Last night President Trump said the u. S. Is looking to build two brandnew hospital ships. That process would take years. Two cruise ships with hundreds of sick passengers and crew members are due to arrive in florida today. Several people have tested positive for the coronavirus, and four are dead. Floridians will be allowed to disembark, but the fate of the others is unknown. Abcs gio benitez has more. Reporter as the two Holland America cruise ships approach the florida coast, Amy Lee Jones fears time is running out for her parents on board. Her father has severe pneumonia, her mother has a fever. Theres no time. These people need to get off the ship. There are people even more ill than my father. Reporter the zaandam left buenos aires nearly a month ago. 233 are sick, four passengers are dead. Everyone on board desperate to dock in florida. But floridas Governor Desantis reluctant to let nonfloridians into the state. Clearly were going to be willing to accept any floridians on board. Reporter thats good news for the 49 passengers from florida, but there are still questions about how the more than 250 other americans on the ships are getting home, along with hundreds of foreign travelers. We just got a new statement from Holland America. They say they would plan for travelers fit for travel to go ahead and go straight from the ship to charter flights home under secure conditions with full health protocols. But those who are still sick, they would have to stay on board. No response yet from authorities. Gio benitez, abc news, new york. Our thanks to gio. Coming up next half hour, fauci frenzy. How a 79yearold Infectious Disease expert is getting the cult hero treatment from his face on mugs and tshirts to food. But first, should we be making our own homemade masks . Thats the question. If so, what kind of material should we be using . Lonial penn. 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The Apartment Building where the fire was. When things like this happen, i think you find a new perspective on life. Hi. Red cross put us in a hotel so we were able to stay together. Were strong and, if we overcame that or if we can overcome that, we can overcome anything, so. [ sniffle ] the grand canyon is now closed to visitors. The shutdown took effect yesterday. The move followed a request by a local Health Official to the federal government expressing fears that keeping the park open put workers and visitors at risk. Also in the west, los angeles is reigniting the debate over whether we should all be Wearing Masks when you go out in public. Earlier i spoke with dr. Imran ali, a specialist in hospital medicine at the university of connecticut, about just that. Los angeles right now is recommending masks, face masks, be worn in public. Some people are reposting flyers from the 1918 flu pandemic when people in california were told to wear masks. I want to get your thoughts on this debate. The human cough contains a lot of droplets, some as large as 10 microns. But some as low as 1 micron. Now of course youre not going to be able to catch the small filter the small droplets with the homemade masks. But it still reduced some of the large droplets. So there is some sense in having at least some sort of mask covering yourself. And we want to stress that we do want to save the n95 respirators for our Health Care Workers because theyre really going very close to very sick patients during procedures where respiratory drle theyre at a high, high risk of getting infected. But yes, masks may be the way to go. And i see now in texas that some areas are also starting to start using the masks as well. And we talk about some of these doityourself masks. Are you talking about scarves or bandanas, as perhaps the president suggested . Well, the material in this study was a terrycloth material. It was actually used for filtering tea. So it has to be a specific material. Its very hard to say. Scarves could be made out of cotton, out of thick fabric. I would say the thicker the barrier, the more likely it is to be more useful. Dr. Ali, as the days go on were learning a lot more about the coronavirus. Weve been hearing that people with underlying conditions are most at risk of getting in trouble. But new figures out today show as many as 76 of the people who are hospitalized in l. A. County have no underlying conditions. Is that number shocking to you at all . It seems to be a shocking number, that otherwise Healthy People are requiring hospitalization. Right. It really is shocking. We do have solid data from china and italy that elderly and those with preexisting conditions are definitely at higher risk of dying. But now were seeing people being hospitalized with severe cases of covid who are much younger. And the only theory i have right now, because i dont have all the data to make a definitive answer about why this is, is that young, healthy immune systems can be triggered by this virus and can cause an inflammatory cascade. They can become overactive. And we really want an immune system to defend ourselves. But it also can cause inflammation and cause constriction of the airways in the lungs. And that could be the explanation why these people need to be hospitalized, because their immune systems are so healthy that theyre actually overreacting really violently to this virus. These days a lot of the times that people leave their houses to go to the Grocery Store, so as you can imagine there are a lot of concerns about how people can protect themselves. What is the school of thought on that . What should you do once you go to the Grocery Store and as soon as you bring the items home . We dont have control over everything, so its