No idea when Malkin’s picture was captured, but the flag isn’t at half-staff today. At least not in the live feed.
Maybe her photo was representational, to show what 2 million people look like. No idea.
I think the flag is being raised. It isn’t at half staff, more 3/4 and there is a man standing next to the pole.
Yes, many of the flags were at half-staff today, probably left over from yesterday when they flew half-mast from 911.