter: inspiration 4 set to lift off by year's end. you're always a mom. it's not too late, if you want to donate and raise your hand to go along on this trip, jared isaacman tells me he will have the other crew members selected

by the end of the month. then the preparations begin right away lots of training at spacex headquarters in los angeles. the fundraising effort for st. jude has also taken off. jared tells me they're already more than halfway toward their goal guys, back to you. >> tom, thank you. we're excited because hayley arceneaux is with us exclusively. her first official interview as a civilian astronaut. i'm more concerned about your mother than you, watching her. >> she's fine. she's tough. >> break it down give us the moment when you got the call of all the people on the planet earth, you were one of the ones selected >> it came out of the blue i knew that he wanted to talk to me about an opportunity. i had no idea it would be this basically, they just asked if i wanted to go to space. immediately, i said, yes, yes! put my name down i could not be more excited about this opportunity >> we just are in love with your mom. she said, honey, how many astronauts are going to be on the spaceship, and you're like,

"none, mom, none." i also got to ask you about your brother, he is an aerospace engineer your sister-in-law, too. i mean, is he, like, offering you his firstborn to trade places i mean, they must just be so happy for you and just wishing they could do it, too. >> they're so happy for me i think it's because we're so close. they've had a lot of fun with all the questions i've had for them and getting to teach me all these aerospace and rocket science. >> you know what's cool? something you said in the piece struck me. you said, what you'd been through, you battled cancer when you were younger, and here you are today. it kind of weirdly prepared you for this moment because you know what being real scared is. this is different than that. >> yes i absolutely think that it prepared me for going to space it really taught me how to expect the unexpected, and to go with it and keep a positive attitude so i'm just, in a weird way, you're right, it did prepare me

for this, and i feel ready. >> and i love how you have already given back to st. jude you made a decision when you were just a little girl that you wanted to be in this work. now, you're back you're a physician assistant at st. jude this whole mission is really about those kids, kids like you, who are battling cancer and giving them hope what do you think -- what message do you think you'll be sending when you, a cancer survivor, head off into the heavens? >> i really hope to show them that the sky is not even the limit. they can do anything i never thought i'd be able to go to space. really until this mission, you really had to be physically perfect. this mission is changing things. getting to be a cancer survivor in space is such an incredible honor. i can't wait to talk to my patients about this and show them they don't have to limit themselves they can really do anything. >> no limits at all. i was also reading that you like roller coasters. so you're not scared of that kind of stuff, are you

>> oh, no. i'm so excited we start training next month, to get ourselves ready for the g-forces i cannot wait. >> all right we're going to be taking care of colleen while you're up there, okay don't you worry. >> we'll hold your mama's hand >> thank you, hayley >> thank you >> thank you, hayley >> sky is not even the limit >> come on >> we're going to spend some more time with hayley in the third hour also, the billionaire whose heart is apparently as big as his wallet, jared isaacman, is joining us, as well. he is commanding the mission by the way, folks, if you'd like a chance to go to space with them, there's still time you can find out how on our website. >> yeah. >> today.com. >> pretty cool >> you can buy a lottery ticket. why not make a donation to st. jude maybe you'll be the one. >> yup. straight ahead, a new beginning for harry and meghan, but at what cost new reports of how prince william feels about his brother's split from duty, right after this

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we're back 7:43 with "in-depth today. this morning, the questions surrounding the future of the royal family and harry and meghan, after announcing they will not be returning to their royal duties ever. >> that was the news that brok during our show on friday. a lot of people spent the weekend reacting to it. >> nbc's kelly cobiella is in london with the very latest on it good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you. prince philip, first of all, is still in the hospital, the queen's husband, there as a precautionary measure, according to buckingham palace as the family continues to deal with the fallout from the sussex royal split. this morning, the royal family rift still raw the "sunday times" quoting unnamed sources close to prince william reportedly saying the future king is sad and genuinely shocked by his brother and meghan's statement about leaving the royal family calling it insulting and disrespectful to the queen neither the sussexes nor kensington palace would comment

buckingham on the report, and nbc news has not been able to confirm it. buckingham palace announced friday the duke and duchess were stepping away from the duties and responsibilities that come with a life of public service. harry and meghan responded, regardless of their official roles, we can all live a life of service. service is universal it comes just days after the couple revealed meghan is pregnant with their second child, and they'd agreed to a wide-ranging interview with oprah. the couple this morning renewing their commitment to causes like the invictus games, which harry founded. how is he doing? >> he seems better than he has been for a while, which is great to see i put out ideas, and i literally had an email back with his for the men and w views. he's got a deep, abiding care for the men and women who have been injured in service. >> reporter: prince harry keeping a promise he made last year when the couple took a break from their royal roles >> what i want to make clear is, we're not walking away >> reporter: committed to causes

like conservation in botswana, and meghan's charity smart works helping british women in the workplace. but their responsibilities will go to other working family members, along with prince harry's honorary military titles those roles won't fall to his brother. >> surprisingly little extra responsibility is going to fall on prince william. he has, for the last year, taken on to his shoulders the fact he is not going to have a younger brother helping out. >> reporter: princess diana's sons now officially going their separate ways. one, a very famous private citizen, the other a future king this morning, buckingham palace announced a schedule change, saying that the queen would give a commonwealth address, and there would be a televised service on march 7th that's a rearranged date it was supposed to be on march 8th. it was canceled, according to buckingham palace, because of coronavirus. march 7th, of course, is the same day when harry and meghan's interview with oprah is set to air.

