a new milestone in the coronavirus pandemic. half of the u.s. population is now fully vaccinated. but with covid cases still on the rise, especially in unvaccinated areas, the question is when will things turn around. plus, taliban fighters have captured three key cities in northern afghanistan. the question is how will president biden respond as american troops head for the exit? and the tokyo olympics come to a close with the united states edging out china for the most gold medals. the question is are we ready for the winter games to start in less than six months? it is "way too early" for this.

♪♪ good morning and welcome to "way too early," the show that makes waking up an olympic sport. i'm alicia menendez on this monday, august 9th. the united states has hit a milestone in the surge of covid cases. more than 165 million americans are now fully vaccinated against the virus. that is half of the total u.s. population. more than 193 million have received at least one dose. vaccination rates are still low in several states across the south, but in arkansas, mississippi, louisiana, and alabama, cdc data shows that the seven-day average of first doses has doubled since the start of july. florida has set a new daily record in terms of the covid

virus. they had 23,900 cases on friday. 14,000 cases are in the hospital with 2,300 in icu units. some florida schools are moving to remove -- require masks. according to a letter, the palm beach county superintendent writes i am requiring facial coverings inside schools and on buses for all students attending palm beach county district-operated schools, unless the student's parent/guardian chooses to opt out of this requirement. to opt out, a parent has to send a signed note telling the child's first period teacher. it was noted this policy may change in 30 days after it's

re-evaluated. this comes after governor ron desantis signed an order threatening to withdraw funds. on friday it was said the schools could mandate masks with parents opting out. former president donald trump said people should get a vaccine but says parents should be able to opt out. >> i got a vaccine. it took five months. it was supposed to be five years. i'm a big fan. at the same time, i'm a big fan of our freedoms, and people have to make that choice for themselves. i would recommend that they get it and they get it done and they're being protected and the vaccines turn out to be a tremendous thing. i also feel strongly there are some people who do not want to

do it, and i really believe in somebody's choice, somebody's freedom, and that's the way it is. >> former president trump also spoke at a new york state republican party fund-raiser last thursday. according to the "new york post," he encouraged guests to get vaccinated, telling the audience say, quote, i don't want to see anything bad happen to my people. turning now to the capitol hill, the bipartisan infrastructure bill is closer to a final bill. they voted 68-29 in favor of ending the debate on the bill. there will be up to 30 hours of debat before the final votes can be cast. that means the last senate vote on the bill will likely occur tomorrow morning. senate majority leader chuck schumer said they'll begin work on the $3.5 trillion infrastructure package right after it passes. meanwhile former president trump slams it.

quote, joe biden's infrastructure bill will be used against the republican parties in the upcoming elections in 2022 and 2024. it will be very hard for me to endorse anyone foolish enough to vote in favor of the deal. he said they could stop it from passing. quote, kevin mccarthy and republican house members could vote to kill the bill. anna palmer, good morning to you. so far this bill has been all about the senate. it looks like it is headed to the house. talk to me about the timeline for the reconciliation package piece of it. >> yeah. it could actually be as early as 4:00 a.m. that would be about the soonest the senate could vote. it appears they're going to speed toward that, although, we don't exactly know. we think the senate majority leader chuck shucer may say, let's try do this around 10:00

or 11:00 a.m. to your point, we've focused so much on the senate. but things are going to turn quickly to the house, and the politics there are very dicey for speaker nancy pelosi. they're at a very tight margin. and you're starting to see some of the letters and different factions in the house, whether it's the moderates or those who want to get things done. >> you had senator durbin calling that vote margin a challenge, but not wanting to weigh in on the speaker's strategy. you do have any sense how she moves forward? >> right now you're starting to see a divide or rear its head between the moderates and progressives. the moderates are saying, hey, we want to vote on this infrastructure package as soon as possible, while the progressives are wanting to tie it to the resolution some of far the speaker has said she wants

it to be a dual track. that's just a reality. i think the big question's going to be on this bipartisan infrastructure package, if it gets 65-plus votes in the senate, which we do expect, how does that influence some of the republicans, particularly those that are part of that problem-solver caucus? will a couple peel off to help vote for the har gin on that and then this separate budget resolution, can she keep all of her democrats together? that's going to be a real tough test for the speaker. we're watching really closely. >> anna, you add to that, former president trump threatening to take on any republicans who vote for this in the midterms. does that reflect support for the bipartisanship in the house? >> i think the senators have really kind of carved out where they are on this issue, particularly over the last week or so. i do think in the house donald trump's word means a lot for a lot of the members who's numbers

