  >>> BREAKING NEWS 
  TONIGHT, THE URGENT 
  NEW CORONAVIRUS 
  WARNING FOR YOUNG 
  PEOPLE
  THE STAGGERING NUMBER 
  OF HOSPITALIZATIONS 
  FOR AGE GROUPS
  THAT WERE BELIEVED T
  BE AT LOWER RISK. 
  >> IT FEELS AS IF I 
  SMOKED LIKE A PACK OF 
  CIGARETTES IN A 
  BLIZZARD
  THE AIR FEELS THIN AND
  IT JUST FEELS HEAVY ON
  MY CHEST. 
  >> OFFICIALS PLEADING 
  WITH YOUNG PEOPLE,
  OBSERVE SOCIAL
  DISTANCING GUIDELINES 
  AS U.S. CASES SOAR TO 
  NEARLY 130,000
  >>> ALSO, NEW HOPE FOR
  TREATING THE
  CORONAVIRUS.
  PRESIDENT TRUMP 
  ANNOUNCING THE FDA IS 
  FAST TRACKING TWO 
  POTENTIAL TREATMENTS
  THE BATTLE RAMPING UP 
  AND CONSTRUCTION
  UNDERWAY ON AN
  EMERGENCY HOSPITAL ON 
  THE SOCCER FIELD. 
  >>> ON THE FRONT
  LINES, CRITICAL 
  SHORTAGES AND THE CDC 
  SAYING TO USE SCARVES 
  AND BANDANNAS FOR 
  MASKS AS A LAST 
  RESORT. 
  >>> THE NEW TRAVEL
  WARNING, AMERICANS NOW
  BEING TOLD NOT TO GO
  ANYWHERE
  INTERNATIONALLY.
  IN ITALY, A GRIM
  MILESTONE, THE MOST 
  DEATHS ANYWHERE IN THE
  WORLD.
  >>> A MILITARY
  PROCESSION CARRYING 
  DOZENS OF COFFINS BUT 
  CHINA FOR THE FIRST 
  TIME REPORTING NO NEW 
  CASES.
  SHOULD THE EXTREME
  MEASURES IN CHINA BE
  USED HERE ON THE U.S. 
  >>> SCAMMERS TAKING 
  ADVANTAGE OF THE
  PANDEMIC
  WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 
  TO PROTECT YOURSELF 
  AND OUR EXPERTS 
  ANSWERING KEY 
  QUESTIONS, THE
  PRECAUTIONS YOU SHOULD
  TAKE WHEN FOOD AND
  SUPPLIES ARE DELIVERED
  TO YOUR HOME
  >> Announcer: THIS IS 
  "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS"
  WITH LESTER HOLT
  >>> ALL RIGHT.
  GOOD EVENING
  WE HAVE KNOWN ALL 
  ALONG THIS WAS GOING
  TO GET WORSE, 
  ESPECIALLY AS MORE
  PEOPLE ARE TESTED, AND
  IT CERTAINLY HAS
  SOME STATES AND CITIES
  THE RUNNING TALLY OF
  PEOPLE INFECTED BY
  CORONAVIRUS HAS 
  DOUBLED.
  OVER 3,600 HERE IN NEW
  YORK CITY ALONE.
  AND AS EACH DAY 
  PASSES, SOME OF THE 
  THINGS WE THOUGHT WE
  KNEW ABOUT THIS VIRUS 
  HAVE CHANGED LIKE THE 
  RISK TO YOUNGER 
  PATIENTS
  A LOT OF WHAT WE'LL 
  TELL YOU TONIGHT MAY
  FEEL OVERWHELMING BUT 
  THERE IS PROGRESS ON
  SOME FRONTS INCLUDING 
  THE SEARCH FOR
  TREATMENTS
  OUR TEAM IS READY TO
  GO WITH THE LATEST
  
  WE START WITH MIGUEL
  ALMAGUER. 
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT
  INSIDE INTENSIVE CARE 
  UNITS ACROSS THE
  COUNTRY, THE CDC SAYS 
  NEARLY HALF OF ALL
  CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS
  FIGHTING FOR THEIR
  LIVES ARE YOUNGER THAN
  65
  WHILE OFTEN DEADLY FOR
  THE ELDERLY, THE VIRUS
  IS NOW TAKING MORE
  LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE
  NOT SENIOR CITIZENS.
  THE YOUNG NOT ONLY
  CATCHING THE ILLNESS
  AT HIGHER AND HIGHER
  RATES, BUT ALSO,
  SPREADING IT. 
  TONIGHT L.A. COUNTY 
  ORDERING RESIDENTS TO 
  STAY AT HOME
  MATT SCHULTE HAD THE
  VIRUS FOR OVER A WEEK.
  >> IT FEELS LIKE MY 
  LUNGS HAVE FLUID IN 
  THEM
  THE AIR FEELS 
  IT JUST FEELS VERY
  HEAVY ON MY CHEST.