finally, more on prince philip this morning prince charles visited him over the weekend at the hospital for about a half an hour he was seen leaving, apparently, looking upset. this morning, prince william has spoken about his grandfather's condition, saying he is doing okay doctors are looking after him. guys >> okay. kelly cobiella, thank you. >> thank you, kelly. all right. let's check in with mr. roker for the latest on the forecast. >> a lot going on there. >> yeah. >> got to tell ya. >> thought your family was complicated. >> man, all right. well, it seems kind of crazy, but global warming is the reason we're seeing such cold air coming up. coldest air usually stays locked up around the north pole the jet stream determines how far the cold air gets. once you get a warmer arctic, things change. the cold arctic keeps the jet stream at bay and the cold air stays. however, once we get a warming arctic, the jet stream buckles, cold air comes down, harshest

winters can occur when the arctic is at its warmest a warming arctic means we could see more of these outbreaks like we saw last week good news now is temperatures are warmavage today. minneapolis, 10 degrees warmer dallas, 68, 3 degrees above normal tomorrow, rapid city, 46 houston, 68. louisville, 55 even norfolk up 3 degrees. as we head into th midweek period, albany flirt with 50 degrees. same with boston 59 in d.c. atlanta, 66. temperatures still way above average. good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. taking a look at our high temperatures for today, it's going to be very nice, well above normal highs. reaching near 70 degrees across the bay area. still slightly warmer for tomorrow, reaching 73 degrees in the valley, but then as we get some slightly cooler air on wednesday, it's going to be quite windy and those gusty

winds will continue into the end of the week. by sunday, we're feeling more seasonal weather with highs in the low 60s. >> and that's your latest weather. hoda >> al, thank you still ahead, what certain episodes of "the muppet show" now come with. it's getting a lot of attention this morning first, these messages. m ♪we make it easy for you! we can do your taxes virtually. snap a pic and leave the rest to me. we make it easy. experts on your phone. you don't have to leave home. in person or virtually

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what's in your wallet? lots more ahead this morning, including the ongoing race to get much-needed supplies to the people of texas. >> i headed to texas over the weekend and got a chance to visit with folks there, to see what they need most and, more importantly, how we can all help, coming up after your local news c so you want to make the best burger ever? then make it! that means selling everything. and eating nothing but cheese till you find the perfect slice...

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this is the 5g that's built for you. this is 5g built right. only from verizon. ♪♪ a very good morning to you. it's 7:56, i'm laura garcia. here is a look at what's happening now. good morning, everyone. i'm scott mcgrew. america has lost 500,000 citizens to covid-19. that is more americans than were killed in the first, second and vietnam wars combined. today president biden will mark that sad benchmark and then there will be a moment of silence at the white house this evening. >> reporter: governor's renewed push vaccine equity. statewide 33% of whites are vaccinated. double the vaccination for latinos. triple the number of whites are vaccinated compared to latinos. san francisco the rates of whites four times higher same in san mateo county.

three times more whites are vaccinated than latinos. the numbers are farther apart in black communities. let's switch gears and talk about the weather. kari has a look at our forecast for today. and actually a nice day ahead. yes. it is going to be beautiful today. a live look outside in san francisco with our cool but sunny start. and we'll see all of that sunshine with us throughout today. our temperatures warming up well above normal. reaching into the low 70s for the south bay. 70 degrees in spots like martinez, napa 71 and 67 degrees today in san francisco. as we go through the forecast, we will see more of this very warm weather for today and tomorrow, but then it cools down on wednesday just a few degrees. but the winds will pick up, and that's going to make it feel a lot cooler. some breezy and more conditional weather will be with us through the end of the week, but still not a drop of rain here in our seven-day forecast.

laura? >> and we certainly need it. that's for sure. thanks so much, kari. thank you for joining us as well. another local news update in half an hour. today on "california live". >> kim has the hollywood sweetheart whose career is on fire. plus, backyard ballet. a california dance troop makes sure the show will go on. >> this morning at 11:30 on nbc bay area. ♪ ♪ ♪ when it comes to your financial health, just a few small steps can make a real difference. ♪ ♪ ♪

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it's 8:00 on "today." coming up, grounded. overnight, dozens of boeing 777s moved to the no fly list, after an engine on a united jet burst into flames midair. >> mayday, mayday. >> this morning, passengers recalling a terrifying ordeal. >> you could just feel it, like, boom. >> so what went wrong? we're live with the latest. then remembering and reflecting, as the u.s. hits a grim milestone in the coronavirus pandemic, 500,000 deaths. the latest on the state of the vaccine and where things go from here. harry smith joins us to reflect on this moment in time.

plus, lending a helping hand. hoda brings us to texas where millions are struggling in the aftermath of the brutal winter weather. >> what are you in line for? what do you need? >> we're coming to pick up some of the food they're handing out, water especially, milk. >> how the community is coming together to face the road ahead. and kermit canceled? the new change coming to the "muppet show" that has people talking today, monday, february 22nd, 2021. ♪ and i said ♪ >> good morning. from maryland -- >> hi, "today" show. we're celebrating emerson's 1st birthday. >> happy birthday, emerson. ♪ oh ♪ >> hey, "today" show. join us in wishing our mother dorothy a happy 100th birthday. ♪♪ >> wow. >> happy birthday. good morning, everybody. welcome back to "today."