are up. i don't think we ever expected kevin mccarthy or others to get behind it. the questions are going to be about liz cheney arounded a an kinzinger. it's others who he's hoping will say, hey, it's not worth it. i don't want to get in a fight with the president ahead of the 2022 election. >> anna palmer with punch bowel. thanks for waking up with us. taliban forces are seizing control of cities at an alarming rate. it's so serious the u.s. is warning americans to get out of the country now. nbc news correspondent kelly cobiella has more. >> reporter: the police headquarters shown in this taliban propaganda video

apparently abandoned a fleet of trucks left behind. it's yet another blow to the country's crumbling security forces who have lost control of at least three cities since friday. the expertise of the taliban advance as u.s. troops with draw has shocked the west. >> the war in afghanistan has entered a new deadlier and more destructive phase. >> reporter: u.s. forces have provided some air cover to struggling afghan troops but no more than that. >> the president made clear after 20 years at war, it's time for american troops to come home. >> reporter: thousands of afghans have fled their homes and nervous neighbors to the north are holding military drills with russia as fears mount that the instability could spread. still ahead, the olympic flame has been extinguished as the summer games in tokyo come to a close. we're breaking down the medal count. plus, what dr. anthony fauci

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i know getting olympics is a long journey and the pandemic made it especially difficult and draining. it made the impossible even harder, but in you, a country saw itself. it saw it was possible. i want you to know how much watching you compete means to all of us, to me particularly, especially all of those little kids dreaming to be you one day, you. beyond the medals and results, it reminds us we're stronger than we ever thought we were. >> president joe biden's message to team usa as olympics in japan

drew to a close yesterday. the usa pulled off a triumph in what at times seemed impossible in the glow of the pandemic. for many americans, tokyo 2020 will be remembered as the games of gymnast simone biles and the conversations about athletes' mental health. but with the disappointments, the u.s. women's soccer team settling for bronze and the mens settling. there came the rise of caeleb dressel and suni lee and a bright promise of others. alyson felix's two medals raised

her to five games. it makes her the most decorated track athlete in american history. there was the enduring excellence of usa basketball, extending record championship runs for both the men's and women's teams. nine medals from u.s. wrestlers, and the breakthrough gold for the american women's volleyball team. the united states once again on top of the world with 113 total medals including a leading 39 gold ahead of china and the russian olympic committee. meanwhile, thousands gathered near the eiffel tower yesterday to celebrate the handover of the olympic flag from tokyo to paris which will host the summer games in 2024, but not before the olympic torch passing through beijing for the winter games in less than six months away. turning now to be able, toronto blue jays hosting the

boston red sox, two runs, two outs, two runners on base. george springer connects for a three-run go-ahead homer. toronto hangs on to beat boston, 9-8. they beat them out of four games heading to the iowa series against the tampa bay rays. meanwhile the third placed yankees fell 2-0 to the mariners yesterday. first baseman anthony rizzo was pulled from the lineup after testing positive for coronavirus. his manager said he's experiencing some symptoms but he's doing all right. he joins others on the covid-19 list following aen outbreak after they returned last week from playing six games against the race in miami, florida, where toeco individual cases are surging. tied for the weather. we turn to meteorologist bill karins. what's going on? >> we've got a lot going on.

we have the fires in the west, and the biggest of them all, the dixie fire, continues to expand as we went throughout the weekend. new evacuation orders. this is now the second biggest fire in terms of action rectangle burned in california history. it's incredible. devastating. the houses, there's nothing left. just apocalyptic. it's crazy. let's get into the forecast for the dixie fire. that's a big one. it's still warm, a hot week ahead. no rain in sight. what it will depend on is if it's humid or not. the worst problem with the dixie fire, the air quality has been horrendous, especially in colorado over the last couple of weeks some of as far as today goes, the story in the middle of the country is the heat. hot. it's humid. we're still at the peak of the heat season. one of the stories toward the

end of this week, another record-breaking heatwave is under way for the northwest. this will be wednesday to saturday with the peak being thursday to friday. we could be 105 in portland, oregon. not the record breaking we saw earlier this summer, but, still, that's unusually warm for the northwest. as far as the midwest storms go, we have storms waking people up in illinois, and we will see some severe weather today. watch out if you're traveling in and around chicago to lafayette to indiana. 12 people at risk for severe storms, damaging winds, and the possibility of hail. as far as the forecast goes, isolated storm around d.c. enjoy the coolest weather while you can. it's going to get very hot in the northeast this week. notice the heat in the middle of the country. coming our way in the east. 94 on tuesday, 90 in the city. a little bit of evidencing as we head into this workweek. >> that's hot indeed. bill karins, thank you so much.

