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Israel Recommends 4th Vaccine Dose For High-Risk Groups; Holidays Events Canceled, Lockdowns Return To Europe; Pressure Mounting On U.K. Government To Slow Omicron Variant; Vladimir Putin: Demands For Security Guarantees Not "Ultimatum"; Government Dismisses Tigrayan Claims Of Withdrawal For Peace; Dubai Ruler Ordered To Pay $728 Million Settlement To Ex-Wife. Aired 12-1a ET
Aired December 22, 2021 - 00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: Ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM. The fourth shot ahead of an Omicron wave, Israel rolling out another booster shot, this time for the elderly and medical workers.
Brace for the storm. The World Health Organization says Europe must prepare for a surge in COVID patients, which will push hospitals and healthcare workers to the brink.
And a British court orders the ruler of Dubai to pay his ex-wife a divorce settlement of more than $700 million mostly for security to protect her from him.
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center, this is CNN NEWSROOM with John Vause.
VAUSE: Thank you for joining us here for CNN NEWSROOM. We begin this hour with the scramble to administer booster shots. Third dose seen as the most effective defense against the new Omicron variant. But Israel has gone one step beyond that, announcing plans for a fourth shot for anyone 60 and over, as well as medical workers and those with a suppressed immune system.
Israel has been a trailblazer in vaccination rollouts, the fastest country to administer the initial dose of vaccine and then, back in July, the first to recommend a third dose of boosters for everyone. Officials decided this false shot was needed with an imminent surge in COVID infections.
On Monday, more than 1,300 new cases were diagnosed the most since October.
Journalist Elliott Gotkine has more now reporting in from Tel Aviv.
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ELLIOTT GOTKINE, JOURNALIST: Israel's panel of coronavirus experts has recommended a fourth dose of the COVID vaccine for over 60s and medical workers. Making the country Israel says the first in the world to do so.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett hailed the decision. In a statement he said it was wonderful news, do not waste time, he said, go get vaccinated.
And this is just the latest move that Israel has made in a bid to try to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. It has been adding more countries to its red no fly list as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The U.S. and Canada were added to it. Those countries are now no fly areas effectively for Israelis unless they get special permission. They are extending the use of the so-called green pass which people need to show to prove they've been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID.
And they are also getting public sector workers from Sunday. Half of public sector workers will be working from home and they've already asked the private sector to work from home wherever possible.
Israel is resigned to seeing a spike in cases, it's already beginning to happen. There was a 30 percent jump in the daily COVID caseload on Monday to more than 1,300, the highest level in two months.
Israel knows that cases are going to spike higher, but it's doing everything that it can to try to slow that spread as best as possible.
Elliott Gotkine, CNN, Tel Aviv.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Now, to Europe where the WHO reports more than 2.7 million new COVID cases in the past week. The Omicron variant now dominant strain in a growing list of countries, France and Spain have broken New Delhi case records.
The U.K. joining Ireland and France in offering financial support to businesses hurt by the pandemic. The WHO says healthcare sector is especially at risk.
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DR. HANS KLUGE, WHO REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE: We can see another storm coming. Within weeks, Omicron will dominate in more countries of the region with a threat to push already overwhelmed health systems further to the brink.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Schools, bars, nightclubs, they're all closing in Portugal, attendance will be limited at sporting events in Scotland. Sweden asking everyone to work from home if possible. Germany confirms it will limit private gatherings to 10 people regardless if they're fully vaccinated or have recently recovered from COVID.
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OLAF SCHOLZ, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translator): I can understand everyone in each of you who doesn't want to hear any more about corona, about mutations and new virus variants. But we cannot and must not close our eyes to this next wave that is beginning to loom over us.
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VAUSE: CNN's Salma Abdelaziz reports on the latest in the U.K. but first, we have Senior International Correspondent Ben Wedeman reporting in from Italy.
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BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Across Europe, public holiday events are being canceled and lockdown measures coming back into effect. The latest to announce such measures is Germany where starting the 28th of December, private gatherings will be limited to 10 people and that's for those who have been vaccinated or recently recovered from COVID.
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WEDEMAN: If you're not part of one of those two groups, you can forget about going to a restaurant in Germany. Also in Germany, spectators will be banned from attending sporting events and concerts.
In Portugal working from home will become mandatory from the day after Christmas. Also there, schools, bars and clubs will be shut down.
And finally in Rome, starting this Thursday, wearing a mask in public will be the rule.
I'm Ben Wedeman, CNN reporting from north of Rome.
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SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under growing pressure to announce tougher restrictions to deal with record breaking case numbers caused in recent days, largely by the Omicron variant.
