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COVID Relief and Government Funding Bill in Limbo; Several European Countries Enforcing Tight Restrictions; Several Latin American Countries Begin Vaccinations. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired December 25, 2020 - 04:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[04:31:10]

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: And welcome back, and merry Christmas, to all of you watching in the United States, Canada and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber, and you're watching CNN NEWSROOM.

Well, it's looking like the demands U.S. President Donald Trump has made for the COVID relief bill won't be met. Big question now, will he sign it anyway?

And as Phil Mattingly reports, it's not just aids for millions of Americans at stake but also funding for the government.

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PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the urgently needed coronavirus relief package, the government funding bill it's tied to, it has physically departed Washington, D.C. on a journey to Florida where the president will now have to decide what to do with it.

We know it's going to arrive in Florida. What president is going to do, that is still very much an open question. Both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill saying they have no sense right now, not from allies in the White House. Not from anything the president has said and done. If the president is actually going to sign the bill, Democrats imploring the president to sign the bill.

Democrats also challenging congressional Republicans to join with them in addressing one of the president's concerns, and that is expanding direct payments that are in the stimulus package from $600 to $200. Republicans, however, rejecting that idea, likely to vote against it, in large part on Monday, when it comes to the floor for an up and down vote in the House.

So, where does that actually leave things? Nobody knows, it's in the hands of one individual, an individual who is without question angry about election results, without question, frustrated about whatever the deal is that came together.

Multiple people make one point clear, this is not a policy issue at this point in time. This is a personal issue with the president. So, there's nothing lawmakers feel like they can do on Capitol Hill to address the president's concerns. They basically just have to wait and see.

Or as one congressional staffer told me, it's hope and pray time because this is a crucial point. There's no fall back. There's no plan B, there's no secret back up plan. This is a deal, a deal that took almost nine months to reach on the coronavirus relief piece, a deal that lawmakers say has to stand.

Plan A is the president signs the bill one Republican told me. Plan B is hope plan A works at this point in time. This is aid for millions of Americans on the unemployment side, direct payment side, eviction moratoriums, and it's also a government funding bill.

If the president does not sign the bill by Monday night, well, not only is he rejecting a coronavirus relief package, he's also shutting down the federal government. We'll see.

Phil Mattingly, CNN, Washington.

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BRUNHUBER: New U.S. restrictions on travel could create headaches for people trying to fly out of the U.K. to the States.

Just a few hours ago, the CDC announced that starting Monday, air passengers arriving from the U.S. in Britain must test negative for COVID-19, a new transmissible variant of the virus, blamed for a surge of cases in England, and a soaring number of new infections across Europe is putting a damper on holiday plans.

Some of the biggest economies there are enforcing tight restrictions during Christmas and New Year's in the hopes of stemming further spread of the virus.

So, for more on that, let's turn to CNN's Cyril Vanier in Paris.

Cyril, let's start with those new restrictions there. What does a lock down Christmas look like in Europe these days?

CYRIL VANIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it doesn't look like a merry Christmas, Kim, that's for sure.

Look, governments are trying to thread a needle here in the European Union. They're trying to give people a break, and allow people to some extent to celebrate with their families over this holiday season after what's been a bruising year, but also trying to limit said interactions because they're very afraid of a third wave or as scientists, epidemiologists might put it, a continuation of the current second wave and many countries already anticipating a surge in the virus after this holiday season.

So trying to thread that needle, each country doing it a little bit differently.

[04:35:02] I got a few examples for you. In Italy, they are considering the whole country a red zone during the holiday season, banning travel from one region even from one municipality to another. Residents in Italy only allowed to see two adults, family members, outside of their household.

In Germany, well, they're actually increasing restrictions over the end of this year because they've had a surge in cases and they're fearing that the situation could get even worse in the New Year.

In France, they lifted the evening curfew that normally starts at 8:00 p.m. for just one evening, Kim. That was last night. When I stepped out of the office at 8:00 p.m., I wasn't breaking the curfew. But that's already over.