city ahead in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal, could we see new york governor andrew cuomo impeached? senators will meet today to see if that's a possibility. we're back in a moment. if that's a possibility. we're back in a moment little things, can become your big moment. that's why there's otezla. otezla is not an injection or a cream... ...it's a pill that treats differently. for psoriasis, 75% clearer skin is achievable... ...with reduced redness, thickness, and scaliness of plaques. for psoriatic arthritis, ...otezla is proven.... to reduce joint swelling, tenderness, and pain. and the otezla prescribing information has no requirement for routine lab monitoring. don't use if you're allergic to otezla. it may cause severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. otezla is associated with an... increased risk of depression. tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts.... ...or if these feelings develop. some people taking otezla reported weight loss. your doctor should monitor your weight and may stop treatment.

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shift the focus more on you. ask your doctor about ingrezza. it's simple. one pill, once-daily. #1 prescribed for td. learn how you could pay as little as $0 at ingrezza.com today the committee that could drop potential articles of impeachment against new york governor andrew cuomo will need to discuss sexual assault allegations against him. they'll have to go over attorney general leticia james' report, but members are not ready to go forward with an impeachment yet. before they draft articles of impeachment, they'll wait for a response from andrew cuomo regarding not only sexual harass mnlts, issues with nursing homes, his book, and the construction of the mario m.

cuomo bridge. governor cuomo has until the 31st to respond. he has not been changed, denies any wrongdoing, and he says he will not resign. melissa derosa was mentioned multiple times in the report alleging the governor had sexually harassed multiple women. she said the last few years have been emotional and trying and she thanks her colleagues. in a new quinnipiac university poll, 70% say it's time for cuomo to step down compared to 25% who say he should stay in office. even 57% democrats who elected him to the highest state in office three times say he should resign following the attorney general's report. coming up, vaccines for

educators. plus, will covid booster shots be needed, and if so, who's going to get them first? we'll have that when dr. patel joins us in a moment. before we go to break, email us at waytooearly@msnbc.com or tweet me @aliciamenendez. we're going to read your answers later in the show. to read your s later in the show. with a fresh face for a fresh start. for a limited time get a 5th cartridge free. super emma just about sleeps in her cape. but when we realized she was battling sensitive skin, we switched to tide hygienic clean free. it's gentle on her skin, and out cleans our old free detergent. tide hygienic clean free. hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin.

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welcome back to "way too early." it's just before 5:30 on the

east coast, 2:30 out west. i'm alicia menendez. dr. anthony fauci says he hopes the fda will approve the vaccine by the end of the month. >> i hope, i hope -- i don't predict, but i hope it will be within the next few weeks. i hope it's within the month of august. >> okay. >> if that's the case, you're going to see the empowerment of local enterprises giving mandates. that could be colleges, universities, places of business, a whole variety, and i strongly support that. the time has come as we've got to go the extra step to get people vaccinated. >> meanwhile the fda is working to authorize extra doses of the covid vaccine for those with weakened immune systems as cases surge nationwide. "the new york times" reports people with impaired immune systems such as cancer patients would be able to get an extra

dose legally as opposed to those trying to get the extra shot on their own. it's forcing the teachers union to reconsider mandating vaccines. >> i think that on a personal matter, as a matter of personal conscience, i think we need to be working with our employers, not opposing them, on vaccine mandates. so -- you know, on all their vaccine policies. i said last week i wanted to bring my leadership together, and we are this week to revisit and to reconsider our policy that we passed in october about voluntary -- that the best way to do this was to do it volitionally. >> randi weingarten at the american federation of teachers had initially opposed the ideal of mandating the vaccine. she said now the union is reconsidering it. about 90% of the teachers in the union are vaccinated.