  >> Reporter: AS 
  OFFICIALS IN
  WASHINGTON STATE
  SCRAMBLE TO BUILD A 
  200-BED HOSPITAL ON A 
  SOCCER FIELD, THE 
  NUMBER OF CORONAVIRUS 
  CASES NATIONWIDE IS 
  HITTING YET ANOTHER 
  MILESTONE, CLIMBING TO
  OVER 13,000, MORE THAN
  HALF THE CASES IN THE 
  COUNTRY COME FROM JUST
  TEN COUNTIES ACROSS 
  THREE STATES
  NEW YORK, WASHINGTON
  AND CALIFORNIA. 
  >> THE NUMBER OF TESTS
  POSITIVE IS 
  INCREASING. 
  >> Reporter: TODAY AT 
  THE WHITE HOUSE, A
  CALL FOR SOCIAL MEDIA 
  INFLUENCERS TO WARN 
  THE YOUNG ABOUT THE 
  VIRUS.
  THE GOVERNOR OF 
  MARYLAND WITH A MORE
  POINTED MESSAGE, AMID 
  SPRING BREAK SCENES 
  LIKE THESE. 
  >> IF YOU ARE ENGAGED 
  IN THIS TYPE OF 
  ACTIVITY, YOU ARE IN
  VIOLATION OF STATE LAW
  AND YOU ARE 
  ENDANGERING THE LIVES 
  OF YOUR FELLOW PEOPLE.
  >> Reporter: WITH THE 
  STATE DEPARTMENT
  MAKING AN 
  UNPRECEDENTED MOVE
  TELLING AMERICANS NOT 
  TO TRAVEL ABROAD, 
  CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES 
  IS OFFERING THEIR 
  SHIPS TO SERVICE
  FLOATING HOSPITALS TO 
  RELIEVE STRESS ON A 
  BURDENED ONSHORE
  MEDICAL SYSTEM
  NOW THE FIRST TWO 
  MEMBERS OF CONGRESS 
  MARIO DIAZ-BALART AND 
  BEN McADAMS HAVE
  TESTED POSITIVE WHILE 
  IN NEW JERSEY SO HAVE 
  SEVEN MEMBERS OF A
  FAMILY
  73-YEAR-OLD GRACE DIED
  JUST HOURS AFTER HER
  SON AND FIVE DAYS 
  AFTER HER DAUGHTER
  CASES IN NEIGHBORING
  NEW YORK ARE
  SKYROCKETING. 
  >> NOBODY CAN TELL YOU
  WHEN THIS IS GOING TO 
  END.
  NOBODY CAN SAY TWO
  MONTHS, FOUR MONTHS,
  NINE MONTHS, NOBODY.
  >> Reporter: AMID 
  GHOSTLY SCENES AS 
  LIKE THIS AROUND
  BOSTON A
  AMERICANS HEED WARNING
  TO STAY AWAY FROM 
  OTHERS, THE U.S.
  CENSUS IS SUSPENDING
  FIELD OPERATIONS AND
  THE CDC SUGGESTED LIVE
  STREAMING FUNERALS TO 
  AVOID CROWDS
  THE NATIONAL GUARD
  NOW DEPLOYED TO OVER
  HALF THE COUNTRY
  >> WITH COVID-19 IT'S 
  LIKE WE HAVE 54 
  SEPARATE HURRICANES IN
  EVERY STATE TERRITORY 
  AND THE DISTRICT OF 
  COLUMBIA
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT
  OUR NATION FIGHTING 
  THE VIRUS AND FEAR AS 
  BOTH SPREAD ACROSS THE
  COUNTRY.
  IN A LETTER TO THE
  PRESIDENT, THE
  GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA
  NOW SAYS OVER THE NEXT
  EIGHT WEEKS, HE 
  EXPECTS MORE THAN HALF
  OF CALIFORNIA WILL
  BECOME INFECTED WITH
  THE CORONAVIRUS.
  THAT'S MORE THAN 25.5 
  MILLION PEOPLE, A 
  STAGGERING NUMBER.
  AND, LESTER, MANY ARE 
  WORRIED COULD OTHER 
  STATES HAVE SIMILAR 
  PROJECTIONS?
  >> ALL RIGHT
  MIGUEL, THANK YOU.
  >>> LET'S TURN TO THE 
  FRONT LINES AND 
  PANDEMIC AND PEOPLE 
  WE'LL LEAN ON THROUGH 
  THIS CRISIS.
  HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL 
  STAFF ARE RUNNING 
  SHORT ON SUPPLIES AND 
  WHILE A VACCINE MAY BE
  MORE THAN A YEAR AWAY,
  THE PRESIDENT SAYS HE 
  IS TRYING TO FAST 
  TRACK POTENTIAL 
  TREATMENTS
  HERE IS TOM COSTELLO. 
