Cancelled and after youre vaccinated, can you still spread the virus . Well tell you what dr. Fauci is saying. President biden, his timeline when every american can get the vaccine and exclusive with Vice PresidentKamala Harris does she agree with the cdcs plan for reopening schools and what she says about vaccinating teachers our series, kids under pressure warning homework has become a nightmare in the pandemic. One School Working to change all that the tribute to Rush Limbaugh, the controversial conservative media icon and scouts honor. 17 young women making history and inspiring america. This is nbcwelcome. These are desperate hours for millions a failing power grid. Their misery compounded by subfreezing temperatures and only vague assurances of when the lights may come back for good the frantic search for warmth putting some families at deadly risk for Carbon Monoxide poisoning as others find their Water Supplies frozen. And the extreme weather has been unrelenting. Another storm on the march bringing ice and snow across more than a dozen states all this hitting vaccine shipments hard were going to talk about that and what happens to all those now cancelled appointments a lot to cover this evening. Lets begin in dallas with morgan chesky. Reporter tonight in texas, frustrations rising in a frigid crisis we need our power out here. My apartment is under 40 degrees. Its freezing the blackout, no electricity reporter more than 3 million homes in the dark. L cold, cripp the states power grid every source of power that the state of texas has has been compromised. Reporter today, Texas Governor greg abbott unable to say when the lights are coming back on. Rolling blackouts forcing countless families to fend for themselves the nocommunities hit especially hard when you hear power may not be restored for days, how does that hit you . Like a brick. Reporter piling their seven kids into a church van turned shelter. This is not okay. Reporter cooking in subfreezing temps alongside cold and tired neighbors. In houston, survival efforts turning deadly more than 300 Carbon Monoxide cases flooding hospitals we are overwhelmed with the number of patients and that does make us have to go into kind of a mass casualty operation. Reporter people misusing cars, generators and fire pits trying desperately to stay warm. For others, a water nightmare. Pipes bursting or freezing, forcing some to go to extremes were going to continue to try to collect snow since we havent had water. Reporter First Responders working nonstop Police Body Cam capturing a dog trapped on an ice covered pond rescued and pulled to shore by officers just in time. The cold even hitting the coast where volunteers saved hundreds of sea turtles, nearly frozen and like s others, left waiting to warm up we were ready for hurricanes here but not this. Reporter frightening realization with another freeze coming tonight, the white house promising help is on the way, pledging generators and much needed diesel to run them to keep texas hospitals and other vital facilities open until this cold snap clears folks going through a lot, morgan if youd like to help those in need, youll find information on our nnbc nightly news faceboo page pressing question in all of this why was texas so unprepared for the po many into darkness and cold Gabe Gutierrez in houston now with more. Reporter tonight, the socalled Energy Capital of the world is mostly powerless. Who dropped the ball here . I think its the state. Sadly, the state didnt prepare for the worst Case Scenario and now were paying the price. Reporter texas with its own power grid that allows it to bypass federal regulations for cold weather safeguards. The governor calling for an investigation of the nonprofit that operates the grid how could you not see this coming they saw it coming. The issue that happened on sunday, it also did damage to the supply side. And that knocked us enough out of balance that we had to take on these outages. Reporter some state leaders blame the outages on a failure of green energy. Wind and solar only make up 20 of the states power natural gas makes up half. And thise demand caused by the extreme temperatures reporter the power system, i think, safe to say at this point, was not prepared for Climate Change reporter el paso is on a different electrical system running smoothly, leaving houston residents like terry whos been without power for three days, wondering what went so wrong some people are lining up with propane. No firm answer on when to expect their power back lester dylan, whats next . There are more than 110 people under Winter Weather alerts from the deep south all the way to the northeast we will see more icing in areas that have already been hit hard, but tomorrow, were especially looking for North Carolina and virginia to see most of that ice. You go north of that, we will see some snow, but its really the ice thats going to be a big issue because we could see as much as a quarter of an inch to half an inch of Ice Accumulation that would down trees and power lines and also make Road Conditions treacherous north of that though, we will see most likely snow, but only about 4 to 6 inches out of this storm. Lester i think weve all seen this movie before thank you. The brutal weather is slowing down the vaccination effort in all of this. Just over 40 million americans have now received at least one dose about 64,500 are hospitalized. Thats down slightly our Miguel Almaguer has more on the vaccine delays reporter as one crisis triggers another, tonight, frigid weather in some 30 states have frozen many Vaccine Distribution centers to a standstill with delays in cancellation snowstorm in chicago preventing more than 100 providers from getting shipments. Weather also causing rippling shipping delays in florida, leading to cancellations at Grocery Stores complicating an already confusing system, rescheduling appointments that were nearly impossible to get. I would certainly tell people to be their own best advocate and assume they need to reschedule the vaccine themselves. Reporter while no agency is reporting the totaer in new york city, tens of thousands of appointments will be delayed because of their shortage and another storm is moving in. Were going to run out. Today, tomorrow, were going to run out of what we have now. Reporter with the u. S. Vaccinating 1. 