not unreasonable to wipe down some of the items that you get. Because we do know that viral particles do stay on nonporous surfaces. Now i do want to say that in the video its told you cant get the virus by ingesting things. Its not through the gastrointestinal route. But still it makes sense to wash produce anyway. Dr. Ali, always so informative. What im getting from this, a lot of back and forth. It will be an ongoing debate but he made a great point. As long as youre not hoarding n95 masks that are for medical workers, it doesnt hurt, why dont you grab one. When we come back, the mix, burger king at your home, your way . Come back, the mix, burger king at your home, your way . Over time, you go noseblind to the odors in your home. background music but others smell this. upbeat music thats why febreze plug has two alternating scents and eliminate odors for 1200 hours. Breathe happy febreze. La la la la la. Which is why when it comes to his dentures only new poligrip cushion and comfort will do. The first and only formula with adaptagrip cushioning technology. Choose new poligrip cushion and comfort. About the Colonial Penn program. Here to tell you if youre age 50 to 85, and looking to buy Life Insurance on a fixed budget, remember the three ps. What are the three ps . The three ps of Life Insurance on a fixed budget are price, price, and price. A price you can afford, a price that cant increase, and a price that fits your budget. Im 54. Alex, whats my price . You can get coverage for 9. 95 a month. Im 65 and take medications. Whats my price . Also 9. 95 a month. I just turned 80. Whats my price . 9. 95 a month for you too. If youre age 50 to 85, call now about the 1 most popular whole Life Insurance plan, available through the Colonial Penn program. It has an affordable rate starting at 9. 95 a month. No medical exam, no health questions. Your acceptance is guaranteed. And this plan has a guaranteed lifetime rate lock, so your rate can never go up for any reason. So call now for free information. And youll also get this free beneficiary planner. And its yours just for calling. So call now. Nondrowsy claritin cool mint chewables. Feel the clarity of new the only allergy product with relief of your worst symptoms, including itchy throat. Plus an immediate blast of cooling sensation. Feel the clarity and live claritin clear. Faced the competition and we broke through. Olays retinol24 complex hydrates better than the 100 retinol cream. Visibly smoother brighter skin in just 24 hours. Olay retinol24. Its the time we love, it is time for the mix. Its the time we love, it is time for the mix. Kenneth, if these stayathome orders have taught me anything, it is my hobbies include going to nonessential businesses, going out to eat, and touching my face. I cant seem to stop touching my face. You got the home ec class . You did a home ec class . No, i didnt. Uber eats. So the reason im telling you this is because in the fight against the coronavirus, this company that actually had a gadget, it was a watch that helped people who have compulsive habits like biting their nails or pulling out their hair. So it reminds them every time they make that motion, it buzzes. This time they switched it so that it buzzes every time you touch your face. Buzzes, not shocks. I need a shock collar, thats what i need. Just like the dogs, collars for the dogs. We need collars right now to say, dont suck on your fingers. Eww. You know that video, bloomberg, when he was at the Campaign Office where he dropped out of the race, he was like licking his fingers . Remember that . Fingerlicking good. Speaking of fingerlicking good oh, burger king. Burger king france is spilling the secrets how you can have a whopper your way at home. It requires the top bun, onions, pickles, ketchup, beef patty, lettuce, tomato, followed by the bottom bun. In france they call it le whopper de la quarantine. Somebody took french 101 in high school, i see you. Merci beaucoup. You can make this at home. Thats the way france makes im sure its the same way in the u. S. , right . Security now dont get crazy. I got a complicated order. Mplic theyre not supposed to because theyre not the age. Well, this kid, hes in britain, he watched a show and decided he wanted to look older. So he recruited his friend to help give him a more distinguished look. Listen closely, you can hear his dad ask him whats going on. Oh oh, look at the back there. He got the full george jefferson. My man. These quarantine cuts are getting real rough, arent they . Arent they. Poor guy. Hey, weve seen the videos of the neighbors doing dance parties. We got this one in london to show you. Theyre dancing to tom jones hit its not unusual. Go ahead, take it away, guys. Maybe i should do the carlton right now. Actually, no. Heads up. Im trying to fight all stereotypes. I will not jump up. I wont do it, dont put that an important announcement from abc7 kgotv. On wednesday, april 29, abc7s digital frequency will change. If you watch abc7 with an antenna, you need to mark your calendar and plan to rescan. On april 29th, grab your remote, go to the menu, select setup, choose antenna, and then channel scan or auto tune. Your tv will do the rest. Its that easy. Make sure you can keep watching abc7. Plan to rescan on april 29th. When i have an asthma attack. I feel scared. Sometimes my parents have to take me to the hospital. I feel like a fish with no water. You know how to react to their asthma attacks. Heres wcall. Visit. Or call your doctor. Because. This morning on world news now, president trp this morning on world news now, President Trumps new warning about the coronavirus battle. He says days from now will