In Austria, a big skiing destination, they have closed ski resorts to all but local residents and, in Denmark, it's the other way around. They have actually started a national lockdown today with most shops closed except of course those that sell food and medication because they've just seen the highest number of new infections since the beginning of the pandemic.

So going back to my initial point, Kim, not a merry Christmas here in Europe.

BRUNHUBER: The only good news, vaccinations in Europe start in a couple of days.

Thank you so much, Cyril Vanier in Paris. Appreciate it.

Several countries in Latin America are now rolling out vaccine. They began vaccinating health care workers on Thursday. It's welcome news for the region which has been hard hit by the coronavirus.

CNN's Stefano Pozzebon has more from Bogota, Colombia.

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STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST: Yes, Christmas has brought hope to millions of Latin Americans fighting against coronavirus.

At least three countries, these are Mexico, Costa Rica, and Chile have finally started their vaccination campaign. Just on Thursday on Christmas Eve, it's much welcome news for especially the health care workers, these countries have started vaccinated exactly the health care workers that are assisting patients and fighting against the virus on the very front line. Mexico, Costa Rica, and Chile.

Argentina has also received much welcome Christmas presents in the form of the vaccine itself, which finally arrived in Buenos Aires on Christmas Eve, on Thursday. The first doses of the Sputnik 5, the Russian vaccine arrived on a special flight from Moscow to Buenos Aires.

Argentina will soon join Mexico, Costa Rica, and Chile in vaccinating these health care workers and the population, and while the millions of Latin Americans are spending Christmas and their social distancing order, some under a curfew, some others with a ban on alcohol sale, on the number of people they can spend Christmas with, the news of the vaccine is finally arriving is very much welcome this time at Christmas.

For CNN, this is Stefano Pozzebon, Bogota.

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BRUNHUBER: Japan is seeing a sharp rise in coronavirus infections. The country reported more than 3700 new cases on Thursday, setting new daily record for the second day in a row. Japan has more than 210,000 total cases, and more than 3,000 deaths.

South Korea also set a new daily record. It's reporting more than 1,200 cases, were added Thursday, and that's the highest daily count since the pandemic began. South Korea is now reporting more than 54,000 total cases with more than 770 deaths.

All right. This is CNN NEWSROOM. We'll have more to come, including fighting coronavirus in some communities, isn't just about the disease.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're experiencing three types of pandemics. And that's violence, racism, as well as COVID-19.

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BRUNHUBER: As the coronavirus vaccine rolls out across the U.S., many African-Americans are wondering -- worried rather that they will be left behind, some within areas that lack basic services.

And as Omar Jimenez reports from Chicago, the panic is just the latest crisis to hit their communities.

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OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: How long you live in this neighborhood?

ROCHELLE SYKES, LIVES IN CHICAGO'S AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD: All my life, 55 years. It's changed my whole life.

If they're going to roll out a vaccine and they're going to roll it out to grocery stores and pharmacies, I see a problem.

JIMENEZ: You feel just because the vaccine is available, it's not necessarily going to be accessible?

SYKES: That is correct. JIMENEZ (voice-over): Rochelle Sykes lives in the predominantly black

West Side Chicago neighborhood of Austin, and is in a zip code that has among the highest COVID-19 death rates in the city, and the barriers to getting a vaccine are already taking shape. Ranging anywhere from distance to pharmacies, to confidence in health care, and even personal safety -- as Austin is also among the city's most violent neighborhoods.

SYKES: Is it even worth the time, okay? You hear gunshots. You know, you got to get to get in your car, with carjacks and if you don't feel safe, you don't do that.

JIMENEZ: Just down the street, Loretto Hospital was host to the city's first COVID vaccination and the first to set up a west side community testing site back in April. One they plan to soon turn into a community vaccination site.

