Businesses and rural schools shuttered as the illness spikes again, now reaching every state, infecting thousands and killing more than 100 nationwide in communities big and small, the National Guard deploying to additional regions as more counties order a shelter in place, restricting public gatherings and telling families not to leave home unless necessary. Trying to condense my outside time to as little bit as possible. Reporter the governor of new york says no such order is imminent for new york city, where the usns comfort, floating hospital with 1,000 rooms, will dock next month and where businesses are being forced to operate differently. No more than 50 of the work force can report for work outside of the home. Reporter as Iconic Detroit automakers like ford, gm and chrysler, a symbol of american manufacturing, pull the plug on production, the u. S. Canadian Border is also closing to nonessential traffic. Even College Commencements are being canceled the president urging everyone to stay home. We must sacrifice together because we are all in this together. Reporter facing a shortage of testing kits and an influx in demand, Officials Say those without coronavirus symptoms should not be tested in portland, oregon, clinics are closing temporarily to prepare for an influx of patients. Doctors are worried over the next four to five days, a large spike in cases will be confirmed. It wasnt like any sickness that i had before. Reporter 31yearold laura cope fears she has the virus, but says she cant get tested in chicago. Couldnt sleep and i was sweating through tshirts left and right. That even now its difficult for me to walk up stairs without losing my breath. Reporter amid an ongoing run on supplies at grocery stores, Public Schools across the country are handing out free meals to hungry students after closing their doors. The governor in kansas announced classes are over for the rest of the academic year. Californias governor said the golden state, with its 6 million plus students, could follow suit justin wilheit says the virus is nothing like the flu nothing gets rid of the pain. Nothing gets rid of the symptoms everything the authorities are trying to get you to do, im living proof of why you need to do them. Reporter tonight our country entering a new era as we all witness the changing face of america. In several cities and states across the country, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases actually doubled since last count. Thats a scary trend well likely continue to see and tonight, doctors say they are also concerned about the Homeless Population where the virus could quickly spread and go undetected for sometime lester miguel, thank you you mentioned that expected spike in the coming days the Nations Health care system is feeling the stress already. Health care workers desperate for protective gear and those with symptoms anxious to get tested here is tom costello. Reporter from the nations hospitals to the white house today, an urgent rush to get ahead of a promised tsunami of sick patients. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says the need is now. This is the number one device that we need. Reporter the military now rushing medical gear, including 5 million n95 masks for civilian use and 2,000 ventilators. The hhs National Stockpile now rolling out. In boston, a dedicated hospital will now only treat covid19 patients nationwide, doctors, nurses, and First Responders are short on masks, face shields and gowns. It feels like nothing i have experienced in my 25 years in medicine. Reporter university of new mexico emergency chair Steve Mclaughlin and his family are under home quarantine after he was exposed to a covid patient we know if we make a mistake with our personal protection, that we could also get sick and that adds a really different level, i think, of anxiety to this particular event. Reporter some hospitals even making their own protective shields from trips to home depot, others reusing protective masks. The virus can accumulate on those masks. Taking them off, putting them back on is of concern and knowing exactly how to disinfect those masks is also concerning reporter tonight the government reports 7 of those tested were positive though as testing ramps up, the numbers will also move higher. We will see the number of people diagnosed dramatically increase over the next four to five days. Reporter across the country, long lines for a test or no test at all south dakota is temporarily delayed. At an atlantaarea test site, our team kept six feet distance when Cynthia Eunice approached to say she had been turned away. Its been very frightening. With the symptoms, i dont even go to the hospital no more i just lay in the bed and put up with the shortness of breath. Reporter the red cross also issuing an urgent appeal for blood. Its short 100,000 units were creating a very, very safe environment for people to donate were sanitizing the beds after each donation. We have gloves. Were taking peoples temperatures as they present to the drive. Reporter also tonight, the government is allowing doctors to cross state lines to practice in areas where they are needed most and its pushing pharmaceutical companies to develop therapeutics in the absence of a vaccine. Lester hats off to the medical workers, thank you. Health authorities, trying to stop the spread of the virus, have a growing concern that many young people are still not taking the threat seriously. We sent Kerry Sanders to the beach to find out why. Reporter alarming spring break images from texas to clearwater beach, florida, today as packed as ever. College students say they see the warnings, including to stay out of crowds but if i get corona, i get corona at the end of the day, im not going to let it stop me from partying im worried for older people but not me. Reporter