  >> Reporter: ON 
  HOSPITAL CAMPUSES 
  ACROSS THE COUNTRY, 
  TRIAGE TENTS HELP 
  MANAGE THE CRUSH OF 
  PEOPLE FEARING THEY'VE
  GOT COVID-19
  ANY NEEDING 
  HOSPITALIZATION ARE 
  ISOLATED
  BRINGHAM AND WOMEN'S
  HOSPITAL IN BOSTON HAS
  AN ENTIRE COVID WING, 
  DOCTORS AND NURSES IN 
  FULL PROTECTIVE GEAR. 
  >> WE'RE SPENDING UP
  TO TWO HOURS AT A TIME
  IN THESE ROOMS WITH 
  ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT
  ON, WHICH IS VERY 
  DIFFICULT.
  YOU CAN'T REALLY
  BREATHE THAT WELL, AND
  IT'S VERY HOT SO YOU
  GET VERY EXHAUSTED
  WEARING IT. 
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT, 
  THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL 
  ASSOCIATION SAYS IT 
  NEEDS $100 BILLION
  IMMEDIATELY TO DEAL 
  WITH THE EMERGENCY AS 
  MED CENTERS NATIONWIDE
  TELL STAFF TO CONSERVE
  MASKS.
  >> IN SOME CASES WHERE
  IT'S AS SAFE AS 
  POSSIBLE TO DO SO,
  ACTUALLY REUSING
  THOSE.
  AND FOR RESPIRATOR
  HOODS AND GOGGLES,
  CLEAN THEM AND REUSE
  LATER.
  >> Reporter: THE
  GOVERNMENT PROMISES 
  MORE ARE COMING AS THE
  CDC RECOMMENDS MAKING 
  MASS MS OUT OF
  SCARVES AND BANDANNAS.
  ALSO TODAY, THE 
  PRESIDENT SAID TWO
  DRUGS APPROVED FOR
  OTHER PURPOSES ARE
  UNDER REVIEW FOR
  COVID-19 PATIENTS.
  CHLOROQUINE, A MALARIA
  DRUG, AND REMDESIVIR
  THEY ARE NOT APPROVED 
  FOR COVID-19, 
  AND MAY NOT WORK
  REMDESIVIR DESIGN FOR 
  THE EBOLA MAY WORK
  BETTER ON CORONAVIRUS.
  CHRIS CANE WAS PUT ON 
  THE EXPERIMENTAL DRUG 
  IN A WASHINGTON STATE 
  E.R. AND HE SAYS HE 
  SAW FAST RESULTS
  >> WITHIN 48 HOURS I
  WAS FEELING A LOT 
  BETTER
  I GOT A FIVE-DAY DOSE 
  OF IT, AND THEN I GOT 
  HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL
  OVER THE WEEKEND SO.
  >> Reporter: THE GOOD 
  NEWS IS MOST PEOPLE 
  THAT CONTRACT THE 
  VIRUS WILL HAVE MILD
  TO MODERATE SYMPTOMS
  AND CAN TREAT AT HOME.
  >> IT'S NOT MUCH MORE 
  THAN GETTING REST,
  STAYING HYDRATED, YOU 
  KNOW, IF YOU HAVE A 
  FEVER, YOU KNOW, MAYBE
  TAKING MEDICATION FOR 
  THE FEVER LIKE
  ACETAMINOPHEN.
  BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT
  THING IS PRACTICE 
  SOCIAL DISTANCING.
  >> Reporter:
  MEANWHILE, WITH YOUNG 
  PEOPLE IGNORING PLEAS 
  TO STAY INSIDE, THE 
  RESIDENT PHYSICIANS 
  AT AVID HOSPITAL
  IN MINNEAPOLIS HAVE 
  THEIR OWN MESSAGE.
  >> WE STAY AT WORK. 
  >> FOR YOU. 
  >> YOU STAY AT HOME.
  >>FOR US. 
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT, 
  THE MASSACHUSETTS 
  MEDICAL SOCIETY SAYS
  THE SITUATION THERE IS
  DIRE, NOT ENOUGH
  PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
  FOR DOCTORS, NURSES 
  AND TECHNICIANS ON THE
  FRONT LINES OF THE
  PANDEMIC. 
  >> THANKS FOR THAT
  REALITY CHECK.
  A LOT OF PEOPLE DO GET
  THROUGH THIS. 
  >>> BREAKING TONIGHT, 
  THE STATE DEPARTMENT
  WARNING AMERICANS NOT 
  TO TRAVEL OVERSEAS AND
  STRANDED AMERICANS
  DON'T WANT TO COME
  HOME. 
  HERE'S ANDREA 
  MITCHELL
  >> Reporter: THOUSANDS
  OF AMERICANS STRANDED 
  STRUGGLING TO FIND A
  WAY BACK TO THE U.S.
