enroll by december 15th. is tonight, breaking news as we come on the air involving the vaccines. a cdc panel voting late today on who will get a vaccine first and how soon, as the head of the fda is summoned to the white house today and is asked why the pfizer vaccine hasn't been approved yet for emergency use. his answer, as hospitals now buy freezers to store the vaccine at minus 94 degrees. and there is new guidance from the cdc coming in tonight if you've been exposed to the virus. this evening, the increasing numbers across the country. nearly 100,000 americans now in the hospital fighting covid. in new york city tonight, officials urging older adults and people at high risk to limit time outside their homes. two-thirds of the city's icu beds are now full. the plea for retired nurses and doctors to be ready. and the retired doctor coming

back onto the front lines for a second time now. tonight, the icu nurse dying in the hospital where he worked for 25 years. the major headline tonight involving president trump and the election. today, the attorney general bill barr, who has sided with the president often, now saying the justice department has found no evidence of widespread voting fraud. and tonight, is the president now considering pardons for members of the trump family, including himself? jon karl with late reporting. president-elect joe biden formally introducing his new economic team, telling americans struggling that, quote, help is on the way. the urgent manhunt tonight under way for a serial attacker in an american suburb here in the northeast. the suspect striking at least ten times. where they're searching and what the police chief is now saying. we now hear tonight from that missing boater saved at sea after clinging to a submerged boat to survive. and the storm warnings from ohio to new york tonight. heavy snow in cleveland and east.

up to a foot in some places. and what's coming next. ginger zee tracking it all. good evening and it's great to have you with us here on this tuesday night. we have a lot to get to tonight. president trump and the election and the attorney general bill barr. the a.g. today declaring there was no evidence of widespread voting fraud. but we're going to begin tonight with news coming in right now from the cdc. the vote this evening by a committee of experts recommending who should get the vaccine first. and tonight, even with the first batch of pfizer vaccine here in the u.s. already, pfizer is waiting for emergency use authorization. the head of the fda was at the white house today and was asked why no approval yet, when should americans expect it? tonight, hospitalizations rising in 43 states, washington, d.c. and puerto rico. the number of patients fighting covid in the hospital, more than 96,000.

that's another record. and tonight in new york city, hospitalizations back where they were in june and they are asking retired nurses and doctors to be prepared to help. in fact, the number of hospitalizations in new york city more than doubling in just the last three weeks. the governor very alarmed with what they're seeing here. but we're going to begin here tonight with that vote a short time ago at the cdc. the recommendation on the vaccines and who should get them first. abc's steve osunsami at the cdc leading us off in atlanta. >> reporter: american health officials tonight are calling it phase 1-a. after an emergency meeting in atlanta, they've decided to encourage the nation's governors to give the first available doses of the coronavirus vaccine to certain seniors and health care workers. >> in discussions with the jurisdictions, most of them believe that they can vaccinate all of their health care workers within three weeks. >> reporter: the government is expecting about 40 million doses from two drugmakers in the next few weeks, enough to immunize 20 million americans. the experts took a vote and said

that the best use of these first shipments is to first cover some of the heroes, the nation's 21 million health care workers, including those who work in hospitals, pharmacies and clinics. and they say we also need to try and first immunize the most at risk, the nation's 3 million seniors and the people who care for them, who live in nursing homes and assisted living. 40% of all coronavirus deaths in this country happened in these long-term care facilities. >> if we can hold together as a country and in the next 60 days, vaccinate all of these residents, we can cut the death rate almost in half. >> reporter: the fda still hasn't yet approved any of the vaccines for emergency use. and the head of the agency got an earful from the white house today because of this. he explains that the pfizer vaccine could get a green light after a meeting next week. >> no one at fda is sitting on his hands or her hands. everybody's working really hard to look at these applications and get this done. >> reporter: once the fda says yes, the states have to make tough decisions. california, for example, will get about 327,000 doses in the