it is monday. glad you're starting your day and week with us. good morning, sunshine. >> we need a smucker's jar for that wonderful person. >> yes. >> harry smith is working on a good piece coming up. >> in detroit no less. >> for black history month, the series we've been doing called "changemakers." tomorrow, he'll take us to detroit and show us how that city ended up becoming one of the pivotal stops on the underground railroad. that'll be a good one. >> it is. let's get to your news at 8:00. lots to tell you about. dozens of boeing 777s have been grounded following the fiery engine failure this weekend that forced an emergency landing and rained debris on a neighborhood near denver. we want to get the latest. meagan fitzgerald is in colorado. she's been on the story all weekend long. good morning. >> reporter: savannah, good morning. that terrifying incident that played out on friday is putting the boeing 7 aircraft with the

specialty pratt and whitney engine into the spotlight. boeing saying that they should be grounded. united saying they're pull those in the flight out of service. the faa coming out with a statement saying they're requiring stepped up inspections of this planes and all of this prompted by what we saw on saturday. this boeing 777 taking off from denver with 241 people on board enroute to hawaii when it had to turn around for an emergency landing. passengers on board reporting hearing sounds of an explosion. when they looked on the right-hand side of this aircraft they saw an incredible image of the engine on fire mid flight with the entire outside structure gone. we understand that debris continued to fall down from the aircraft littering neighborhoods outside of denver. the ntsb arrived on scene

collecting that debris trying to figure out what happened here but we understand they're zeroing in on the fan blade specific to the engine as a possible cause. savannah? >> meagan, thank you very much. we appreciate it. the u.s. has hit another devastating milestone in the pandemic, with the number of covid-19 deaths in this country now topping 500,000. the first reported fatality came nearly one year ago. by mid-september, the death toll had climbed to 200,000. five months after that, 500,000 covid deaths. gabe gutierrez joins us now from a vaccination center here in new york with the latest. good morning. >> reporter: hoda, good morning. winter weather delayed the shipments of the vaccine and forced the cancellation of thousands of appointments. we're here at the javits center in new york. today, the state is expecting more pfizer doses, more moderna doses are expected later this week. this all comes as the u.s. is hitting that grim milestone.

500,000 covid deaths in the u.s. that is more than world war i, world war ii, and the vietnam war combined. right now, the biden administration says it is confident it will catch up in the vaccine distribution. of the 6 million doses that were delayed, 2 million or so have been delivered. dr. anthony fauci, though, says we're a long way off from herd immunity. he is telling americans to expect to be wearing a mask for about another year, although he says the country could reach some level of normality by the fall. hoda. >> gabe gutierrez, thank you. now an embarrassing controversy surrounding a california school board. several members caught on a hot microphone mocking parents during an online meeting. a few minutes in, they realized they had an unexpected audience. here's nbc's kathy park. >> reporter: this morning, all members on a northern california school board are out after a hot mic moment landed them in hot water. >> are we alone? >> yeah.

>> [ bleep ], if you're going to call me out, i'm going to [ bleep ] you up. >> reporter: the board of trustees with the oakley union elementary school board vented about parents in their district during a virtual mee during a virtual meeting last week, unaware that some of them were logged on. >> they don't know what it is like behind the scenes, and it is really unfortunate. >> exactly. >> they want to pick on us because they want their babysitters back, right? >> right >> the candid conversation cuts off when the group realizes they are broadcasting live. >> we have the meeting open to the public right now >> nuh-uh. >> reporter: immediately, outraged parents demanded the members step down. the backlash gaining more momentum through an online petition, calling for their resignations >> it was upsetting. i'm lost for words. >> if my child did that on zoom, he'd be in trouble. >> reporter: by friday, all four members resigned and issued an apology. the board president said her babysitter comment was callous

and uncalled for in a joint statement, the others added, we realize it is our responsibility to model the conduct that we expect of our students and staff, and it is our obligation to build confidence in district leadership our comments failed you in both regards. this viral moment now becoming a lesson for the school community, as it commits to turning the attention back on students and safely returning them to the classroom. for "today," kathy park, nbc news >> that was a teachable moment. >> yes, indeed >> yeah. >> indeed, indeed. >> oh, boy. let's get a boost. >> i got one for you hope you like it so a mom was pleasantly surprised when she saw her two young sons doing an arts and crafts project together. then, it got even better watch. >> who drew that one for you? >> weston. >> why did he draw it for you? >> i don't know. >> because i love you.

>> he loves me >> okay. the mom wrote that it was the purest love she'd ever seen. then a few minutes later, one boy took his brother's favorite marker, and in her words, all hell broke loose anyway, she said she'll take what she can get >> she has it on camera, to prove it happened. >> i'd never seen that in my own house. never seen that. >> so sweet. just ahead, hoda, you took a trip to houston over the weekend. >> i did i got to tell you, this crisis has brought a lot of people together it was a real tough week still a tough time for a lot of folks. we stopped by a food bank, got a firsthand look at the challenges still facing millions of people, and the resilient spirit of houstonians. we'll also show you ways to help out, too first, these messages. we needed to make sure that, if they couldn't get to the food, the food would come to them. we can deliver for food banks and schools. amazon knows how to do that. i helped deliver 12 million meals to families in need.