  THE STATE DEPARTMENT
  TONIGHT RAISING ITS 
  GLOBAL TRAVEL ADVISORY
  TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL
  TELLING AMERICANS WHO 
  LIVE IN THE U.S. NOT
  TO TRAVEL ABROAD AND
  U.S. CITIZENS LIVING
  OVERSEAS TO STAY PUT
  AMONG THOSE TRYING TO 
  GET HOME, HUNDREDS OF 
  AMERICANS IN PERU,
  WHICH CLOSED ITS
  BORDERS MONDAY
  COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS ARE
  NOT AN OPTION.
  19-YEAR-OLD AIDEN AND 
  HER FRIENDS ARE AT A
  HOTEL OUTSIDE OF LIMA.
  >> IT COULD BE A LOT
  WORSE, AND I THINK THE
  ATTITUDE IS WE'RE VERY
  THANKFUL FOR THE
  RESOURCES WE DO HAVE. 
  >> Reporter: AIDEN'S
  FATHER, A BOSTON
  DOCTOR. 
  >> WE'D LIKE TO HAVE
  THEM ALL BACK WITH US 
  AND SAFELY SOUND BACK 
  HERE IN THE U.S.
  >> Reporter: PRESIDENT
  TRUMP SAYING THE
  MILITARY IS WORKING TO
  BRING THEM HOME.
  >> WE HAVE A GROUP OF 
  YOUNG PEOPLE IN PERU, 
  AND WE'RE WORKING ON
  TAKING CARE OF THAT 
  WITH THE MILITARY.
  >> Reporter: EMBASSIES
  AND CONSULATES ARE
  WORKING WITH SKELETAL 
  STAFF.
  IN MOROCCO, ALL THE 
  U.S. AMBASSADOR COULD 
  DO IS POST A VIDEO
  TODAY.
  >> WE ARE EXPLORING 
  ALL OPTIONS.
  >> Reporter: SMALL
  COMFORT FOR TRAVELERS.
  >> IT'S SCARY FOR 
  AMERICANS BECAUSE WE
  DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE
  GOING.
  WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE
  GETTING HOME. 
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT, 
  THE U.S. EMBASSY IN 
  PERU SENT MESSAGES FOR
  PEOPLE TO SIGN UP FOR 
  COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS BUT
  NO SIGN YET THAT THE
  BORDER IS REOPENING.
  LESTER
  >> ANDREA MITCHELL
  TONIGHT, THANK YOU. 
  >>> TONIGHT, LAWMAKERS
  ARE HASHING OUT THAT
  MASSIVE ECONOMIC AID
  PACKAGE THAT COULD TOP
  A TRILLION DOLLARS AND
  OFFERING SOME NEW 
  DETAILS ABOUT THOSE 
  CHECKS THAT WOULD GO
  TO AMERICANS
  HERE IS PETER 
  ALEXANDER WITH THAT.
  >> Reporter: PRESIDENT
  TRUMP TONIGHT AT FEMA.
  >> FEEL FREE TO CALL
  ME, THE VICE
  PRESIDENT, ANYBODY AT 
  THE TABLE.
  >> Reporter: PRESSED
  BY GOVERNORS ON 
  TELECONFERENCE FOR
  HELP INCLUDING
  DEVASTATED INDUSTRIES 
  IN THEIR STATES LIKE
  IN NEVADA.
  >> UNFORTUNATELY HAD
  TO SHUT DOWN THE STRIP
  IN LAS VEGAS AND TENS 
  OF THOUSANDS OF 
  HOSPITALITY WORKERS 
  HAVE BEEN DISPLACED.
  >> Reporter: THE
  PRESIDENT EARLIER 
  RESPONDING TO 
  BIPARTISAN CRITICS
  DEMANDING TO KNOW WHY 
  HE HAS NOT USED THE 
  DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT
  THAT DAY AFTER
  INVOKING THE LAW TO 
  COMPEL PRIVATE
  COMPANIES TO
  MANUFACTURE 
  LIFE-SAVING SUPPLIES
  LIKE VENTILATORS. 
  >> GOVERNORS ARE
  SUPPOSED TO DO A LOT
  OF WORK.
  FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS 
  NOT TO BE OUT THER
  BUYING VAST AMOUNTS OF
  ITEMS AND SHIPPING
  WE'RE IN THE A
  SHIPPING CLERK. 
  >> Reporter: THE WHITE
  HOUSE WAIVING 
  LIABILITIES SO U.S. 
  MANUFACTURERS CAN SEND
  MILLIONS OF NE
  INDUSTRIAL MASKS MEANT
  FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES
  TO BE USED IN 
  HOSPITALS.
