white house task force member dr. anthony fauci joins us this morning. on the lines. millions struggle to get benefits. desperation setting in as crowds seek applications. 6.6 people filing for unemployment. the staggering new numbers this morning. covid-19 confrontation. >> where are you from? >> the suspicious pop-up testing site driven out by angry residents. the red flags, the operation under investigation this morning. white house showdown. joe biden set for the democratic nomination after bernie sanders drops out of the race. how the coronavirus crisis is reshaping the race for president. severe weather strike. overnight tornadoes touching down in arkansas, damaging homes and cars and powerful winds flipping a semi truck off the road in illinois. we're tracking the latest this morning. and day of hope. we're celebrating americans all across this great country, making a difference. with lines at drive-through food banks stretching for miles, the unsung heroes racing to help hungry families in need, putting their own lives at risk. plus the stars giving back, from russell wilson and ciara to j.j. watt. >> i think one of the most beautiful things about this country is when people come together during difficult times to help each other out. >> this morning, what you can do if you need help or can give it. good morning, america. we are looking forward to our day of hope. something we could all use a little more of right now and this morning we're partnering with feeding america and we're shining a very deservedly bright light on those brave volunteers. and, robin, we see these images, extraordinary images, of those long lines. >> yes, we do, my friend. hundreds and hundreds of cars lining up in pennsylvania and people are counting on those volunteers that you speak of to help them put food on the table right now. this morning, we're going to tell you how you can help. now, another thing so many of us could use right now and that is a hug. so take a look at this image. a mother wrapping her daughter who is a nurse, wrapping her daughter in a clean sheet before hugging her. we're going to hear from them in just a few moments. i'm sure both of them needed that hug, george. >> boy, they sure did. it was so good to see that as well, robin. good morning to you both. here are the latest numbers we have right now. this morning, worldwide the death toll has now neared 90,000. nearly 330,000 people have officially recovered from the virus, and here in the united states more than 14,000 have died. more than 24,000 have recovered. and the newest guidelines from the cdc are going to be released. they're making it easier for essential employees that may have exposed to covid-19 to get back to work if they're not experiencing symptoms. and we're going to talk to dr. anthony fauci of the white house coronavirus task force in just a couple of minutes. >> looking forward to hearing what he has to say. we begin with the hard hit state of new york. whit johnson starts us off this morning. good morning whit. >> reporter: there are encouraging signs that new york state is approaching the peak of the pandemic. the rate of hospitalizations a poors to be slowing. it comes with a painful toll. the governor urging people to stay the course and keep following those tough restrictions. this morning, new york state reeling from its deadliest day in the pandemic. nearly 800 fatalities in just 24 hours. the statewide death toll now more than double the lives lost in 9/11. the mood is heavy. inside this makeshift icu in maimonides hospital in brooklyn -- >> you are going to be sad and you're going to be mentally and physically strained. >> reporter: anesthesiologist daniel nekola on the phone informing someone their loved one is not doing well. tearing off his mask. head in his hands, needing a moment away from the mayhem and sadness. >> honestly it's one of the more psychologically exhausting parts of the job. telling someone that their family member may not make it, it really does -- it takes a lot. >> reporter: new york officials worry the number of deaths from covid-19 could actually be higher because some who die at home with coronavirus-like symptoms haven't been included in the count. most of the data coming from hospitals and nursing homes. >> we do want to know the truth about what happened in every death at home. >> reporter: this morning, some encouraging news from new york-presbyterian reporting for the first time since the outbreak they had more people go home than were admitted into the hospital. governor cuomo cautiously optimistic, but urging new yorkers to continue to follow social distancing guidelines. >> if we stop what we are doing, you will see that curve change. >> reporter: other hot spots still growing in places like washington, d.c., baltimore, louisiana, chicago, detroit, pennsylvania and florida. and it's not just populated cities, this map published by "the new york times" showing more than two-thirds of rural counties nationwide have at least one confirmed case, but amid the despair, stories of hope and inspiration. bronx assembly woman karina reyes left her job as a nurse when she took office last year, but she didn't hesitate to jump back into her scrubs to answer the call. >> before i was an elected official this was always my passion. i think it would have been selfish of me to stay home knowing that my community needed the very specific set of skills that i have. >> reporter: and this photo, sheryl norton, fiercely embracing her daughter kelsey kerr, an icu nurse in cincinnati. >> i just thought there's got to be a way i could hug her. so i was walking past my laundry basket and saw my big sheet and i was like i'm going to throw this over her. and she got out of her car and had a mask on and i just said i have to hug you. so i threw it over her and hugged her. >> it was just incredible. just to feel more normal again because we just have always been huggers and it's just been very strange to consciously not and to just feel together again in a small moment of normalcy. >> reporter: "the new york times" is reporting that new research indicates covid-19 was likely brought to the new york area by europe, not from asia and it was probably spreading in this area by mid february. that's weeks before the first case was confirmed. george? >> okay, whit. thanks. we are now joined by dr. anthony fauci. dr. fauci, thank you for joining us this morning. i want to begin with that new research showing that the covid-19 may have been circulating in new york far earlier than people thought, mid-february and that most of the cases came from europe. what's your assessment of those studies? >> well, i think that's probably correct, george because, you know, when you had the situation that europe became the epicenter pretty quickly after china really exploded with their cases. as you know, we cut off the travel from china relatively early and we were seeded with a relatively few number of cases from china. but very quickly the epicenter switched to europe, particularly northern italy and given the travel and the air traffic from anywhere in italy, but particularly northern italy, it's just not surprising that unfortunately and inadvertently new york was seeded before they really knew what was going on. and that's why they're in the difficult situation they're in right now, very unfortunate situation. >> boy, it sure is. and how about those new models now showing that the projected death tolls in the united states could be far lower than we previously thought? maybe about 60,000 rather than 90,000 or 100,000. >> yeah, that's obviously good news, george. you know, as i've always said, you give models to try and help you project such as the need for beds, the need for ventilators, et cetera, but the models are only as good as the assumptions that you put into the model and one of the assumptions was i believe, that there would be a certain degree of efficacy of the mitigation, the kinds of things we're doing right now that new york is doing intensively. and so when you get new data, the data always trumps the model so you have to take your data and then refashion the model and that's what's happened. we've gone from 100,000 to 200,000 down to about 60,000. that's the good news. what we need to do is to make sure we don't let up on those mitigation, those physical separation programs, because if we do, that can just bounce back again. so even though it's good news and encouraging, we got to make sure as i always say we keep our foot on the accelerator when it comes to mitigation. >> so people who look at these numbers and say, we'll relax the guidelines come may 1st with about three weeks to go, what is your message to them? >> my message is that the virus itself will determine the guideline. we hope that by the time we get to this extended 30-day period, you know, we went from the 15 days of mitigation to the additional 30 days, which gets us to the end of april. i do hope by the time we get there that we will well see that curve, that bending in the curve which we've been talking about now for several weeks. there's some indication that that might be going on. particularly in new york, if you look at new york, as governor cuomo said very recently, the last few days have had a stabilization and a decrease in the hospitalizations, intensive care and need for intubation. you never want to claim victory prematurely. that would not be very good. when you see those kind of trends, you hope that we'll see that curve go down and then can start to think about gradually getting back to some sort of steps towards normality. >> have we hit the peak in new york? >> it's tough to tell, george. we very well may be there. when you talk about peak, it does this and starts to come down. it's really looking like it's going to make that turn. but, you know, being very careful and cautiously optimistic i wouldn't want to say that but i think that is what is going on. >> there have been some hope that early on that maybe the virus recedes with warmer, more humid weather. where is the science on that now? >> you know, you should not assume, george, that the virus is going to diminish because of the coming of the warm weather. it might diminish for other reasons. there's precedent with other infections like influenza and some of the common more benign coronaviruses that when the weather gets warmer, that the virus goes down. its ability to replicate, to spread, it doesn't like warm, moist weather as much as it likes cold, dry weather. but having said that, one should not assume that we are going to be rescued by a change in the weather. you must assume that the virus will continue to do its thing. if we get some help from the weather, so be it, fine. but i don't think we need to assume that. >> finally let's talk a little about the new normal after this crisis passes. handshaking not part of the new normal? >> you know, i think at least for