Could full FDA approval impact Covid vaccine hesitancy? Plus Florida argues over masks and how one Olympian nailed it

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Public health experts say it's still up for debate how much of a difference full FDA approval will make on Covid vaccine hesitancy. While states like Florida are grappling with mask mandates amid a surge of new infections just as kids are starting to return to school.    Here's the latest on the pandemic and everything else we're watching this Tuesday morning.     Verdict still out on how much full FDA approval could impact Covid vaccine hesitancy  With pressure mounting on the Food and Drug Administration to grant formal approval to Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine, doctors and public health experts across the country say it's still unclear what impact, if any, such approval would have on patients and providers.   One hope is that full FDA approval could boost "confidence" and convince those who are vaccine hesitant that the shots are safe.   Other public health experts point out that full approval could also help companies and cities with vaccine mandates, which are becoming more common but are still surrounded by controversy.   For instance, the Pentagon already announced Monday that it will mandate the Covid-19 vaccine for members of the military by no later than mid-September.   Read the full story here.  Tuesday's Top Stories Fla. Gov. DeSantis' office says salaries of officials who require masks for students may be withheld As school resumes amid a surge of cases in Florida, some school superintendents say they are ignoring the governor and temporarily requiring masks. "Heaven forbid we lost a child to this virus — I can't just simply blame the governor," said the superintendent of schools for Leon County, which includes Tallahassee, the state capital. READ MORE China weighs whether to abandon Covid zero-tolerance approach Rising infections have prompted some to ask whether Beijing's draconian approach to containment, such as sealing off entire cities and enforcing mandatory testing on tens of millions of people, will be enough to stop the delta variant fueling the current Covid wave.   READ MORE Epstein accuser sues Prince Andrew, alleging sex abuse  Virginia Giuffre has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.K.'s Prince Andrew alleging that he sexually abused her when she was 17 years old. READ MORE OPINION The feminist victory at the heart of America's falling fertility rate America's fertility rates are falling. That should because for celebration, not fearmongering, writes Amanda Jean Stevenson, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder. READ MORE Also in the News Family suspects racism played role in death of Black Missouri man initially ruled suicide Robert Durst takes stand in murder trial, says he didn't kill best friend Bam Margera, who was fired from latest 'Jackass' film, sues to stop its release California travel blogger in coma after scooter crash in Bali, family say The U.S. now has more job openings than any time in history Better: Make the most of stone fruit season with 3 juicy recipes Editor's Pick Prominent LGBTQ leaders face increased scrutiny after Cuomo report Alphonso David and Roberta Kaplan have been accused of being involved in efforts by Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office to discredit his first accuser, Lindsey Boylan.  READ MORE Shopping From Canon to Nikon, here are the best DSLR cameras to consider. One Fun Thing After gymnast Suni Lee took home a gold medal in Tokyo last month, all eyes were on her — and her acrylic nails.   The gold medalist's win helped draw attention not only to her own achievements, but those of Hmong American artists back in her hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, when the image of the colorful Olympic rings painted on her nails went viral.    Little Luxuries nail salon owner Amy Vang said the response has been unbelievable. "We just wanted to give her nice nails," she said.    Read the full story here.    Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: petra@nbcuni.com   If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Petra Cahill     FOLLOW US     Want to receive NBC Breaking News and Special Alerts in your inbox? SIGN UP HERE Check out all of NBC Newsletters here.     Get the NBC News Mobile App   30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 View in browser | Unsubscribe | Manage Subscription | Contact | Privacy