>> extremely more difficult. yes. we're fighting a losing battle, honestly. it's everywhere you turn you face resistance. not only in patients themselves but in leaders and authority figures. and if we were just all to be on the same page heading in the right direction, everything would be more smooth running. and we're not in that place right now unfortunately. >> yeah. st when she mentions state leaders, state governor greg abbott who outlawed any local leader to issue a mask main date or any other sort of protection to curb the spread of the virus. making it very clear that texans can get the vaccine themselves and trusts them with practicing safe measures to keep covid-19 at bay. ayman? >> morgan, allison, thank you both for starting us off this hour. joining me now is a nbc