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from last week's cold and winter storm. >> a lot of our viewers had been watching this and asking how they can help. we have gathered some ways to do so on our website, today.com you can also use your smartphone and scan the qr code you're look at that now. it's on your screen. take a look right there. >> there's a lot of need i traveled to texas over the weekend, got to see how people in houston are holding up. families are having a tough time finding basics, like food and water. how are you? you doing okay >> reporter: over the weekend, cars lined up at trinity klein lutheran church, where a drive-through food bank has been set up what are you in line for what do you need >> we are coming to pick up some of the foods they're handing out. water especially, milk. >> reporter: what is the most impact reaction you've gotten from someone >> tears in their eyes, just >> with hurricanes, you expect this but this is a different kind of storm.

>> reporter: across the city, families like claudia gonzalez's endured hard situations. >> the hardest part is because before my husband used to take care of everything but now he's disabled so - i have to handle everything on my own. so it was really hard. >> reporter: army veteran ortega says his family is lucky to still be here. what were you the most afraid of >> freezing. >> reporter: ortega survived a mortar attack in iraq and more recently, a stroke this storm nearly took his life. >> we tried to keep him warm, but he was in pain. >> reporter: ortega's family burned everything to fight off the cold. what did you burn? >> we burned, like, fences we had. >> the fence pickets, 2 x 4s >> reporter: what was the scariest moment for you during

the time >> i was afraid of going to sleep and not waking up. >> reporter: like so many others in thires ongi, the ortega's home suffered extensive water damage. >> over here is where the was a pipe busted. may be up, but for so many houstonians and texans, this crisis will linger for weeks and months to come >> reporter: mayor sylvester turner says houston need plumbers and supplies, and for some, the ability to pay for day to day needs. >> if you're a mom taking care of kids, and you don't have disposable income, even though you know help is on the way from the federal government, the question is, what do i do between now and then >> reporter: the houston food bank is one of the nation's largest. it'll be in disaster mode for days, says president brian green. and for tens of thousands of families, the impact will be long lasting >> the reality is that it's low-income families who suffer the most

they're the ones that can't afford to make up for the loss of food in the refrigerator or freezer. they're the ones that, if they do have damage in the house or apartment, covering that $50 or $500 or $2,000 expense, they don't have the resources >> teamwork makes the dream work >> reporter: as they did after hurricane harvey, volunteers come out in force, a source of pride for a city that has been through so much. what have you seen that's struck you over these last few days that you said, "wow, i'm so happy that i'm born and raised here in the city"? >> when we are in a moment of crisis, you see texans and houstonians at their very best it doesn't matter who is extending the rope, we just know that rope needs to be extended that's the beauty of being in this state and being in this city >> we saw that kind of grace over and over again. i mean, it still struck me, here we were a week or so later, in the lines are so long, and the

people are still in need these homes are destroyed in a lot of cases i have to tell you, when i was on that line, when i was talking to the folks, i said, "boy, there's love here. that's present." >> even before this happened, because of the pandemic, these food banks in texas, and all over -- >> you know. >> -- have been really stretched. now, you have this it's tough. >> there's still a need. >> yeah. we should mention this, if you want information to help out the texas community, links on today.com. again, you can scan the qr code at the bottom of the screen. a lot of folks need a lot of help >> i'm glad you highlighted the helpers. >> yeah. >> thank you let us turn now to the weather, see how it is shaping up this week i hope some relief down south. >> good news is we don't see a lot, at least for our friends who have been afflicted down south. we do have this frontal system pushing through, low pressure bringing snow to the northeast, rain to the south, a little ice. storm system coming into the pacific northwest. afternoon highs relatively mild down through texas gulf coast on into florida

southwest, as well what we're looking at this afternoon, heavy rain in the pacific northwest with strong mountain snows light snow in the northeast. mild in the plains temperatures back to seasonal in texas. the ohio and mississippi river valleys, as well good morning, i'm meteorologist kari hall. we'll have some warmer than normal weather today as we take a live look outside in walnut creek, it's a sunny start, and it will start out cool but really start to feel a lot milder later today as our high temperatures reach up to near 70 degrees. we are going to be several degrees above our normal temperature for the middle of february, as we check out our palo alto temperatures, 69 degrees. 73 in santa rosa and slightly cooler by the end of the week. the day. >> is it ever. sheinelle doing carson duty this morning. >> "pop start. >> morning. >> we have a jam-packed "pop start" this morning.

first, "the muppet show. all five seasons of the classic program are streaming on disney plus it now includes an offensive content disclaimer on select episodes the streaming giant acknowledging some of the negative cultural stereotypes once depicted in the popular show for a new generation. ♪ it's time to play the music ♪ ♪ time to light the lights ♪ >> reporter: the return of the iconic "muppet show" coming with a serious, new warning streaming platform disney plus which released all five seasons of the show, adding a content disclaimer at the beginning of 18 episodes, warning viewers of the program's negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. adding, these stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it, and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together the advisory coming before

episodes featuring some of the show's biggest celebrity guests. like johnny cash ♪ an old cowboy went riding out one dark and windy day ♪ >> reporter: who appeared in the show's final season, singing in front of a confederate flag. >> in chinese now. >> reporter: episodes with steve martin >> fellas, i really don't find you drilling for oil in my dressing room, but your camel stepped on my guitar and broke it. >> reporter: and kenny rogers, also being hit with disclaimers. >> take three! >> take three? i bet you run a tight ship. >> reporter: jim henson's popular variety series, which premiered in 1976, quickly became a tv classic. bringing together beloved characters like kermit the frog, miss piggy, and fozzi bear, with weekly stars like julie andrews and elton john