7 million americans a day, the white house says vaccine supply in the states will increase to 13. 5 million doses per week at Gillette Stadium outside boston, 65,000 have been inoculated almost enough people to fill every seat in the stand. More americans who can get a vaccine, scientists are getting close to answering a lingering question if youre vaccinated and become infected, can you still pass the virus to others . Early research looksg into a ve favorable direction that wil ve corroborated by other studies. Reporter but help cant come soon enough. By mid march, the cdc said 559,000 americans could lose their lives to the virus a dark reminder that every day and every delay can cost lives Miguel Almaguer, nbc news. Those vaccine shortages have factored into a new timeline by President Biden for when all americans will be able to get the shots and also offering a new goal for reopening schools Peter Alexander has that story. Reporter tonight with the covid death toll approaching half a Million People in the u. S. , President Bidens announcing a new timeline for when all americans who want a vaccine can get one. By the end of july, well have over 600 million doses, enough to vaccinate every single american. Reporter dr. Fauci said last week that americans can get vaccines saying the president s 100 day goal was to have more than half open one day a week. At least one day a week, hopefully if more. Reporter this reset from President Biden. That was a mistake in the communication. What im talking about is i said opening the majority of schools in k through eighth grade. Reporter and when would those schools be open five days a week i think well be close to that at the end of the first 100 days. Reporter the president during a cnn town hall touting 1. 9 trillion covid relief plan, offering projection about when life may return to normal. Well be in a very different circumstance, god willin reporter President Biden will keep an eye on vaccines when he tours the pfizer plant in michigan. Lester Vice PresidentKamala Harris weighs in on reopening schools and vaccinating teachers Savannah Guthries exclusive interview and plus in our series, kids under pressure, homework overload. All right. Were back now with Vice PresidentKamala Harris on the battle to reopen schools does she agree with the cdcs plan and do teachers need to be vaccinated first she spoke one on one with Savannah Guthrie lets talk about schools. We got a lot of parents watching right now. The cdc, a few days ago, finally put out some long awaited guidance on how schools could safely reopen, but heres the thing. They tied it directly to the rate of infection in any given community. And im going to put a map up. Because if schools were to follow that right now, 90 of the counties, 90 of the schools would not be able to open under the cdcs own metric was it a mistake for the cdc to connect School Reopenings to how much infection there is in the community . Lets first say this, that in the last four weeks, schools are opening every week more schools are opening and it is because we are supplementing what needs to happen around the vaccinations getting into states, but also because folks, were seeing progress. What about that cdc guidance then thats the question. Well, so heres the thing what the cdc, what they have recommended are exactly that, recommendations about how to reopen safely. If theyve been closed, how to stay open if theyve been opened the recommendations include, again, what needs to happen around social distancing, hand washing, mask wearing but the point is we all want our kids to get back to school as quickly as possible and safely as possible. The cdc has said it is not a prerequisite for teachers to be vaccinated for them to go back to school. But many teachers are wary of going back to school can you reassure teachers going back to school that it is safe to go back to school even if theyre not vaccinated if Public Health measures like distancing and masks are implemented . First of all, let me just say this and the president has said it teachers should be a priority. Teachers should be a priority. I believe that 22 states, i believe, have prioritized. But theyre not vaccinated, is it safe for them . I think we have to decide if we can put in place safe measures this is why its so important we pass the American Rescue plan. Its going to be safer for schools the reopen when we can get our schools the infrastructure needs like helpinl distancing with barriers the thingshat are necessary to get them back open in a safe way. So savannah, after that interview, i understand late today, the white house clarified. Reporter thats right, a spokesperson said Vice President and the president agree vaccinations are not a requirement for teachers to return it is the white houses preference that teachers get priority, but that, lester, is up to the states an important conversation, savannah, thank you. As the School Debate rages, most students in our Ground Breaking study say they feel a crushing burden from pandemic learning. Kate snow on the massive work load in our series kids under pressure. Reporter High School Senior is attending all her classes virtually. The line between school and home has blurred. Were looking at our computer screen all day and then at the end of the day, we get hours of homework at the end and then its just computer time on computer time. According to our study, more spent on schoolwork has gone up and average amount of weeknight homework rose to 3 hours a night. More than half of studentsd nea cite grades, tests and assessments as top source of stress. Doing classwork or homework, im tired and i want to go to sleep. Reporter like so many students how has your motivation about school changed this sounds bad but my motivation has gone down so much. Reporter found fewer students are enjoying School Almost half say theyre just going through the motions. At westlake high where nearly half the students opted for inperson learning, theyre trying to ease the pressure. When covid hit, we knew we couldnt sustain what we had been doing in the past. Reporter each day, one subject