Major carrier to mandate Employee Vaccinations could it do the same for passengers and why now is the time to shop for a new Credit Card. Announcer this is Nbc Nightly News with Lester Holt hello, everyone great to be back from our coverage at the olympics, but returning, frankly, to a country that sadly looks a lot more like last winter when it comes to covid thats how much Ground Weve lost in the fight against the pandemic as were about to show you, in some parts of the country, hospitals themselves are on the critical list. Available icu beds counted in single digits, or worse yet, patients turned away. As the danger of the Delta Variant becomes more apparent each day, more americans are getting vaccinated that number well above 166 million. Finally edging above the 50 mark but the goalposts may be moving. The threshold for Herd Immunity now calculated to be well beyond 80 , according to a recent briefing by the infectious Diseases Society of america. Our teams on the Ground Tonight in two very hard hit places Morgan Chesky starts us off now from texas. Reporter tonight, as the Delta Variant wreaks havoc nationwide, Covid Cases now rising in every state, pushing many hospitals into crisis mode. Were at an Emergency Situation here, No Doubt about It Reporter the virus causing the highest number of u. S. Cases since february, hitting the south where Vaccination Rates remain low especially hard. In austin, texas, home to nearly A Million people, only six icu beds remain open residents getting this robocall over the weekend. Covid19 situation in austin is dire. Health care facilities are open, but researches are limited due to a surge in cases. The countys top doctor calling it an hourbyhour situation. Cases are rising so sharply, you could potentially send patients out of state . Its a its a possibility. Reporter the surge now forcing worst case scenarios, like covid Overflow Tents in Houston And Pediatric Units full as Stephanie Lopez watched crews fly her 11monthold Daughter eva to a hospital nearly 150 miles away. It was a very overwhelming, heartbreaking Experience Reporter many states, including new Jersey And Arizona havent reissued mask mandates, while in arkansas, the governor, amid a surge in cases, regretting a prior ban. It was an error to sign that law. I admit that. Reporter Tonight Experts warn the type of mask matters. The virus is being spread through aerosols and not droplets wearing a higher Quality Mask becomes more important. Reporter dr. Gottlieb says n95 masks are safest, Warning Cloth Masks provides just 20 protection a Procedure Mask offering 40 most people dont wear those masks well, dont fit them well. So theyre not getting that measure of protection. Reporter for now the push to vaccinate. The pentagon announcing mandatory inoculations for nearly Two Million service members by midseptember. Tonight, with covid numbers nearing Critical Mass its like we arent making any difference, even though were trying. Reporter doctors and medical workers already fighting burnout now digging in for yet another surge. Morgan chesky, Nbc News, austin this is Kerry Sanders in florida, where the Covid Crisis has gone from bad to worse. The Florida Department of health revealing a single day record, 22,903 Covid Cases thats the third time in a week floridas surpassed its alltime high its overwhelming our staff. Reporter the spread of covid especially alarming among Children Florida Hospitals now report 179 pediatric patients this as k through 12 reopens tomorrow in much of the state. In collier county, masks for the 47,000 students here will be optional florida governor Ron Desantis no mandates in the state of florida we have one ask. Reporter pediatricians in collier with the message for every parent im trying to encourage everybody to please take this Delta Variant very seriously due to the transmissibility it is incredibly contagious, and our children are getting sick I Cant do this. Reporter Olivia Angeles two children start school tomorrow. She wants them to wear masks because she wound up in the hospital with covid. I cannot imagine my kids going through that it would i would really just cry. Reporter teachers like Megan Wilkes stuck in the middle. Is this difficult for you to be the teacher but also kind of the Police Officer on mask, no mask, and having everybody get along . I think at the beginning it would definitely be a challenge. Reporter at least eight florida counties say they will defy Floridas Governor and mandate masks with an option to opt out. But tonight Floridas Governor says any School Superintendent that mandates masks risks losing their Salary Lester all right, Kerry Sanders, Thank You with tens of millions of unvaccinated children caught in the middle of this battle, a Reality Check Tonight in the virus in kids. While some compare covid to the seasonal flu, experts say they are far different. Here is Kristen Dahlgren