Still, after an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday, the Prime Minister announced no tougher rules for now. He did say the government would review the data hour by hour and warned everyone to be cautious during the Christmas period to think twice and remember the guidance.
And that's exactly what so many people are doing taking matters into their own hands choosing to self-isolate during the holiday season, choosing to cancel their Christmas plans. Even the Queen doing this. She's canceled her annual Christmas retreat to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Instead, palace sources say she will spend this season at Windsor Castle out of an abundance of caution again due to the surge in cases.
This is also causing issues for businesses many having to close their doors because of staff sick outs. Because of so many clients simply canceling. It's put a huge pressure on the economy. That's why the country's finance minister announced support for businesses a $1 billion support package for businesses.
Still, many people say this is simply not enough, this huge surge in cases could potentially put pressure on the health care system in the coming days and weeks. That's why scientific advisors continue to push for tougher measures. Prime Minister Boris Johnson for now, of course, sticking to his guns and waiting for more data.
Salma Abdelaziz, CNN, London.
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VAUSE: Joining me now from Los Angeles is Anne Rimoin, epidemiology professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Good to see you again, Anne.
ANNE RIMOIN, EPIDEMIOLOGY PROFESSOR, UCLA FIELDING SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH: Nice to be here, John.
VAUSE: OK. So, when it comes to COVID vaccines, Israel really seems to be half a step ahead of the rest of us. So, this statement from the Israeli prime minister is worth more than just a passing mention.
It reads: Rhe State of Israel is continuing to stand at the forefront of the global effort to deal with the pandemic. The citizens of Israel were the first in the world to receive the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine. And we are continuing to pioneer with the fourth dose as well.
OK, so, the significance of this, talk to that? And is this where we're all now heading? How long will it be before we need five, then six shots? Where does this all end?
RIMOIN: Well, John, that's a very good question. And I'm not going to have the answer to that today. But what I can tell you is it right now, with the vaccines that we have available today, we are going to need boost. And it's very possible that we could be looking at the same future that we're seeing in Israel.
Israel has been a pioneer in terms of going ahead and doing a good job at vaccinating, being proactive. You know, working under this assumption of it's easier to stay out of trouble than to get out of trouble, something we've talked about before.
So, you know, it's very possible. And I think very likely that we should be moving forward getting this next dose in the the arms of the vulnerable, and in our healthcare workers who are going to be at great risk. I think that this is critical.
I also want to point out that these are the first generation of vaccines, we should be seeing newer vaccines that will do better in being able to protect us from not only the current variants, but future variants.
So, we're dealing with the first generation of technology, we'll be doing better in the future, I'm sure. So, but in the interim, the best thing to do is to boost up.
VAUSE: And there has been a rush of booster shots in countries around the world. But it's important that the WHO says boosters and vaccines, you know, at the moment will not save us from this pandemic. Listen to this.
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KLUGE: Boost. Boost. Boost. The booster is the single most important defense against the Omicron. But the vaccination alone is not enough. Because the vaccination protects against severe disease. It protects against this and it protects the hospitals. But it does not necessarily interrupt transmission.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: And that's the important part here. If we want to stop future mutations, we have to stop transmission. And that sort of brings us back to full circle I guess, being away to the importance of wearing a face mask.
RIMOIN: Absolutely. Wearing a face mask is going to be critical and a good face mask. I think we've learned a lot about masking over the last two years. And what we know for sure is that high quality masks will make a very big difference. I'm recommending to everyone that has access to them to where KN95 where they can. Surgical masks are the next best. And cloth masks really don't offer that same kind of protection that we -- that we look for in a mask. So, I think that that's going to be critically important.
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RIMOIN: Of course, we're talking about on a global scale here, this is going to be very complicated and very difficult.
So, most of these recommendations, we're talking about to high income countries where they can actually give people access to these masks, we know the whole world does not have the same access.
VAUSE: And for the record, a KN95. Now, Bill Gates --
RIMOIN: Effective.
VAUSE: Thank you. Bill Gates, he knows a few things about a pandemic, right? And on Tuesday, he warned the worst stage of this one is yet to come.
He tweeted this, if there's good news here, is that Omicron moves so quickly, that once it becomes dominant in a country the wave there should last less than three months. Those few months could be bad. But I still believe if we take the right steps, the pandemic can be over in 2022.
OK, so a lot going on there. But just for starters, Omicron hasn't been around for three months. How do we know this timeframe of three months that he's talking about? RIMOIN: Well, I think we're just watching the trajectory of the infections, which is really stunning to see how many cases are occurring.
And we've gone from a very small number from one percent of the -- of the -- of the infections here in the United States to 13 percent to 73 percent of infections being due to Omicron. And that curve is very, very stunning.