drops off the schedule and becomes a period for personal work. Sometimes they need a little tutoring sometimes they need one on one instruction and sometimes they need to start on their homework. Reporter seniors jenna may and felix chen and sophomore kaylee kissh said it really helps. I think its been the biggest reason why i have lower School Stress this year. Im able to check in with my teachers and i go over any of the material i didnt understand the first time. Reporter w. Were learning the same amount but more efficiently. Reporter in our study, teachers gave students high grades for support and caring during the pandemic. Theyre being a little bit more flexible with time and just giving us more time in general teachers have been really understanding and because they know its a crazy year for everyone reporter Extracurricular Activities are helping too jenna has band, kaylee plays volleyball, felix is student body president its definitely not what i expected senior year to be like. Reporter a school year unlike any other kate snow, nbc news. Lets talk about about crisis in americas education system. Student loan debt. President biden rejecting calls within his party to cancel up to 50,000 per borrower he has his own plan but some question if its enough. With more, heres sam brock. Reporter at cnn town hall, we need at least a 50,000 minimum. What will you do to make that happen i will not make that happen. Reporter President Biden said hes willing to forgive 10,000 in Student Loans senator Elizabeth Warren firing back today tweeting the president does have the authority to cancel more though some experts say it doesnt tackle the root of the problem. When youre forgiving loans, the students of the past, that doesnt solve the problems for students who are going to school now or who will go to school in the future reporter its a crisis crushing graduates years after they put down the books, the record surge of student debt. Paying off Student Loans feeling like being stuck on a hamster wheel because you realize youre just paying into interest incessantly and not making a dent in paying it off. Reporter kara holds two degrees from Florida Atlantic university has three kids, including 10 month old annie and began with 30,000 in Student Loans. My balance is now 28,000. Reporter more than 40 million are drowning in student debt, more than doubled in just the past decade. R stopped makin within six years families like them wait to see how it plays out nbc news, boca raton. The death of Rush Limbaugh this is a nononsense message from three. Small Business Insurance is usually so complicated, you need to be a lawyer to understand it. Thats why three was created. Its a better kind of Business Insurance. Its only three pages. Straightforwar me. To know its covered. I screaming this commercial is now over. Logo. Three. No nonsense. Just common sense. Rush limbaugh, the controversial and hugely popular talk radio host has died heres jeff bennet. Reporter tragic news of Rush Limbaughs death coming from his wife katherine to his millions of listeners. Rush, my wonderful husband, passed away this morning due to complications from lung cancer reporter limbaugh was a broadcasting giant and political provocateur. I have a question for the democrats. When are you people going to get tired of losing . Reporter his selftitled show was the most listened to radio talk show in america i am Rush Limbaugh. Become a rock n roll dj before finding a footing talking politics known for an extreme conservative slant and at times racist and sexist commentary segregated buses, its obamas america. Nazis, heres the deal. Reporter conservative politics for decades, he was a top supporter of president trump, who remembered him today. He was fighting until the very end he was a fighter. Reporter last year, limbaugh told listeners about his cancer diagnosis. He had previously faced other health challenges, an addiction to prescription painkillers and hearing loss. My goal was to be the most listened to show, biggest radio show in the country. You all have made it possible. Reporter Rush Limbaugh, always brash, bold, powerful and polarizing jeff bennett, nbc news, washington all right, up next for us tonight, the milestone in scouting all right, up next fo tonight, the milestone in scouting finally, some of the newest eagle scouts are making history. Heres kristen dahlgren. Reporter young women flew through the Glass Ceiling this week. When people think of eagle scouts, characteristics associated with leadership, service. Reporter until now, they were always male in 2019, boy scouts now called scouts bsa opened its ranks to girls. So with at least 21 merit badges and a service project, these young women ascended to scouts highest est honor, something on of scouts achieve. Perseverance and hard work to get through the ranks and deal with the group of people who call themselves the eagle scouts. Reporter they are two of 17 young women in baltimore to lead the way for girls everywhere the feeling that anything is possible reporter and isnt that the exact ideal that eagle scouts are made of . Kristen dahl ggren, nbc news. Thats nightly news for this right now at 6 00, he stood up to them. The bay area store owner who is recovering after robbers shot him, and the community who is rushing by his side. They say its an alternative to calling 911. We have to have l the first we call for every little thing. And who is okay to get vaccines in the south bay . The doctor reveals who is next in line to get their shots. The news at 6 00 starts right now. Good wednesday, thanks so much for joining us. Im janelle wang. And im raj mathai. Many School Districts are on the verge of reopening their campuses. Jessica joins us with that story. Reporter raj, as we all know, the push is on to get kids back to school and in the classroom. What would that look like in covid days . Im going to show you all the ppe and precautions taken to keep teachers and students safe once they go back. Speaking of schools, its the teachers turn. They are among the new group of people who soon will be eligible to get vaccinated in santa clara county. Nbc bay area scott budman joins us in the south bay. Scott, major announcement today. And not just teachers,