45 years later, disney's latest move prompting mixed reaction on social media one user writing, this is a good idea another tweeting, i am saddened that we are now so thin skinned and easily offended that we seem to have to cancel kermit seth macfarlane, actor and creator of "family guy" writing, this might be why we're having so much difficulty gettingshow,f through to the far right "the muppet show," a list of titles receiving advisories on the streaming platform like "p disney plus adding disclaimers to films like "peter pan," "dumbo," "swiss family robinson," each with a stereotypical portrayal of different cultures we reached out to disney plus for comment and haven't heard back along with the added disclaimer, disney plus made "the muppet show" and films available to vow on adult accounts, pulling them from all kids profiles

i hear the tweets already. next up, drew barrymore, today is her birthday. for this morning's episode of her talk show, our own savannah guthrie stopped by you're her guest co-host. >> we had fun. >> what started out as a not so great zoom call with friend, david letterman, i heard it turned into an amazing surprise. look at this. >> can you hear me >> it's the thought that counts, dave. >> yes, we can hear you. >> we can hear you. >> the heck with this. >> can you hear us >> forget it [ applause ] >> hi, everybody ♪ how are ya here, sit down oh, my >> i -- >> going to need the tissues. >> i'm so grateful that you came here >> let me tell you something you know that little trick with the computer the zoomer thing that was my idea >> that was good you still got it >> thank you >> oh, my gosh >> she seemed genuinely moved. >> she was shocked she truly was shocked.

she had no idea. she didn't know anything on the show there were a bunch of surprises. letterman physically walking out and being there. they really talk about, like, you know, when she was on his show for his birthday, back when she was in her 20s. and flashed. >> i remember that >> it's a cool, open conversation with them they're really good, old friends. they hadn't seen each other in a while. >> cool you spent her birthday with her >> it was crazy. i was like forrest gump. like, what am i doing in this historic scene >> amazing >> look at her. >> why am i there? >> still committed to the beard, too. >> he is he was so lovely. >> awesome. >> i'd never met him before. he was super cool. >> awesome. >> he's like the santa from "rudolph the red nose reindeer." >> when does it air? >> today next up, "saturday night live." shall we talk about "bridgerton" rege jean-page hosted this weekend. the most talked about sketch leaned into the craze over

olivia rodrigo's teen heartbreak anthem "driver's license." except if the sketch instead of teens fawning over the song, it's a bunch of guys playing pool look at this. ♪ >> what is this song even about even >> it's about a girl getting her driver's license it's bittersweet because something she and her ex always talked about that's what i get, based on hearing it for the first time right now. >> olivia wrote about josh i basset, now with carpenter. >> are you crying? >> no. it's -- well, it's got m thinking about my breakup. maybe i'm olivia my [ bleep ] ex, gina, is joshua basset ♪ i still see your face in the ♪ >> here's the thing. the song is a hit, if you're wondering, what is going on? obviously, olivia's fans loved the sketch olivia herself tweeted about it, writing in all caps on twitter, "driver's license snl sketch is the best birthday present ever

i'm shaking. she wasn't the only star to respond. her "high school musical" costar joshua basset, the guy who fans think the song is about, posted a sarcastic reaction to the jab at him. >> my [ bleep ] ex, gina, is joshua basset. ♪ happy inside at the same time ♪ >> if you're a teenager, you're going, that's right. >> i have to tell you. this is a moment in "pop start" where i don't understand anything >> i'm not the only one then? >> no, no. i knew the song. >> i'll explain. the only reason i know i this weekend, we were taking a road trip, and my 8-year-old daughter knew every word, forwards and backwards it is a hit. for the youngins -- >> all right >> we'll explain it later. >> thank you, sheinelle. just ahead, a man who has brought inspiration and hope to a lot of people during the pandemic, including me a heartfelt book you'll enjoy charlie coming up, after your local news.

good morning, 8:26, i'm marcus washington, a live look at san francisco airport, and don't expect the number of people traveling to start soaring anytime soon. certainly most industry insiders don't think so. they believe it may take six years for the aviation industry to fully recover. after sfo had 57 million passengers come through in 2019. it had a 71% drop last year, amounting to about 16 million. clear skies for you out there this morning. meteorologist kari hall has a look at that forecast for us. >> and it looks so nice for

today as well as tomorrow with our high temperatures in the inland areas reaching into the low 70s. as we go toward wednesday, the wind will pick up, temperatures will drop just slightly but those winds may be a concern, especially as we go toward the middle to end of the week. we have some more seasonable weather in the forecast for the weekend as well as the dry weather continuing for san francisco, expect those temperatures, mainly in the upper 50s and low 60s, but it will be a little bit milder for the next few days as we reach 70 tomorrow. marcus? >> thanks, kari. another local news update coming up for you in 30 minutes. i'll meet you back here then.