  PRESIDENT TRUMP 
  OVERNIGHT SIGNING A 
  RELIEF PACKAGE THAT 
  PROVIDES PAID SICK
  LEAVE AND UNEMPLOYMENT
  BENEFITS TO THOSE 
  AFFECTED BY THE 
  PANDEMIC, AS WELL AS
  FREE TESTING AND THE
  PRESIDENT OPENED THE
  COMPANIES THAT
  RECEIVED FEDERAL AID
  FOR EXECUTIVE BONUSES 
  OR TO BUY BACK THEIR
  OWN STOCK.
  >> WE DON'T WANT THAT.
  THAT'S VERY HARD TO 
  TELL THEM NOT TO BUT I
  WOULD TELL THEM NOT 
  TO. 
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT, 
  THE SENATE IS 
  UNVEILING ITS PROPOSAL
  FOR THE CHECKS TO 
  AMERICANS AS AN 
  EXAMPLE ANYONE MAKING 
  $75,000 OR LESS WOULD 
  GET $1,200 AND
  QUALIFYING FAMILIES 
  WOULD GET $500 PER
  CHILD.
  >> A LOT OF FOLKS 
  COULD USE THAT, THANK 
  YOU.
  >>> THE IMPACT ON THIS
  PANDEMIC ON AMERICAN
  BUSINESSES IS GROWING 
  MORE DEVASTATING
  UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS 
  NOT SURPRISINGLY ARE
  UP AND A NEW WARNING A
  THIRD RESTAURANT OF 
  JOBS COULD BE LOST IN 
  THIS
  GABE GUTIERREZ HAS
  MORE. 
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT
  UBER DRIVER YASSER
  HUSSEIN IS LOOKING FOR
  WORK
  HE SAYS BUSINESS IS 
  DOWN 90%. 
  >> IT IS SCARY BECAUSE
  YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT 
  YOU'RE GOING TO DO. 
  >> Reporter: ACROSS 
  THE COUNTRY WORKERS IN
  LIMBO ARE SOUNDING THE
  ALARM.
  >> WE'RE ASKING YOU,
  PLEASE DON'T FORGET 
  ABOUT US
  WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. 
  >> Reporter: THE
  NATIONAL RESTAURANT 
  ASSOCIATION IS
  PREDICTING A LOSS OF
  $225 BILLION OVER THE 
  NEXT THREE MONTHS IF
  THE CRISIS CONTINUES
  MEANING 5 MILLION TO 7
  MILLION JOBS COULD BE 
  SLASHED.
  THAT'S ONE-THIRD OF 
  THE TOTAL RESTAURANT
  JOBS IN THE U.S.
  IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, 
  ALREADY REELING FROM
  THE CANCELLATION OF 
  MASSIVE SOUTH BY SOUTH
  WEST FESTIVAL, AUDIO
  ENGINEER RICHARD VANOI
  IS STUNNED. 
  >> IT'S VERY
  UNCOMFORTABLE.
  IT'S A LITTLE 
  DEPRESSING. 
  >> Reporter: THE LABOR
  DEPARTMENT SAYS LAST
  WEEK IT HAD 281,000 
  CLAIMS FOR
  UNEMPLOYMENT
  INSURANCE, A ONE-THIRD
  INCREASE FROM THE WEEK
  BEFORE
  KERRY RYDELL OPENED 
  HER CAFE IN KENTUCKY
  JUST TEN MONTHS AGO.
  NOW SHE'S DRASTICALL
  CUT HOURS FOR 
  EMPLOYEES.
  >> WE HAD PEOPLE
  COMING IN TO USE WI-FI
  TO FILE UNEMPLOYMENT
  HERE IN A CAFE AND SO 
  HOLDING ON TO MY
  EMPLOYEES AND FOR THEM
  TO SEE THAT IS VERY 
  ALARMING. 
  >> Reporter: SOME 
  PLACES ARE HIRING.
  THIS SUPPLY WAREHOUSE 
  FOR THE GROCERY STORE 
  CHAIN SHOP RIGHT IS 
  BUSTLING. 
  >> THE BIGGEST EVENT
  WE HAD PRIOR TO THIS
  IS SANDY. 
  >> Reporter: THE EMPTY
  STREETS ARE ALREADY 
  TAKING THEIR TOLL.
  HOW LONG DO YOU PLAN
  TO STAY OPEN
  >> AS LONG AS 
  POSSIBLE. 
  >> Reporter: IN 
  BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, 
  THIS BARBERSHOP IS
  FIGHTING TO STAY ALIVE
  IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL
  DISTANCING
  THIS BUSINESS HAS BEEN
  IN RALPH'S FAMILY FOR 
  40 YEARS. 
  >> VERY DIFFICULT TO
  SEE SOME OF THE 
  EMPLOYEES HAVE
  FAMILIES AND THEY'RE
  SUFFERING BECAUSE 
  THERE IS NO WORK. 
