An nfl sunday unlike any other. The Denver Broncos forced to play without a true quarterback. All four of their qbs in quarantine plus, a few other firsts in football, including a running back with eight touchdowns. Plus, the community that pulled together for one texas boy who lost both his parents to covid and how they delivered a huge birthday hug for this 5yearold early today starts right now good monday morning. Im frances rivera. And im phillip mena. After one of the busiest travel days since the pandemic began, stern warnings from Health Officials against a postthanksgiving spike. The National Outbreak has been devastating, with the number of cases surpassing 4 million this month. Thats more than double octobers count. There have now been well over 13 million americans infected as travel hit peaks across the country, our blayne alexander is tracking the latest from atlantas hartfieldjackson airport. Blayne, good morning. Reporter well, phillip, good morning to you the thanksgiving holiday is now officially in the rear view mirror so millions of americans are making their way back home this past sevenday period is the busiest stretch of travel since the start of the pandemic and now Health Officials warn that could mean a very difficult december millions of americans are taking to the skies and the streets, headed home after thanksgiving travel something Health Officials pleaded with the public not to do now those same experts say because of that travel, we are likely headed into the worst phase of the pandemic. What we expect, unfortunately, as we go for the next couple of weeks into december, that we might see a surge superimposed upon that surge that were already in. Reporter over the past week, tsa has processed more than 7 million passengers, less than half of what we saw last year, but by far the busiest stretch since the start of the pandemic. I encourage it. Everybody get out and enjoy their time. Keep your masks on and be respectful of others youll be fine. Reporter and while we have weathered holiday surges before with the u. S. Now topping 13 million cases, experts fear this will be much worse were entering this postthanksgiving surge with three, four and ten times as much disease across the country. And so thats what worries us the most reporter all as americans continue to disregard Health Warnings in denver, the mayor who urged his residents to skip Holiday Travel please stay home. Reporter is now apologizing after taking a flight to see his family. It was hypocritical, it was a mistake i deeply regret. Reporter and in new york officials shut down this club packed with nearly 400 people. All of it dealing blow after blow to a Health Care System stretched to the limit. If things dont turn around quickly, were going to have a situation with capacity, not only of hospital capacity, but staff. Were exhausting all efforts, doing everything we can and just still cannot save everyone reporter for virologist dr. David oconnor seeing millions disregarding Health Warnings is beyond frustrating its sad and its difficult to watch so i think the next couple of months are going to be the darkest and weakest that weve seen yet in this pandemic. Reporter and for the millions of people who did travel, Health Officials say that there are a number of things that you should do on the back end of your trip. One is to quarantine, selfisolate, stay away from others if you have to be near elderly family members, for instance, you should wear a mask, and they are really stressing guest tested about three to five days after you return phillip, back to you. Important information there blayne, thank you. We are already seeing some startling numbers in each coast. California broke the record with more than 7,400 hospitalizations yesterday. Several counties will be undergoing tougher restrictions. Meanwhile in the empire state, new york reported its highest covid19 positive test rate since may but despite this, the nations largest district issues a major reversal on city schools our Meagan Fitzgerald is tracking it all. Phillip, good morning as the virus continues to surge, the nfl is taking major hits while new york city is on track to open schools. Reporter whiplash for parents and students in the nations Largest School district new york city mayor bill de blasio announcing a phased reopening in one week. Elementary schools will reopen, high schools remain closed younger kids are having less of a negative experience and theres less concern about the spread when it comes to younger kids reporter this would be the citys second shot at reopening after de blasio just closed schools less than two weeks ago. Drawing backlash and protests. And now some relief. Were, frankly, elated. However, we are disappointed that while Elementary School kids are going back, middle school and High School Kids dont yet have a path to get back into the classroom. Reporter across the country in californias bay area, officials asking residents to stay home and further cutting capacity for nonessential businesses were going to take a hit theres no way around it. Reporter the situation even more dire in Santa Clara County. Shattering records for new infections and hospitalizations. This