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8:30 monday morning, february 22nd, 2021 ahead, an inspiring story as we begin a new week. >> kate snow spent some time with the first american to receive a second face transplant you will be amazed by her strength, and how she's really embracing life to the fullest, as well. really inspired kate, as well. then hoda, speaking of

inspiring, this is someone that inspired you we've heard you talk about him, and now you did an interview with him. >> you know when you read a book and you're like, who wrote this? charlie mackesy is the author of "the boy, the mole, the fox, and the horse. anyway, it's got all kinds of beautiful imagery and life lessons. i didn't know if it was a kid's book or grown-up's book, but i loved every page i met the guy behind it. he is terrific >> can't wait for that later on, our own harry smith will join us good morning, harry. reflecting on what he calls the constant drumbeat of covid in our lives, as well as some of the bright moments over the past year in 30 minutes on the "3rd hour of today," i'm going one-on-one, not on the court, no, no, with nba legend kevin garnett. mr. garnett is opening up about his childhood, what it was like to be a teenager in the league, and his special bond with kobe bryant

years ago, he made history before this was a thing, he was one of the first players to go from high school right to the nba. he'll spend time talking about that and a learning disability that nearly kept him from doing all of it. >> good conversation coming up on the "3rd hour." we have a celebration tomorrow on "today." carson is going to be back, and we'll be recognizing a huge milestone for the other hit show he's on, "the voice. ten years old. >> hard to believe. >> 20 seasons, too they do two a year, maybe more anyway, it's pretty incredible staying power. >> so cool. a check of the weather >> let's see what we have for you. starting with today, light snow in the northeast, mid-atlantic wet weather through the southeast. heavy rain and snow moving into the pacific northwest. finally mild down through the plains continuing into the mid-week period, rocky snow moves there we are looking a milder in the southeast. toward the end of the week, our next storm coming up out of the gulf of and mississippi river valley more rain out west snow showers around the great lakes.

sunshine through the northeast that's what's going on around the good morning, i'm meteorologist kari hall. live look outside in dublin. we are seeing a lot of sunshine. and a cool start this morning, but a nice warm afternoon ahead. our highs will reach into the low 70s here. livermore reaching 70. 72 today in morgan hill. for the north bay up to 73 degrees in santa rosa. we will have a warm start to the week but then as we go into the midweek section we'll start to see some winds picking up and slightly cooler temperatures through the end of the week. weather. savannah >> al, thank you very much just ahead, the inspiring resiliency of the first american to receive a second face transplant wait until you see her really emotional meeting with the donor's family kate is going to share that powerful story

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we're back 8:35 an incredible story about strength, resiliency, and embracing life. >> yeah. for the first time in this country, a patient has received a second face transplant it happened at brigham and women's hospital in boston. >> nbc's senior national correspondent kate snow joins us this morning with the first, exclusive look at a truly amazing story. hey, kate. >> hey, craig. it really is carman is one of the strongest people i've ever met in 2007, her former husband broke into her home, attacked her with a baseball bat, and then sprayed her with a chemical lye she was burned over 80% of her body her face badly disfigured. she had a first face transplant back when the procedure was very new in 2013. now, she's making history as the first american to have a second face transplant. carman tarlton is proudly

showing off her new face, seven months after surgery here you are. >> here i am very happy >> reporter: the chemical attack left carman blind in her left eye and legally blind in the left she's had 73 reconstructive surgeries. people might wonder how you've had the strength. >> well, my key to that success is not focusing on negative things >> reporter: her first face transplant lasted seven years but, slowly, her body began to reject it. >> when my first face transplant failed, i basically went back to looking disfigured i didn't have eyelids anymore. i lost my lips >> reporter: was it a hard decision to decide to go through it again >> no. so i had said to the doctor, if i'm a candidate, i want to know the chance. >> reporter: this doctor has been carman's plastic surgeo since she was air lifted to brigham and women's hospital 14 years ago.

since her immune system was less sensitive, the second historic face transplant she was better candidate for the second transplant there was still concerns how complicated is it the second time >> the second time is a little worse in some ways, because we're dealing with a lot of unknowns again. >> reporter: a team of 40 performed the complex surgery. it took 20 hours over 2 days >> we were incredibly lucky and found a donor that had a lot of characteristics common with carman's own body. something that you would hope for a sibling to have. >> reporter: when you look in the mirror, do you see yourself? >> this is my face it was given to me it's not the original face i was born with. every time i looked in the mirror, i think of casey >> reporter: casey harrington was 36 years old with a 15-year-old daughter she struggled with heroin abuse.

last july when she overdosed o fentanyl, they couldn't bring her brain function back. she once told her sister-in-law bobby she wanted to be an organ donor. how many people did she end up saving 'she saved five lives and then the face transplant for carman >> reporter: initially there was hesitation with donating the face. >> our initial reaction was, no, that's not going to be okay. we can't live with that. the more research we did, and recipients, how their lives had changed, the better we felt about it it gave us hope in what would otherwise appear to be a completely hopeless time, especially for her daughter. >> in the most difficult time, you gave me the biggest gift anybody could have given me. >> reporter: when casey's whole family met carman virtually -- >> you do have a lot of her features on your forehead, you have her birthmark.