next few weeks. but there are more than 2.4 million californians who work in health care. in the city of chicago, about 25,000 doses are already dedicated. >> we have plans that will start with all 37 chicago hospitals and we have plans for all 128 long-term care facilities. >> reporter: next in line as more vaccine becomes available? about 87 million essential u.s. workers like police officers, teachers and grocery store workers. >> this is going to be a herculean effort. let's get to steve osunsami, with us live from the cdc. because there's news on another front tonight. the cdc out with new guidance tonight, planning to shorten the recommended quarantine time for people who believe they've been exposed to others with the virus? >> reporter: that's right, david. the cdc briefed the white house on this today, so, this is becoming real. currently, if you are exposed to someone who is infected with the

coronavirus, you are expected to quarantine for 14 days. what they're changing it to is this -- if you can get a negative test, that quarantine would become seven days. without one, ten days. the idea behind this is that 14 days is too restrictive for most americans and that seven or ten days is much more realistic. david? >> steve osunsami leading us off tonight. steve, thank you. and tonight here, the scene from inside hospitals across this country. in new york city, icus are now two-thirds full. they're calling for those retired nurses and doctors. so many have returned already. tonight, one doctor back now for a second time. and the icu nurse dying at the same hospital where he worked for 25 years. here's our chief national affairs correspondent tom llamas tonight. >> reporter: tonight, as cases surge, new york issuing new warnings, calling for help and fearing a return to the early and dire days of this pandemic. in new york city, hospitalizations more than doubling over the past three weeks -- the highest since june. and the mayor asking older adults and people with underlying health conditions to

limit activities outside the home, to only travel for work, school or essential purposes. >> we need you. we need you if you're older, you have pre-existing conditions, to take additional precautions. >> reporter: the city also asking for people to donate blood, as icus are two-thirds full. and new york governor andrew cuomo calling on retired health care workers to return to the front lines. dr. anne sacks-berg coming out of retirement for a second time to pitch in. >> i wish that this -- we would recognize that we're all in this boat together. some people die of this. and we really need to take care of each other. >> reporter: across the country tonight, the u.s. nearing another terrible milestone -- 100,000 people in the hospital with covid-19. and health care workers bracing for that nightmare scenario, a surge upon a surge. >> we're all very tired.

i'm very tired. >> we're preparing for the worst. >> it doesn't get easier. >> reporter: in reno, nevada, dr. jacob keeperman posting this photo, saying he'd seen five deaths in the previous 32 hours. >> we at some point might get to a breaking point. >> reporter: and still, some medical workers are paying the ultimate price. gary woodward worked as an icu nurse in nashville for 25 years. >> he had a passion for caring for his patients. >> reporter: woodward dying saturday at the same hospital he worked for for so long. >> his family was his all. everything we did, we did together as a family. and he was our rock. and that rock is gone. >> we're thinking about all these families and that dedicated nurse. let's get right to tom, back with us tonight. and tom, i know there's a new study out tonight, finding that the virus might have been here in the u.s. many weeks earlier than thought, as early as mid-december last year and i know they looked at blood

donations collected by the american red cross, they found antibodies for covid-19? >> reporter: david, yet another study showing the coronavirus was spreading around the word, even here in the united states, before public health officials knew something was wrong. this study, as you mentioned, from the cdc, showing americans had the coronavirus in mid-december of 2019. and some of the state s where they found it may surprise our viewers. places like michigan, iowa and wisconsin. david? >> yeah that was really interesting, because that was not where we saw the initial spikes. tom, thank you for that. we're going to turn next here this evening to president trump and the election and the attorney general, who has so often been on the president's side, declaring today that the justice department has found no evidence of widespread voting fraud. he then went to the white house. and here's our chief white house correspondent jonathan karl. >> reporter: attorney general bill barr arrived at the white house today just minutes after declaring he has found no evidence of widespread voter fraud, directly contradicting the president's claims that the election was stolen. >> we know there was massive

