Afterwards is, well, just what the Christmas Season is all about. Early today starts right now good morning im valerie castro. Glad youre starting your week with us im Frances Rivera the start of this week brings new hope the u. S. May soon see the approval of a coronavirus vaccine, but as the country anxiously waits, cases and deaths continue to climb as of today, there have been over 14. 8 million infections, and over 283,000 deaths, according to an nbc news tally. The pandemic isnt stopping pope francis from spreading an uplifting message this Holiday Season at his sunday blessing, the pontiff said the Christmas Season provides a sign of hope in this difficult time his words come as most of california enters a new virus lockdown nbcs Meagan Fitzgerald has the latest. Valerie, good morning millions of californians are waking up to some of the most restrictive measures weve seen since the beginning of the pandemic all while state officials do what they can to try to stop hospitals from being overwhelmed. Reporter 33 million californians hours away from a Lockdown People told to stay home, stop gathering, no more inperson dining and reduced retail as Health Officials try to save hospitals in crisis. The governors orders in effect at least through the holidays. The bottom line is if we dont act now, our Hospital System will be overwhelmed reporter fear turning to frustration for restaurant owners. Im losing Everything Everything i own is being taken away from me and they set up a Movie Company right next to my outdoor patio reporter and for so many other workers forced to close down, desperation. Weve been taking one for the team, and there is nothing left to give. Like, nothing left reporter in some parts of Southern California, defines the sheriffs of orange and riverside counties saying they wont enforce the states new stayathome orders. Riverside county Sheriffs Department will not be blackmailed, bullied or used as muscle against Riverside County residents in the enforcement of the governors orders. Reporter even as the virus surges to unprecedented levels in both counties, conflicting messaging and patchwork enforcement causing confusion. It adds a lot of confusion to whos right, whos wrong reporter desperate pleas from the nations top doctors for americans to take this seriously. I want to be very frank to the american people, the vaccines critical, but its not going to save us from this current surge. Only we can save us from this current surge. And we know precisely what to do reporter across the nation no region spared more than 100,000 americans now hospitalized new orders out to contain the crisis eight states adding restrictions in the last week alone families like barbaras who have lost loved ones know far too well how serious the pandemic really is. The pain of losing her father will never go away a lot more families are going to be in my shoes. And it didnt have to be this way. Reporter Officials Say it takes two weeks to see the effects of new restrictions that were put in place, so here in los angeles county, its been 12 days since Outdoor Dining was banned, so its likely we could see the effects of that by the end of this week valerie . Okay. Meagan, thank you. Across the pond, the uk is gearing up for massive covid19 vaccinations brits are becoming among the first in the world to receive that vaccine and the world is watching joining us from london is matt bradley. So, matt, lots of questions here who will get them first and will the queen be vaccinated as well . Yeah, well, actually, the queen will be vaccinated a lot of people saying thats the big first step ensuring celebrities in the u. S. , former president s are doing it, to ensure that people know this vaccine is safe. One of the challenges in issuing the vaccine is ensuring people they can get it, they wont get sick from it the rollout is expected to start here tomorrow in britain and, again, theres been some criticism with which the speed britain has taken up the new virus and basically approved the science behind, but that is still not settled. Even though this information is embarking on the largest vaccine effort ever in its history its going to start tomorrow, mostly for people over 80, and that will include care home workers. And those who are on the front lines of the National Health service, britains prized National Medical service so that effort is going to start rolling out tomorrow the big challenge for reaching people who are so old, people who are over 80, the first target, is that those people are going to have to probably not be able to take the vaccine at the hospitals. They might try to break up that vaccine and distribute it to individual care homes and other places where people can reach it, elderly people can reach it. The problem is, of course, is that this vaccine isnt very mobile it has to be stored at nearly negative 100 degrees favorite, and all right matt, we lost you at the end of that, but glad to hear the update a Pivotal Moment in this pandemic thank you. Meanwhile, here in the states, Health Officials are working on a big plan to help build public trust in the vaccine. Our dr. John torres has more on how denver is stepping up to the challenge. Once the Covid Vaccine is approved, the rollout will be a massive challenge. But one of the biggest hurdles, trust. What