Savannah Guthrie has a sore throat, so she'll anchor Today from home out of coronavirus precaution

Variety

NBC News president Noah Oppenheim says the network asked Guthrie to stay home Wednesday after she reported having a "super mild" sore throat. The decision comes after a 9 a.m. hour Today staffer was diagnosed with coronavirus, prompting Al Roker and Craig Melvin to stay home. "Hi everybody!" Guthrie wrote on Twitter and Instagram. "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. This was the advice of NBC’s superb medical team and my bosses. 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!" In a memo to NBC News staff, Oppenheim wrote: “We’ve decided to ask Savannah to do the show from home tomorrow. She has a ‘super mild’ sore throat and NBC’s doctors are advising that anyone who doesn’t feel 1000% should work from home. (This applies to EVERYONE!) So, she’s going to model the hyper-vigilance we’re asking for right now and do just that. Many of us have worked closely with Savannah these past few weeks – especially at TODAY – and I want to assure you that, per NBC’s doctors and all the relevant public health authorities, Savannah’s current status does not mean any of you are at any greater risk, you can absolutely still come to work and don’t need to take any additional precautions – beyond those we’re all already taking – because of this. I know you’ll all join me in hoping she’s back soon.”