awhile, george, as i've said, you know, people have kind of raised their eyebrows when i said it. i think we should refrain from that right now because we really need to concentrate on the physical separation. but also even as you get back to normal, continue to wash your hands, because with viral diseases that are respiratory borne where people continue to touch their face and shake hands and touch doorknobs, to me the better part of valor is just hold off on that for awhile. >> dr. fauci, thanks for your time this morning. >> always good to be with you, george. >> always such good information from dr. fauci. michael, i don't know about you, i'm willing to live with elbow bumps for a long time. >> i'm willing to do with a wave for awhile from six feet away. thanks, george. great interview. as we know, the pandemic has taken -- had its effect on the economy. the number of unemployment claims across the country have been staggering. all eyes will be on the new numbers due out this morning. rebecca jarvis has the latest. >> reporter: good morning, michael. we have just learned that 6.6 million americans were laid off last week and filed for new unemployment insurance. that means in three weeks more than 16 million americans have lost their job. this morning a tidal wave of unemployment claims. another 6.6 americans filed for unemployment claims. now 15 million out of work and desperate for relief. in florida, hundreds of residents lining up in their cars to pick up applications. police directing traffic. >> we've given out hundreds and hundreds of applications. >> reporter: just one day earlier at that same spot outside of miami, chaos as crowds of people ignored social distancing pushing, shoving and snatching forms, desperate to file. >> everybody out here is risking their lives to get this application. >> i have not paid one bill since this all happened. >> reporter: this woman of new york has been trying to file for weeks after the state's website crashed. >> i calculated over 2,000 attempts to call. i'm worried about putting food in my mouth. >> reporter: the financial crisis hitting home for small business owners too. for days california comic shop owner joe field has struggled to apply for a federal loan that would help pay his employees. >> there's a lot of information here that i am not used to dealing with, even after having been in business for 32 years. >> reporter: small businesses make up 47% of employees in this country. the concern now, if the businesses don't survive, many americans won't have jobs to return to. >> it's hard to get the small businesses with enough financial flexibility to ramp back up when they want to and when they're ready to. >> reporter: treasury telling us those $1,200 stimulus checks will begin depositing early next week. as for unemployment insurance, you have to apply in order to be eligible. george, you just have to keep trying. george? >> okay, rebecca, thanks very much. we're going to turn now to the race for the white house. the november lineup now set as bernie sanders has dropped out of the race. the democratic contest, joe biden will be taking on donald trump in a race reshaped by the coronavirus crisis. mary bruce is tracking the latest. >> reporter: this morning, joe biden is now the apparent democratic nominee. >> my good friend, he is a friend, bernie sanders announced he was suspending his campaign. he's inspired and energized millions of supporters, especially young voters to join him in championing a progressive vision for our country. >> reporter: biden reaching out to sanders' supporters after the vermont senator called it quits on wednesday, admitting victory was virtually impossible. >> i cannot in good conscious continue to mount a campaign that cannot win and which would interfere with the important work required of all of us in this difficult hour. >> reporter: but overnight sanders not yet ready to endorse his former rival. >> i will say that we are, you know, talking to joe and we're talking to his team about how we can work together. >> reporter: the question now, what will the rest of this race look like? 16 states have postponed their primaries, many moving to expand mail-in ballots. the democratic convention already pushed back to august and biden now says they may have to hold a virtual convention instead. now, while sanders has suspended his campaign he does plan to remain on the ballot in states that still have primaries and that means he can continue to gather delegates and could give him leverage as he tries to influence the party's platform, george, especially on the issue of health care. >> yeah, that has been his signature issue. okay, mary, thanks very much. robin? okay, george, w to something we simply cannot do enough right now, and it is so important to thank our health care workers there on the front lines. take a look at this heroes' welcome. a nurse had her camera rolling at the start of her day. first responders clapping, cheering, holding thoughtful messages to greet the medical team at north shore university hospital in new york. you're seeing this all around the country. inspiration to take with them as they return to the front lines. and, michael, as my mama used to say you can't put a limit on gratitude. you cannot say thank you enough. >> you cannot say thank you enough and hopefully they feel the love, robin. i love watching people do that. and every night at 7:00 in the city you hear people screaming and hollering and banging on pots and pans to show them the gratitude they have for the great job they're doing. we're going to go to commercial right now, and i'll tell you what's coming up. why some men of color say wearing a mask in public puts them at extra risk, and the intense confrontation caught on camera. suspicious pop-up testing site driven out by angry residents. was it legitimate? but first we'll go to ginger at home. good morning, ginger. >> reporter: good morning, michael. another arkansas tornado. this one at night in harrisburg. you can see about 30 homes were damaged and we've got to get to the chilly cities brought to you by planet fitness. good morning. i'm abc 7 news meteorologist mike nicco. a little fog, drizzle, spotty this morning like our showers this afternoon. day five of being controlled by that low. it goes away for the weekend. it keeps getting warmer into next week. today, upper 50s at the coast. tonight, mid 40s to mid 50s with our last chance of some wet weather. temperatures next week, how about mid 60s at the coast and mid to upper 70s in bay stay right there.ay we'll be right back. stop dancing around the pain that keeps you up again, and again. advil pm silences pain, and you sleep the whole night. advil pm in a time when so mit matters even more what doesn't change. our hearts are open. our teams are here. doing everything we can to help all families. today. tomorrow. always. thousands of women 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platelet counts, infections, tiredness, nausea, sore mouth, abnormalities in liver blood tests, diarrhea, hair thinning or loss, vomiting, rash, and loss of appetite. be in your moment. ask your doctor about ibrance. be in your moment. if you are currently facing we'rfinancial burdens,w normal"" call your state farm agent because we're here to help make this "new" normal, feel just a little more...normal. like a good neighbor, state farm is there.® 450-degree oven, to box, to you, know that from our it's our policy that your pizza is never touched once it comes out of the oven. and we're taking extra steps, like no contact delivery, to ensure it. now your health, your safety, this is abc 7 news. >> good morning. an east bay nursing home has become a hot zone for coronavirus cases. this is at the gateway care and rehab center. six people have died, 53 more have tested positive for covid-19. that includes patients and staff. we reached out to the manager for comment but have not heard back. fremont police are investigating the first homicide of the year. this happened in the lucky supermarket parking lot around 7:30 last night. investigators say the victim was in the parking lot with friends when an suv pulled up. we're told the victim got out of his car and got into a fight with someone in the suv. a person in that suv ended up opening fire and taking off. it's not clear what led up to this fight. we will talk to mike nic now your accuweather forecast with mike nicco. >> good morning. waking up to fog and drizzle closer to the coast. one of our mildest mornings. a lot of low to mid 50s. 57 in oakland. 54 in san jose. your commute is just the stray shower this afternoon after the drizzle and fog this morning. it's due to this low. day five of this low dominating our weather. starting tomorrow, high pressure will move in and check out how much warmer and brighter it gets this weekend. >> thank you. "tiger king" goes to hollywood. next, what's going to happen with the big cat drama documentary murder thing. we will be back in 30 minutes with another abc 7 news update. until then, have a good and safe morning. ev rand fast, reliable, secured internet from xfinity can help. we have plans to fit every budget with speeds up to a gig-all at xfinity.com. we'll ship you a self-install kit that makes setup quick, safe and easy. no tech visit required. and our simple digital tools will help you manage your account online. at xfinity, we're committed to keeping you connected. find great offers and value, today, at xfinity.com more than ever, your home is your sanctuary. that's why lincoln offers you the ability to purchase a new vehicle remotely with participating dealers. an effortless transaction- all without leaving the comfort- and safety of your home. that's the power of sanctuary. and for a little extra help, receive 0% apr financing and defer your first payment up to 120 days on the purchase of a new lincoln. the spread of covid-19. to help, we're offering free prescription delivery, by simply going to cvs.com or calling your local cvs. so, stay safe. because the more we stay apart, the sooner we can all get back together. uh-oh, dead battery at your rustic rental. what if a little birdie told you it's switching time? thanks friend. switched up to twelve hours of battery life. switch to chromebook. i am totally blind. and non-24 can throw my days and nights out of sync, keeping me from the things i love to do. talk to your doctor, and call 844-214-2424. steven could only imaginem 24hr to trenjoying a spicy taco.burn, now, his world explodes with flavor. nexium 24hr stops acid before it starts for all-day all-night protection. can you imagine 24-hours without heartburn? five, four, three, two, one. >> welcome back to "gma." ♪ five, four, three, two, one >> welcome back to "gma." you're watching nurses at thomas jefferson university hospital in philly with "level up." that's ciara's hit song. the superstar posted this on her instagram saying