To a divided white house top economic advisers pull the finger of blame as the senate prepares to pass a 3 trillion aid bill and were keeping an eye on the seasons first named Tropical Storm it is monday, may 18th, and early today starts right now good morning. Welcome in im cori coffin. And im phillip dorseip mayna more steps are taking steps towards reopening amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus were approaching 1. 5 million confirmed cases. During an interview with 60 minutes, the chairman of the Federal Reserve said the u. S. Economy may not fully recover without a vaccine for covid19 assume iing of the coronavir i think youll see the economy recover steadily through the second half of this year we cant fully recover, though, until people feel confident that theyre safe Jerome Powell added that Industries Like airlines and sporting events will face some big challenges, but he also says you wouldnt want to bet against the American Economy one business that is ramping up business, apple customers will be required to wear a mask and have their temperature checked. The same requirements in place at disney in florida as shopping and dining resumes on wednesday. Disney issued a blunt warning that all visitors are aconsuming all risks related to exposure to covid19 meanwhile, one person who will not be out in public soon is Martin Scarelli he asked to be freed from prison to work on a coronavirus treatment, but a judge ruled against him calling that request delusional from coasttocoast, sports fans are rejoicing because live competition is slowly making a comeback, with some new covid19 safety measures. Nascar has become the first of major u. S. Spores leagues to restart since the coronavirus pandemic began and professional golf made a soft return with a charity event. Can baseball be far behind here is nbcs morgan chesky. Green flag, nascar is back reporter the return came with a roar. The nascar race a turning point for all sports their seasons cut off by covid19 at darlington raceway, a glimpse of the new normal. Grandstands empty to keep fans safe on a typical race day, tammy rokz makes vacation money turning her front yard into a parking lot. Today its empty. Our town is a race town we love the fans well love the sound of the noise in the background. Reporter now everyone is having to adjust for those at the track, that means temperature checks skeleton pit crews to limit exposure, and drivers masking up if theyre not behind the wheel. I think anybody that comes back first is going to be under a microscope i do, however, im very confident in all the things nascar has done. Reporter in florida, drivers of a different kind. Pro golf back in action with a charity match. The sports biggest names carrying their own bags and keeping their distance to raise money for health care workers. The president himself calling in to emphasize the importance of bringing sports back. Were getting it back, and its going to be fast. Well start off with small crowds, if any reporter other pro leagues racing to adapt, after facing billions in losses in baseball, nbc news confirmed a draft proposal for coronavirus rules. The mlb would test all player, coaches and umpires. And for social distancing even in the dugout. And forget about Sunflower Seeds or tobacco spitting would be strictly prohibited the nfl not far behind commissioner Roger Goodell announcing practice facilities will reopen tuesday as long as state and local governments allow it back in darlington, the familiar sounds a small victory for those who depend on it i know this is still far from normal, but does the race give you at least a little hope yes it does. It makes me feel like if we can all look at life a little differently maybe and not take for granted what was our normal before, and maybe take time to enjoy the moments more reporter and this morning nascar making it very clear that these are not recommendations but very much rules. In fact, should any driver or member of their crew break them, they could be facing up to a 50,000 fine cori well send it back to you. All right, morgan, thank you. As twothirds of the company reopens, tensions escalate between the white house and the cdc after one of the president s top advisers criticize the agency for its handling of the pandemic here is Jennifer Johnson with the latest from washington reporter a divided white house as one of the president s top economic advisers is now blaming the cdc for its initial response to covid19 really let the country down with the testing, because not only did they keep the testing within the bureaucracy, they had a bad test and that did set us back. Reporter but the White House Health secretary disagrees. I dont believe the cdc let this country down. What was always critical was to get the private sector to the table. Reporter only about 3 of the population has been tested for covid19, while almost every state has almost partially reopened a new nbc survey shows states have lost hundreds of billions of dollars from the shutdowns. Health officials still predicting the death rate will hit 110,000 by june. Its possible for us to do better than models and also worse depending what people decide to do reporter churches in georgia allowed to have Indoor Services after a federal court ruled against the governors order to limit gatherings to ten people. He will negotiate with nascar he will negotiate with other people but vaccine. Tremendous progress is being made. Reporter meanwhile, a 3 trillion economic aid bill passed by the house heads to the senate this week republicans say the bill giving taxpayers another 1200 is dead on arrival Jennifer Johnson, nbc news, washington the hot weather is right around the corner, and the coronavirus pandemic could put a damper on summer travel, especially internationally but as cases and deaths decline in most of europe, some countries are lifting some restrictions and reopening borders for that all important Summer Vacation season here is nbcs carl nasmin. Reporter many countries in europe are hoping to reopen for tourism in time for the all important Summer Vacation season were already seeing some of the first steps in terms of getting borders back open. Germany partially reopening with some of its neighbors this weekend. The goal within the eu to get most of those internal borders back up and running