Hoda Kotb has earned support and praise after an emotional segment on the coronavirus pandemic.
The Today show host spoke to Drew Brees, the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, about the impact of the pandemic in New Orleans, Louisiana – where Kotb lived in the 1990s.
Brees made a $5m donation to help deliver meals to Louisiana residents affected by the pandemic.
After wrapping up her interview with Brees, Kotb began choking up and was unable to continue with her segment for a few moments.
She said “Sorry, sorry”, while Savannah Guthrie, who has been co-hosting the show from home, tried to comfort her.
“I know, it’s a lot. Hoda, I’m so sorry, hun,” Guthrie said. “Take a moment. It’s a lot. I know where your heart is, my dear, I do.”
Guthrie then read the teaser for the next segment, giving Kotb time to recover.
Louisana reported on Thursday that the number of coronavirus cases in the state increased by 28% overnight.
New Orleans is now gearing up for a possible overflow at hospitals, with plans to treat as many as 3,000 patients at the city’s convention centre if necessary.
Kotb’s segment resonated with many viewers who sympathised with her emotions.
“I could not love Hoda any more. We are all her right now,” journalist Wendell Edwards tweeted.
“May sound weird, but Hoda Kotb crying on the @TODAYshow after interviewing Drew Brees was what I needed this morning. She kept apologizing. She didn’t need to. We’re all in this, and it’s hurting us all,” social media strategist Ed Bottomley wrote.
“Watching @hodakotb show emotion after a piece on her home is the most human thing I’ve seen. We love you Hoda!” Twitter user Michelle Petrovic commented.
Kotb, Guthrie, and others paid tribute last week to NBC audio technician Larry Edgeworth after he died of Covid-19.
Additional reporting by agencies