We're seeing it, it we saw it in South Africa, we've seen it in the U.K., we're starting to see it here in the United States as well.
So, I think that we we will see a very sharp and brutal rise in cases. And that is very true that we'll probably also see a downslope on the other side as well.
But of course, it's still to be seen. And this is a variant that we've got in front of us right now. Of course, there are other variants that could emerge.
VAUSE: How much faith you put in his time frame assessment here that (INAUDIBLE) he was one that predicted this was coming, he now predicted it could be over by next year?
RIMOIN: Well, I hope that he's correct. I think that that Bill Gates is very -- is very thoughtful. And certainly, the Gates Foundation has done a lot of work on this.
And so, I believe that it's something that could be possible based on the information. But you know, it really is going to depend upon what we do to get the world vaccinated.
We've talked about this before, vaccine equity is going to be key to be able to spare as many lives as possible and get in front of this virus.
We also remember, when we give this virus the opportunity to mutate or to replicate by infecting other people, it gives the opportunity for mutations, these mutations can eventually end up in very dangerous variants. So, which could create more problems. So, you know, I hope that we're over this soon, but I'm not certain.
VAUSE: We have always had the ability to write the ending of this pandemic. We just have to get on the same page and do it.
Anne, as always, it is always a pleasure. Thank you.
RIMOIN: My pleasure.
VAUSE: Well, as far as the Russian President is concerned, the West is at fault for the increased tensions and strained relations across the Europe. But what about his military bought up on Ukraine's border?
More from Vladimir Putin as he addresses Russia's top military officials in a moment. Also, U.K. court has ordered Dubai's ruler to pay a pretty big sum in
a divorce settlement. Why a big part of that is actually going to cover security costs for his ex-wife, to keep her safe from him.
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VAUSE: Vladimir Putin says Russia has the right to "react harshly to unfriendly steps". As the U.S. and NATO warned against any further aggression towards Ukraine.
Putin is demanding security guarantees from the U.S. and NATO including a binding pledge that NATO will not expand further East. But he says these demands do not amount to an ultimatum.
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VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): Is this an ultimatum or not? Of course not. We are hoping for constructive and meaningful negotiations with visible end result within a specified timeframe, which would ensure equal security for all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: As for NATO, the Secretary General says that while the alliance is ready to engage in meaningful dialogue with Russia, it will continue to support Ukraine politically and practically.
CNN's Melissa Bell has more now reporting from Moscow.
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MELISSA BELL, CNN PARIS CORRESPONDENT (on camera): It was a combative tone that was struck by Vladimir Putin in a televised meeting at the Defense Ministry here in Moscow on Tuesday. Vladimir Putin warning that whilst Russia was looking for dialogue with NATO, it was also prepared to consider what he described as military technical action should the aggression that it believes is coming from NATO continue.
There was also tough warnings on the other side, we heard on Tuesday from the Secretary General of NATO, also from America's top diplomat to Europe, both of them reflecting each other's language and the sanctions that are being prepared in a coordinated way in case Russia should go ahead with the land invasion that they fear might be being prepared given the numbers of troops being masked on Ukraine's borders.
So, fiery language on either side are ratcheting up of those warnings by other side, and yet, some hope that negotiations talks may actually begin.
We heard from Russia news agencies that at the Vienna, nuclear talks today, there have been contact between the American and Russian delegations, a confirmation from Karen Donfried again, the American top diplomat to Europe speaking to reporters today that talks could begin as early as January between the two sides around those Russian proposals that have been laid out these last few days.
Although, Karen Donfried very clear on the fact that many of them were simply unacceptable. Still, the possibility of dialogue ahead, a breakthrough really in what has been a rising of tensions over the last few weeks.
Melissa Bell, CNN, Moscow.
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VAUSE: Ethiopia is no closer to ending its 13 month long civil war, Rebel Tigrayan forces has said they're pulling out of two Northern regions to help pave the wave for peace negotiations.
But the Ethiopian government has rejected that claim saying the army is clearing out those fighters.
The very latest now from CNN's Larry Madowo.
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LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Any hopes of a ceasefire in the 13- month long conflict in North of Ethiopia were last Tuesday, because the Ethiopian government essentially rejected any calls by the Tigray People's Liberation Front to come to the table and talk. That's what they said they were giving peace a chance that Ethiopian government is saying that Tigrayan fighters are only pretending to offer this because they're being defeated. That's what they withdrew the troops from Afar in Amhara at these two neighboring regions in the north of Ethiopia.
The Tigrayan fighters want a ceasefire. They want an arms embargo in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and especially they want that beginning of negotiations. But the Ethiopian government does not want that ceasefire. Not right now.
