Today has been shaken up by COVID-19. It began on Monday when hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb announced that Craig Melvin and Al Roker would be taking some time off. The two may have interacted with a staffer from the 9 a.m. hour who has tested positive for the illness.
On Tuesday, Savannah and Hoda checked in with Craig and Al. Both were happy to report they are in good health. The Today tech team even hooked Al up so he could do weather reports from his kitchen.
Later in the day, fans were surprised to learn that Savannah would also be working from home moving forward. She announced on Instagram that after experiencing a sore throat and a runny nose, she would practice an abundance of caution.
On Wednesday morning, Savannah hosted the show from a studio that she set up in her basement. The strange setup will be the new normal for Today for the time being.
The anchors of the Today show are doing their best to bring the news to viewers during a difficult time. It began Monday, when Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb started the show on a serious note.
"Last night we learned that a colleague of ours on the third hour of Today has tested positive for COVID-19," Savannah explained.
"So out of an abundance of caution, Craig and Al have taken the morning off, so we can trace their contacts, see what is going on with them," she continued. "We promise to keep you posted, both are fine right now. They feel good, but caution is the order of the day."
NBC released a statement on the status of the staff member. "We are fully supporting our colleague, who is experiencing mild symptoms and receiving medical care, and I know you join me in sending our very best for a quick recovery,” said NBC News president Noah Oppenheim.
He also ensured that the company is “taking all necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of our teams, which includes multiple deep cleanings of our offices, control room, and Studio 1A."
On Tuesday, Savannah and Hoda checked in with Craig and Al, and both were doing great. Craig was bummed to be away from work but happy at the extra time home with his family. "That's been the silver lining in all of this," he said.
Al was able to give a weather report from his kitchen, which he was pretty excited about. "I didn’t have to commute in, so I did sleep in!" he laughed. "We’ve kind of jerry-rigged this system, so I’ve got all my graphics and everything I need."
Later that day, Savannah shared on Instagram that she would be working from home as of Wednesday.
"Hi everybody! Well, this will be a first. I’m going to be anchoring TODAY from my house! In an abundance of caution, and to model the super vigilance the CDC has asked of all of us, I’m staying home because I have a mild sore throat and runny nose," she captioned a picture of her home studio setup.
"This was the advice of NBC’s superb medical team and my bosses," she continued. "I feel good and am sure I will be back in no time – but during these days, it’s on all of us to be extra cautious and caring of those around us. #loveyourneighbor So see you tomorrow on TODAY – from my basement!"
Savannah was able to make the home broadcast happen with the help of her husband. "Live… from my basement… this is TODAY," she captioned a picture of him helping out. "Big shoutout to my husband @feldmike who has turned into producer and technician!!"
"Well, now we’re really social distancing aren’t we, Hoda?" Savannah said as she came on-air Wednesday.
"It’s very unusual. I’m actually home, I’m in my basement right now. Here’s what happened — I wasn’t feeling my best, a little sore throat, some sniffles, I wouldn’t have thought anything of it, but we are in different times aren’t we?"
Savannah explained that the decision was made out of "an abundance of caution, and also to really model the vigilance that the CDC is asking of all of us right now."
"We followed the advice of NBC’s medical team, and so here I am. I’m working from home as we speak, we’re still together and we’re gonna get this show on the air, and we have a lot of information we want to get to our viewers this morning."
The Today team's commitment is seriously admirable and a reminder to take serious precautions as we navigate this uncertain time.