coronavirus exposing a generational divide with authorities pleading for more young people to social distance. We cant do this without the young people cooperating. Reporter just today, a new warning. There are concerning reports coming out of france and italy about some young people getting seriously ill. Reporter sobering news sparking even more outrage over images like these from a Lung Transplant survivor. Selfcenteredness of many who, this is not going to affect me im a Younger Generation were the healthy ones. Reporter some spring breakers told us they know theyre in the spotlight. Is a bad rep earned . Are we seeing your generation ignore what they should be doing . I mean i say no, because i know our university is completely shut down reporter meanwhile, just a short distance from the beach, those most at risk you like the idea were doing the interview like this with this protection . Yes. Reporter 93yearold Shirley Acker told me when she was young, her generation would have heeded the warning we did when we were younger. Reporter whats the difference today they think they know it all thats what i think. They think that theyre better than the children years ago and we just listened thats why i got to be 93. Reporter in the wake of extreme criticism late today, the Clearwater City Commission voted the beach will close down but not until monday lester all right kerry, the battle to get everyone on the same page on this tonight, the Senate Passing an aid package to help those impacted by the virus granting paid sick leave to hourly workers and expanding unemployment insurance, but wall street tumbled once again today. Peter alexander has details. Reporter tonight President Trump casting this crisis as an unprecedented battle. I view it, in a sense, as a wartime president. Thats what were fighting its a very tough situation. Its the invisible enemy its always the toughest enemy, the invisible enemy but were going to defeat the invisible enemy. Reporter more details about one of the ways he wants to fight it, those checks to most americans. The administration calling for two rounds of payments, the first to start going out april 6th. The second, six weeks later. Congress is still negotiating but it remains unclear how big the checks would be and who gets them President Trump also pushing back on his treasury secretarys private warning to lawmakers that if the federal government does not act, unemployment could skyrocket to 20 . I dont agree thats an absolute total worstcase scenario. But no, we dont look at that at all. Reporter meanwhile, tonight hes brushing off frustrations about how some of the rich and famous are getting tests before others. How are nonsymptomatic, professional athletes getting tests while others are waiting in line and cant get them do the well connected go to the front of the line . Youd have to ask them that question ive read [ inaudible no, i wouldnt say so, but perhaps thats been the story of Life Reporter tonight the president is defending calling the coronavirus the chinese virus, despite fierce criticism the term is racist and stigmatizes chinese americans. His own cdc director saying its inappropriate. President trump tonight insisting it is not racist but accurate, he says, because the virus started in china lester Peter Alexander at the white house. Todays selloff on wall street caused the socalled Circuit Breakers to trigger halting trading. The seventh time thats happen in two weeks some wondering what will happen to our financial system, whether they should even consider pulling their money out of banks. Senior Business CorrespondentStephanie Ruhle is here. What should we know . The markets might be ugly but that doesnt mean your money in the bank isnt safe. The u. S. Financial system is stronger now than during the last financial crisis in 2008. Whether your savings are in a traditional or online bank, if its insured by the fdic, your money is as safe as can be in the cities where the virus is more widespread and movements are restricted, its totally understandable that some people are taking a bit more money out of atms, and thats okay if it makes them feel better to have more cash on hand but thats not really necessary, lester important reassurance, stephanie. Thank you. Well be back in 60 seconds with what america can learn from whats happening in europe right now. Also, with so many of us moving work and school online, can the internet handle the surge . Stay with us a grim milestone of the coronavirus pandemic in europe italy devastated with its deadliest day yet. And in the u. K. Dire predictions from experts who say italys crisis could be a sign of whats to come in the u. S Nbcs Richard Engel is in london reporter in italy tonight, infections are spiking the country under lockdown for the past week saw its death toll rise by 475 today. The biggest oneday jump and experts say the u. S. May not be far behind. The respected Imperial College london recently released a study that estimated without any action, 2. 