as soon as midjune in the meantime, were seeing some Creative Solutions for getting travelers moving between countries. One of those solutions is called a travel bubble. This is already in effect in the baltic states, lit yan withhuana and estonia, three countries where the virus is mostly under control. One another creative proposal would be a traffic light system for regions within country, labeling them as green as safe for travel and red for unsafe. According to the authors of that study, that could be one way to get americans in some cities or some states where the virus is under control over to europe for that welldeserved Summer Vacation of course, the biggest challenge is to get those infection rates under control. In the meantime in the United States carl nasman, nbc news, dresden, germany. Nearly a dozen los angeles firefighters are recovering this morning after being injured while responding to a massive explosion. Officials say it happened at a commercial building in the citys toy district that housed highly flammable butane. Now authorities have opened up a criminal investigation into the incident nbcs dan schenamen has the latest reporter firefighters initially called it routine. A single Story Building in l. A. s toy district on fire early saturday evening as firefighters were cutting open the doors to get inside, and other firefighters were going on the roof, you started to hear this highpitched rumbling sound weve got a massive explosion. Weve got multiple buildings on fire reporter inside the building butane, i is highly flammable. After that initial explosion, things actually got worse. As the butane ignited, it blew out of the front of that commercial building like a blowtorch, right in the path of egress that our firefighters had to come down the ladder. Mayday, mayday, mayday reporter 11 firefighters are hospitalized eight are still there. Four were taken to a burn unit and two placed on ventilators. The good news is everybody is going to make it reporter a Fire Department spokesman said the building was a warehouse for a company that makes Butane Honey Oil its an oil used in vape pens and other products the cause of the fire is under investigation, and authorities have opened a criminal probe dan sheneman, nbc news i want to turn now to some extreme weather thats on the move this morning. A possible tornado touched do unin southern louisiana. At least six people were hurt and families have been displaced from their homes officials are working to evaluate the damage there. Meanwhile, a warning was issued for major flash flooding in chicago overnight. Roads have been closed and people are asked not to travel if possible. Flood warnings will be in effect until this afternoon tracking it all including the seasons first Tropical Storm. Hey, general n jenessa, good mog we have our first trouble system of the season its quite early impacting the North Carolina coast thats why we currently have some watches and warnings that are going to stay in place throughout the afternoon all the way to the evening right now were seeing sustainedsustaine up to 45 miles per hour. The storm system will stay well offshore, but its that coastal areas across South Carolina even into North Carolina that well continue to watch with 90s, even across the deep south. The cloud coverage will be in place with severe weather. Quite early before this tropical system, but were also watching the storms for the ohio valley guys latter, janessa, thank you so much all of this with storms in the stormy season under way, coming up. Two weeks early all right. Weve got a fun story for you this morning nick the siberian husky is celebrating a big win after taking home the title of best in show at thefourth annual Beverly Hills dog show he beat out over 165 other breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club this was nicks first time competing in the show, and his owner said he celebrated with a nice dinner and a long nap in a cold room. Sounds perfect that looks like a fast dog. Hat tip to the late fred willard there. A ski lodge is reopening its doors with strict new guidelines and with the u. S. Postal services in doubt, well take you to ral azourrina where its a vital lifeline to millions of americans. upbeat music thats why febreze plug has two alternating scents and eliminate odors for 1200 hours. Breathe happy febreze. La la la la la. Mucinex cold flu allinone. Fights. Oh no. Nonono. Did you really need the caps lock . Mucinex cold and flu allinone. You try to stay ahead of the mess. But scrubbing still takes time. 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All strength we aint stoppin believe me go straight till the morning look like we wont wait were taking everything we wanted we can do it all strength, no sweat leading the news, the postal could look very different soon the agency is struggling to stay afloat as a new postmaster general prepares to take over early next month this as reliance on letter carriers has only risen with the pandemic, especially in rural towns. Here is nbc political reporter vaughn hilliard. Hello how you reporter while much of america went quiet this spring, the little williams arizona post office, one of thousands across the country, di not. Its a daily routine for me to come in the post office were a Small Community of 3100 people the post office is right up there with number one or two for kind of a place you run into everybody you know reporter as seeing people became more difficult, this constant kept on some of the older generation depends on the Postal Service like i do. I send bills through the mail. Reporter Anita Pettitte has been delivering mail in her jeep across this vast grand canyon region for 33 years. Im a mail gal. I cant do much anything else. Im eligible to retire, but that word isnt in my vocabulary . Reporter why do you keep doing . I just have good customers and i love my job. Reporter so you go 80 miles round trip a lot of it is highway miles. We may not be the brains or the heart of the community, but were definitely the lifeblood of the community have i people that wait for me every day they make my day a lot this homemade salsa today yummy reporter for so many in williams, it isnt just about what ends up in their mailbox, but who makes sure it gets there. How long have you worked for the post office . 