pandemic is like a highspeed train and our projections tell us that we are on target to derail by around the third week of december if we dont apply brakes right now with all our collective might reporter the county now banning all Contact Sports, which means the upcoming home games for teams like the San Francisco 49ers are in jeopardy. In colorado where governor jared polis Just Announced he and his partner have tested positive for covid19, the Denver Broncos taking a hit as well and here he is, the first time he touches the ball in an nfl game, and under pressure right away probably makes the smart move and gets rid of it. Reporter four quarterbacks sidelined after potential exposure to the coronavirus, forcing the team to play an undrafted rookie wide receiver against the new Orleans Saints and its intercepted. Reporter the teams starting quarterback apologizing in a tweet, saying, in a controlled and socially distant area, we let our masking slip an honest mistake, but one i will own the nfl is considering a playoff bubble, isolating teams and staff in hotels, but a decision hasnt been made just yet. Phillip . Got to figure something out very soon. Meagan, thanks. A pivotal day ahead for president elect joe biden. Over three weeks after he was declared the winner, mr. Biden will receive his first president ial briefing today. It comes after mr. Biden fractured his foot while playing with his dog over the weekend. Nbcs tracie potts joins us with the latest tracie, we could see the president elect in a boot for the next few weeks. Reporter yeah, looks like, frances, he may be hopping around a bit as he begins this president ial Daily Briefing set to happen today. This has been in the works for several days now after it was finally announced by the white house that he would be allowed to do so, he and the Vice President elect will get that briefing today. Plus, the Coronavirus Task force at the white house set to meet with the biden team for the first time some time this week dr. Deborah birx who is on that task force saying shes hoping it will happen today as well so things are moving along, connecting the biden team to National Security issues, covid issues hes also now named an historic allfemale Communications Team, and we are waiting this week to find out who will be on his economic team. Meantime, President Trump still frustrated and complaining about fighting Election Results that so far dont seem to be working out too well for him well, i dont want to give you an actual date a lot of people say the 18th or they say the 14th or they say january 20th im not going to say a date. Its not like youre going to change my mind in other words, my mind will not change in six months reporter so, the electors as you know, the Electoral College is going to be meeting in a couple of weeks to certify things meantime, President Trump pushing forward with a few of those challenges, but in wisconsin, theyve already done the recount. Turns out there were more votes for joe biden there. And he lost a big appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court over the weekend. Frances . All right tracie, thank you. For the first time in over a decade, america will soon have a first feline nbc news has confirmed the bidens are planning to adopt a cat. It will be the first one in the white house since president george w. Bushs pet india before that it was president clintons famous cat socks they have two german shepherds, champ and a rescue named major. Consumers shattered records on black friday. And todays cyber monday is set to be the Biggest Online shopping day ever. Nbcs jo ling kent has the details for getting the best discounts and also Free Shipping reporter the pandemic is ushering in a huge new wave of online shopping. This cyber monday is expected to be the Biggest Online sales day in history with shoppers shelling out up to 12. 7 billion it comes after consumers spent a record 9 billion on friday, coming out to 6. 3 million a minute. The good news for those slow to click buy, cyber monday isnt just a oneday event stores are pushing deals for cyber week right now like up to 40 off ninja kitchen supplies at target and walmart 50 off bissell, shark and dyson vacuums at walmart hp laptops slash bid 40 at best buy. The categories i expected to be discounted will be the toy category. Reporter among the gifts hardest to find, gaming consoles like the new ps5 retailers say theyll continue to restock in the weeks ahead. The x factor this year is shipping with delays already plaguing the system. For so many shoppers, free and or fast delivery is essential. It will make or break your order. Thats why stores like best buy have turned part of their stores into mini Fulfillment Centers like this to get you your stuff as quickly as they can after that, the price you pay for ontime delivery will rise just one a simple web search, Free Shipping and the name of the retail . See what pops up because sometimes youll find that code. Reporter and with the majority of shoppers preferring to shop online in this pandemic, the president of shopify, an ecommerce platform for small and mediumsized businesses, say it may never be the same. What we are seeing now is not an