Away, can americans keep up this social distancing . That as state and federal leaders continue to debate when and how to reopen their states heres what you need to know at this hour. To start off your week Top Health Officials say the number of new cases has reached a plateau. There are now more than 972,000 americans infected and close to be 55,000 people have died. The white house says social distancing will be the norm for be the next few months. Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator dr. Deborah birx said that the current ways of testing will work through the spring and summer but the u. S. Needs a, quote, breakthrough on testing to reopen. Faced with a growing backlog the irs is bringing back thousands of employees the initial wave includes 10,000 employees at locations, ten nationwide employees were told to bring their own face masks or face coverings. Uk Prime MinisterBoris Johnson is back on downing street after being hospitalized in the icu by the virus a few weeks ago, he will now be leading britains response to this johnson has yet to reveal a plan for lifting the lockdown boston is targeting some of the hardesthit areas. They are partnering with the Massachusetts General Hospital to test 1,000 residents for antibodies theyll focus on areas in east boston, roslindale and dorchester we are beginning a crucial week as more states start the process of easing restrictions be in california the warm weather be be be be be b had people hitting the beach be b this weekend be people not quite social be be be distancing there beaches and parks have seen and be b been some of the first spaces to reopen be but now more businesses are be b considering reopening their doors. For more on this were joined by nbcs sam brock. Sam, good morning. Reporter cori, at movie theaters and restaurants all over the state of georgia a question this morning, to open or not open . Its something that many states are weighing right now as they try to figure out how to revive their stagnant economies as more states across the country prepare to open their doors for business, the stark warning from a Top White House coronavirus official social distancing will be with us through the summer to really ensure that we protect one another as we move through these phases reporter dr. Deborah birx contradicting a suggestion from Vice President pence that the coronavirus could be behind us by memorial day. Dr. Birx also says shes concerned about states coming back online without meeting federal guidelines of two weeks of declining cases were doing hand sanitizers for all of our guests. Reporter in georgia restaurants and movie theaters have the right to reopen like Jay Christopher with at least five locations offering dinein services weve got sanitizers for the table, different buckets that we use for tabletops as well as chairs, and then we also have table x off which means you cant sit there and were sitting every other table in the restaurant reporter but most owners we spoke with are not like Anthony Dinardo of atlantas famed henris, whos keeping seating areas empty. I think people are going to wait and take a wait and see approach and see how things progress over the next week or two and i think everyone will make a decision thats best for their own Business Reporter instead hes donating lunches to First Responders and sticking to takeout. As for movie theaters we have 1 of georgians tests if that. Were nowhere in a state where anyone feels safe going into an indoor space and being around a bunch of other people. Reporter the plaza theater in atlanta hasnt been closed for more than a few days since before world war ii. I have ten employees who are relying me and this theater for their livelihood but im not going to try to make them choose between their livelihood and their lives reporter across the u. S. 18 states are opening shop doors or watching a stayathome order expire in tennessee restaurants have the green light. So nashvilles busy city Center Remains bare the nba is allowing teams in some states to practice. And states like colorado are getting more creative with curbside retail. But in continues to be some defiance were not hiding anymore. Reporter this louisiana pastor defying house arrest for ignoring stayathome orders preaching to his congregation anyway rules broken as others looking to reopen the right way. Back to theaters and the largest one of the entire country, amc, with 600plus locations, says it may not be opening again until june or july as for this historic theater behind me in atlanta, they dont have a timeline to reopen but they are going to be doing private screenings for First Responders with their families in groups of ten or less starting this friday cori, back to you. Be all right, sam, thank you be one in six American Workers have lost their job since the start of this crisis its the highest Unemployment Rate since the great depression. Today President Trump and the nations governors will talk about the economic revival it comes after a string of controversies for the president. Nbcs Kelly Odonnell has more reporter often at the president s side, but