2 million americans could die from the virus, a startling report shared with the Trump Administration tonight, i spoke with the studys lead scientist Neal Ferguson in isolation with a cough and fever awaiting his own test results. I was literally just swabbed five minutes ago by two doctors who came to my apartment here dressed in full protective equipment before they came to the door and swabbed me. Reporter how far behind is the United States compared to italy or other European Countries that have seen pretty big outbreaks . Are we talking days, weeks so i think some areas of the United States are probably a week or two behind italy. Reporter did the United States react too slowly . Is there still time to catch up . Is it too late . I think in some areas your Health System in some areas of the country, your Health System is going to get very, very stressed. Reporter how long are you budgeting that were going to be dealing with this . Probably until we have a vaccine. Reporter were going to have to stay with some degree of vigilance, social distancing, closures until theres a vaccine . Without doubt well be living with the virus for a year or probably 18 months, two years and there will be changes, profound changes to society throughout all that time. Reporter richard engel, nbc news, london. A lot of the people who put this newscast together tonight are doing it in kitchens and living rooms the story across america people learning to operate and work from home but we wondered could the internet withstand all that traffic here is jo ling kent reporter the massive migration online is putting our internet infrastructure to the test in seattle, one of the coronavirus hot spots, Internet Usage spiked 40 in the last week alone there was some panic. Reporter mom, michelle peters, is struggling with working from home and her three kids taking online classes from a single laptop on an ordinary wifi connection i have online resources and things coming from the library and things coming from teachers and now friends all over the country, who are in the same boat, pushing out here is my home school information. And it just is overwhelming. Reporter to ease the burden, the fcc is working with companies to open up wifi hot spots, promising not to cut off any Internet Services for individuals and Small Businesses if they cant pay the bill and waiving late fees. Whether somebody staying home from work or a student doing homework or a patient that needs to get in touch with his or her health care provider, that connectivity will be important in the days to com and the fcc wants to make sure every american keeps and stays connected. Reporter major providers are preparing to increase capacity if needed. At t and comcast, the Parent Company of nbc universal, say theyll lift data caps so users wont pay overage. Cox says it will automatically upgrade internet packages to a faster speed if your Internet Connection is feeling slow, take the devices youre not using off of the wifi and no streaming entertainment or video games when youre trying to get work or homework done and you can always call your Internet Provider to see if theyll up the speed for you lester some good advice there. Thank you, jo ling in the middle of the crisis, three states held democratic primaries. Joe biden sweeping them all. Andrea mitchell with that. Reporter with coronavirus fears looming large, advisers say Bernie Sanders is deciding whether to end his campaign after joe biden swept florida, arizona and illinois tuesday polls showed voters in those states overwhelmingly trusted biden over sanders to handle a crisis in what could be the last inperson primaries this year. Democrats pressing for mailn balloting for the rest of 2020 sanders clearly annoyed when asked by reporters if he is dropping out. Im dealing with a [ bleep ] global crisis. Right now im trying to do my best to make sure we dont have an economic meltdown and people dont die. Is that enough for you to keep me busy today . Reporter his campaign emailing supporters, no sugarcoating it, last night didnt going to way we wanted and no donor butto soliciting contributions the campaign isnt running facebook ads biden is appealing to sanders supporters. Let me say especially to the young voters who have been inspired by senator sanders, i hear you i know what is at stake. I know what we have to do. Reporter sanders heading home to vermont with some advisers wanting him to leave the door open in case things change others saying he has the most leverage now to get policy concessions from biden and unite against President Trump. Lester andrea, thank you. Up next for us tonight, the new coronavirus warning about children all right. Welcome back joining me is our medical correspondent dr. John torres. John, we thought that kids were fairly protected from this virus, but i know theres talk about a new study out there, suggesting otherwise what can you tell us what should parents know lester, we know kids are more vulnerable than we thought they can get seriously sick and they can also transmit the virus. A new study in china looked at 2,000 children infected with the virus and found half had mild symptoms, about 40 had moderate symptoms and about 6 developed severe illness those kids under 5 were most at risk still, if children get the virus, they are less likely than adults to become critically ill, but now we know kids are not invincible this means adults and children must do everything they can to stay healthy including hand washing and social distancing. These are things we all need to do. We continue to learn about this virus dr. John, thank you. Coming up, the party that no one could come to but hundreds of thousands joined in on. Finally tonight, youre homebound. If you cant go to the concert, how about the concert coming to you . Here is kevin tibbles. Reporter the best concert we never went to. Bostons own dropkick murphys, blasting out a st. Patricks day party for the ages no Live Audience in person but hundreds of thousands watching online from around the world we want to help you take your mind off your problems, you know forks a couple of hours. Reporter they roared their approval as the band raised funds for charity. The couch surfers even got into living room crowd surfing, while others joined in thanks, guys, we definitely needed this, fans wrote in working from home feels lonely but with 134,000 friends, it doesnt feel so bad. Well be all right reporter other artists are streaming, john legend, chris martin and keith urban the power of music brings us together even when we were apart. God bless you all. Reporter kevin tibbles, nbc news. 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