grateful for each and every one of you. they are on a whole other level. >> i'm just -- i'm so impressed. ciara and her husband, seattle seahawks quarterback russell wilson, they have been keeping busy dancing at home with the little ones. >> that's cute. >> the couple, they're going to join us in our next hour. why? they are helping out with our day of hope, and george, they are doing it in a big way. we can't wait to share that later. >> yeah, they have a big story to tell. so many people helping in so many ways. let's get to the top headlines we're following on this crisis right now. there are new hot spots in the country right now. they're growing in texas and connecticut. they both are seeing increases of a thousand cases in just one day. while new york state suffered its deadliest day yet, nearly 800 fatalities in 24 hours. also right now, a connecticut teenager has been arrested and charged after zoom bombing his high school online class and previously interrupted with obscene language and gestures and the school is now moved away from using that popular software. take a look at this. we know new york city is going through a tough week. so many eager to help. there you see community members in ithaca, new york, upstate new york giving off an amazing send-off to the health care workers on their way to new york city to join the fight. >> again, we see this again and again all across the country. it is wonderful. we are going to continue now because coronavirus is affecting people of color at a higher rate. look at a startling statistic for deaths among african-americans in areas like milwaukee, chicago and louisiana and on top of that, some are concerned about taking one of the precautions recommended by the cdc and that's wearing a homemade mask in public. steve osunsami has more and joins us this morning from atlanta. good morning, steve. >> reporter: good morning to you, robin. it's a tough decision for men of color in particular. should you wear a face mask to stay safe or not wear a face mask to stay safe? the concern is a real one that wearing a face covering might make you seem more threatening to other americans. this is video recorded on a cell phone at a walmart in eastern illinois last month. these two say they were asked by the police officer to leave because they were wearing face masks in the store. >> he just followed us from outside, told us we cannot wear masks. there is a presidential order. there is a state order and he is following us right out of the store. we're being asked to leave for being safe. >> reporter: in response to the incident and video wood river police are investigating and say the officer asked for identification, and the two men refused. police also say the officer seen on camera following the men to the exit did not ask them to leave the store. in a statement the police chief did side with the two black men saying that his officer was incorrect and that no matter who it is, i support the wearing of a nonsurgical mask or face covering when in public during the covid-19 pandemic period. while the cdc is now encouraging americans to wear face coverings in public, black and brown men are having to decide whether doing so is worth the additional risks of getting racially profiled. >> we do have to worry this concern about being perceived as threatening may inhibit some young black men from wearing masks and thus protecting themselves from contracting coronavirus. >> reporter: the u.s. surgeon general who's african-american helped produce this public service announcement showing how easy it is to make your own face covering. >> it's that easy. >> reporter: but many black men are nervous about wearing one. on twitter actor and comedian caylin allen writes, i just don't feel comfortable as a black person wearing a scarf or bandana if i need to go purchase essential goods. and in an editorial from "the boston globe" aaron thomas writing, i will not be covering my face until i am able to obtain a face mask that is unmistakable for what it is. what i do not trust is the innate biases and lack of critical thought about the implications of these decisions. >> national crises like these can bring out the best in people and they can also bring out the worst in people. those who have existing bias against black people, hispanics, other folks are unfortunately maybe more likely to act on those sorts of impulses. >> reporter: all this is coming at a time when we're starting to learn just how much more deadly the virus is for black and brown people. in louisiana for example, more than 70% of people who have been killed by the virus are black. >> so what we're finding is those people specifically in african-american communities, they're waiting longer periods of time to get to the emergency room and often presenting in a more aggressive late term of this covid-19 virus. >> reporter: hearts breaking in detroit for the family of vincent barber. he and his wife were just married in october. she thinks he got sick after a haircut. >> he didn't make it. he was only 39. he was a dynamic preacher, an awesome musician. he is just a great guy. >> reporter: health officials now believe that wearing face coverings does some part to stop the spread of disease and they believe that everyone no matter the color, should be wearing them in public. george? >> yeah, but such a difficult decision for so many. okay, steve, thanks very much. we're going to turn to a confrontation caught on camera at a pop-up covid-19 testing site in kentucky. it's raising questions about the legitimacy of these sites. the fbi is now taking a look and our chief justice correspondent pierre thomas has the story. >> hello. where are you from? >> reporter: in this intense confrontation caught on tape, angry louisville residents are challenging the legitimacy of this lab testing site that popped up near a gas station parking lot. despite the white tents and personnel appearing in hazmat gear community activists were aggressively skeptical. >> you spelled it h-i-p-p-a. it's h-i-p-a-a. on your own certificate you spell it wrong. >> where are they being sent? >> a genetics lab. >> we're doing things the right way. we don't have anything to hide. >> reporter: the louisville council president not buying it. >> what are y'all doing? are you trying to rip people off? charging $240 for some stuff. >> reporter: the company apparently not wanting any trouble, decides to pull up stakes and as they leave, the councilman ripping down their signs. >> welcome to kentucky, baby. that's how we do it. >> reporter: louisville's mayor and the health department officials claim the chicago-based company collecting those samples, community outreach marketing and a second company showed up out of nowhere never notifying them they would be conducting tests in the community. >> the fact that our health departments and our hospitals weren't aware initially of these two testing sites was very troubling to us. >> reporter: in response, the mayor signed an emergency order requiring any pop-up testing site to receive health department approval first before collecting samples. a law enforcement source telling abc news the fbi's monitoring the situation and kentucky's chief law enforcement officer says he's investigating. also concerned about the way the tests were allegedly conducted and possible contamination. >> they were swabbing one cheek and then using the same gloves to swab another cheek. so there were a lot of concerns that were very evident that something was not right. >> reporter: abc news contacted the ceo of community outreach marketing. it turns out he also runs an auto body outfit in illinois. he declined to comment other than suggesting that his company did nothing wrong and that his good name was being sullied. his attorney says his client has been involved in health care marketing for many years conducting tests often at health fairs. the attorney flatly rejected claims by city officials saying his client did inform the city and state about the testing and that any suggestion that nurses did not properly collect samples or failed to change gloves between patients is, quote, simply wrong. the marketing company was essentially run out of town which the attorney says was unfair because they were simply trying to help in this national emergency. so, george, this is clearly a confusing situation. another symbol of covid-19 stress. it's unclear if any laws were broken, but one tip for patients, check with your local health department before using any popup testing site. george? >> yeah, that is essential. thanks very much. coming up, with those soaring unemployment numbers, how some americans are getting creative with side hustles in order to make ends meet. up next, "tiger king" goes hollywood. what's next for the megahit docu-series as joe exotic speaks out? and the struggle is real. mom! look! take something that can wipe you out? or don't, and fight through every second. new quick-dissolve nurtec™ can bring you back when migraines attack. just one dose can work fast and last so you can keep going. don't take if allergic to nurtec. the most common side effect was nausea. nurtec one migraine. one dose. onederful™ one migraine. one dose. allstate hcatastrophesing custofor 89 years. we move quickly and put people first. as the coronavirus is keeping many americans at home, we are driving less and having fewer accidents. so we created the "shelter-in-place payback" to give our auto insurance customers more than $600 million dollars to help them in these challenging times. if you're an allstate customer, go to the allstate app or allstate.com this is what it means to be in good hands. it's miracle-gro's biggest thing: performance organics. this organic collection of soil and plant food is what you have always wanted. no compromise. twice the results. get everything you need for spring at miraclegro.com order today. our retirement plan with voya gives us confidence... ...we can spend a bit now, knowing we're prepared for the future. surprise! we renovated the guest room, so you can live with us. i'm good at my condo. well planned, well invested, well protected. voya. be confident to and through retirement. back now on "gma" with the back now on "gma" with the surprise hit docu-series "tiger king." with so many people staying home, one in nine americans have seen the hit docu-series about big cats and the man known as joe exotic. films and spin-off projects in the works with some big names interested and will reeve joins us with the details. good morning, will. >> reporter: good morning, michael. whether it's a perfect show or just unfortunately came at the perfect time, either way "tiger king" is a huge hit and people want more. they might just get their wish. it's the salacious show which chronicles the tale of oklahoma city zoo owner joe exotic. >> she fed her husband to the tiger. >> reporter: and his vendetta against his nemesis, carole