dr. Deborah birx is in an uneasy position i think i made it very clear how i interpreted that reporter distancing herself from the president s public brainstorming. Supposing we hit the body with a tremendous whether its ultraviolet or just very powerful light reporter opining about wouldbe remedies involving uv light and disinfectant chemicals that are harmful if ingested two governors said their states poison control hotlines lit up after the president s comments by injection inside or almost a cleaning i also made it very clear and so has dr. Fauci and everyone associated with the task force in clarity around this is not a treatment. Reporter but birx says move on from that controversy to focus on covid19s puzzling unknowns like strokes in some younger victims. We should be having that dialogue about this unique clotting that were seeing reporter from health to hardship the paycheck protection program. Round 2. Tomorrow morning well be open for business. Reporter taking new applications with an additional 322 billion to help Small Businesses retain their workers. The original fund was quickly drained by high demand, leaving many momandpop style owners emptyhanded weve been applying for the ppp loan, have been told were in a queue reporter in phoenix cindy dash hopes for a Second Chance to save her changing hands bookstores that had employed 60 workers. We had to start laying off a third of our employees and these are colleagues and friends and family and that has just been devastating. Reporter the money going out in these two phases is expected to keep paychecks flowing for an estimated 60 million americans the treasury secretary expects this next batch to go quickly as well but he said getting the money out in communities to keep people on payroll is exactly the point. Phillip . All right, kelly, thank you well, cases of coronavirus continue to grow in the United States some states are looking past the pandemic and restarting their shuttered economies. Happening later today the governor of texas is expected to release more details on a plan to reopen the lone star states businesses following covid19 restrictions heres nbcs priscilla thompson. Reporter well, phillip and cori, the governor here in texas has been teasing that upcoming announcement for the past week hes mentioned the possibility of massive reopenings of businesses here. Everything from restaurants and movie theaters to retailers and nail salons. Even churches. But the thing to remember is that texas is a very large state. There are more than 250 counties here and while some have seen outbreaks, there are others that dont have any cases at all. And so he has said that hes going to be very focused on a county by county basis in terms of looking at solutions for how to begin to reopen this economy. Now, i also spoke to a number of Business Owners who tell me they are very excited about the prospect of reopening but are also going to be looking for that timing on monday and thats another thing were going to be watching very closely. Not so much what his announcement is going to be in terms of if that stayathome order will lift and if those businesses will reopen but the how. What is the timeline going to be and what are the Safety Measures that will be put in place to ensure if another outbreak happens, the city and the state is prepared to handle it that will take about two weeks. The rumors and confusion continue to grow about the health and whereabouts of kim jongun. He hasnt been seen in public for two weeks. He may be ill after undergoing surgery. Kim is alive and well south korea says north korea state media has caliper i is joining us live from london. Hi, cal, good morning. Philip, good morning to you. What happened really, the thing that set this off is on april 15th, the north Korean Leader missed a national holiday, the commemoration of his grandfathers birthday who founded the country. He hasnt missed it since 2011 that started the speculation in south korea and in the United States when we heard from intelligence officials pouring cold water on all of this is recent satellite images of the leaders train, believed to be his train, an 820foot train in an eastern city thats an elite area where we know that he goes on vacation. Those satellite images leading many to believe the rumors were not true they were cardiovascular rumors, a rumor he had undergone surgery. As you said, the south korean specifically this morning again saying they dont believe theres anything wrong with him, that north korea has not changed their posture. North Korean State Television as well continuing on with normal programming, something you wouldnt expect if he had fallen ill or died. All of this goes to show we know very, very little about what happens inside the north korea the w. H. O. Was hoping for coronavirus information. Its an information blackout, guys philip, cori. Impossible to get Accurate Information to rely on all right, cal perry joining us from london. Thank you, cal lets turn to your monday forecast lets get a first check of that forecast with nbc meteorologist janessa webb janessa, good morning. Good morning, you