DR. AFYA KHAN, DIRECTOR OF INFECTION CONTROL, LORRETO HOSPITAL: In order to stop this virus eventually, we all have to do our part and we want to make sure we involve everybody. We are experiencing three types of pandemics and that's violence, racism, as well as COVID-19.

JIMENEZ: It's an issue leadership continues to wrestle with.

DR. ALLISON ARWADY, COMMISSIONER, CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH: Where any part of the city is not supported enough, it indirectly impacts the entire city. Not just that this is a -- let's make sure we treat COVID. It's about what are the root causes that made these neighborhoods, these subgroups in Chicago, more full vulnerable.

JIMENEZ: Parts of the downtown Chicago area have a life expectancy of up to 90 years old according to an analysis out of NYU. Then just about ten miles down the road, near hear on Chicago's south side, the life expectancy goes down to 59.9. That's a difference of about 30 years, which that same NYU analysis says is the largest gap in the country.

EMMA WASHINGTON, LIVES IN CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE : All of a sudden, this virus came and took my sister away.

JIMENEZ: Emma Washington is almost 80 years old. She lost her sister to COVID-19 in September and her brother to COVID-19 the day before Christmas Eve and now considering what getting a vaccine is going to look like, with her pharmacy over a mile away, and no car to get her there.

[04:45:04]

WASHINGTON: I have to take one bus, and then I have to take another bus, because it was only one place around Walgreen's, around my area.

JIMENEZ: Now, she mostly has her medication delivered. But this isn't a new phenomenon. One study based on data from 2000 and 2012 found over 50 percent of the city's black communities were so-called pharmacy deserts -- low income neighborhoods where pharmacies are far from the population, and people don't have regular access to vehicles, compared with just 5 percent in white communities.

ARWADY: This is not something that's going to get solved in a year, or in five years. But how do we take the COVID conversation and turn it into the conversation that links to chronic disease and homicide and infant mortality and HIV and opioid overdose, those are the five main drivers of our, you know, disparate life expectancies in Chicago and COVID has indirectly impacted all of those.

JIMENEZ: But when it comes to COVID, for Sykes, and along with those in Washington's community, the vaccine shot is about more than medicine. It's about betting a fair shot without it being a long shot.

SYKES: We are in a life boat and they're in a cruiser. If you could come up with a vaccine within a year, why are we sitting in a community where there is no grocery store, with fresh fruits and vegetables?

JIMENEZ: Omar Jimenez, CNN, Chicago.

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BRUNHUBER: The West Bank town on Bethlehem is usually abuzz with Christmas celebrations this time of the year, but the global pandemic has forced those events to be scaled back dramatically. We'll take you there after the break.

Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: Well, Christmas Day usually overflows with joy and hopes for the future, but the pandemic has muted many of the celebrations. There are some festivities but with fewer participants.

There are also seems a quiet contemplation. That's all apparent in Bethlehem, where Christians believe Jesus was born.

Elliott Gotkine reports.

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ELLIOTT GOTKINE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Midnight mass without the masses. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, only clergy were meant to attend this year's Christmas Eve prayers. Earlier in the day the annual scout parade to welcome the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, just about the only event to proceed more or less normally. Even here, far less marching bands than usual.

The Manger Square's capacity was capped at 200. And the patriarch only just made it, after recovering from COVID.

The major score could be usually a lot of out of town tourists, performances, shop, hotels, and restaurants, will be doing their briskest trade of the year. But a West Bank lockdown means non-Bethlehem Palestinians are banned.

The sky are closed to foreign visitors. Those who did come out have mixed feelings.

READ SABBAH, BETHLEHEM RESIDENT (through translator): This year is different than all years. There are no celebrations because of the economic situation and the COVID. It is a very sad situation.

JAD ISSA, CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS: As you can see, Christmas is so sad this year. Not too much participants. But at least, we have the soul, the spirit of Christmas. And this is what we wish for everyone.

SONIYA ABU DAYIEH, BEIT JALA RESIDENT: I hope the New Year will be better than this one, and that people around the world will get rid of this pandemic. Although there is a pandemic, it is beautiful here. You just need to wear your mask, and come enjoy it.

