the country citing dramatic drops in covid numbers. new daily cases down 70%. hospitalizations down 40% in the last three weeks. >> my child, my choice! >> reporter: in connecticut, protesters demanding an immediate end to the mandates. but some parents worry it's just too soon. >> i'm feeling like it's premature. i do think they've been effective in keeping kids from getting covid, so it's a double-edged sword. >> reporter: about half of eligible children remain unvaccinated. >> i myself have young children and worry about them every day. so this is not just about one person, it's about our whole community. >> reporter: david, an fda advisory panel is set to review the pfizer vaccine for kids under 5 next tuesday, but the federal government isn't waiting. they are already preparing 10 million initial doses to be sent out to states even before the cdc gives the final sign-off. david? >> whit johnson leading us off tonight. whit, thank you. now the u.s. automakers canceling shifts tonight. the real effects mounting amid