BILLENE SEYOUM, ETHIOPIAN FOREIGN PRESS SECRETARY: A ceasefire from who is the question, the government has already been engaged in a ceasefire before which has been evidently, you know, referred to as a sick joke.
So, the federal government has got an obligation to maintain peace to ensure the territorial integrity and the operations by the federal defense forces will ensure that territorial integrity will be maintained. And that TPLF is no more a threat to the peace instability of Ethiopia.
MADOWO: The Ethiopian government still says it is committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the north of the country. But a political solution must be centered on accountability, dialogue and justice.
It says it has offered the Tigrayan fighters olive branches in the past that were rejected. And this time, the difference is that there has to be a lot more than what they're offering right now. So, it still looks like this conflict is not any closer to coming to
an end until the Ethiopian government and the Tigrayan fighters can find a way to come to a table and to dialogue.
Larry Madowo, CNN, Nairobi.
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VAUSE: Day three of jury deliberation set to get underway in the Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking trial. On Tuesday, the jury asked the judge three questions regarding testimony from the women who were sexually abused by Maxwell's associate pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Maxwell is securing -- is accused of luring teenage girls for Epstein, she has pleaded not guilty.
The long running and bitter divorce between the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his sixth and youngest wife has ended with what appears to be the largest ever financial settlement ordered by a British court, nearly $730 million.
That may come as a disappointment for Princess Haya Bint Al-Hussain, who wanted more than a billion dollars from her ex-husband. But many of the claims were reduced by the court like the $42 million to replace her wardrobe left behind in Dubai that was cut back to $1.3 million.
But the bulk of the settlement will pay for security for the princess and her two children aged 14 and nine. The judgment noting the biggest threat they face is from the Sheikh himself.
Live to Sydney, Tom Steinfort correspondent for "60 Minutes" Australia and author of The Sins of the Sheikh: Abduction, Intimidation and Intrigue Inside the Royal House of Dubai, a perfect book. Perfect timing. Tom, thanks for being with us.
TOM STEINFORT, AUTHOR, THE SINS OF THE SHEIKH: Good to see you.
VAUSE: OK, so let's begin with the security aspect here. Because Paula's CNN's reporting, the determination was made in reference to the Sheikh's campaign of intimidation inflicted on Princess Haya, including his ability to make use of the Pegasus software, which is only available to government to spy on the princess and her staff, a revelation which surfaced in court documents back in October.
This is not the first divorce to turn kind of nasty, but it might just be the first one when the full security apparatus of the state was used to intimidate and threaten an ex and her legal team.
STEINFORT: Yes, and what makes this so interesting is that it's not standalone within the Dubai royal family. I mean, this is a family that makes Britain's Royal family look positively cohesive.
You know, Meghan and Harry have gotten nothing on what's been happening in Dubai of light because what we have known over the last few years is that this isn't the only woman within Sheikh Mohammed's family to fall foul of his rule.
In fact, quite the opposite. He's had a couple of daughters, Princess Shamsa and Princess Latifa. They were both brought up in this case.
And what the court found for the first-time, landmark finding here against let's remember, the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, the Vice President, the ruler of Dubai, this man was found to that -- by that court to have abducted and imprisoned two of his daughters in the past. He kidnapped them according to the court from foreign countries. Shamsa from the U.K., and also Latifa from waters of India.
So, what Princess Haya has tried to show here is that this is a man who will stop at nothing to get his way. And he's got no respect according to her lawyers for international laws and the laws of other countries.
So, she says that she feels like every day, she is at threat, the children are at threat from being abducted by this man who has friends around the world who were in such high places. Friends with the Queen, he's, you know, in (INAUDIBLE) opportunities with Joe Biden, the U.S. President.
So, it is a really strong statement for this court to come out the way it has, and find in favor of Princess Haya, as she said, not quite as much as she'd hoped for, but it is still unprecedented. A record payment here they're talking about in excess of 500 million pounds.
VAUSE: And you touched on this, a judge noted that the children faces clear and ever present risk. And so, within that settlement, is provisioned to pay for the running costs of armored vehicles to transport the princess's son and her daughter, and all of these security costs that aren't going, they're not finite.
So, the chances are, this final dollar amount will actually be a lot higher than the U.S. $730 million than it is right now.
STEINFORT: Yes, and they've -- you know, they've been come up with these budget estimates, I guess you'd almost call them of how long these security arrangements are going to be in place.
They're talking about more than 50 years. That's (INAUDIBLE), that's going to be long after Sheikh Mohammed is going long after even Princess Haya is gone.
And so, it's pretty extraordinary when you pick through the fine details of this because, as you said, this is covering security, armored vehicles -- six armored vehicles everywhere they go. They need to transport the armored vehicles when they go on holidays, you know, they've given budget money for the family to go on holidays.