baskin of big cat rescue in in florida. >> hey, all you cool cats and kittens. >> reporter: exploring the life of animal zookeepers. a smash hit. >> never did we imagine that this would sort of have the popularity that it has. >> reporter: there's a clear appetite for more joe exotic. last fall "snl" star kate mckinnon signed to star in an adaptation of a joe exotic podcast and now with the seven-part netflix series dominating pop culture during coronavirus quarantine hollywood quickly pouncing. rob lowe posting this picture of himself dressed as joe exotic on instagram. dax shepard, even margot robbie mentioned to take on the joe exotic role. >> there is a lot of different actors who could play that role that people have been speculating on social media might be interested. >> reporter: the issue of joe's innocence even coming up at a white house press briefing. overnight the president put on the spot after a reporter asked about a possible pardon. >> i know nothing about it. he has 22 years for what? what did he do? >> he allegedly hired someone to murder an animal rights activist but said he didn't do that. >> do you think he didn't do it? are you on his side? are you recommending a pardon? >> i'm not advocating -- >> i'll take a look. is that joe exotic? that's joe exotic. >> reporter: speaking to netflix last month from prison where he is serving a 22-year sentence for attempted murder for hire and animal abuse, joe exotic says he's aware of his newfound notoriety. >> it would be nice if i could actually see me being famous out there but i've seen the same four walls. >> reporter: but he's focused on clearing his name. >> i'm done with the carole baskin saga. it is now time to turn the tables and joe get out of jail a free man and exonerated from all these charges. >> reporter: one thing is clear. millions of people are hungry for more "tiger king." netflix would not confirm if there's another episode in the works, but director eric good said there's plenty of unaired material, michael. >> seems like people can't get enough. will, thank you very much. coming up, our "play of the day." be right back with more "gma." be right back with more "gma." ♪ be right back with more "gma." social distancing doesn't have to make us socially distant, right? i mean, humans need other humans. even if we can't stand closer than six feet, or touch each other. there's still ways to...touch each other. like picking up food, or supplies, or, dropping them off. after all, cars were invented to bring us closer together. so, carmax is doing everything we can to keep you going. and that's the way it should be. i'm abc news chief medical correspondent dr. jen ashton with tips to help you stay safe during the covid-19 pandemic. if you're having mild cold or flu symptoms that would not have driven you to seek medical care six months ago, stay at home and call your health care provider or local health department for next steps. remember, hospital emergency rooms are already busy caring for patients. if you have mild symptoms and go to the er, you could be putting more vulnerable people at risk. for more go to cdc.gov. she's driven by a primal desire for meat. a lynx in the wild and your cat. for a lynx this need is satisfied by what the wild provides. for your cat it's meat rich blue wilderness. because your cat is wild inside. there's my career,... my cause,... my choir. i'm a work in progress. so much goes... into who i am. hiv medicine is one part of it. prescription dovato is for adults who are starting hiv-1 treatment and who aren't resistant to either of the medicines dolutegravir or lamivudine. dovato has 2... medicines in... 1 pill to help you reach and then stay undetectable. so your hiv can be controlled with fewer medicines... while taking dovato. you can take dovato anytime of day,... with food... or without. don't take dovato if you're allergic to any of its... ingredients or if you take dofetilide. if you have hepatitis b, it can change during treatment with dovato and become harder to treat. your hepatitis b may get worse or become life-threatening... if you stop taking dovato. so do not stop dovato... without talking to your doctor. serious side effects can occur, including allergic reactions,... liver problems, and liver failure. life-threatening side effects include lactic acid buildup and severe liver problems. if you have a rash and other symptoms of an allergic reaction,... stop taking dovato and get medical help right away. tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems,... including hepatitis b or c. one of the ingredients in dovato may harm your... unborn baby. your doctor may prescribe a different medicine... than dovato. your doctor should do a pregnancy test... before starting... dovato. use effective birth control... while taking dovato. the most common side effects are headache, diarrhea, nausea, trouble sleeping, and tiredness. so much goes into who i am... and hope to be. ask your doctor if starting hiv treatment with dovato is right for you. ♪ i do my hair toss, check my nails, baby, how you feeling ♪ checking my nails and checking what george has on. we're far apart. ♪ i do my hair toss, check my nails, baby, how you feeling ♪ checking my nails and checking what george has on. we're far apart. but look at that, we're matching purple like that. never far from my heart, i got to tell you that. >> yeah. >> it feels good. not bad at all my friend. hey, how about our "play of the day." you're going to really like this. all of you. especially you, michael. our guy, tyler perry, paying it forward. paid for all the groceries for senior shoppers at 44 kroger stores in atlanta. 29 winn-dixies in new orleans. that's where he's from. we caught up with one of the lucky shoppers lillian roberts from my college hometown hammond, louisiana. take a look. >> so we went and made our groceries and we got to the register. we're getting ready to pay for it, and a girl said, oh, your groceries are being paid for by tyler perry. really? you're kidding me. i been on top of the world all day, just that simple act of kindness from tyler perry. >> yeah. >> you know, he made them happy, but kroger said he also paid for nearly 3,000 shoppers across atlanta, and you can see the gratitude on their faces as well, and he didn't comment on the donations, but he told kroger said it was paid for by an anonymous angel. he's an angel, but he's not anonymous anymore. >> no. >> he always steps up. so great to see. >> yep. >> doesn't he? >> we'll be right back. anonymous anymore. >> he always steps up. so great to see. >> yep. >> doesn't he? >> we'll be right back. step by step, we're going to figure this out. we're gonna find a way through this. we're working really, really hard in hospitals, our nurses, our techs, all the docs. it's about staggering when people get sick so that the hospitals can cope. we're gonna go through an awful lot of these. all across puget sound, people have been stepping up and donating personal protective equipment. we stay at work. for you. you stay at home for us. just know we're all with you. thank you, thank you so much. thank you doctors & nurses. who've got their eczema under control.rs, with less eczema, you can show more skin. so roll up those sleeves. and help heal your skin from within with dupixent. dupixent is the first treatment of its kind that continuously treats moderate-to-severe eczema, or atopic dermatitis, even between flare ups. dupixent is a biologic, and not a cream or steroid. many people taking dupixent saw clear or almost clear skin, and, had significantly less itch. that's a difference you can feel. don't use if you're allergic to dupixent. serious allergic reactions can occur, including anaphylaxis, which is severe. tell your doctor about new or worsening eye problems, such as eye pain or vision changes, or a parasitic infection. if you take asthma medicines, don't change or stop them without talking to your doctor. so help heal your skin from within. and talk to your eczema specialist about dupixent. i heard there guwere fleas out here.r? 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[squawks] only pay for what you need. ♪ liberty. liberty. liberty. liberty. ♪ your cells. trillions of them. that's why centrum contains 24 key nutrients to feed your cells, supporting your energy so you can take care of what matters most. centrum. feed your cells. fuel your life. well, you see here... there's a photo of you and there's a photo of your mommy and then there's a picture of me. but before our story it goes way, way, way back with your great, great, great grandparents. see this handsome man, his name is william. william fell in love with rose and they had a kid. his name was charles and charles met martha... isn't she pretty? yeah. coming up, our day of hope helping americans struggling with food insecurity. especially right now. this has been brought to you by ancestry, whaso let's do the rightver chanthing, today.ow. let's stay at home. let's wash up. let's always keep our distance - please, six feet apart at least. let's look after ourselves, as well as others. it will all be worth it. we can all do our part. so those on the front line can do their part. and when this is over, we will all, continue, to thrive. now, your health, your safety, this is abc 7 news. >> good morning. those stimulus checks from the government could hit your bank account as early as today. 