she said one of the biggest concerns is children under 12 are not able to be vaccinated yet. joining us now, dr. kavita patel. she's a former obama white house policy director and msnbc medical contributor. always good to see you. talk to me about the possibility of full fda approval. let's fast forward. how do things look different in light of that potential approval? >> yeah, alicia, it's sooner than we think, according to not just dr. fauci. but folks i've talked to have said the same thing. number one, he's right, there will be a lot more mandates. we're already seeing that pressure. number two, it's something viewers are interested in. we'll start to see off-label use of the vaccine. what does that mean? it's something we do all the time. we use other drugs and things for items and diseases that are not related to the label technically on the package. the reason we haven't been able

to do that with the vaccine is because we have an emergency authorization. practically what that means, is even when it's fully approved, pfizer or others, you can see physicians offers this as third doses've phen we don't have the indications for immunocompromised patients. you can see people offering reductions of a regular dose to children even before we have an emergency authorization. not illegal. some might argue it's unethical given the global vaccine shortage. but i do know this is going to happen. this is why it's important not only to have approval and the licensure, but to have the importance guidance and transparency to americans. we want to know do health care works need this? nursing residences? once it's fully licensed, you can probably give it for any indication unless you give a particular guidance. >> i have two kids under the age of 5.

one is getting ready to go back to pre-k. she's not vaccinated. her sister is not vaccinated. i'm watching the rise in pediatric cases with great concern. what is it we should be watching for with children? >> we need to be doing three things. we need to, number one, make sure your child, even though they're unvaccinated, gets tested. we have been talking so much about the delta variant. we need to make sure we have testing widely available, free testing. number two, that schools are preparing. most schools i've been working with, they have no idea. enduring indoor masks, by the way, if you're in texas or florida, please keep fighting that fight, but if you're in any other state, an indoor mask might not be enough. you need to think about ventilation. with need to think about school

buses, lunnrooms, classes. we need to acknowledge, for some children, it's been a year since they've been in the classroom. some are very excited. some are scared because they share your hesitancy and fear. we need to start getting those school-based clinics that the administration has been talking about stood up today. so those are critical points for any parent to ask about and to consider for their own child as well as getting them properly fitting mask. a flimsy cloth mask is probably not good enough. we've heard about the talk of high-quality masks, even in utah. >> i saw you tweeting that out with great interest. we touched on the possibility of legal booster shots. do you think we're going to see legal booster shots more broadly? >> i do. in terms of -- again, this gets

back to the devil's in the details. i know for a fact we've got mounting detail for those who are compromised. you're also referencing if people got vaccinated early, health care workers, nursing home residents, elderly above a certain age, we're getting more and more data that their immunity is still there, but not what it used to be. do they need a boost. again, i heard the biden administration say they can provide boosters, which i agree with, and also provide the rest of the world a vaccine. we will come to a point of cop tension as you know with the world health organization who wants us to all stand down when it comes to the booster. alicia, planning for september and october, that's now. i think we can do both and we should. >> thank you. still ahead, giving back to uncle sam. the total different price some u.s. athletes will pay for olympic glory. "way too early" is back in a moment. "way too early" is back a moment

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national park. the actress and sister witnessed a man's wife fall face down on the trail. they cleaned her up and gave her water. she awoke and recognized the voice thinking she was watching tv. she received five stichs at the hospital. the olympic glory will live on forever especially for the irs. le decky likely owes the u.s. government about $44,000 based off her two gold and silver medals and sponsorships. not all will be victory taxed. those making less than $1

million a year being exempt. as we say good-bye to the olympics, a new panel is being praised. >> please don't try to do that. i really cannot. okay. >> on your mark, get set -- >> honestly, i wish i had those skills. >> in virginia, some four-legged friends are celebrating wins after competing in, are you ready for it -- the doug olympics. the virginia bar hosted the event. they competed in stunts and a chance to sit on the tiered podium. a portion of the proceeds from

the games will benefit the special olympics. still ahead, texas representative ron reynolds joins us to discuss the ongoing battle of voting rights in his state and across the country. as we go to break, a look at this date in history. 47 years ago vice president gerald ford became the nation's 38th chief executive as president richard nixon's resignation took effect. >> our long national nightmare is over. our constitution works. our great republic is a government of laws and not of man. here the people rule. here the people leru unconventios we see things differently, so you can focus on what matters most. that's how we've become the leader in 5g. #1 in customer satisfaction. and a partner who includes 5g in every plan, so you get it all. i'm dad's greatest sandcastle - and greatest memory! but even i'm not as memorable as eating