>> yes. >> her hairline. >> reporter: it was a conversation that helped ease their heartbreak. >> it would be nice after this covid thing passes to actually meet you guys in person. give you all a great, big hug. >> i would love that >> you can kiss my face. >> reporter: the harrington family was moved by carman's positivity everyone who meets her is. >> as a society, we're -- we lean towards the negative. i think the whole world does now. ourselves what doesn't work if i stayed so it is much easier to complain and just talk about amongst ourselves, what doesn't work if i stayed there, i would be what society said i would be you're going to be miserable you're disabled. you're blind you're dependent i didn't listen to any of that i focused on what i was going to do now >> reporter: before her injuries, carman was a nurse now, she tells her story to help others

>> my life expanded greatly, and i had to step into that. to step into that, you need to find your confidence you need to find your stability. you need to find your, you know, your self-worth. i'm excited to see what life has. i have a lot of patience when i'm ready, things will happen and they're already happening. >> reporter: she's inspiring carman told me she only worrie about what she can control the doctors worry about the medical challenges the doctor is hopeful this face transplant, guys, may last longer than the seven years the first one did, maybe even the rest of her life but she's only the second person in the world to have a second face transplant. they don't really know >> kate, we understand that, i guess, the goal of this is more than just how someone looks, right? >> yeah, it is also about the functions of the face, craig just having eyelids will protect

the retina in carman's functioning eye. having a nose to breathe through, lips to speak and eat, that is just as important as it looks. she joked because she has a full left ear now, she can wear an earring, glasses, and face masks. she didn't used to have two ears it's, you know, things we don't even think about she can continue her work as a motivational speaker she really has motivated me. >> remarkable story, kate, on so many levels. thank you. >> thank you, kate. >> thank you for sharing that. coming up next, hoda, i know you're super excited to introduce us to a source of inspiration for you. >> really love this guy. the author of the surprise best-seller, "the boy, the mole, the fox, and the horse," a story of love, friendship, and kindness something we could all use this guy, this writer, illustrator, you're going to illustrator, you're going to loi'm morgan, and there's more to me than hiv.

more love,... more adventure,... more community. but with my hiv treatment,... there's not more medicines in my pill. i talked to my doctor... and switched to... fewer medicines with dovato. prescription dovato is for some adults who are starting hiv-1 treatment or replacing their current hiv-1 regimen. with... just 2 medicines... in 1 pill,... dovato is as effective as a 3-drug regimen... to help you reach and stay undetectable. research shows people who take hiv treatment as prescribed... and get to and stay undetectable... can no longer transmit hiv through sex. don't take dovato if you're allergic to any of its ingredients... or if you take dofetilide. hepatitis b can become harder to treat while taking dovato. do not stop dovato without talking to your doctor,...

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i think you have a quote book. actually, two books about them you love to share with social media. we love when your open our worlds up to people who inspired you. you're about to do it again. >> there is a guy you'll love. british author and illustrator, charlie mackesy. i picked up a copy of this book. it is called "the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse. kind of looks like a children's book, maybe for grown-ups. beautifully imagery, and it stuck with me. the book spent 63 weeks on "the new york times" best seller list released in october 2019 the publisher intended to print 10,000 copies. guess what it sold over a million after talking to charlie, i can see why. it is such a special work of art. >> sometimes, i feel lost, said the boy. me, too, said the mole but we love you, and love brings you home >> i feel like life lessons are

everywhere, but there's something about the ones in this book, that for some reason, seem completely unique. i mean, it says, "sometimes i b" "you'll catch upyobelieve in mee than i do," says the boy "you'll catch up," says the horse. >> you like that story, do you you like that? >> that one, for some reason, hits me right there. which one hits you the most? >> the mole, when he says, what do you want to be when you grow up the boy says, "kind. i always thought as a boy there was so much attention paid on career and so little attention paid to character. i think character is the career, regardless of what money you make i think it's the character in how we treat each other. that's the life we lead. >> me, too me, too. we all forget those, don't we? >> i think, you know, it's what the world is saying. we're all the same we're all just trying to get through. >> was there ever a point in your life where you were trying

to make ends meet, you were working as a waiter or builder, whatever it was, that you thought to yourself, you know what, i have to buckle down? i love my hobby, but i can't live like this forever did you ever think about stopping >> yeah. there were a lot of people who were worried about me, saying, you need to get a proper job take your life seriously i just thought, i listened to the voice inside me rather than the voices on the outside of me, which i think is very important. >> you said you love when your quotes help people was there one reaction that really touched you deeply? >> one of them i got very recently, he was saying that his father is 90 and has alzheimer's. he doesn't know them anymore but he has the book. he told me that the only way they can connect with him emotionally, in any way, is to sit and read the book with him. >> oh, my gosh. >> you have grandfather, son, and grandson, sitting together, reading this book.

that's how they connect. i read that, and i was - i mean, yeah >> wow >> sorry >> i watched you do an interview, and you talked about how people think you're on the other side of the water. you're like, you've got it all figured out. when, really, you're with us over here. >> sometimes it looks like when someone has a book, or they lead or whatever, that they're on the other side of the river saying, i'm on this side this is how you get across i just said, that's not it i think we're all on the same side of the river. we're all trying to work out together how we get across by just figuring it out. you know, i think that's all i was doing when making the book, was trying to figure it out and documenting it. >> there's a lot on every page, but after interviewing you, i feel like i have your heart in my hand right here >> see how he did it there at the end?