50 to 60 million taxpayers will receive the money to pay rent, groceries and other bills by next week. some experts say possibly some of those could hit today and tomorrow. this first group includes people who have given their bank account information to the irs. the next wave of money could begin as early as the week of april 20th. let's talk about today and meteorologist mike nicco. >> thank you very much. appreciate the good news. let's look at what's going on. a few sprinkles this morning, fog near the coast and a stray shower this afternoon. day five of the low pressure bringing us cooler than average temperatures. here is a look at my seven-day forecast, high pressure, afternoon sunshine and warmer than average temperatures this weekend. >> mike, thank you. another abc 7 news update in 30 minutes. you can catch us on our news app and abc 7 news.com. right now, we deliver you back to "good morning america." hope you have a good day. our retirement plan with voya gives us confidence. they help us with achievable steps along the way... ...so we can spend a bit today, knowing we're prepared for tomorrow. wow dad, do you think you overdid it maybe? i don't think so... what do you think, peanut? nope! honey, do you think we overdid it? overdid what? see? we don't think so, son. technically, grandparents can't overdo it. it's impossible. well planned, well invested, well protected. voya. be confident to and through retirement. good morning, america. it's 8:00 a.m. covid-19 hot spots growing. texas and connecticut both see increases of a thousand cases in just one day. new york state suffers its deadliest day yet. nearly 800 fatalities in 24 hours. >> the bad news isn't just bad, the bad news is actually terrible. >> and news this morning that social distancing may already be paying off. the dramatic new prediction that offers real signs of hope. what white house task force member dr. anthony fauci is telling us this morning. also this morning, with record new unemployment claims and millions more americans facing layoffs, the creative ways some are finding to keep the money coming in. real stories and advice you can use. ♪ ain't no mountain high enough ♪ also this morning, our special live event. "gma's" day of hope. how so many across the country are coming together to feed america as so many more are lining up for meals in this time of insecurity. how can you help? and how can you find help? we're taking you to the front lines of the food banks from texas to pennsylvania to this neighborhood where one mystery resident is making bag lunches and sharing them with strangers. russell wilson, ciara, j.j. watt and get ready to go the distance with our brand-new take on a disney song like you've never heard before. as we say, good morning, america. ♪ ain't no mountain high enough ♪ ♪ ain't no valley low enough ♪ ain't no river wide enough to keep me from you ♪ welcome back to "gma," everybody. thanks for being with us on this thursday morning. happy to have robin and george joining us from their homes all morning long and i'm looking at you two and kind of upset. i missed the color coordination memo. >> oh, but you know what, michael, happy friday eve. happy friday eve, my friend. >> thank you. >> we'll make sure you're on the memo line, the email chain next time. >> thank you. >> you got that. we wanted to bring some hope to your morning so we are partnering with feeding america for our "gma" day of hope. feeding america, as you know, is a huge nationwide network of food banks, and we're kicking this off with some very good news. a generous gift from our friends at bounty who are donating $2 million to help get food on kitchen tables all across america. now, if you are in a position to help or if you need help go to feedingamerica.org/feedthelove to find out how and feeding america, they are feeding the love, aren't they? >> boy, they sure are. they're doing such incredible work all across the country and as we all know it's so needed right now. want to get to some of the latest numbers now on this covid outbreak. we know that new york is the epicenter right now and in the united states, more than 14,000 have died. but more than 24,000 people have recovered. want to go back to whit johnson good morning, whit. >> reporter: george, good morning to you. there are encouraging signs that new york state might be approaching the peak of this pandemic. the rate of hospitalizations appears to be slowing, but it comes with a painful toll. this morning, new york state reeling from its deadliest day in the pandemic. nearly 800 fatalities in just 24 hours. the statewide death toll now more than double the lives lost in 9/11. but some encouraging news from new york-presbyterian reporting for the first time since the outbreak they had more people go home than were admitted into the hospital. george speaking with dr. anthony fauci earlier this morning about the virus in new york. >> have we hit the peak in new york? >> it's tough to tell, george. we very well may be there, you know, when you talk about peak, if goes up, it does this then it starts to come down. it's really looking like it's going to make that turn but, you know, being very careful and cautiously optimistic, i wouldn't want to say that but i think that is what is going on. >> reporter: governor cuomo cautiously optimistic but urging new yorkers to continue to follow social distancing guidelines. >> if we stop what we are doing, you will see that curve change. >> reporter: other hot spots still growing in places like washington, d.c., baltimore, louisiana, chicago, detroit, pennsylvania and florida. and it's not just populated cities. this map published by "the new york times" showing more than two-thirds of rural counties nationwide have at least one confirmed case. noshlg new york officials worry the death toll could be much higher because some who die at home with coronavirus symptoms are not in cloudcluded in the c. most of the data is coming from hospitals and nursing homes. george? >> yeah, we have so much more to learn. okay, whit, thanks very much. michael. >> all right, thank you, george. now to linda tripp, a key figure in the impeachment of former president bill clinton has died. tripp worked at the pentagon in the '90s and befriended monica lewinsky who was an intern at the time. lewinsky confided in tripp as she detailed her relationship with clinton. tripp secretly recorded the conversations and handed them over to ken starr. tripp's family has yet to release her cause of death. she was 70 years old. coming up, our day of hope. ciara and seahawks quarterback, russell wilson, join us live to talk about their incredible contribution. plus, with those soaring unemployment numbers, how some americans are getting creative to make ends meet. and more hope this morning with an uplifting performance by disney's broadway stars. we'll be right back. ♪ ♪ hey allergy muddlers... achoo! do your sneezes turn heads? ♪ try zyrtec. zyrtec starts working hard at hour one and works twice as hard when you take it again the next day. zyrtec. muddle no more. and try zyrtec-d for proven relief of your allergies, sinus pressure, and congestion. subway is still serving the subs delicious subs made fresh and easy to get for takeout or delivery. and now, with our family takeout special, get a free footlong when you buy two. ♪ be head of the household, had to because i became a dependent. my tip is, every time i wanted to smoke a cigarette i would think of my children. (announcer) for free help, visit cdc.gov/tips. ♪ uh-oh. no wifi at your in-law's house? it's switching time. ♪ and now it's netflix time. watch netflix offline. switch to chromebook. ♪ i have the power to lower my blood sugar and a1c. because i can still make my own insulin. and trulicity activates my body to release it like it's supposed to. once weekly trulicity is for type 2 diabetes. it's not insulin. it starts acting from the first dose. and it lowers risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in people with known heart disease or multiple risk factors. trulicity isn't for people with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. don't take trulicity if you're allergic to it, you or your family have medullary thyroid cancer, or have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. stop trulicity and call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction, a lump or swelling in your neck, severe stomach pain, changes in vision, or diabetic retinopathy. serious side effects may include 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comfort- and safety of your home. that's the power of sanctuary. and for a little extra help, receive 0% apr financing and defer your first payment up to 120 days on the purchase of a new lincoln. ♪ good morning, good morning good morning, america. welcome back to "gma." we're so happy to have you join us on this thursday morning for our day of hope. >> that's right. tomorrow on "gma" and so many are celebrating passover with virtual sader. while even more are getting ready for easter as well, we have new ways to get together and celebrate, while of course physically staying apart. it's time now for "pop news" and let's go home to lara. how are you doing, lara? hi, amy, good morning to you. i had a chair for my co-host but as usual she's not cooperating. she's laying down. we begin with miss julia louis-dreyfus, the "seinfeld" and "veep" star doing her part with a public service announcement like no other. this is for the state of california. let's just say she puts her own julia louis spin on it. take a look. >> hi there, it's me. your friend julia louis-dreyfus. you know, normally when i do a psa like this i have a hair and makeup team, glam team, professional glam team who come and help me with my look. but today they're staying at home. they're staying safe and that's what i would like to ask you to do. please stay home. >> so good. julia captioning the video, happy to help get the message out. california's governor's office, gavin newsom's office, replied, julia, you've never looked better. let's bend the curve by staying home and keeping our distance, california. so funny, thank you, julia, for the laugh. also popping this morning, cardi b, the superstar rapper teaming up with the company, the fashion company nova fashion to donate $1,000 every hour to to someone affected by the coronavirus. it started yesterday and goes until may 20th. cardi b sharing the news on her instagram on wednesday explaining how it will work as only she can. take a look. >> you know, sometimes you give to charity and you wonder like, hmm, is it really going to the people? we'll make sure it is going to the people. go to fashionnova.com/cares and put your name, number. i'm going to give you all the directions down below, and make sure your instagram is open because i'm going to make sure that you really do need it. don't be lying. >> don't be lying. you heard it. the grammy winner will personally be vetting those in need. when you do the math, cardi and fashion nova will give away a total of $1 million from now till the giveaway ends. on may 20th. what you need to do is go to fashionnova.com/cares. if you or someone you love qualifies for cardi b's generous gift. check that out. really great. finally, guys, if you're a tennis fan or if you've always wanted to learn how to play, how about a little drill? i've got my tennis racket right here and my tennis partner. a drill you can do at home demonstrated by none other than roger federer. the tennis legend posting this video on twitter writing here's a helpful solo drill. let's see what you got. reply back with a video and i'll provide some tips. choose your hat wisely. well, as you can imagine, so many people, there you go, have taken roger up on his offer getting super creative with their hats and where they're doing the drill. you can do it anywhere, guys. even tennis phenom coco gauff got in on the act posting this video and writing, took me way too many tries to get this right. then she posted a second video, i love this, she's wearing her brother's football helmet while hitting the ball because she forgot her hat requirement. our favorite was a person who probably doesn't need any tennis tips at all. novak djokovic posting this writing good enough, federer? federer replied directly. you've beaten me with that volley more than a few times. i don't think you need any tips from me. and guys, i've got my