anomaly it is the blueprint for the future of retail so the growth of ecommerce will continue long after we have a vaccine. There is no going back to a precovid model. Reporter this challenging season forever changing how we give and receive jo ling kent, nbc news, los angeles. All right. We have an extremely active weather week ahead of us lets bring in nbc meteorologist janessa webb to tell us more about it hey, janessa, good morning good morning. Good morning, everyone today is going to be a wonderful day to do some shopping indoors across the east coast because we have this swiftmoving system that is already producing a Severe Weather threat across georgia right now. A Tornado Warning has just been issued this is going to quickly race all the way into the carolinas where they continue to see damaging wind gusts, potential for a few tornados this afternoon, and that lingers all the way into new york city on the other side of the storm system is going to be the squalls that will persist throughout your afternoon. All the way into tomorrow. Where we could potentially see about 5 inches major travel delays across the ohio valley all the way into new england. Evens a loo cooler for the upper midwest, but the plains warming up to the 50s. And today we end Hurricane Season ill give you a recap coming up. Oh, gosh, lots to celebrate when it comes to that. All right, janessa, thank you. With thanksgiving behind us, its time to light the Rockefeller Center christmas tree, but this years Tree Lighting will be a whole lot different. All visitors will need advanced tickets to see the tree and only have limited time to snap pictures the full details on these guidelines will be released later today. Be sure to tune into wednesdays annual Tree Lighting ceremony, at 8 00 eastern right here on nbc. Up next, desperation in denver why the Denver Broncos had no quarterbacks going into their game on sunday against the saints well be right back. Did you know prilosec otc can stop frequent heartburn before it begins . Prilosec otc uses a unique delayedrelease formula that works to turn down acid production, blocking heartburn at the source. With just one pill a day, you get 24hour heartburn protection. Take the prilosec otc twoweek challenge. And see the difference for yourself. Prilosec otc, 1 pill a day, 24 hours, zero heartburn. 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. No matter how you celebrate this year, make this holiday extra special with a gift from pandora jewelry. Make this holiday extra special our great street, huge yard. There is a bit of an issue with our neighbors fencing. Neighbor 1 allez sound from wind chimes neighbor 2 laughing at least geico makes bundling our home and Car Insurance easy. Which helps us save even more. Neighbor 2 hey, sarah, hey, peter neighbor 1 touche. Neighbor 2 ahhh neighbor 1 pret neighbor 2 en garde for bundling made easy, go to geico. Com joint pain, swelling, temy psoriasis. Cosentyx works on all of this. Cosentyx can help you look and feel better by treating the multiple symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Dont use if youre allergic to cosentyx. 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The team had to sign a wide receiver from their practice squad to play quarterback against the saints on sunday that is rookie kendall hinton. Trying to do the impossible. Its tough to play quarterback in this league he threw two interceptions and just one completion that he got in denvers 313 loss to new orleans. And the weeks night cap saw the packers and the bears reignite their longstanding rivalry. Aaron rodgers was whitehot in the first half, finding lewis here to extend green bays lead in the second. The momentum continued Rodgers RodgersPreston Smith picking up the scraps of Mitch Trubiskys fumble, taking it to the house. Green bay had a 273 lead at the half, and did not look back. They get the win on sunday night, 4125. New school prevailed against old school in a big way in tampa bay. Patrick mahomes threw for 462 yards on the bucs. Tyreek hill spinning, flipping, running circles around the defense. He got 269 of those yards, including three touchdowns mahomes didnt even give brady a chance to complete the comeback. The chiefs get the 2724 win now to talk about history that was made on the College Football field with the kickoff against missouri, vanderbilt soccer star sarah fuller became the first woman ever to play in a power five College Football game fuller was asked to play after members of the team were benched because of coronavirus on her helmet, she represented the play like a girl nonprofit which encourages girls to play in sports. Very cool. Also in College Football, buffalos Jared Patterson ran into the record books on saturday he had eight touchdowns against kent state that was good for a tie of the fbs record of most touchdowns in a game his 409 yards on the ground were just 18 shy of the single game record. Still to come, a first look at Mariah Careys construction surprise. And the croods gobble up the thanksgiving box office. Thats next. 