Reporter 73 Million children in the u. S. Now at the center of the covid debate, and why covid protocols arent the same as those for the seasonal flu. There are more differences between the seasonal Flu And Covid19 than there are similarities the only similarity is theyre both airborne. Reporter pediatricians say comparisons reveal clear differences on almost every Level Number one, we dont even have a vaccine for our children under the age of 12. Reporter twothirds of american children get the seasonal flu vaccine, and 90 of Child Flu deaths are among the unvaccinated more children have now died from covid than any Flu Season in recent memory, about 400 so far on average, between 34 and 200 children die from the seasonal flu each year. As schools return, Covid Case counts are surging. Delta is changing the game of what we thought we knew about everything with covid. Reporter there were 94,000 new cases in children last week. While Hospital Rates are tripling icu doctors tell Nbc News theyre seeing healthy children in addition to those with underlying conditions. Doctors say Delta Variant is as contagious as the chicken pox, and unlike the flu, complications and longterm effects of covid on children are still unknown. It can be dangerous to draw comparisons or think of them as similar, because it can lull us into a sense of security that is frankly false kristen joining me. Whats the latest on shots, vaccinations for kids under 12 . Right, lester so the fda has asked both Pfizer And Moderna to expand trials for 5 to 11yearolds their best guess at this point remains those vaccines available for that Age Group some time before the end of the year. All right, kristen dahlgren, thanks very much in just 60 seconds, the Breaking News about britains Prince Andrew. A lawsuit now accusing him of sexual abuse. Just in tonight, a Jeffrey Epstein Accuser has filed a lawsuit against Prince Andrew Virginia Giuffre alleges the prince sexually abused her when she was 17. There has been no comment from the prince on the lawsuit. In 2019, he denied having sex with giuffre. Lets turn to the sexual Harassment Scandal involving new new York Governor Andrew Cuomo State lawmakers now taking the first steps toward impeaching him. Here is Kathy Park we convene here today for an executive session. Reporter new York State assembly members are closing in On Impeaching governor andrew cuomo, and it could take just weeks. Members have no confidence in the ability of the governor to remain in office i think thats the un reporter their meeting comes just hours after the resignation of cuomos top aide, Melissa Discrediting at least one of the women alleging sexual harassment, according to the attorney generals findings derosa writing in part the past two years have been emotionally and mentally trying. While his Inner Circle shrinks, cuomos legal woes are growing Brittany Commisso selfidentified as executive Assistant Number 1 is still showing up for work and sharing her story publicly for the first time after filing a criminal complaint against cuomo. Thats when he put his hand up my blouse and cupped my breast over my bra. Reporter the governor is denying any Wrongdoing And Hasnt been charged with a crime his Lawyer Firing Back today. With respect to Brittany Commisso, it just did not happen. Reporter Governor Cuomo is showing no signs of stepping down he has until friday to submit evidence in the State Assembly Judiciary Committee to support his Case Lester Kathy Park in albany, Thank You. Now to the climate crisis, and perhaps the most urgent warning yet. A new u. N. Report declaring that the world is at the code red stage. Richard engel has more for us. Reporter the signs are all there, with fires raging around the world in Greece And Turkey and in california the Dixie Fire is now the second largest wildfire in california history. Its burned more than 600 structures, displaced 30,000 people and still threatens some 13,000 homes. And where there isnt fire, there is Water Onceinacentury Flash floods killed hundreds in germany, belgium, and china this summer. The climate is getting more hostile, and today the u. N. Said it is already too late to stop some of the devastating impacts of Climate Change it is indisputable that Human Activities are causing Climate Change and making extreme weather events more frequent and severe reporter the u. N. Reports its the worlds largest and most up to Date Study on Climate Change. It says rising Sea Levels and shrinking glaciers and arctic Sea Ice are irreversible for centuries or even millennia. With every region on the planet already impacted by more frequent and dangerous weather swings but its not entirely without hope, finding that temperatures can be stabilized if we act decisively over the next several decades. Todays report laid bare that Climate Change is happening now on an unprecedented scale and said rapid and sustained reductions