racket out. robin, i know you also play. as soon as we can get these wires off, let's do it and let's post, okay? if i can get the ball back. >> i'm in. >> good luck. >> i know. oh, a riva sighting. she is adorable. >> wait. do we have a little man lucas sighting? >> oh, we do but -- okay, one quick one, okay. props again. here's little man lucas. he has -- hey, michael, even he has the memo for the purple. you see this? even -- we've got to get you on that email chain, michael strahan. >> always leaving me out. >> no, we don't, michael. we're going to have our "gma" cover story now, and our day of hope, a nation united in this most difficult time. millions of americans out of work, too many of them wondering where their next meal will come from. everyone from our neighbors to celebrities pitching in answering the call to help. seattle seahawks quarterback russell wilson and his superstar wife ciara will join us live in just a moment to tell us how they are helping. but first take a look at some of the people making a big difference, right little man? >> reporter: in pittsburgh, pennsylvania, over 850 cars lined up waiting for boxes of food. in new orleans, volunteers prepared hot meals for people in need. images like these seen across the country as millions of americans are suddenly out of work. so many people stepping up getting involved so no one goes hungry like the mystery resident providing these bagged lunches. >> i hope to get enough food to last about three weeks and that's about 3,000 pounds. >> reporter: seventh grader matthew reel collecting and distributing food. and celebrities -- >> we've already been able to feed hundreds of families and home-bound seniors. >> reporter: brad paisley and his wife kimberly williams lending a hand in nashville. quarterback for the seattle seahawks, russell wilson and his wife ciara giving back to the city. >> we'll donate a million meals. hopefully make a difference. >> reporter: and the rock band fall out boy remembering their roots, donating $100,000. >> chicago is a very special place to our band so we decided to make a donation. >> reporter: houston texan j.j. watt grateful and inspired. >> i think one of the most beautiful things about this country is when people come together during difficult times to help each other out. >> reporter: the need is so large that chicago's united center transformed from a sports arena into a food storage facility. then there are the incredible volunteers. with the power to inspire us all like zoe in california. >> we are here distributing dry food boxes that can feed anywhere from three to four people per family. >> reporter: all-star chefs. >> took on this pandemic and turned it into a community kitchen. >> reporter: their organizations like world central kitchen delivering meals across the country with #chefsforamerica. >> y'all taking care of yourselves and each other? >> reporter: this brewery converting into a pop-up food bank. >> doing a whole lot of good. >> reporter: then the creative problem solvers. like the front steps project now with over 350 photographers started by cara making family portraits from a safe distance, in return, a donation to the local food bank. >> great to recognize that there are things we can control and ways to help while being apart. >> reporter: the project raising more than $80,000 for over 55 community food banks and pantries. people recognizing that. we're all in this together. we certainly are. and as promised, seahawks quarterback russell wilson and his wife ciara have personally donated a million meals to their home state of washington, 10 million more pledged to feeding america in conjunction with the meals up initiative and as promised look at them joining us live from their home in los angeles. thank you both for getting up so early to join us, and congratulations. we know another baby is on the way. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> so, ciara, tell us how everybody is doing there at home. >> first of all it's obviously always great to talk to you, robin. i think for us, it's definitely early on this side. you know, on the west coast, but we wake up pretty early so this wasn't too bad for us, but, you know, obviously, you know, the world is going through so much right now and america is going through so much and i think, you know, for us to just try to find a way to make a little bit of a difference, you know, has been, you know, important to us and heavy on our hearts and i think that, you know, even in seattle there's so much going on, you know, and, you know, in our own backyard in seattle it's like there's just so much. so, you know, we've been really hoping and praying for america to all of us to come together and try to do that. >> yeah, and i know, ciara, you've always thought -- you are a woman of faith and that you really feel that you have a responsibility to step up and help in this regard, right? >> absolutely. i will say seattle is one of the places that got hit the hardest in the beginning of all this and, you know, when you think about it, at the core of it all two of the greatest necessities and essentials are food and shelter. it was really great for us to be able to -- we really wanted to focus on those needs, and the immediate needs. you know, if you don't have food, how can you really go on with your days or start your days? so it was really important to us to be able to do that, and it was a blessing that we were able to. that's one of the things we think about in this time. while it's tough for all of us, we're all in the same boat, it's a blessing to know we're able to give in a time like this. >> and to give in the manner that you're doing. and, russell, i know your mother used to be in the e.r., an e.r. nurse. she's still in health care and helping to even test people for coronavirus. your beautiful mother that we're showing on the screen right now. so when you see your mom and you see the other health care workers, what goes through your mind, russell? >> well, you know, growing up in hospitals, you know, my mom was an e.r. nurse like you mentioned. my dad unfortunately was in the hospital a lot as you know, robin, and, you know, died because of diabetes. and so i have been in hospitals a lot, and, you know, we go to seattle children's hospital to see all these nurses and doctors and just the sacrifice that they give, you know, and my mom is in seattle. she's a clinical nurse and she's able -- she's a clinical leader there in seattle. she's helping uw. they have four different testing sites and everything around the community that she's helping kind of lead and one of them in particular she's helping give tests for coronavirus and she's right in the middle of it all. and, you know, so, you know, get a little bit worried, you know, in that sense but more importantly, you know, when you think about, you know, the sacrifice that my mom and other nurses and doctors and people are giving, you know, they're the true heroes. and, you know, we're so grateful for them and what they're able to do and just means the world to us. >> yeah, and i'm sure that it does. we can't say thank you enough to all the health care workers and we can't say thank you enough to you, ciara. you saw that hospital outside of pennsylvania, right who took that challenge and they really, i mean, they are doing it. they are doing it. the thomas jefferson university hospital in philadelphia doing that "level up" challenge. how does it make you feel, ciara, to know that your -- what you're able to do can be so uplifting for people at a time especially for those on the front lines? >> oh, my gosh, it touches me in a great way. it's really inspiring and very meaningful especially at a time like this because i look at that moment that they are having as an opportunity for them to still put joy in the world in the midst of the storm. you know, it was really powerful to be honest. and i had to post and show them love because we are grateful for the doctors and nurses of our world because they're making big sacrifices, whether not spending time with their families or having limited time with their families or having to be extremely cautious with how they deal with their families, and their own lives. you know, they're literally putting their lives on the line every day too, so it brought me so much joy to see something like that, especially at a time like this. so i had to show them some love, you know, and we're just really grateful and proud of them in a time like this and really coming together. i think that's probably one of the greatest things you can take from this time. i feel like we're going to come out of this stronger together as a nation, as the world. you know, this is literally a time we're all in the same boat together. you know, no one is exempt from this time and what's happening and so you see moments like that, i think -- i'm sure -- i know it brought me a lot of joy and i'm pretty confident it brought a lot of other people around the world joy as well. >> it sure does. and they can move. we're seeing -- these doctors and nurses, they've got some good moves out there. >> yeah. >> really good. >> they're not holding back. they're getting low. they do it with perfection. i call them the level of champs. >> yeah. that's it. and, ciara, you're doing well? we know the baby is on the way, but you're doing well? everything is well? >> the bump is bumping. i was looking this morning and i was like i thought it was a teacup but it's getting bigger. it's actually honestly a really interesting time being pregnant during covid. i do this fun thing called women's wednesdays i started on instagram live that i want to talk to women and see what's happening with women all over the world and the next conversation i really want to have is the pregnancy conversation because what we're going through right now is interesting. like, i know there's many mothers like me that are wondering, how do we -- how will we be affected in this time? you haven't heard a lot about the pregnant women so i think there's a lot to learn and talk about. you know, but days are going slower now. you know, because you're in the house the whole time and we're homebodies but when somebody tells you to be home, to stay home, then it's like, okay, it feels different. it's like, whoa. what do i really do with this time? and when i am moving and able to go out a little now and then for fresh air and get around and even date nights, now we're not doing that and having to be creative here and the days are going slower and slower, okay, any day now. >> we're glad that people -- we're so glad that people are staying home. i'm sorry. i got to get to ginger. we're so glad people are staying home, and we're so happy what you -- you are the definition of a power couple, you two. so bless you, thank you and we'll keep in touch. >> thank you, guys. >> bye-bye. love you guys. more from our day of hope just ahead. i'm