  >> Reporter: THE SMALL
  BUSINESS
  ADMINISTRATION IS NOW 
  OFFERING EMERGENCY
  LOANS AND LAWMAKERS 
  ARE CONSIDERING 
  EXPANDING THAT
  PROGRAM, BUT SOME 
  ENTREPRENEURS SAY THEY
  MIGHT RUN OUT OF MONEY
  FIRST, LESTER?
  >> GABE GUTIERREZ,
  THANK YOU.
  >>> WE'LL BE RIGHT
  BACK IN 60 SECONDS
  WITH A NEW WARNING
  ABOUT SCAMMERS, YEAH, 
  SCAMMERS TRYING TO
  >>> WE HAVE TO NOTE A 
  GRIM MILESTONE, 
  ITALY'S DEATH TOLL
  TOPPING CHINA, BUT OUT
  OF CHINA WHAT APPEARS 
  TO BE ENCOURAGING 
  NEWS
  HERE IS RICHARD ENGEL.
  >> Reporter: WITH MANY
  EUROPEAN COUNTRIES NOW
  ON WARTIME FOOTING, A 
  HAUNTING IMAGE TODAY
  THE ITALIAN MILITARY
  ESCORTING COFFINS OF
  COVID-19 VICTIMS OUT
  OF THE HARD-HIT CITY
  ITALY OVERTAKING CHINA
  AS THE COUNTRY WITH 
  THE MOST CORONAVIRUS
  RELATED DEATHS
  ITALIAN NEWSPAPERS ARE
  FILLED WITH PAGES AND 
  PAGES OF OBITUARIES.
  AMERICAN TOURISTS IN
  ITALY SAYING THIS 
  COULD BE COMING TO THE
  U.S.
  >> IT'S HARD TO 
  IMAGINE NEW YORK
  LOOKING LIKE THIS BUT 
  IT WAS HARD TO IMAGINE
  ROME LOOKING LIKE 
  THIS BEFORE IT
  HAPPENED
  >> Reporter: FINALLY
  SOME GOOD NEWS TONIGHT
  THAT THE VIRUS CAN BE 
  TAMED IF NOT BEATEN.
  IF CHINA IS TO BE 
  BELIEVED IT HAS NO NEW
  DOMESTIC INFECTIONS 
  FOR THE FIRST TIME, 
  BUT THE COST WAS
  FREEDOM.
  THE ONE PARTY STATE 
  LOCKED DOWN TENS OF 
  MILLIONS, DISOBEDIENCE
  WASN'T AN OPTION
  I SPOKE WITH NEAL 
  FERGUSON, ONE OF THE
  UK'S TOP
  EPIDEMIOLOGISTS.
  DOES THE UNITED STATES
  NEED TO GO LIKE WHAT
  CHINA DID?
  >> UNLESS YOU ROLL OUT
  TESTING ON A MASSIVE
  SCALE AND INNOVATIVE
  APPROACHES TO CONTACT 
  TRACING AND ISOLATION 
  OF CASES, CHINESE ARE 
  NOW DOING, THEN YOU 
  REALLY HAVE NO CHOICE 
  BUT TO REALLY LOCKDOWN
  THE COUNTRY.
  >> Reporter: TODAY, HE
  TESTED POSITIVE FOR 
  THE VIRUS.
  RICHARD ENGEL, NBC
  NEWS, LONDON. 
  >>> HERE AT HOME AS 
  THE CORONAVIRUS 
  SPREADS, THERE ARE
  GROWING CONCERNS FOR
  AMERICANS IN RURAL
  COMMUNITIES.
  OUR STEPHANIE GOSK
  REPORTS.
  >> Reporter: FAR FROM 
  THE DENSELY POPULATED 
  CITIES, RURAL AMERICA 
  MAY SEEM BETTER 
  PROTECTED FROM THE
  CORONAVIRUS, BUT
  HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY
  IT IS A MATTER OF TIME
  BEFORE IT SPREADS 
  EVERYWHERE
  AND PEOPLE HERE COULD 
  BE ESPECIALLY 
  VULNERABLE
  YOU ARE DEALING WITH A
  DEMOGRAPHIC THAT COULD
  BE THE HARDEST HIT BY 
  THIS VIRUS, AREN'T
  YOU?
  >> WE ARE.
  >> Reporter: THE RURAL
  POPULATION IN THE U.S.
  TENDS TO BE OLDER AND 
  GENERALLY LESS HEALTHY
  THAN PEOPLE IN THE
  CITIES, WHILE THE 
  NUMBER OF HOSPITALS 
  PROVIDING SERVICES IS 
  DWINDLING.
  126 HAVE CLOSED IN THE
  LAST DECADE.
  SIX SO FAR THIS YEAR
  AND NOW, A PANDEMIC.