And what's interesting here is that yes, a large bulk of the money is being devoted to covering the security expenses for Haya and her two children. But there's a hell of a lot of money here to keep up the extraordinary lifestyle that she led, whilst in Dubai and what those children were accustomed to.
We're talking about, you know, millions of pounds being allocated, so they can do up their kitchen in Kensington in London, and also install a pizza oven there.
The children, we heard, the son has been gifted three cars. Now keep in mind, he's only 10 or 11 years old, he can't drive them. But this is the lifestyle they're accustomed to.
So, to an extent Sheikh Mohammed is now being told, sorry, you've got to pay for the lifestyle that you gave them all these years for that to continue for decades and decades to come.
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VAUSE: $1.9 million for that pizza oven, I believe in London. And all of it, it's a big chunk of change, but not really for the Sheikh. I think I read he's worth about $14 billion. So, he may have got out of this marriage for a bargain in a way.
STEINFORT: You're right. I mean, you and I sit there and listen to an amount like 554 million pounds and think, oh, my God, what an extraordinary amount.
It's probably sitting down on the side of the couch for him. I mean, this is a guy whose wealth knows no limits. Business for him, is basically intertwined with politics.
When you think of the success of Dubai and let's make no mistake, he has been very successful. No matter what you say about his human rights record, his women's rights records, his freedom of the press record, which are all very, very questionable. There's no doubt he's been a great businessman.
But the prosperity in Dubai all comes back to him. And this is a man that has profited from the boom in Emirates Airlines, seem Dubai become this hub internationally and a leader in business in the Middle East.
So, look, he does have money left, right and center. And again, picking through the details of this case, really interesting stuff, Haya describing how on one holiday, Sheikh Mohammed bill the strawberries, the fruit was two million pounds.
So, this is a man who has no concept of what normal spending is for everyone else, and hence why the payout here is so big.
But the big question we come to now is, will he pay it? These courts have a strong record of coming up with big settlements, but given his, you know, head of state from another country, how much can British authorities try and force his hand here to actually hand over the cash.
And this is what will be interesting to watch in perhaps the weeks, months, years to come. How international leaders continue to deal with Sheikh Mohammed. As I said, he's been glad handing leaders across the world for so long, and really, positioning himself as the statesman.
But the more things leak out about his record of treatment of women within his own family and the wider women's rights issues in the UAE and even press freedom as I eluded. I mean, it wouldn't be surprising if CNN has all of a sudden gone off the air in the UAE for a few minutes while we're talking. And you know, there are a lot of questions to be asked today.
VAUSE: We'll let you know about that one, Tom. But yes, he -- yes, he could end up being a deadbeat dad, who knows? We'll see.
Tom, thanks so much for being with us. Tom, we appreciate it.
STEINFORT: Good to see you.
VAUSE: Take care.
Well, still ahead, details on America's plans to step up the fight against COVID-19 as the Omicron variant races across the country.
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VAUSE: Welcome back, everyone. I'm John Vause. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM.
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In the United States, President Joe Biden walked a fine line between calm and concern on Tuesday, ensuring vaccinated Americans, they can go ahead with holiday plans. But laid out measures to accelerate the country's COVID response in the face of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.
Details now from CNN's Phil Mattingly.
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JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I know you're tired.
PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Biden seeking to reassure an exhausted nation as it braces for what may be the largest COVID wave yet.
BIDEN: This is not March of 2020. Two hundred million people are fully vaccinated. We're prepared. We know more.
MATTINGLY: But the remarks marked a complex effort to straddle the line between a dire message to the unvaccinated.
BIDEN: If you're unvaccinated, you're at a higher risk of getting extremely ill from COVID-19, and getting hospitalized, and even dying.
MATTINGLY: And hopeful resolve for those with the vaccine and booster.
BIDEN: You have a high degree of protection against severe illness.
MATTINGLY: As the Omicron variant now makes up a stunning 73 percent of new U.S. COVID cases. Biden urging Americans to get vaccinated and boosted, and making a point of thanking former President Donald Trump for doing just that.
BIDEN: Maybe one of the few things he and I agree on.
MATTINGLY: While also lambasting media outlets and personalities that push vaccine conspiracy theories.
BIDEN: Now, these companies and personalities are making money by peddling lies online, misinformation that can kill their own customers and their own supporters.
MATTINGLY: As the White House rapidly prepares for the possibility of overwhelmed healthcare workers, mobilizing 1,000 troops to deploy to COVID-burdened hospitals, with emergency response teams already on the way to six states.