sorry, ginger. got to get to you. how are you doing, ginger? >> reporter: yes, because i have such -- i'm well thanks. have important information i have to get out because late this morning early afternoon baltimore, philadelphia, much of new jersey damaging wind in excess of 60 miles per hour. let' good morning. i'm abc 7 news meteorologist mike nicco. a little fog, drizzle, spotty this morning like our showers this afternoon. day five of being controlled by that low. it goes away for the weekend. it keeps getting warmer into next week. today, upper 50s at the coast. tonight, mid 40s to mid 50s with our last chance of some wet weather. temperatures next week, how about mid 60s at the coast and mid to upper 70s in bay we will be right back. >> announcer: tuesday jump start your morning with chase rice, original on good morning mourn america america's spring concert series. learn the secrets to happiness. listen to the ten percent hap happier podcast. now, your health, your safety, this is abc 7 news. >> good morning, everyone. a hayward nursing home is a hot center for coronavirus. six people have died and 53 others have tested positive for covid-19. that includes both patients and staff. we reached out to management but haven't heard anything back. berkeley is turning off pedestrian push buttons at nearly 50 intersections. walk signs will cycle through automatically and special push buttons for visually impaired will at cigna, we don't just stand with healthcare professionals in this time of crisis we run with them, toward those in need. we are 7,000 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and therapists supporting their efforts on the ground and virtually. and just as we are by their side, we're by yours, too. with answers to your most pressing questions and expert advice at cigna.com/covid19 now your accuweather forecast with mike nicco. >> good morning. welcome to friday eve, if you will. low to mid 50s in most neighborhoods. oakland, 57. it's dry in most areas. drizzle earlier and a spotty shower possible for our essential commuters to deal with as we head throughout the day. here is a look at my seven-day forecast. below average today, back to average tomorrow and warmer than average with a lot of sunshine starting saturday. >> thanks, mike. another abc 7 news update in 30 minutes. you can find the latest on our app and at abc7news.com. the news continues now with "good morning america." we hope you are having a great day. ♪ that's right. welcome back, everybody. this morning we are partnering with feeding america for our "gma" day of hope with so many people finding themselves out of work so quickly. more americans than ever before are now having trouble putting food on the table. if you need evidence of that, just look at this seemingly endless line of cars. they're all lined up for one food bank in pennsylvania. >> it's amazing. for many this is the first time they've needed help like this. so we want to make sure you know how to find help if you need it or give help if you can. there are tens of thousands of food banks and meal programs across america and you can go to feedingamerica.org/feedthelove to find one near you. we visited some essential workers on the front lines of the food banks. we want you guys to take a look. >> reporter: the demand for food in america right now, unprecedented. >> okay. how many families? >> reporter: lines at drive-through food banks stretching for miles. >> this is really the only source of food we're getting at the moment. thank god they're doing this. >> here you go. >> reporter: volunteers and staff across the country urgently answering the call. >> we're distributing food to about a thousand cars and we have food, we have toilet paper. >> reporter: feeding america, the nation's largest hunger relief organization reports 98% of their food banks are now seeing a massive increase in demand. at the same time, they're facing a decrease in food supplies and volunteers. in some areas, demand is so great the national guard has been deployed to help close the gap. >> i've never witnessed a system being more strained than it is right now. our estimations are that we will need to serve an additional 17.1 million people through this crisis on top of an already 37 million to 40 million people than we were serving before. >> reporter: at the regional food bank of oklahoma, lloyd vines says they're operating in what they call disaster response mode. >> normally we are relying on anywhere from 100 to 200 volunteers every day. for the past couple of weeks it's been myself and about 8 other staff members. we're tired but spirits are high. >> all of this just came in from the community. >> reporter: at eyelet harvest on long island each box given can feed a family of four for four days. >> helping everybody in need. >> reporter: 54-year-old jill ash has been a volunteer at feed more in richmond, virginia for more than a decade. she said she knows the risk. >> i know it's a very scary time. i'm not a medical person but i want to be able to help in any way i can. so regardless of any dangers surrounding us, i will be here until i'm not needed anymore. >> reporter: the selfless work of feeding the hungry is always noble. now it's nothing short of heroic. earlier this week, a devastating blow at the fulfill food bank in new jersey. 51-year-old beloved colleague diana tenet lost her battle with covid-19. her job was to go out in the community, getting food stamps to those who needed them. >> diana died making sure people who needed the food the most got that food. the people that work in this building are the unsung heroes. they put their life on the line every day, and diana is proof of that. >> reporter: at that food bank and thousands of others across the nation the mission continues. >> the reality is that we have, in fact, for the first time probably in our history we've had to turn some people away. we don't want to do that ever, ever again. >> wow, true heroes, each and every one of them and speaking of heroes we have one of those people who is out there getting food to people each and every day. brian greene, the president of the houston food bank, the largest feeding america food bank in the country. so first of all, we want to thank you for what you're doing, what your staff is doing. it is nothing short of heroic. so thank you for that. >> thank you so much and really thank you to everybody in america for rallying to help their neighbors. >> now, brian, this is pretty staggering. at your food bank right now every day you are going through around 750,000 pounds of food. so first of all just give me some perspective. have you ever seen anything like this, and tell us what you need. >> well, hurricane harvey was pretty rough on houston and the whole country rallied to help out our community. and so we were distributing about that same amount. the difference that i see here is the lines are actually much longer. it is very common for the sites to run out before we've served everyone. and unfortunately this -- the whole country is in the same boat so we can't concentrate all our resources in one impacted community. so all of the feeding america food banks are scrambling to get enough resources to meet the need. we're buying everything that we can get our hands on. trying to rally the community any way we can. >> brian, i want to read what one couple in texas said after visiting a food bank. they said, quote, we only have money for groceries for the next two days. when someone asked me to open my trunk and your employees started filling it up with groceries, i started to cry. thank you for helping us even though you don't know us. are you hearing the same things from folks there in houston as well? >> yeah, for feeding america food banks, for people who ask us to help people who didn't think this would ever be them, that happens. right now it's just the number of people is so scary. yes, a lot -- they're very grateful. they're very shocked. one of our partners like so many of our other partners try to treat people with dignity and compassion and recognize this isn't just a need but an emotional experience for those people having to do this, and they say the hardest part for them is they can't embrace someone who could use it right now. >> well, we got to say, brian, what you guys are doing, you are really truly angels in the community and we are so thankful for all the work and all the help you're giving those families out there who need a meal. really appreciate you. >> thank you. >> thank you. for anyone out there who is looking for help, remember, you are not alone. if you need help or if you're in a position to donate go to feedingamerica.org/feedthelove for more information. coming up, "deals & steals" to support small businesses. we'll be right back. eveso we can stillg a answer your calls. now. and we are monitoring our system 24/7 to ensure that we have a fast reliable network, keep the customers connected, and making sure people are staying safe. and we're still on the road. solving critical issues as they arise. ♪ go to xfinity.com/prepare. thank you. welcome back to "gma." we have breaking news on the jobs front right now. the weekly unemployment claims are in, and they are staggering again. 6.6 million people filed for unemployment over the last week. three-week total now, over 16 million unemployment claims filed. want to go to rebecca jarvis. our chief business economic correspondent and, rebecca, it is just not letting up. >> no, it's not letting up, george. and, frankly, it's what you would expect from this total shutdown of the u.s. economy and the question now for most americans is when am i going to get my stimulus check? when am i going to get that unemployment insurance? and when are the jobs going to come back? we've been talking to treasury about the $1,200 stimulus checks set to hit accounts beginning early next week if you have direct deposit. the unemployment insurance system for many americans as they've been applying has been shutting down, hasn't been working for a lot of people. the money is there and so you have to do that. you have to apply for it in order to get it. but the money is there and, george, this morning, the federal reserve simultaneously with this announcement of the 6.6 million americans who lost their jobs last week announcing a new stimulus program, a $2.3 trillion program to lend to businesses of all sizes as well as state and local governments which we know, george, those state and local governments have been dealing with this crisis both the economic fallout as well as the health care issues and the costs of both of those things are really an issue for state and local governments so this trillion dollar -- $2.3 trillion stimulus plan from the fed is really important as well. >> it is essential. okay, rebecca jarvis, thanks very much. lara? george, thank you so much. we'll take a look again at those job