  >> IF YOU CAN IMAGINE 
  A HUGE TIDAL WAVE AND 
  WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE IN 
  THE SHADOW AND WE'RE
  WAITING FOR THE WAVE
  TO HIT. 
  >> Reporter: HE RUNS
  ELLENVILLE REGIONAL 
  HOSPITAL IN THE 
  CATSKILL MOUNTAINS
  WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN
  WORKING AROUND THE
  CLOCK TO PREPARE. 
  >> THIS IS A TRIAGE 
  STATION SET UP FOR
  PATIENTS THAT HAVE FLU
  SYMPTOMS. 
  >> Reporter: HIS
  FACILITY HAS 25 BEDS
  FOR 28,000 PEOPLE, A
  NEIGHBORING COUNTY HAS
  ALREADY ASKED VISITORS
  TO STAY AWAY
  HOW MANY VENTILATORS
  DO YOU HAVE?
  >> WE ONLY HAVE ONE 
  VENTILATOR
  >> Reporter: ONE
  VENTILATOR
  SO YOU CAN HAVE ONE 
  PATIENT WHO NEEDS A 
  VENTILATOR AND WHAT DO
  YOU DO AFTER THAT?
  >> WE TRANSFER THAT 
  PATIENT.
  >> Reporter: IT THE 
  SAME SITUATION AT 
  HOLTON COMMUNITY
  HOSPITAL IN KANSAS
  WHERE THEY ALREADY ARE
  REUSING PROTECTIVE
  GEAR. 
  >> VERY SCARY.
  IN RURAL AMERICA, 
  STAFF WEAR A LOT OF 
  DIFFERENT HATS
  JUST TAKE MY SAFETY 
  OFFICER.
  SHE'S MY INFECTION
  CONTROL NURSE.
  SHE'S MY SAFETY 
  OFFICER.
  SHE ALSO IS MY
  EMPLOYEE HEALTH NURSE.
  >> Reporter: A
  HOSPITAL IN OKLAHOMA
  IS SEEING RESPIRATORY 
  PROBLEMS BUT HAS NO 
  TESTS.
  ONE IN WISCONSIN
  RUNNING OUT OF SWABS
  AND MASKS.
  ANOTHER IN INDIANA
  WORRIED ABOUT MONEY.
  THE NATIONAL RURAL
  HEALTH ASSOCIATION IS 
  WARNING THE RURAL 
  HEALTH CARE WAS 
  ALREADY FRAGILE AND 
  NOW IT'S BEING
  CRIPPLED BY COVID-19
  >>> WITH ALL THIS 
  FEAR, SCAMMERS ARE
  CASHING IN
  NBC'S PETE WILLIAMS ON
  WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR.
  >> Reporter: WANT TO
  KNOW WHERE THE
  CORONAVIRUS HOT SPOTS 
  ARE?
  THIS APP FOR ANDROID
  PHONES CLAIMS TO
  PROVIDE REALTIME
  INFORMATION BUT 
  INTERNET RESEARCHERS
  SAY WHEN DOWNLOADED,
  IT LOCKS YOUR PHONE 
  AND ASKS FOR A RANSOM 
  IN BITCOINS TO UNLOCK 
  IT
  THE FDA AND FEDERAL 
  TRAIN COMMISSION
  WARNED SEVEN COMPANIES
  TO STOP CLAIMING THEIR
  PRODUCTS, INCLUDING 
  TEAS AND ESSENTIAL
  OILS, CAN TREAT THE 
  VIRUS.
  A PHONE SCAM CLAIMS TO
  TAKE RESERVATIONS FOR 
  A VACCINE.
  A PROSECUTOR IN 
  VIRGINIA IS HELPING 
  LEAD THE FEDERAL
  GOVERNMENT'S EFFORT TO
  CRACK DOWN. 
  >> WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT
  SENIORS BECAUSE THEY
  ARE A VULNERABLE
  POPULATION BOTH TO THE
  VIRUS AND SCAMS.
  >> Reporter: AMONG THE
  KNOWN SCAMS, FAKE 
  WEBSITES OFFERING TO
  SELL MEDICAL SUPPLIES 
  NOW IN HIGH DEMAND
  LIKE SURGICAL MASKS,
  PHONY CHARITIES 
  SEEKING DONATIONS,
  OFFERS TO INVEST IN 
  COMPANIES CLAIMING
  THEY CAN DETECT OUR 
  CURE THE VIRUS AND
  EVEN CALLS OR EMAILS
  PRETENDING TO BE FROM 
  DOCTORS WHO CLAIM TO
  BE TREATING A RELATIVE
  AND DEMANDING PAYMENT.
  >> JUST DON'T KNOW
  THAT YOU CAN COMMIT A 
  MORE RUTHLESS AND EVIL
  ACT RIGHT NOW.
