If a local community is having a, their ICU is full, and the people at the local schools

see that they've got to make sure they stay open because otherwise children miss out

for another year of school and they put in policy, then the local official should be listened

to.

That is a conservative principle.

So you disagree with Governor DeSantis?

I do disagree, Governor DeSantis.

The local officials should have control here.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of hard-hit Louisiana says he disagrees with Florida governor Ron DeSantis and other GOP governors who are blocking mask mandates, even as COVID cases surge.

We'll take a look at where the virus is spreading the most and the toll it is taking on hospitals.

Plus, how the new rise in COVID is impacting the economy.

We saw a very strong jobs report on Friday, but not everyone is feeling the recovery. And former president

Barack Obama throws a birthday bash that's raising eyebrows as the pandemic makes a comeback. We'll talk

to a New York Times reporter about the details surrounding that. Plus, Taliban fighters have

captured three key cities in northern Afghanistan will go live to Kabul,

and the Tokyo Olympics come to a close with the United States edging out China for the most gold medals.

Good morning and welcome to morning, Joe. It is Monday, August 9th.

Joe is off. We begin with the United States hitting an

encouraging milestone amid a surge in COVID cases. According to CDC data released on Friday,

more than 165 million Americans are now fully vaccinated against the virus. That's half of the total

U.S. population. More than 193 million have received

at least one dose. Vaccination rates are still low in several states across the south. But in

...