numbers. we just saw them, the u.s. chamber of commerce now says nearly 25% of small businesses have shut down their businesses temporarily. this is exactly why we are highlighting businesses like in that need our support so desperately. we are seeing a turnaround in these companies after tory johnson does her thing with these segments. so we want to get right to it right now with the amazing tory johnson from home highlighting small businesses in this addition of "deals & steals." tory, i'm here to assist. >> reporter: we got some good ones, lara. first up mantraband. this is a san clemente, california company that hopes its bracelets and necklaces with up lifting messages that promote optimism will save their company. so it's a good time to buy one of their products that say choose joy, this too shall pass. keep moving forward. they've got a great deal. everything is slashed in half today. it starts at $12.50. then we'll move on to a tea company and they have been really hit hard both here in new york city as well as their tea gardens. they are an oprah favorite several years in a row. so good time to get their master blends beautiful boxes, huge assortment of just soothing and relaxing options. it is all slashed in half and it starts at $7.50. then, for 25 years this company has focused on wellness. right now their holistic spas are closed as are all the spas and retailers that carry their herbal skin care. their ingredients, good for you, good for the planet. manuka honey cleansing balm that's won every beauty award. today is the day to stock up on these products and help save an important company. all of their products are slashed in half and today start at $16. all made in america. then we'll go to an interesting one, circadian optics. right now it is essential for people to stay inside but it's also difficult for a lot of people to do that. so this is a light therapy lamp. it's incredibly compact that will give you the same benefits of sunlight by mimicking the brightness of the sun and delivering some of the benefits to improve energy and mood for some people. that's a winner. today instead of $40 it is slashed in half, it is $20. then vim and vigor, a missoula, montana, company that's been really hard hit. employees are suffering. they sell compression leg wear, and mostly all to retailers. those retailers are now closed. so this is a chance for you to stock up on their graduated compression that supports legs all day and has the benefit of being really pretty. dr. jen and you both have worn them when i've bought them for you to wear on the plane. and so instead of $36, today they're $18, a savings of 50%. and then finally an 11-person team in chapel hill, north carolina, that sells a variety of sweat absorbing products. so it's all about clinically proven ingredients that will help everybody. so whether it is hands, feet, underarms, thighs, wherever it may be, they have a product for you regardless of the environment, temperature, circumstance. if sweating is a problem, these start at just $7.50 today. >> well, these are great deals, tory. these companies need our help. so, guys, go to our website, goodmorningamerica.com to get the details and thanks to these companies for participating. we have, in fact, partnered with all of them and we hope that you guys are okay. tory, thank you. we're going to head right over to ginger. >> reporter: yes, lara. i've got "gma's" pollen report sponsored by zyrtec. the first image is just going to make you sneeze over the screen. look at this one from north carolina. they throw the ball in there and then the pollen. yes, it slowed down but still, whoo. so let's check the actual pollen numbers, and at this point, we are seeing overall almost everywhere. you can't get away from it. overall pollen including all the different plants and flowers and grasses but you have to focus on trees because a lot of people have tree allergies and that is starting to creep as far north as chicago and minneapolis getting there. let's get a check now a little good morning. we're off to a gray start with mist and fog. we have one more chance of a stray shower today and tonight. look at the warm sunshine coming up in the accuweather seven-day forecast. coming up, an incredible performance from some of the stars of disney on broadway. stick around. ♪ "gma's" pollen report is sponsored by the makers of zyrtec. zyrtec, muddle no more. the heroic doctors and nurses on the front lines. the 7,000 cigna clinicians beside them. and everyone staying home to protect others. we will get through this together. we find a way through it. it's about taking care of each other. it's the small parts that make a big difference. at chevy, we promise to do ours. we're offering current chevy owners onstar crisis assist services and complimentary wifi data. to help keep you on the road, the chevy certified service experts are here and ready to help if you require parts, maintenance or repairs. you can also still shop and schedule your service appointment online. it's just our way of doing our part. ♪ this is my fight song ♪ this is my fight song back here on this "gma" day of hope as we join together to help our neighbors put food on their tables. a special performance of "go the distance" from "hercules" from the broadway performers. here they are. ♪ ♪ i have often dreamed of a far off place ♪ ♪ where a hero's welcome will be waiting for me ♪ ♪ where the crowds will cheer when they see my face ♪ ♪ and a voice keeps saying this is where i'm meant to be ♪ ♪ i'll be there someday i can go the distance ♪ ♪ i will find my way if i can be strong ♪ ♪ i know every mile will be worth my while ♪ ♪ when i go the distance i'll be right where i belong ♪ ♪ down an unknown road to embrace my fate ♪ ♪ though that road may wander it will lead me to you ♪ ♪ and a thousand years would be worth the wait ♪ ♪ it might take a lifetime, but somehow i'll see it through ♪ ♪ and i won't look back i can go the distance ♪ ♪ and i'll stay on track, no, i won't accept defeat ♪ ♪ it's an uphill slope ♪ it's an uphill slope ♪ but i won't lose hope till i go the distance ♪ ♪ and my journey is complete ♪ but to look beyond the glory is the hardest part ♪ ♪ for a hero's strength is measured by his heart, oh ♪ ♪ like a shooting star like a shooting star ♪ ♪ i will go the distance i will search the world ♪ ♪ i will search the world i will face its harms ♪ ♪ i don't care how far i don't care how far ♪ ♪ i can go the distance ♪ till i find my hero's welcome waiting, waiting in your arms ♪ ♪ yeah, i will search the world i will search the world ♪ ♪ i will face its harms till i find my hero's welcome waiting in your arms ♪ ♪ i will go the distance >> hmm. such, such talent. how wonderful was that? all those talented artists coming together with that message. one of them, ryan mccartan is who plays hans at the broadway show "frozen," and he is joining us live from his home in minneapolis. bravo, bravo. that was magnificent. what was it like with your fellow broadway stars coming together for making such a special performance? what was that like for you, ryan? >> well, first of all, it was very emotional and very different than anything we're used to as live performers to put a song together on zoom like that, but that's what the broadway community does. we roll with the punches and at the end of the day, this is a song about hope. i think that the people in this country need hope and when you need hope you look no further than the artistic community. the broadway community has a rich history of doing what's right and what's necessary, and what you saw was a group of performers trying to be innovative, trying to participate in the process of making a difference, and even though we can't be together physically, coming together to stand in hope, to deliver that message to our brothers and sisters across the country and the world to say, it is okay. we will get through this, and we'll see each other on the other side of this thing. >> you're so right because broadway's -- i'm telling you, you guys are at the forefront when it comes to giving back, stepping up and doing something and this is no different. i know that you're going to be hosting something very, very special. can you tell us about it? >> april 13th, broadway cares equity fights aids will be live streaming the disney on broadway 25th anniversary concert from last november. for folks at home who might not be familiar, disney on broadway celebrated their 25th anniversary and put together this amazing concert, it was so many huge stars, tony award winners and whoopi goldberg showed up. it was incredible and so that -- that is going to be streamed, that's already been taped. the live portion of it, i'll be hosting and conducting interviews with several of those disney and broadway stars throughout the concert and that's all going to stream on the 13th. it's going to benefit the covid-19 emergency assistance fund for people who are in need. >> ryan, we cannot thank you enough. thank you so much, ryan. that was our day of hope. have a great day. bye. >> announcer: every day our retirement plan with voya gives us confidence... ...so we can spend a bit today, knowing we're prepared for tomorrow. wow, do you think you overdid it maybe? overdid what? well planned, well invested, well protected. voya. be confident to and through retirement. now your health, your safety, this is abc 7 news. >> good morning, everyone. fremont police are investigating the city's first homicide of the year. it happened in the lucky supermarket parking lot. investigators say the victim was in a car with friends when an suv pulled up. the victim got out of his car and got into a fight with someone in the suv. that person ended up shooting the man and taking off. here is mike nicco with our forecast. >> good morning. hi, everybody. off to a gray start. the chance of drizzle and fog starting to let up. a shower possible this afternoon if you head outside. that's mainly across the south bay. coolest day of the forecast. low to mid 60s except for the coast, upper 50s. check out the spring sunshine this weekend and next week. >> thanks. now it's time for "live with kelly and ryan." we will be back at 11:00. join us then. you can find us on our app and at abc7news.com. have a great morning. >> announcer: it's "live with kelly and ryan!" today, one of the stars of "the neighborhood," max greenfield. and from the serious, "the baker and the beauty," victor rasuk. plus a performance from grammy award-winning david foster. and a spring gardening tips to feed your family. plus, you will me at all husband and wife from washington state as we continue our "helping heroes" series. all next on "live!" ♪ and now, here are kelly ripa and ryan seacrest! >> kelly: hi, there. good morning, everybody. it's april 9th. thursday. almost there. almost to the weekend. >> ryan: making our way

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