he crossed out the end and wrote, "look how far we've come." the life lessons in this book is incredible beautiful gift to give to somebody a run away best seller i get why in one second. by the way, he doesn't even care about the money. he couldn't care less. he said, i just want to pay my rent that's all i'm doing anyway, he's all about the right things. >> yeah. >> charlie mackesy. >> i love it. >> your spirit animal. will you have more >> on the "4rd hour. >> of course you will. >> why not >> there's always more. coming up next, nearly a year into this pandemic, we turned to harry smith to help us honor some of the families who have been hit hardest by this virus and take stock of where we are. first, this is

we are back. 8:51 on this monday morning, with more on the staggering toll of the coronavirus in the united states 500,000 deaths in less than a year. >> it is a somber moment in the pandemic harry smith joins us for some

reflections. good morning. >> good morning. i was watching your interview earlier with dr. jha here's one of the great experts on public health in the worl saying, he never expected us to reach this number. well, the question i think we need to ask is, now what >> the u.s. logs the most lethal week yet of the pandemic. >> covid confusion mixed messages from the white house. >> reporter: the constant drumbeat of covid news. >> now for the battle against the coronavirus. new signs of progress. >> reporter: has been pounding in our heads for a little over a year now [ applause ] >> reporter: there have been days of celebration. >> how are you feeling right now? >> excited >> i love you. i miss you >> reporter: remember the relief we all felt when the vaccines were approved? >> the fda formally authorizes emergency use of pfizer's coronavirus vaccine. >> reporter: bright moments to

be sure. like a drumbeat, like a metronome, the virus doesn't pause, it moves on taking advantage of our lack of diligence about masks or distance, and especially taking advantage of class, ethnicity, and age. it's heartbreaking to be native american, to be black, or hispanic makes it much more likely you'll get sick, be hospitalized, to lose your life. it's not fair, of course, but unfairness for those people didn't start with a germ last january. >> it's exhausting it's overwhelming. >> reporter: day after day, we have heard the pleas of medical workers, a chorus of sorrow and pain. >> i can tell you how many patients i have watched die, watched die alone. >> reporter: it's a burden too much to bear for many. for who is it in the end who holds your loved one's hand, or who holds up a phone when it's time to say good-bye

anguish. no, the click, click, click of the metronome, while slowing some, does not stop. 500,000 lives lost to the coronavirus. it's hard to visualize picture this, the seating capacity of at&t stadium, where the dallas cowboys play, is 80,000 if you were to fill it and empty it, fill it and empty it, six times altogether, and then some, well, that's a lot of fans fans of life, of loved ones, of grand kids, all gone now >> it wasn't some made-up thing. this is a real virus that you've got to take serious. >> reporter: case numbers may be falling, and the rocky rollout of vaccines, while frustrating, are now being administered at almost 2 million americans a day. but we hear from some. they're done with covid. like marathon runners who hit

the proverbial wall, they just want to quit don't, not now >> overall cases in a steep decline. >> reporter: the constant beat of bad news is slowing >> daily case totals are falling. >> reporter: imagine how great it will be when it stops and as for that metronome that keeps ticking, it still is very much still ticking here's a stat you are probably not going to hear today. there's still more than 50,000 people in america hospitalized with covid, even as we speak this is not gone >> it isn't. we have to just keep the faith and keep doing the things we should yes, as you say, harry, there is reason for hope. hugs are coming. >> absolutely. and 41 million have already received at least one dose of

the vaccine. so, you know what? keep on keeping on mask up. get the shot we'll get there. >> almost there. almost there. >> lots to be proud of, too. fastest in history to get a vaccine. we have two, maybe three, four you know, it's so important to pause and reflect, harry, but also to have a lot of hope thank you for providing both today. we'll have a lot more ahead on the third and fourth hours first, on a monday morning, your local news, weather, and these messages on a monday morning, yr good morning, 8:56, i'm marcus washington, california this week starts the process of smoothing out this vaccine rollout. blue shield is taking over the distribution system, and centralizing the entire process. this week the program is supposed to go online in nine counties. so far none in the bay area. counties are still in the dark about what kind of changes to

expect. but, appointment sign-ups are expected to be consolidated on the myturn app. governor newsom admits the process has been confusing and not exactly fair for some a by sanchez is looking closer at the concern about equity when it comes to california's vaccine rollout. she will have a live report in our midday newscast. from our home page, link to details on new details with the vaccine distribution system. a suspect who shot a paramedic and firefighter after shooting and killing a man in east contra costa county. this was over the weekend. we'll have a live report midday. and the supreme court this morning has rejected a bid by donald trump to keep his tax returns secret. our twitter feed has a link to that full story. more local weather in an hour.

today on "california live" -- >> the hollywood sweetheart whose career is on fire. plus, backyard ballet. a california dance troupe makes sure the show will go on. this morning at 11:30 on nbc

bay area. all eyes on a high profile meeting between san francisco's school leaders and the city, the tentative deal aimed at getting students back in the classroom. plus, keeping your lights on during the pandemic. the help with those struggling to make it in the bay. that i can't see her and i can't hug her. not being able to hug is just like somebody has to tie me down. touching someone to say i love you, to hug you... those are the things that i miss. ♪♪ ♪♪

live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza, this is the "3rd hour of today." >> all right. the clock rolled over, on time as always. good morning. welcome to the "3rd hour of today" on this monday, february 22nd. can you believe it's the 22nd of february already? i'm sheinelle, here with dylan, al, and craig. the two of these guys are back. >> welcome back. >> good to be back. >> did you have a good weekend? >> yeah, had a nice time. it's been cold up where we are. >> yeah. >> actually able to get out and walk on our lake up there. >> do they give you -- is there a sign that says it's safe? >> well, there were all these fishermen