be horrific. Plus when will the u. S. Reach a turning point . Plus the crisis in new york. The governor says cases wont peak for nearly a month. More First Responders are getting sick. And why are some subway trains still packed . New stories from people with the virus. The teacher who tested positive twice. Cnn anchor chris cuomo who says he has hallucinations and chills so bad he chipped a tooth. And the veteran who beat the virus. Hes 104. And its officially a fauci frenzy. Fans of the nations most famous physician are paying tribute in some interesting ways. The socks, the snacks, the new petition to make him the sexiest man alive. Its thursday, april 2nd. Mama always said being a nerd is cool. Yeah. Science, biology, it will take you somewhere. Surprisingly this man needs security too, because people have been making threats against his life. Yeah, thats definitely on a serious note. Because its gotten a little political there. Hes had to get some security. But he is also a rock star. Theres a lot of positive vibes being thrown dr. Faucis way. Hes saved a lot of lives. We begin with a nation under siege. Nearly 90 of americans are under stayathome orders. More than 215,000 people across the country have been diagnosed with covid19 and the death toll has topped 5,000. President trump is considering new travel restrictions, looking into the possibility of stopping flights between hot spots devastated by this virus. New york Governor Cuomo has said the peak of the pandemic in his state is still a month away. The mayor of los angeles is urging residents to cover their faces in public, but he wants them to reserve the medicalgrade masks for health care professionals. And 45 states have announced the closure of all nonessential businesses with florida, mississippi, and nevada among the latest to issue orders. Abcs Marci Gonzalez has more. Reporter across the u. S. , more than 5,000 deaths now reported from covid19, a startling surge from just one month ago when the virus had killed just one american. Vice president mike pence saying white house modeling suggests the situation in hardhit italy may be the most comparable area to the United States. We believe were in a much better place by june the 1st, if every american will put these guidelines into practice. If we all continue to do our part, we really do believe that by memorial day weekend, by early summer, we can be through the hardest part of this. Reporter and President Donald Trump underscoring the immediate threat. The difficult days are ahead for our nation. Were going to have a couple of weeks, starting pretty much now, but especially a few days from now, that are going to be horrific. Reporter some Health Care Facilities in new york city, like mt. Sinai hospital, pushed to the limits. All these patients here sitting out in the hallways because we are full. Reporter now this Field Hospital set up in central park to treat the growing number of coronavirus patients. Stayathome orders in place there and in most other states, including florida, where two Holland America cruise ships are off the coast awaiting clearance to dock. Between them more than 200 passengers are reporting symptoms and four have died. The governor for now only committing to allowing floridians on board into the state. Theres no time. These people need to get off the ship. Reporter in louisiana, urgent concerns as cases surge and nearly onethird of hospitalized patients are now on ventilators. If these numbers continue, we will be maxed out at hospitals and ventilators by the end of the weekend. Reporter and in connecticut, a devastating update. A 6weekold baby now the youngest known american to die of complications from the virus. Kenneth and mona . Thank you, marci. As the virus spreads, americans are wondering if theyll have to spend summer cooped up at home. Now the nations leading expert on Infectious Diseases said we wont necessarily have to wait for a vaccine before easing social distancing rules and he explained what it would take. I think if we get to the part of the curve that dr. Birx showed yesterday, when it goes down to essentially no new cases, no deaths at a period of time, i think it makes sense that youre going to have to relax social distancing. The vaccine is still at least a year away. Dr. Fauci says it would help people return to normalcy. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says virus cases arent expected to peak for another few weeks. At the same time, hospital workers are stretched to the limit. One nurse says her job is a, quote, suicide mission. Emts have grim new guidelines for treating patients near death. This morning a new model shows coronavirus cases in new york not peaking until the end of april. Two weeks later than previously believed. This model projects youre going to have a high death rate through july. If this model is correct, this could go through the summer. Reporter the number of patients in new york city alone skyrocketing to nearly 48,000 with more than 1,300 deaths. Governor andrew cuomo is now taking steps to force social distancing, closing new york city playgrounds where kids were seen playing basketball wednesday. How reckless and irresponsible and selfish for people not to do it on their own. I mean, what else do you have to know . What else do you have to hear . Reporter social distancing also apparently not happening on the subways. This video of a standing room only train taken just yesterday. This morning 17 of the nypd is out sick. More than 1,200 officers have tested positive. Governor cuomo says a plan in place would bring in officers from other parts of the state if needed. Iconic places are now being used for ma