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When early today returns, janessa webb will break down an historic Hurricane Season. The ones you couldnt be more ready for, and even the ones that take you by surprise. These are the moments youll remember, the ones that are impossible to forget. To new memories. Hilton and our family of hotels. 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. No matter how you celebrate this year, make this holiday extra special with a gift from pandora jewelry. To show up. For the sweet. The hectic. The tender. The tense. And the fiery. But for many, migraine keeps them. From saying. I am here. We aim to change that. With. Aimovig, a preventive treatment. For migraine in adults. One dose. Once a month. Is proven to reduce monthly migraine days. For some, by half or more. Dont take aimovig if youre allergic to it. Allergic reactions like rash or swelling can happen hours to days after use. 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The eruption displaced more than 2,700 people from 26 villages. There were no reports of any deaths but the volcano remains an increasing threat. All right. Janessa webb is back with us at the end of november, but mercifully, the end of Hurricane Season, janessa. Yeah, its a wrap finally going to see the end of this historic season where we had over 30 named storms so, recordbreaking 13 hurricanes, and 6 of those were major. N the forecast was spotofor the last seven months weve been tracking these storms. Youre watching early today. Well be right back. And i know its gonna be. A lovely day. Lovely day, lovely day. Lovely day. Lovely day. Lovely day, lovely day. No matter how you celebrate this year, make this holiday extra special with a gift from pandora jewelry. So this aveeno® moisturizer goes beyond just soothing sensitive skin . Exactly jen calm restore oat gel is formulated with prebiotic oat. And strengthens skins moisture barrier. Uh i love it aveeno® healthy. Its our nature. ™ aveeno® vicks vapopatch. Easy to wear with soothing vicks vapors for her, for you, for the whole family. Trusted soothing vapors, from vicks twas the night before christmas, and 2020 had been rough, so santa decided the season couldnt be merry without the one and only mariah carey. This christmas, we could all use she is making holiday wishes come through mariah carey, the queen of christmas, is releasing a special on apple tv. That was comedian Tiffany Haddish narrating the newest trailer. It will be filled with celeb guests including jennifer hudson, Ariana Grande and snoop dogg, so you cant get any more christmas than that. Mr. Christmas than mrs. Santa claus. Ms. Claus she has capitalized well done. A San Antonio Community is coming together to throw an unforgettable Birthday Celebration for raiden gonzalez. Hes a 5yearold who lost both his parents to coronavirus this year from our affiliate woai, morgan burr r burrow has the story. Reporter its a party only a young 5yearold could dream of. A day filled with birthday cake. Words cant explain what im feeling right now. Reporter sansa and mrs. Claus and dinosaurs. The Community Coming together a little bit is just such a big deal through these times showing unity more than anything. Reporter the massive car parade lasted nearly an hour, all of it for raiden gonzalez. Theres other people that are coming from other cities. Reporter the young boys family has been torn apart by covid19 his parents gone after losing their battles to the virus just months apart you know, he says he wishes he had them back you know, right now he understands that theyre angels now and theyre protecting us and watching over us. Reporter raidens grandmother rosie says as his parents watch from above, shes overwhelmed by the swell of support shown by the community today. Hes received, i mean, so much and, you know, its like its amazing how, you know, i tell him, i go all these people are doing this for you. Reporter and little raidson grateful for everybody who came by today, too. For those who stopped by to show him love, he says thank you. Our thanks to morgan burrow for that report. Were thinking of everyone who has lost those this year due to coronavirus. More than 260,000 people now. Its going to be a really tough Holiday Season with the Community Coming together, hopefully theyll see it through. Yeah. Right now to a young artist who continues to impress with his skills 14yearold tyler gordon of california followed up a portrait of Vice President elect Kamala Harris with one of president elect joe biden. He said he painted mr. Biden because he also has a stutter. Just last week harris called tyler and told him his art is a gift to so many people and its the gift that keeps on giving. He can do the entire cabinet now after this amazing. Talented kid. Im sure hell be commissioned to do official paintings some time very soon new this morning, president elect joe biden begins the week in a walking boot after fracturing his foot, but its his all female Communications Team thats capturing headlines with just 52 days until inauguration. Surge upon a surge is the wave ahead following a thanksgiving weekend for millions. Plus, ramping up for a covid vaccine. How are the massive challenges working. Today shoppers could shell out a world record 13 billion for cyber monday if youre one of the millions of