GOTKINE: As night fell, the Christmas lights at Manger Square pretty much to themselves and the Church of the Nativity where Christians believe Jesus was born, they prayed for better days.

After a disastrous here for Bethlehem's tourism reliant economy, it seems things can't get any worse.

Elliott Gotkine, CNN, Bethlehem.

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BRUNHUBER: A Christmas storm system has brought a very White Christmas to parts of the Midwest, Northeast and even the South. Areas that aren't coping with heavy snow are still experiencing freezing temperatures and heavy rain. Winter weather advisories are in effect for most of the East Coast and in some places, there's also a threat of flooding.

So, let's get the latest on the system from Derek van Dam.

Derek, the last time I spoke to you, you promised me the last time we spoke, a white Christmas and you delivered. There was actually snow here in Atlanta.

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: You saw it, okay, good, that was the Christmas miracle I was talking about, Kim.

And you know, speaking of Christmas, miracles, Santa stopped by my house, he left me a little present as you can see, and he had quite the tail wind behind him, because this storm that is moving along the East Coast, the one responsible for the snow in Atlanta, it has winds hurricane force along the coastal regions. It is a wet soggy Christmas Day along the major east coast city, New York to Boston.

I was in Boston, just one week ago, covering a major snowstorm, there was snow, record breaking snow across upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, now we're seeing a system move in, as all rain.

So, the snow that was on the ground, added with the additional rain that's falling now, it means a potential for flooding today and really you can see it from the weather prediction center we have a moderate risk of flash flooding across that region. Another one to three inches of rainfall forecast for those areas that saw the most snow last week.

And look at the winds along the East Coast, anywhere you see that shading of red, that is a high wind warning, and wind gusts in excess of 70 miles an hour in some distances along the coastline. And it is a brutal Christmas Day, but there is some snow, bringing that white Christmas to many across Ohio, into western Pennsylvania, even downwind from Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, that's where we're starting to see some of lake effect snow bands picking up later today.

Now, frigid air mass settling in behind, it we're talking about a 20 to 30 degree temperature difference from this time yesterday compared to now.

[04:55:00]

It is an incredible difference in the air outside. And as you step outside this morning, from Indianapolis, into Cleveland, as well as Knoxville, Tennessee. I even look at New York City, and you can see today's high temperature of 59, a cold front will sweep through tonight and by tomorrow, only a high of 33 degrees, more of the same in Atlanta. We are drastically colder than what we were yesterday. That's why we saw the beautiful snowflakes that fell from the sky today.

So, Kim, I'll leave it with that. Positive note, with all of the difficult year and the news that we had to report on, I'm sporting the Santa hat today. It's international TV. I'm trying to make you guys smile this morning. So, hopefully, it works.

BRUNHUBER: Listen, it worked on me. That's all that matters.

VAN DAM: Good.

BRUNHUBER: Thank you so much, Derek Van Dam. Appreciate it.

VAN DAM: Happy holidays.

BRUNHUBER: You too.

All right. Finally, no matter what's happening on Christmas, even a pandemic, one thing is still the same, Santa Claus is coming to town. He's made his list. He's wearing his mask. And he's already circled most of the world.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command is tracking his progress and telling you exactly how many presents he's dropped off so far. So right now, the jolly old elf is I'm being told, he's done. He's heading back to the North Pole, he's going to park his sleigh, put his feet up for another year, and I'm informed he delivered something on the order of 7.5 billion gifts.

And you can, for the next couple of minutes anyway, that he's going to be back in four minutes, but you can still follow him, and his reindeer, around the world, on noradsanta.org.

All right. That wraps this hour of CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Kim Brunhuber.

Up next for our viewers in the United States and Canada, a CNN special report, "Pandemic: How A Virus Changed the World in 1918". And for our international viewers, stay with us for "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS", the future of travel.

Everybody, have a merry Christmas.