fraud. >> reporter: but barr told the associated press today, quote, "we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election." he specifically shot down one of the president's most explosive claims, that voting machines were manipulated to help biden win. saying simply, "we haven't seen anything to substantiate that." this is especially significant, because barr has been among the president's most steadfast defenders. shortly after the election, he authorized justice department lawyers to go look for fraud, but they found nothing. the president recently implied that doj itself was involved in some kind of sinister plot. >> this is total fraud, and how the fbi and department of justice, i don't know, maybe they're involved. >> reporter: for attorney general barr, this was just too much. as he told the a.p., "there's a growing tendency to use the criminal justice system as a sort of default fix-all, and people don't like something, they want the department of

justice to come in and investigate." all this comes as the president's lawyers are traveling the country making unfounded claims of election fraud. >> it's disgraceful what happened. >> reporter: the lawyers and the president himself have attacked local republican officials who have certified the election results. some of those officials now facing death threats. today, a republican official in the office of georgia's secretary of state is pleading with the president to stop. >> stop inspiring people to commit potential acts of violence. someone's going to get hurt. someone's going to get shot. someone's going to get killed. >> that was quite a moment today. jon karl with us live from washington. and jon, we saw the president's lawyer rudy giuliani in your report there. we know that several giuliani associates are under federal indictment, and tonight you're learning that giuliani has asked the president for a preemptive pardon? and i know you're aware, there's also talk among trump allies of potential pardons for members of the trump family? >> reporter: david, we are told by multiple sources that giuliani in recent weeks has directly brought up with the

president the possibility of getting a preemptive pardon for himself. we are also aware of conversations among trump allies about pardons for the president's adult children, but so far, no word yet from the president on any of this. >> and in the meantime, jon, you've reported here after the election, the president and his team sending those emails, asking supporters to donate money with subject lines like "we're making huge progress" and "the pathway to victory is clear." and i know tonight you're learning how much the president has raised and where is this money going? >> reporter: yeah, read the fine print. most of it is not going to the president's legal defense fund. it's going to the republican national committee and to the political organization the president has set up to handle his activities after he leaves the white house. we are told they have raised, david, $170 million since the election. >> all right, jon karl with us here on a tuesday night. jon, thank you. and news tonight for the millions of americans struggling to make ends meet during this pandemic. president-elect joe biden formally introducing his new economic team, telling americans struggling that help is on the

way. here's mary bruce. >> reporter: today in miami, hundreds lining up to get help buying groceries, as the pandemic devastates the nation's economy. president-elect joe biden today speaking directly to these suffering americans. >> our message to everybody struggling right now is this -- help is on the way. >> reporter: biden today introducing the team that he says will rebuild the economy. former fed chair janet yellen, his pick for treasury secretary. >> it's an american tragedy and it's essential that we move with urgency. >> reporter: the scope of the economic crisis is massive. more than 50 million americans could go hungry this year. nearly 7 million are at risk of eviction. and more than 20 million are now on unemployment. one of them, 60-year-old diana adelmo of san antonio, texas, who was laid off. >> i feel just scared. i want to stay positive and think, oh maybe, you know, something will come. but i don't know at this point. i don't know.

>> reporter: biden imploring congress to act now. >> the full congress should come together and pass a robust package for relief. >> you heard what joe biden said there today, the president-elect. mary bruce live in washington. and today we noted somewhat of a rare moment, a bipartisan group of senators actually presenting a compromise plan for relief. so, give us a reality check, though. where do things stand at this point, mary? >> reporter: well, david, this bipartisan group of senators is certainly trying to up the pressure, but the reality is that the two sides still remain far apart on the details. this compromise bill, for instance, would not include another round of stimulus checks for all americans. even republican leader mitch mcconnell today admitted that even if they do get something done, the biden administration will likely want to do more. for the first time, david, mcconnell acknowledging that biden will, indeed, be the next president. david? >> mary bruce, our thanks to you as well, tonight. winter is already here in much of the east tonight and the great lakes. heavy snow, in fact, in the eastern great lakes. a travel nightmare in cleveland. up to a foot of snow and there's