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another special legislative session was called on saturday, but democrats blocked it moving forward thanks to not enough of them being there. last month dozens walked out in

order to restrict a voting bill backed by republicans and the groncht they traveled to d.c. to put congress to act. 26 of them will stay in washington for as long as congress is working and making progress on federal voting rights legislation. joining us now, one of those texas democrats still in the capitol, state representative ron reynolds. good morning to you. you're a part of a group of lawmakers suing governor abbott over threats to arrest you and colleagues. talk to me about what you hope to accomplish with that suit. >> good morning, alicia. we're hoping that this suit will stop the governor from his attempts to threaten to arrest us if we return to texas. we are here as you stated in d.c., continuing to advocate for federal voting rights legislation, to stop the voter suppression, jim crow 2.0 law dallas are being implemented in texas and other states around

the country. we have been threatened we will be corralled if we come back to texas and marshaled back to the house floor to make a forum. we know we haven't broken any penal laws in the books. there's nothing illegal about what we're doing. we're simply using a tool that we have available to us to break quorum and an extraordinary measure to stop an extraordinary anti-democracy bill. so we hope that and we believe that today you're going to see great news from a court because we believe that we're going to receive a ruling this morning on our tro, and so that is breaking news here this morning, early morning, for you, alicia, that we believe a judge is going to rule in our favor as early as this morning to stop governor abbott and the republican leadership from continuing to make idol threats against us that we will be arrested once we come back to texas. >> help us understand what that's going to mean moving forward. >> that would mean we would not

be subject to the authority of any law enforcement agency if we come back. we can choose to go back to our districts. we can choose to go help people with covid vaccines and other things in our -- in texas. so we can go freely, moving about, without the fear of hiding. we don't have to be in fear of being in shackles or being arrested at any moment. so many of my colleagues are back in texas, but they, quite frankly, don't feel comfortable leaving their home or going places for fear they may be arrested. so this is a great -- this would be great for democracy and to show that there's overreach, again, by our governor abbott. >> thank you. we always appreciate when our guests off up breaking news. . part of it has to do with texas and part of it is about voting rights across the country.

senate majority leader chuck schumer said there cobe voting this week. if it doesn't pass because of the filibuster, what happens next? >> we're so grateful. we've met with schumer several times. the fierce urgecy now, we've had legislators come across the country, clergy, activists, grassroots. we have a groundwell. there's momentum. we know we're on the right side of history, and we believe there is democratic support for it. unfortunately mitch mcconnell has made it clear the republicans don't want to be statesmen. they don't want to give any bipartisan votes. we believe when it comes on the senate floor, it's likely to fail with 60 votes, but that is the moment we hope those two senators, specifically manchin

and sinema, will reconsider their stance on the filibuster, because if the republicans are recalcy tramt and won't even offer a compromise on something so precious as voting rights, they need to take the nuclear option and pass it on reconciliation so they can vote on 50 democrats and let the president be be the tiebreaker and goat it on the president's desk, which he's already indicated he's ready to sign. >> we'll continue that story. thank you. >> thank you. earlier in the show we asked you why are you awake. andrea writes, i'm up "way too early" as oven social media is sending me birthday wishes. happy birthday to you. and this puppy. nd kelly is also awake early with a pet. i'm up because when rudder is up, there's no sleeping. that's relatable.

gina says i'm up "way too early" with our grandson, first visit. he was born during the pandemic. so many want that moment. up next, a look at axio's one big thing. we'll hear from congressman hakeem jeffries. also a closer look at the vaccine and a closer look at vaccine skepticism. and republican state representative lee johnson will join the conversation. "morning joe" just moments away. . "morning joe" ju mstoments away. their own safelite story. s this couple was on a camping trip... ...when their windshield got a chip. they drove to safelite for a same-day repair. and with their insurance, it was no cost to them. >> woman: really? >> tech: that's service you can trust. >> singers: ♪ safelite repair, safelite replace. ♪ darrell's family uses gain flings now so their laundry smells more amazing than ever. isn't that the dog's towel? hey, me towel su towel. more gain scent plus oxi boost and febreze in every gain fling. (piano playing)