theyre going to shoot it directly into you so i dont want it. It may work, it may not work, but im not going to be a guinea pig. Thats why denvers Health Department created an Ambitious Program to connect with underserved communities who need the vaccine most weve been following their progress since september who are the people youre hoping to reach by doing this . The people were trying to reach are people that dont usually Access Health services or go to retail pharmacies so if we think about it, our essential workers which are often black and Indigenous People of color. A challenge, experts say, since many minorities distrust the medical community. Dr. Judith and her team mapped out the citys covid hot spots and spent months building relationships by bringing flu vaccines into those areas. Is this a test run for what youre anticipating doing with the covid19 vaccine yes, this is a test run. The goal . Make it safe, free, fast and friendly the team created local partnerships with leaders and social media bringing popup clinics to shelters, community centers, food banks, even firehouses. For leslie williams, convenience was key. It was super easy and i want to make sure we continue to have these resources in our community. We just checked back in with the team. How did it go we have given over 3300 vaccines mainly flu vaccines in the community. What did they learn host clinics later in the day when people are home from work and school spread the message in many languages. And create trust by pairing the same health teams with local neighborhoods. Whats next for you and this program . What we want to do is take that work, build it out for the Covid Vaccine and then mitigate this pandemic and get people back to work and feeling comfortable about society again. A commitment to building bridges for better health. Dr. John torres, nbc news, denver another member of President Trumps inner circle is battling coronavirus. The president tweeted that his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has tested positive for covid19 the New York Times reports the 76yearold was admitted to Georgetown UniversityMedical Center in d. C. In a tweet, giuliani said he is getting great care and feeling good nbcs Jennifer Johnson has the latest from d. C. Reporter at a Campaign Rally for two Georgia Senate candidates, President Trump ramped up his pressure and publicly shamed georgias republican Governor Brian Kemp to call for a special legislative session to override the Election Results your governor should be ashamed of himself reporter the president reiterated baseless claims of voter fraud. His campaign lost legal challenges in six states and georgia is apparently ignoring his demands. Were certainly not going to move the goal post at this point in the election. Reporter the president spoke before a mostly maskless crowd as covid19 deaths rise and the president s own personal attorney Rudy Giuliani tests positive on thursday an Fda Advisory Panel is expected to grant emergency use of a vaccine. I would say, within 36 hours from approval, potentially the first immunization could be taking place. Reporter Health Care Workers and nursing home residents will be vaccinated first, but federal Officials Say vaccine for the general population will take months and the death toll will mount. The vaccines critical, but its not going to save us from this current surge reporter birx calling on all americans to wear masks and physically distance while acknowledging mixed messages from the white house congress, meanwhile, is still debating a 900 billion coronavirus aid package to help struggling americans. We have a lot of work to do and just a few days to do it. Reporter as lawmakers race to pass the bill, 12 million americans risk lose their Unemployment Benefits the day after christmas. A gritty day on the gridiron capped off a big afc west showdown the broncos had the chiefs numbers in the first half and held Patrick Mahomes out of the end zone for much of the third quarter, but the former mvp found travis kelce for of the 20yard score to take the lead kelce became the first tight end to record his fifth 1,000yard season kansas city wouldnt look back, getting the hardfought victory. The jets just five seconds away from their first victory, but derek carr burst their bubble this pass to ruggs soared right over the defense as they sneak by the jets 3128. And in seattle, the giants overcame a slow start and a blocked punt big blues offense clicked in the second half and the giants upset the seahawks on the road 1712. So after all that, what does new yorks path to the playoffs look like our very own Steve Kornacki was on sunday night football to break it all down. The giants to 57 you see the playoff probability jumps from about 1 in 3 to 45 for the giants and that number, by the way, could grow soon because, look, washington, they still got to play pittsburgh this week, and if washington loses that game, the giants then move a full game ahead of washington and, by the way, they have the tiebreaker over washington as well a noreaster brought heavy rain and strong winds and snow to parts of new england over the weekend. The impacts from the storm caused more than 200,000 people to lose power. Power outages were reported in massachusetts, maine and new hampshire. By yesterday