more on the way. and now temperatures are plunging from the northeast all the way to the deep south. let's get right to chief meteorologist ginger zee tracking it for us again tonight. hey, ginger. >> reporter: hey, david. yes, that foot of snow in south thompson, ohio, just northwest of cleveland. that would be one thing, just for the roads alone, but there are folks without power as this bitter chill settles in. the winter storm warnings still extend all the way into west virginia. we've got pennsylvania, including erie and western new york, that are going to get blasted here tonight through tomorrow morning. as i track it for you, you see it's really after noon tomorrow that you start to see some clearing along the lakes. but then it moves into new england. with it comes 30 to 40-mile-per-hour gusts and we've got freeze warnings about far south as ocala, florida. david? >> but a little less windy at your live location tonight. ginger zee, our thanks to you again. when we come back here on a tuesday night, the manhunt in the northeast. several attacks. and what the police chief is now saying tonight. in addition to the substitute teaching. i honestly feel that that's my calling-- to give back to younger people.

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apparently random attacks. police releasing this surveillance tonight of a possible suspect. at least ten men have been injured in three weeks. all after sundown. one victim showing facture injuries to his face there. authorities say the motive may be, quote, the thrill of the assault. they are asking for the public's help tonight. when we come back here this evening, we hear from the man saved at sea, clinging to that submerged boat. an incredible feat. o that submerged boat. an incredible feat. by getting vaccinated. if you're 65 or older, get the superior flu protection of fluzone high-dose quadrivalent. it's the only 65+ flu vaccine with four times the standard dose. and it's free with medicare part b. fluzone high-dose quadrivalent isn't for people who've had a severe allergic reaction to any flu vaccine or vaccine component, including eggs or egg products. tell your health care professional if you've ever experienced severe muscle weakness after receiving a flu shot. people with weakened immune systems,

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on it with jardiance. we are committed to making jardiance available and affordable. with our savings card, eligible patients pay as little as $0. can you tell me the story again? every family has their own unique story. give your family the chance to discover theirs this holiday season, with ancestry. to to the index of other news tonight and that missing boater rescued at sea, now back on dry land. stuart bee spending hours clinging to his boat, it had capsized. he was found 86 miles off the florida coast. he described the moment flagging

down the container ship that rescued him, docking today in delaware. >> i took my shirt off, waved that several times, waited, waved it several times and i continued to do that until about 45 minutes later, the boat was close enough. >> he called members of the crew "the nicest guys ever." i'll say. and we take note tonight of world aids day. so many around the world of course remembering the lives lost to hiv/aids. roughly 1.2 million americans currently living with hiv. president-elect joe biden and his wife jill today saying the coronavirus is a reminder that, quote, we cannot let up in our efforts to fight other epidemics. and it was 65 years ago today, december 1st, 1955, rosa parks was arrested after refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a city bus in montgomery, alabama. her act of civil disobedience would help propel is several rights moment and she later reflected on it, saying, "i did not get on the bus to get arrested, i got on the bus to go home."

when we come back here tonight, you will love the small acts of kindness uncovered today. the surprise in the front yard. today. the surprise in the front yard. e crohn's disease. until i realized something was missing me. you okay, sis? my symptoms were keeping me from really being there for my sisters. so i talked to my doctor and learned that's us. (reacting to boarding announcement) humira is for people who still have symptoms of crohn's disease after trying other medications. the majority of people on humira saw significant symptom relief in as little as 4 weeks. and many achieved remission that can last. humira can lower your ability to fight infections. serious and sometimes fatal infections, including tuberculosis, and cancers, including lymphoma, ...have happened, as have blood, liver, and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure. tell your doctor if you've been to areas where certain fungal infections are common and if you've had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections, or have flu-like symptoms or sores. don't start humira if you have an infection. be there for you and them. ask your gastroenterologist about humira.