40 years, going on 41 reporter describe robin to me. She is kind of like our mother figure. She is a friend to everyone in the Community Pretty much. Dont be a coward over there she knows everybody by name. Here comes tad. Reporter tad, what are you coming in for today . My mail. What would we do without a post office . You have to have one reporter what do you think about the folks inside here that work here . Theyre awesome theyre really awesome theyre very helpful, and theyre also very aware of whats going on. Reporter theyre members of this community very. Reporter they know whats happening . Yes. We need these people as much as they need us. A lot of people count on me for medicine. We get dog medicine, we get horse medicine in, you know. Well get birds, in chickens. Its necessary for Everyday Essentials reporter and perhaps essential this fall, its role in the november election. A lot of people in this Community Vote by mail thats becoming more popular every year im seeing more and more ballots. Reporter about 3 4 of voters in this county in 2018 cast their vote by mail. It makes it a lot simpler for them to vote from their home, put it in the mailbox, put the flag up and have the mail carrier come by and pick it up. Reporter what should washington understand about the mail Carrier Service what washington has missed is the need. Were over 200 years old. Were a part of the nation, an integral part of the nation. And we are essential, especially to the rural outlying areas. Reporter at a time of unknowns for american towns, the folks of williams have at least one known for tomorrow theyll be en route not long after sunrise. Vaughn hilliard, williams, arizona. All right. Up next, gas prices are on the move again, but the direction may surprise you and these church goers got a blessing in a very different way. St wh ayitus d out what it actually was. Dust mite droppings eeeeeww dead skin cells gross so now, i grab my swiffer sweeper and heavyduty dusters. 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Plus, it eliminates odors with a waterbased formula and no dyes. For freshness youll enjoy. In todays quick hits, the average price of a gallon of gas rose 5 cents over the past three weeks, up to 1. 97 the uptick comes after gas prices crashed for nine weeks straight during the pandemic Roman Catholic priest in detroit found a unique way the stay connected with parishioners while social distancing. Reverend tim pelt used a squirt gun to shoot holy water as a driveby blessing. A ski resort in oregon officially reopened. The timber line ski launch has new guidelines still to come, 40 weddings and a drivethrough. And the inspinirg postal worker delivers a major boost to graduating seniors a vitamin ver. An independent organization that sets strict quality and purity standards nature made, the 1 pharmacist recommended vitamin and supplement brand the 1 pharmacist recommended for bathroom odors that linger try febreze small spaces. 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Add a little more health to your day. With natures bounty. A New Hampshire postal worker wanted to celebrate the class of 2020 by leaving thoughtful gifts in their mailboxes. Joshua purchased Dunkin Donuts gift cards to give seniors who lived a along his route. He has already given out 25 gift cards, and students sent thank you cards back to him. He even keeps extras with him in case he encounters a new senior on a different route thats dedication, to keep extras too postal workers do not make a lot of money so you know this man has a lot of generosity in his heart thats wonderful. All right. With wedding venues and marriage licenses set to expire soon, dozens of couples in florida decided they werent going to wait any long for a fancy wedding. Instead, they found joy at the drivethrough. Here is nbcs kate snow. I will share my life with you. Reporter maybe it wasnt the wing they imagined. Through the best and the worst. Through the best and the worst. For as lon as we both shall live. For as listening as we both shall live. Reporter but it was day theyll never forget im happy to pronounce that you are husband and wife reporter with wedding venues closed and wedding licenses set to expire, couples from across florida thought their special day would never come. They were calling up, wondering what do to do. How can we help them. Reporter moved by their plea, Gainesville Court clerk had the idea to reopen their courthouse drivethrough window after 20 years a lot of people thought it was joke they didnt think it was for real i said im dead serious. Were going to do this. Reporter the response you ready to get married . Reporter overwhelming. 46 couples lining up for a socially distant drivethrough wedding. We plan on getting married in a few months from now. But because of the pandemic we werent sure when we could have the wedding. Reporter justin and joe waters mao married at the courthouse where they met. We started talking to each other in and out of work and we ended up. Reporter for erin and jonathan, their dream wedding in charleston now on hold until next year. I dont want to wait to marry him until next year. Reporter couples of all ages i sit here in a convert at a drivethrough wedding in the middle of a Global Pandemic and cant help but how smile this fitting scenario is to our relationship reporter promising to love in sickness and in health might never have meant so much wasnt going to let no pandemic or anything stop this day. And i am so happy. And our thanks to kate for that report. What a fun story and it might not have been the original thought, but its exactly perfect for right now. And i think they should keep that theme going and go right thug drivethrough to get their wedding reception meals right after. Why not. Youre floor the car thanks for waking up with us o this mondan we want the get sports back. We miss sports we need sports in terms of the psyche, the psyche of our country. And thats what were doing. The president promoting the return of sports as sunday delivered some we havent seen in a long time, new live televised sporting events. Today all 50 states will experience some form of reopening, including many beaches and parks, but not everyone is keeping their distance as advised. New National Data is showing that almost 19 of u. S. Latinos are now unemployed, more than anhn group a numb