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earlier in the show we talked about the wildfires burning out of control in california. the dixie is now the second largest on record burning from over 25 days. >> reporter: the dixie fire exploding to half a million acres over twice the size of new york city, driving more than 30,000 people out of their homes it's destroyed 600 structures, four firefighters injured during

a fight to cut lines, the flames only 21% contained. california's governor surveying the remnants of greenville. >> people are displaced, many will never return. that's a strategy. you're seeing entire communities wiped off the map. >> the myers family opened their doors to many fleeing the flames. >> he comes and hang out. >> reporter: sheltering displaced neighbors and offering food and water. >> we're lucky because we're still here. >> reporter: bob is one of the many now homeless. >> it came through so fast you couldn't do anything but run. just devastation. just killed me. >> he's grateful for the support. >> someone gave you this trailer after you lost yours. >> right. >> reporter: but rebuilding is going to be tough. >> at my age i think how am i going to start over again? >> reporter: what do you feel when you see this happening? >> this is tradition, sense,

place, lifestyles, identity, memories. >> reporter: an uncertain future in another relentless fire season. joining us now with a look at axios a.m., congressional reporter for axios, alyena treene. good morning. >> good morning. it's great to see you in the chair today. the one big thing is how rising inflation, the border surge and rising crime are all creating this perfect midterm storm for messaging for republicans. and they're really going to be able to drive this home as they're headed back to their districts this month for august recess. we spoke with a number of top democrats and senators who are key to the movement and to the

effort, including john barrasso, rick scott, and also that their internal polling has shown these three issues, crime, the border, inflation, are all things doing well with republican voters and a lot of them are coming to a head. this month, 15 months out from the midterms, and showing inflation especially with democrats planning to pass their $3.5 trillion reconciliation package. all of them are helping give them an extra boost ahead of what they expect to be, a really intense midterm cycle. >> it strikes me that you point out that it's a messaging opportunity not necessarily a policy opportunity. you said that those messages are resonating with republican voters what about persuadable voters? >> well, i think that's something that we have to look

into more with internal polling, especially. i think that persuadable voters, it's hard. one of the big issues that we thought democrats would do well on and their handling of is lauded is their handling of the coronavirus pandemic we're seeing some of that support peel back as the delta variant is surging across the country and as we see a return to indoor mask mandates and potential shutdowns it's starting to be a bit of a liability for the biden administration. that's something that democrats are looking at. of course one has to get a better grip on delta but also messaging on the pandemic as well. that's going to be a big thing for democrats. among immigration, the border, crime, it is something that the persuadables, it's an enticeable message for them. we have to see how it plays out over the next several months. we have a bit of time p before the big crunch for the midterms

but these are some of the key messaging that we know is going to play a big roll for republicans ahead of 2022. >> is your sense that democrats tried to counter punch on their issues or they stick to infrastructure, covid, the issues they know they work for them? >> the latter for sure. they're sticking to the issues they know work for them. this is something we spoke with democrats as well, particularly in different campaign wings of the dcc. looking at is it worth us putting time and attention toward those things. they're saying we're going to focus on what works for us, trying to beat back the pandemic, raising the profile of this massive infrastructure deal, the bipartisan one which is expected to pass as early as tuesday, that's what they're giving a lot of attention to. they're trying not to give any more time and attention to the issues that republicans are peddling. >> thank you for getting up way too early with us this morning.

"morning joe" starts right now. if a local community is having a -- their icu is full and the people at the local schools see that they've got to make sure they stay open because otherwise children miss out for another year of school and they put in policy then the local officials should be listened to, that's the conservative principle. >> you disagree with governor desantis? >> i do. >> senator bill cad cassidy of hard hit louisiana says he disagrees with ron desantis. we'll look at where the virus is spret spreading the most and the toll it is taking on hospitals. plus how the new rise in covid is impacting the economy. we saw a strong jobs report on friday but not everyone is feeling the recovery.

and former president barack obama throws a birthday bash that's raising eyebrows as the pandemic makes a comeback. we'll talk to a new york times reporter about the details of that. plus taliban fighters have captured three key cities. and we'll go to tokyo. where the united states edged out china for the most gold medals. good morning and welcome to "morning joe," it is august 9th. joe is off. we begin with the united states hitting a milestone amid a surge in covid cases. more than 165 million americans are now fully vaccinated against the virus. that's half of the total u.s. population. more than 193 million have received at least one dose. vaccination rates are still low in several states across the south. but