two good morning, everyone good to see you. Hopefully you are staying dry this morning because we continue to be in this wet pattern across 2 3 of the nation. And its really a spring pattern that continues to set up well be dry for one day and then another storm system starts to make its way in you can start to see the snow that has already fallen across Northern New England with Winter Weather advisories currently in place for interior new york all the way into the pittsburgh area where we could see possibility of at least an inch of snow but that wet patterns going to continue to stay in place for at least the next 24 hours. Thats a look at the big weather stories of the day completely different weather pattern happening across the southwest with temperatures near 100 degrees this week, guys. Hard to imagine in this corner of the country. All right, janessa, thank you so much kids in new york are helping to lift the spirits of First Responders handwritten letters and drawings, they were all delivered to the levittown volunteer fire department. Children of all ages joined the letters to our Heroes Campaign to say thank you the First Responders said that these words of encouragement go a long way during this difficult time the youngest letter they received from a 2yearold all right. Up next, a heartwarming moment outside a st. Louis hospital plus dance floors are dark and graduation stages empty. How High School Seniors are coping with having to miss out on lifes big milestones o miss t on lifes big milestones try febreze one; a range of innovative air fresheners with no heavy perfumes that you can feel good about using in your home to deliver a light, naturalsmelling freshness. Febreze one neutralizes stale, stuffy odors and releases a subtle hint of fragrance like bamboo or lavender eucalyptus. To eliminate odors with no heavy perfumes, try febreze one. Brand power. Helping you buy better. With moderate to severe treplaque psoriasists uncover clearer skin that can last. 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All strength we aint stoppin believe me go straight till the morning look like we wont wait were taking everything we wanted we can do it all strength, no sweat [ applause ] a special moment from st. Louis. Hospital staff gathering outside to cheer on a Police Officer who was discharged after a monthlong battle with coronavirus. He left the hospital and walked straight into the arms of his wife there First Priority right there. Well, millions of students are missing out on rites of passage because of the pandemic. Families across the country have found their own special ways to make their memories special for their kids its hard not to think about what should have been. Sarah dallof looks at how students are coping. Reporter amelia leahys senior year has been cut short her prom dress going off so is the rest of lacrosse season i was about 50 days away from breaking a 20yearold probably record reporter she understands why but is disappointed. It was such a big impactful part of m leitch and such a good part of my life that i dont want to see it as over reporter its not just seniors. Coronavirus is canceling rites of passage for students of all ages like saying goodbye to friends and teachers, moving to new grades or schools. Parents facing tough questions about whats to come not being able to give answers is very difficult. Its very hard the first thing is to answer honestly reporter dr. Melissa gilliam, an adolescent behavior expert at the university of chicago, says parents shouldnt be afraid to say i dont know or use storytelling to get at the emotions driving questions you can say, you know, this virus, this pandemic, it reminds me of another story of what it feels like to be really scared and this is how i managed it reporter playing games or puzzles gives steeteens and kide chance to open dialogue. When we play something or do something, were focused, were together and its often in those moments that these questions arise that may not otherwise have a space to happen. Reporter families can recognize or recreate missed milestones kayla grace mcswains family brought prom to their front yard im so excited that my parents did this for me. Reporter making those memories in unexpected ways. Sarah dallof, nbc news really feel it is difficult youve got to find any way you can. They have done that all right. Still to come here on early today, just what the doctor order. Saturday night live makes dr. Faucis celebrity wish come true and 100 never sounded so good meet the world war ii veteran whos topping the charts for a good cause t actually was. Dust mite droppings eeeeeww dead skin cells gross so now, i grab my swiffer sweeper and heavyduty dusters. Duster extends to three feet to get all that gross stuff gotcha and for that nasty dust on my floors, my sweepers on it. 