All as the administration shifts to address the growing spike in testing need, launching federal testing sites in hard-hit states, and purchasing 500 million rapid tests to be mailed at no cost to those who request them starting in January.
BIDEN: We'll be giving these tests to Americans for free. We'll have websites where you can get them delivered to your home.
MATTINGLY: An abrupt shift from an administration that just two weeks ago said this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why not just make them free, and give them out, and have them available everywhere?
JEN PSAKI, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Should we just send one to every American?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe.
PSAKI: Then what happens if you -- if every American has one test? How much does that cost, and then what happens after that?
MATTINGLY: The president rejecting criticism that the administration was unprepared.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is it a failure that you don't have an adequate amount of tests for everyone to be able to get one if they need one right now?
BIDEN: No, it's not. Because COVID is spreading so rapidly. I don't think anybody anticipated that this was going to be as rapidly- spreading as it did.
MATTINGLY: Even as Americans face long lines for testing throughout parts of the country. Biden urging those vaccinated and boosted to maintain their holiday plans. BIDEN: You know, you've done the right thing. You can enjoy the
holiday season.
MATTINGLY: And Americans listening, with the TSA reporting more than two million daily travelers for a fifth consecutive day, underscoring the challenge at hand for a White House attempting to assuage the most serious concerns for the vaccinated and boosted, while also delivering dark warnings to the tens of millions who have chosen not to get the shot.
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: Hospitals are full of people who made that mistake. And so are graveyards full of people that have made that mistake.
MATTINGLY (on camera): But President Biden was candid. Those who are vaccinated and boosted, still very much could return positive tests. That's just the reality of the Omicron variant, and it's throughout the country. And even here at the White House, the president acknowledged, and he would know, White House officials acknowledging the president had close contact with a staffer that ended up testing positive for COVID.
Now, the staffer tested positive on Monday. After that positive test, the president was tested. He tested negative on a PCR test. On Monday, had already tested negative in an antigen test on Friday. Expected to be tested again on Wednesday.
So far, not showing any symptoms. Still considered negative. Obviously taking all precautions necessary, according to the CDC.
Phil Mattingly, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Bill Gates warned for years that we weren't ready for a global pandemic. And now he is warning that the worst may be yet to come, posting on Twitter, "Just when it seemed like life would return to normal, we could be entering the worst part of the pandemic. Omicron will hit home for all of us. Close friends of mine now have it, and I've canceled most of my holiday plans."
But despite an ominous threat from Omicron, in the U.S., air travel has surged in recent weeks. Airlines are expected to cram even more passengers into metal tubes in the coming days. So if you're traveling and gathering, how best to do it safely?
Dr. Farhan Bhatti is a family physician in Lansing, Michigan, and he also sits on the Committee to Protect Health Care, which advocates for universal health care for all Americans.
[00:30:05]
Dr. Bhatti, thank you for being with us.
DR. FARHAN BHATTI, COMMITTEE TO PROTECT HEALTH CARE: My pleasure. It's great to be with you.
VAUSE: OK. So we'll get to this travel and how to do things safely in a moment. But a little earlier we heard from the U.S. president. In part, he was trying to reassure the nation that the healthcare system here is prepared for the worst. Here he is. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIDEN: My administration has stockpiled and prepositioned millions of gowns, gloves, masks, and ventilators. You call it PPP. We're ready to send them immediately to any state that needs more.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: So where you are in Lansing, Michigan, are hospitals ready for Omicron, and what about health care workers. Will they be able to cope with yet another wave of this pandemic?
BHATTI: Well, healthcare workers are already dealing with an enormous challenge. Here in Michigan, our hospitals have been full, and they've been full for several months.
So, the federal government actually had to send in additional resources, additional medical personnel and hospital beds, in order to help us.
So we are leery. We're nervous. Many of us are tired. And we're -- we're asking the public for help. We're asking people to -- to help us, healthcare workers, by getting their vaccine.
VAUSE: Yes, and there's also this -- you know, the concern about what will come with the holidays, as so many people are traveling. And with regards to that, there really isn't one sort of common approach here, regardless of where you are.
Germany has imposed new restrictions, with a stern warning from their new chancellor. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OLAF SCHOLZ, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translator): Private gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 10 people. Of course, this is especially true with regard to New Year's Eve. It is not the time for parties and social evenings in large groups.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Despite a high vaccination rate, there are new restrictions, as well, in Portugal, as well as Christmas, been all be canceled. Here's the prime minister.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONIO COSTA, PORTUGUESE PRIME MINISTER (through translator): This still isn't the normal Christmas we are used to. So I ask everyone to reduce, as much as possible, Christmas celebrations at their homes. (END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: But in the U.K., for now at least, the advice there is carry on but with care. Here's the British prime minister, Boris Johnson.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: People can go ahead with their Christmas plans. But the situation remains finely balanced. And I would urge everyone to exercise caution.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: So just in very broad brushstrokes here, what is the safest way to celebrate these holidays, especially if you plan to, you know, visit extended families, which may have older relatives, that kind of thing.