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our thousands of financial professionals can help with secure video chat or on the phone. we make it easy for you with online tools, e-signatures, and no-medical-exam life insurance. plan for better days. go to prudential.com or talk to an advisor. than rheumatoid arthritis. when considering another treatment, ask about xeljanz... a pill for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis when methotrexate has not helped enough. xeljanz can help relieve joint pain and swelling, stiffness, and helps stop further joint damage, even without methotrexate. xeljanz can lower your ability to fight infections. before and during treatment, your doctor should check for infections, like tb and do blood tests. tell your doctor if you've had hepatitis b or c, have flu-like symptoms, or are prone to infections. serious, sometimes fatal infections, cancers including lymphoma, and blood clots have happened. taking a higher than recommended dose

of xeljanz for ra may increase risk of death. tears in the stomach or intestines and serious allergic reactions have happened. don't let another morning go by without asking your doctor about the pill first prescribed for ra more than seven years ago. xeljanz. finally tonight here, america strong. after so much spending on black friday and cyber monday, thank goodness for giving tuesday. tonight, on this giving tuesday, the simple acts of kindness. in west harrison, indiana, 11-year-old elijah maines loves basketball. a fedex delivery driver noticed the basketball hoop had been

broken for some time. and she decided to surprise him. a new basketball and a new hoop. writing this message to his family -- "just wanted you and your son to have the best hoop that'll grow with him and all of his friends. it's wonderful that you guys shoot hoops with him." signing it, "just one of the fedex drivers for the area, aubrey." tonight, elijah right here. >> hi david. >> with his new basketball and new hoop. >> i'm very thankful for my new basketball hoop and my basketball. i use it a lot. >> and his thank you. >> i really want to thank aubrey as much as i can. she's the world to me. >> he takes the shot -- it's good. there are so many ways to help, large and small. we've been tracking feeding america. >> unfortunately, the food crisis persists. in those long lines at food banks are families in crisis. >> tonight, feeding america telling us so many of you have responded. donations pouring in. and another group, give essential, helping to connect donors to front line workers.

>> hi, david. >> this nurse in chicago grateful. >> i received a wonderful package from a donor in california. >> and in manchester, new hampshire, a mother of three, brandy bison, deciding to pay for a stranger's groceries. >> she was crying and she said, "thank you so much, you don't understand what this means to me." >> brandy did it again and again and again. >> we've been on both ends of the spectrum, so to speak, and it's not a good feeling when you don't know where you're going to get food for your kids. >> what a powerful lesson for her little boys. the small acts of kindness all over this country. thank you for watching here tonight. and for giving. i'll see you tomorrow. good night.

schooling, shopping and non-essentials shut down in march as coronavirus cases rise, could we see the sail restrictions return? >> san francisco, we've beaten back two surges and again, we need to beat back this third surge. >> brace yourself, san francisco said it will tighten restrictions by the end of the week. >> our mission is to create and support one to one mentoring relationships that ignite the promise of power ship of youth. >> spencer christian knows it firsthand, he is going to share his story working with big brothers, big cyst ever sistcys this day of giving. this is about saving lives. everything weaver a're asking y do over the coming days and weeks is saving lives. >> the stakes couldn't be higher and each of us could turn out to be a hero. good ervening.

thank you for joining us. >> i'm liz kreutz. california reported a record number of hospitalizations due to covid-19. more than 8200 people are in the hospital right now nearly 1900 of them are in icu. another alarming trend is the positivity rate, which is a good indicator of the transmission rate of the virus. the 14-day average jumped to 6 .5% today. it was 6.2 yesterday. this tracker shows the number of cases in the bay area. each blue bar represents a singing day since the start of the pandemic and the yellow line is the rolling daily average. the current surge is setting records for the number of new daily cases. and the yellow line is lie high than the record set during the summer surge. >> those rising cases could lead to new restrictions in san francisco that could start tomorrow. rules can keep us safe and healthy and help build a bet