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Unless your idea of beauty is having a cotton swab tickle your brain. Also, when he said everyone can get a test, what he meant was almost no one. But until then weeks after dr. Anthony fauci jokingly said brad pitt should play him on saturday night live the show delivered the actor hosted the second stayathome edition of snl and kicked off the shows cold open as dr. Fauci. This was the impersonation we never knew we needed. You know, dr. Fauci deserves to have someone like brad pitt his interpretation of him. I love it. So good and the little bit at the end there that you saw, watch it all the way through. Its a really good little ending all right. The nfls first ever virtual draft brought the stars of tomorrow to the league, but it also brought donations to covid relief efforts the league announced its draftathon raised more than 100 million over three days thatll go to various charities like american red cross, meals on wheels and the Cdc Foundation 99yearold captain tom moore has broken two Guinness World records. He achieved the record for the most money raised by an individual charity walk, raising over 34 million the world war ii veteran also became the oldest person to reach number 1 on the uk music charts with his hit single youll never walk alone. His achievements have earned him the front cover of Guinness World records 2021 he says hes honored to receive the recognition and thankful to those who have donated we cannot get enough of him hes so great. 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To get three times the cleaning power, try clean freak from mr. Clean. High protein. Low sugar. Tastes great high protein. Low sugar. So good. High protein. Low sugar. Mmm, birthday cake. And try pure protein shakes, with 24 vitamins and minerals. Hi, everyone i want to keep you updated on our regional growth rate of covid19 please done be alarmed by this graph. You see a major spike on saturday the good news about this, we had about 47,000 people get tested in new york city compared to 25,000 so we saw that increase in the cases saturday but weve been pretty consistent for the last five days guys sure have janessa, thank you the alligator doing his part to keep one family quarantined there are thoughts that are hard to control. Youre not good enough. But i am enough. And i know what im made of. Put your skin in the game. With a razor that puts your skin first. How do you gaveeno® happy 24 7 . With prebiotic oat. It hydrates and softens skin. So it looks like this. And you feel like this. Aveeno® daily moisturizer get skin healthy™ throughout the pandemic weve seen how the power of music can connect us all and this weekend two big stars led their own sing alongs. Nbcs kate snow has the story. Reporter in San Francisco a crowd, or what passes for one in the time of coronavirus, gathered at a statue of the legendary tony bennett i love you, San Francisco lets sing our song. Reporter he had called them there to pay tribute to the citys health care workers, tirelessly fighting the pandemic the loneliness of paris seems somehow sadly gay reporter san franciscans came out or stayed in to join the song terribly alone you could hear the love letter to the city echoing in cathedrals, inside fire stations, and outside once bustlingf a stage joined in. And the voices of the San Francisco opera brought it all together in San Francisco ringo starr of the beatles wanted people to come together too. For those of you missing singing together, ive got good news so we sailed up to the sun reporter as the animated film Yellow Submarine played on youtube saturday 70,000 people tuned in to sing along to beatles hits in our Yellow Submarine young girls getting into character. In a Yellow Submarine a Yellow SubmarineYellow Submarine ringo sharing this Buddhist Monks rendition of the chorus Yellow SubmarineYellow Submarine and in a time of crisis theres really only one thing we all need all you need is love all you need is love all you need is love, love love is all you need mwah just the best music helps us to celebrate, remember, forget, all the feelings the next thing i want from tony bennett, the best is yet to come. I dont think ive heard that yet. Good one. Ive got that on deck animal control inth had their hands full they had an aggrsie as the crew tried to ease it away animal control had to hose the big guy down with four security guards guiding that gator back home to his lagoon the gator choosing the stop drop and roll method to get home. Stay safe on this monday. Thanks for watching. Im cori coffin. And im phillip as we work to get through these times together, you may not be thinking about blood donation, but blood is needed to save the lives of people who are sick with a range of illnesses. Its easy and safe to give. If you are in good health, please donate. We need heroes now. Visit red cross blood dot org to schedule an appointment. A major week ahead kicks off today with restaurants in georgia opening up a plan for new york to get moving again and the strategy to increase testing on a massive scale social distancing will be with us through the summer to really ensure that we protect one another as we move through these phases the White House CoronavirusTask Force Coordinator predicting some form of social distancing will be needed all summer as the Vice President is pushing for a memorial day opening up