of Greenhouse Gas emissions are needed if were going to avoid the worst of climate Change Lester all right, richard, Thank You. On the heels of that report, a scorching new heatwave is sweeping the country 79 Million americans under heat alerts. Were also tracking a tropical disturbance watches have been issued for the u. S. Virgin islands and puerto rico. With the u. S. Mission in afghanistan ending this month, the taliban moving very quickly to take control. The pentagon saying today the Security Situation is not going in the right direction. Kelly cobiella is in afghanistan tonight. Reporter tonight, the afghan Air Force striking taliban targets in the south, claiming to have killed 16 insurgents after a rapid advance in the north, the taliban taking over three cities in one day. Theyre now in control of at least five regional capitals and fighting for more. The u. S. Providing some Air Support to afghan forces, but no ground troops. Its their country to defend now. This is their Struggle Reporter families fleeing the fighting are now homeless in kabul. The conflict taking a toll on children 27 killed in the last 72 hours alone, according to the u. S u. N. Faiz nouri worked with u. S. Funded Aid Agencies and is applying for visas he has three young sons and two older daughters, both educated and unmarried. And what is your fear for your daughters its very difficult for me to say it its very difficult. Reporter like so many, he is afraid he is running out of time there are reports again tonight of heavy fighting, though still more than 100 miles from kabul and across a Mountain Range the capital for now remains firmly in Government Control Lester all right, kelly, Thank You. Chicago police are mourning a 29yearold officer fatally shot during a Traffic Stop over the Weekend Officer Ella french is the citys first female officer killed in 33 years. Three suspects are in custody. A big day for families separated over a year as canada reopened its border to fully vaccinated americans. Tom costello is there. Reporter the cars were lined up at the border at midnight americans, many with family in canada, eager to cross over. From Washington State to the detroitwindsor bridge. My mother is going to be 94 in october. I mean, i havent seen her in a year and a half. Reporter to buffalo, where the kincaids just want to hug their canadian grandkids. Ill be the best grandma again and it will just be fun reporter americans who want to cross into canada must use the arrive can App Upload Proof of vaccinations, and a negative Covid Pcr Test within the last 72 hours ive got the app got my passport, got my Vaccine Card and a negative pcr test. I was across the border in five minutes today. But while canada is slowly reopening to american tourists, the u. S. Is not opening the border to canadians, costing billions in lost tourist dollars. Near buffalo, Toms Restaurant has been closed since March Of 2020 were all missing a piece of good business because the border is not open reporter canada is actually ahead of the u. S. In vaccinations 71 of all canadians have received at least one dose, compared to 58 of all americans yet the White House is keeping u. S. Borders closed to ground traffic. Well, i think thats utterly ridiculous, given the fact that we have all been admonished to follow the science, to follow the Facts Reporter here in canada, widespread frustration that america wont let nonamericans in for at least another two weeks, even as canada welcomes their vaccinated american neighbors. Lester all right, tom costello, Thank You. Up next tonight, my exclusive conversation with the ceo of United Airlines about vaccine mandates among the more prominent companies requiring vaccines for workers is United Airlines i spoke exclusively with uniteds Ceo Scott Kirby and asked him about that new policy we are now going to require all employees to get vaccinated atlater of R 25th or 45 days after the fda has final authorization for the vaccine. Some companies and organizations are saying get the vaccination or be tested regularly are you offering that option or are you simply saying either be vaccinated or move on and leave the company . We are not offering a testing option, and its because safety is our number one priority at United Airlines, and we dont compromise on safety and its clear the data, the evidence is unequivocal that getting vaccinated is what is safest for each individual and safest for their coworkers. And because of that, were going to require everyone to be vaccinated if they work at United Airlines how long has this been under consideration, and what was the Tipping Point here weve been thinking about it and talking about it with our employees for a long time the Tipping Point for me was seeing the statistics that 97 of the people in the hospital are unvaccinated, and over 99 of the deaths are amongst the unvaccinated that implies that its about 300 times