BHATTI: So, there's a lot of politics in the clips that you just showed. The safest way is for everybody that's gathering to have received the vaccine. That's by far the safest way to reduce transmission and eliminate or significantly reduce the probability of being hospitalized and dying from COVID.
If you're not vaccinated and you're considering getting together with friends and family over the holidays, at the very least, be diligent with wearing a mask. Because this virus is an airborne virus, it's spread through respiratory droplets. So you can breathe or cough onto someone, or someone could do that to you, and you'll breathe it in.
So at the very least, wear a mask. But I would recommend folks to gather, if they've been vaccinated, and to consider not gathering if they haven't.
VAUSE: Very quickly, do you consider vaccinated two shots or two plus one, with the booster, as well.
BHATTI: We know that getting a booster six months after the second dose is what gives you the strongest level of protection. And so, that would be the ideal situation. But if you received two doses of the vaccine, you should still be safe, as long as you take the appropriate measures.
VAUSE: Very quickly, if you're on a plane, and you have to wear a mask, what about your eyes? They're exposed. That's a potential area of contagion. What about surface transmission? Is that still a concern?
BHATTI: Not really. I mean, this is an airborne virus. So, what we're really trying to protect against is people breathing it in and from spreading it through to -- through to each other through their noses and through their mouths.
VAUSE: OK, we'll leave it there. Dr. Bhatti, thank you for the advice. Appreciate you being with us.
BHATTI: My pleasure.
VAUSE: And in many parts of Asia, COVID infections are either breaking records or coming close, with fears of worst to come with the Omicron variant. Many countries are returning to tough pandemic restrictions.
CNN's Selina Wang joins us now live from Tokyo. So what's the latest here?
SELINA WANG, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, John. Well, in Australia's New South Wales, they are yet again reporting another record in daily infections, reporting more than 3,700 in the state of New South Wales.
Australia has been able to avoid the worst of the pandemic so far through these strict border restrictions, as well as long lockdowns. But Prime Minister Scott Morrison said they are not returning to lockdowns. They're not returning to, quote, what he's calling "shutting down people's lives."
He said that while the country is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases, they've yet to see a significant impact on the hospital system.
[00:40:05]
But John, just last week, the health minister in New South Wales said that, based on current modeling, the number of daily cases could reach up to 25,000 new infections per day by the end of January.
And meanwhile, in South Korea, the country there also reported that a record number, more than 1,000 patients in critical condition. This is that as the country has reversed its plan to relax social distancing measures and is, in fact, reinstating them nationwide. There is now a curfew for cafes and restaurants, from 9 p.m.
And in the greater Seoul area, only four people are allowed in private gatherings.
And over in China, the country is continuing, it is doubling down on its zero COVID strategy. The country reported 57 locally-transmitted cases on Tuesday, most of them concentrated in the city of Shiang (ph). That city has started mass testing of its nearly 13 million residents has also asked them to stay at home except for necessary outings.
And to the city of China of Dongcheng (ph), which is bordering neighboring Vietnam. That city reported just one new COVID-19 case on Tuesday.
In response to one COVID case, they've asked residents to do compulsory home quarantine. They've also shut down schools, public facilities, and transport -- John.
VAUSE: Selina, thank you. Selina Wang for us there in Tokyo.
Colombia will likely avoid a Christmas lockdown. It's a relative bright spot for a country dealing with the misery and hardship from the economic pain caused by the pandemic, which has sent unemployment soaring, along with inflation.
Stefano Pozzebon reports now from Bogota.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: With about a week until Christmas in one of Bogota's poorest neighborhoods, a group of missionaries is handing out meals to the homeless and everyone who needs it.
The numbers they serve have grown steadily since the pandemic hit. Before COVID, most of the people they would attend were drug addicts. But things have changed.
CAMILO DEVIA, FUNDACION AMIGOS MISION COLOMBIA: Right now, there are more -- there is an equal percentage between the people that are addicted to drugs here and the people who lost everything. There are too many, too many old people here.
POZZEBON: Millions in Colombia lost their job as a result of COVID-19. While the country is recovering, more than 40 percent of the population live in poverty.
Among them, are people like Edwin, who used to work as a mechanic and now lives on the street. More than a health emergency, COVID has taken jobs away, he says.
(on camera) The pandemic had a devastating impact for informal workers, in particular, who didn't have any social safety net to rely on when the lockdowns were imposed.