afternoon, power had been restored to more than 50,000 people in the region. Central maine power, which accounts for many of the outages in that state, said their crews are working as quickly as possible to restore power to customers. That is no joke seems like those winter temperatures are here because we are feeling it lets check in now with nbc meteorologist janessa webb hi, janessa, good morning. Hi, ladies. Good morning, everyone we are over that storm system that impacted Northern New England over the weekend now were just in a quieter pattern, but the southeast still dealing with a few rain showers that will move out this afternoon. I think the bigger weather story is the fire danger that is big time across the west into Southern California were under an elevated risk throughout your afternoon, but its the santa ana winds that are going to pick up once again. At least up to 20 to 35 Miles Per Hour northeastoo sunny skies for the southeast into the south this afternoon. Ladies, well take a look at that week ahead coming up. All right looking forward to it, janessa thank you. When we return, a longtime trump loyalist could be stepping down right before inauguration day. And get ready for shipageddon inside the billions of packages going out before christmas entresto helped people stay alive and out of the hospital. Dont take entresto if pregnant; it can cause harm or death to an unborn baby. Dont take entresto with an ace inhibitor or aliskiren, or if youve had angioedema with an ace or arb. The most serious side effects are angioedema, low blood pressure, kidney problems, or high blood potassium. Ask your doctor about entresto. Or high blood potassium. But these days, im not getting out as much as id like to. Thats why i take osteo biflex. It helps with occasional joint stiffness, while it nourishes and strengthens my joints for the long term. Osteo biflex. Because im made to move. Just one look at you. And i know its gonna be. A lovely day. Lovely day, lovely day. Lovely day. Lovely day. Lovely day, lovely day. Shop Pandora Jewelry and receive a free sterling silver bangle as our special gift to you. Kisave it slimeball. Ting her congestion. Receive a free sterling silver bangle ive upgraded to mucinex. We still have 12 hours to australia. Mucinex lasts 12 hours, so im good. Now move kim, no mucinex lasts 3x longer for 12 hours. To save time and stay ahead of the messn dishes as you cook, but scrubbing still takes time. Now theres dawn powerwash dish spray. The faster, easier way to clean as you go. It cleans grease five times faster on easy messes, just spray, wipe, and rinse. On tough messes, the sprayactivated suds cut through grease on contact, without water. Just wipe, and rinse. Get dishes done faster dawn powerwash dish spray. Spray. Wipe. Rinse. Leading the news, attorney general william barr is mulling whether to step down before President Trumps term ends next month. Three people familiar with the matter told the New York Times that barr could announce his departure before the end of the year the report comes a week after the president lashed out at his attorney general over barrs announcement that the Justice Department found no widespread voter fraud. The sources told the times barr has yet to make a final decision and could stay on through january 20th. The holiday delivery deadlines are approaching with a Staggering Number of packages to ship by christmas. Companies are now taking extreme measures, with some even turning to grocery and Food Delivery Companies for help nbcs jo ling kent has details reporter with christmas around the corner, the shipping rush is on, and experts say this year there will be 250 million more packages than Delivery Systems can handle we will be having 3 billion packages to be delivered between thanksgiving and christmas, and that is not counting the millions of packages that will come starting middle of next week for covid19 vaccine. Reporter u. P. S. Stores across the country feeling the strain weve been impacted by huge crowds very long lines. And stressed out employees as well but weve been pushing through. Reporter to meet unprecedented demand, u. P. S. Is hiring more than 100,000 Seasonal Workers on cyber monday, the company hit their max capacity and told drivers to stop package pick up at these bigname stores u. P. S. Telling nbc news it has imposed specific capacity allocations throughout the Holiday Season so it can be reliable for all customers with carriers bracing for 800 million more packages this Holiday Season than last year, major retailers are taking unprecedented steps, turning to grocery and Food Delivery Companies. Instacart now offering sameday delivery for major brands like the disney store, bed, bath and beyond, sephora and more. Customers dont have to worry when they pick up an instacart app. Your gifts going to show up on the same day. Reporter experts say if you want free shipping, order by december 11th and to make sure your packages arrive on time, major carriers say order by december 15th. Because if you leave your shopping to the last minute procrastinating your orders this year is going to be very expensive. Reporter shipping fees will only increase as we inch closer to christmas jo ling kent, nbc news got to knock out that list. All right. 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