more likely to die if youre unvaccinated than vaccinated. Once you have that statistic in your mind, at least for me as a leader, there is simply no choice but to do the right thing for safety if the goal is overall safety, has there been any consideration about extending a requirement like this to passengers, that youre not allowed to board an airplane unless you can show proof of vaccination . I think a Passenger Requirement really fits in the world of Government And Government responsibility and requirement. Has some of this been driven by the contagious nature of the Delta Variant . Well, yes obviously, the Delta Variant is just one more piece of evidence that shows how important the vaccines are and how effective and how safe the vaccines are what do you think the future of Air Travel is right now . Do you expect a continued surge in air flying demand . Certainly over the medium to the longterm, there will be some ups and downs. But i think that air continue to recover. The Silver Lining of what has happened with the Delta Variant is its driving much higher Vaccination Rates across the country. At the end of the day, thats the only thing that is really going to get us out of this crisis Scott Kirby of United Airlines. In tonights the price you pay, is it time to get a new Credit Card . Vicky nguyen now with the big bonus offers Reporter Spending is back in a big way, and lenders want your business when it comes to Credit Cards, why are consumers in the Drivers Seat right now . Its an incredibly competitive Time Bank issuers know that there is this Post Vaccination Explosion of spending coming, and they want to get the biggest slice of that pie that they can. Reporter Finance Experts say theyre seeing Record Signup bonuses to attract new customers, from 100s in cashback deals, to 100,000 Point Offers For Airline Miles and hotels before signing up, know thyself and the perks youll use most, whether its cash, discounts on gas and groceries or travel. Lending tree says some of the best nofee Credit Card offers are city double cash, the amex cash magnet, and the Wells Fargo active cash card. What are some things to watch out before signing up for a card . Whats really important is to look at how much the annual fee is. Reporter be aware applying for new cards could affect your Credit Score and if you dont want a new Credit Card, call your current company to negotiate ask to have your annual fee or late fees waived, or for a lower Interest Rate on your debt. A recent Lending Tree survey found more than 80 of Card Holders were successful when they just asked for some help. Lester all right, vicky, thanks up next, two of americas greatest olympic superstars some final inspiration now from two american women who have been at the top of their games for decades. Let the celebration begin reporter Sunday Nights Gold Medal Win against japan didnt just solidify the dynasty that is usa womens basketball, it made teammates sue Bird And Diana taurasi the most decorated, each earning a record fifth Gold Medal but these games were always going to be special for the best friends. Id like to announce that sue will be the Flag Bearer for Team Usa [ applause ] reporter dianas assist with the good news just one more highlight of a storied partnership. Weve just been really good friends for 20 years now it goes beyond basketball it goes to our personal life. Reporter the two met in college, playing for the university of connecticut. For two decades, they traveled the world together, keeping Each Other laughing along the way. There is a charisma about d. She makes you feel like A Million dollars all the time. Reporter their Historic Run ends here, with sue hanging up her Team Usa jersey but their offcourt relationship is forever. I dont think there is anybody else id rather do it with because we just have so much fun. And i love you, homie. Thats nightly news for this monday. Thanks for watching. Im Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and Each Other. Good night california, did you know our homes share power . But when we try to stay cool in a Heat Wave our supply is pushed to the limit. But you have the power to keep us up and running i do . yup, we all do with flex alerts. They notify us when to shift our Energy Use if our Power Supply is stretched. So from precooling our homes, to using less energy from 49pm, together, lets flex our power to save our power. Sign up for flex alerts today. Next on Nbc Bay Area news. Tonight, Tens Of Thousands Kids head back to class, but whats being done to keep them safe during this covid surge, and what should you watch out for as a parent. Our covid expert, dr. Peter Chin Hong is standing by and will answer your questions of the then a possible case of Road Rage in the east bay, and a driver appears to purposely hit a man with his car. What we know so far. Then, recent changes in the climate are widespread, rapid and