  >> Reporter: HIS
  ADVICE, IGNORE CLAIMS 
  OF A TREATMENT AND
  GIVE ONLY TO KNOWN
  CHARITIES AND DON'T 
  FALL FOR SOMEONE
  CLAIMING TO BE A
  DOCTOR ASKING FOR 
  MONEY.
  LESTER. 
  >> PRETTY AWFUL, THANK
  YOU.
  >>> UP NEXT, HOW TO 
  SAFELY HANDLE YOUR
  >>> ALL RIGHT.
  WELCOME BACK
  JOINING US NOW IS 
  JOSEPH FAIR WHO IS
  BOTH AN EPIDEMIOLOGIST
  AND VIROLOGIST
  GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.
  THERE IS A LOT OF 
  QUESTIONS ABOUT THINGS
  WE'RE HAVING
  DELIVERED, MORE BOXES,
  FAST FOOD ORDERS
  SHOULD WE WORRY ABOUT 
  THEM BEING POTENTIALLY
  CONTAMINATED BY THOSE 
  WHO HANDLE THEM 
  BEFORE
  >> ABSOLUTELY WE
  SHOULD WORRY ABOUT
  THEM BEING
  CONTAMINATED
  MY ADVICE WOULD BE
  IF YOU'RE ORDERING
  FOOD, STICK TO HOT
  FOOD AND MICROWAVE
  THEM AFTERWARDS.
  IT'S THE CONTAINER
  THEY'RE IN
  WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER 
  YOU TAKE THEM OUT AND 
  BEFORE YOU EAT
  IF YOU'RE TALKING 
  ABOUT BOXES LIKE FROM 
  AMAZON
  24 HOURS IT CAN LAST
  ON A CARDBOARD
  SURFACE SO LEAVE IT 
  OUTSIDE FOR 24 HOURS
  IF YOU CAN, IF NOT USE
  MAXIMUM PRECAUTIONS 
  ONCE YOU OPEN IT USING
  RUBBER GLOVES, CUT THE
  BOX OPEN, TAKE YOUR 
  GLOVES OFF AND WASH 
  YOUR HANDS AND DISPOSE
  OF THE BOX. 
  >> A LOT OF PEOPLE
  CURIOUS ABOUT THAT
  THANK YOU, JOSEPH.
  >> THANK YOU. 
  >>> FINALLY, SPREADING
  HOPE WITH SEASON'S
  GREETINGS.
  HERE IS JOE FRYER.
  á
  >> Reporter: THE
  HOLIDAYS HAVE A HABIT 
  OF CREEPING UP ON US
  EARLY BUT WHO COULD 
  IMAGINE CHRISTMAS IN
  MARCH?
  >> WE'RE NOT
  CONVENTIONAL. 
  >> Reporter: IN RHODE 
  ISLAND THIS WEEK THE
  GRIFFIN FAMILY PUT
  CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND
  THEIR TREE TO 
  ACCOMPANY THE 
  SHAMROCKS ON THEIR
  HOUSE.
  >> PEOPLE ARE REALLY
  EXCITED ABOUT IT
  THEY SEEM REALLY HAPPY
  TO HAVE SOMETHING 
  BESIDES BAD NEWS IN 
  THEIR FACE. 
  >> Reporter: THEY'RE
  NOT ALONE.
  ON SOCIAL IMMEDIATE,
  YEAH THE #LIGHTS OR 
  LIFE WILL POINT YOU TO
  DECORATIONS SHINING 
  BRIGHTLY DURING THE 
  DARK TIMES
  THE METAPHOR BARBED 
  WIRES SURROUNDING OUR 
  HOMES NOW REPLACED BY 
  STRANDS OF LIGHTS.
  >> WHEN I DRIVE BY, IT
  MAKES ME EXCITED
  IMAGINE WHAT A KID
  FEELS LIKE SEEING THIS
  POPPING UP. 
  >> INDULGE IN A VERY
  IMPORTANT CHRISTMAS 
  TREAT.
  >> Reporter: EVEN THE 
  HALLMARK CHANNEL IS 
  GETTING IN THE SPIRIT 
  WITH A THREE-DAY
  CHRISTMAS MOVIE 
  MARATHON STARTING 
  TOMORROW
  'TIS THE SEASON.
  BECAUSE FOR MANY AS 
  THE SONG SAYS, WE NEED
  A LITTLE CHRISTMAS
  RIGHT THIS VERY 
  MINUTE
  JOE FRYER, NBC NEWS.
  >> I'M IN.
  >>> A REMINDER JOIN US
  TONIGHT AT 10:00
  EASTERN FOR A SPECIAL 
  ON THE CORONAVIRUS
  PANDEMIC ON NBC AND 
  MSNBC.
  THAT'S "NIGHTLY NEWS."
  I'M LESTER HOLT.
  THANK YOU FOR 
  WATCHING, EVERYONE
  PLEASE TAKE CARE AND
  TAKE CARE OF EACH 