(voice-over): Distressingly, just as more people found themselves in need, prices have shot up across the board, from gasoline to food supplies.
(on camera): The price of meat increased almost 30 percent in 2021 in Colombia, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Poultry is up more than 20 percent. Fresh fruits and vegetables, everything that you want for a good Christmas meal, is more expensive.
(voice-over): As a result, while this will likely not be a lockdown Christmas, the economic outlook is bleak.
Colombia's situation is far from unique. Inflation hitting the entire region hard. In South America, 2021 has been a year of rising prices and waning meals.
According to UNICEF, 50 percent of Argentinian children under the age of 6 eat less than before COVID hit. While in Brazil, 19 million people are going hungry, according to an independent survey.
SANDRA CHAVES, PROFESSOR, UFBA SCHOOL OF NUTRITION (through translator): We've never been in a situation as serious as it is now.
POZZEBON: Tapping into international capital markets, is not an option for most South American governments, making it hard to finance the sort of large public support projects common in the U.S. and Europe. As a result, the immediate future looks just as dreary.
The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development expects it will take at least two years to return to pre-COVID levels of wealth in Latin America.
The feud charity in Bogota has finished their deliveries for today, but the job is far from over. Tomorrow, somebody else will be hungry and wanting comfort.
Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, Bogota.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Still to come, China's rise on the world stage, celebrating 100 years of the Communist Party, along with it celebrating the man at the center of the party, Xi Jinping, now on the verge of extending his reign as president.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: one of China's most popular influencers has been busted for tax evasion, hit with a $210 million fine, the largest ever penalty imposed on live streamer, according to Chinese state media.
Huang Wei, known as the "live-streaming queen," was also kicked off social media.
Before her Weibo account was taken down, Huang posted she was deeply guilty; allegedly evaded more than $100 million in taxes by falsely reporting her commission income.
Beijing's broad crackdown on tax cheats and rich social media stars coincides with President Xi Jinping's common prosperity drive. All part of a strategy to reduce economic inequality, and along the way, raise his level of popularity, and his grip on power.
CNN's David Culver explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID CULVER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Walking the streets of China's capital, it is not hard to see who's in charge. There are pictures of President Xi Jinping all over.
This poster addressing the firefighting community. At the center of life here is the Chinese Communist Party. But, at the center of the party is this man, Xi Jinping.
(voice-over): 2021 saw major steps to further consolidate power. In an early November meeting of China's ruling elites, the 400 or so top party officials passed an almost unprecedented resolution, highlighting the role of its current leader, and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the triumphant rise on the global stage.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He wants to really highlight his own contribution to the development of the party. That also will seal his legitimate rule over China, in the foreseeable future. That, of course, no one would challenge his power within the party.
CULVER (on camera): Inside national museums like this one, President Xi Jinping has elevated himself to be on par with past leaders, like Deng Xiaoping and even the most famous, Mao Tse-tung.
(voice-over): China's already became the second largest economy in the world, on track to surpass the U.S. It has successfully lifted millions of its people out of poverty.
(on camera): Walking into morning rush hour here in the Chinese capital, you feel the rush of energy. A lot of activity. At times, it feels like everyone in this country is on this constant drive for more ambition, more success. It's only amplified by a population of more than 1.4 billion people.
(voice-over): An incredible buying power, bolstered by new technologies, making it quicker and easier to spend money. Not to mention, track people.
(on camera): Just to get into some of these stores and restaurants, you have to first take your temperature. Shows that you're OK. And then you've got to scan the health code.
It then says, we're good to go.
One thing that is incredibly convenient about China is you really don't even need to carry your wallet places. Everything is on your phone, including payment and I.D.
(voice-over): 2021 marked 100 years since the party's founding in Shanghai. It's a triumphant rise that the leadership proudly displays at so-called Communist Party pilgrimage sites, historically revered spots that downplay or ignore failures and controversies, from the tumultuous cultural revolution, to the Tiananmen Square massacre.
Instead, they focus on a century of successes. And China is now making other countries, including the U.S., increasingly uneasy with its rapid military expansions.
(on camera): With all the power that President Xi has amassed, along with an increased military might, we believe that one of its ultimate goals is to reunify with Taiwan. He has not even ruled out taking the island by force, if necessary.
(voice-over): China has been putting military pressure on the self- ruling democracy, Xi stressing in a recent virtual meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden that on Taiwan, the U.S. is playing with fire. Biden trying to calm the rapidly rising tensions.
BIDEN: Our responsibility, as leaders of China and the United States, is ensure that the competition between our countries does not veer into conflict, whether intended or unintended. Just simple, straightforward competition. CULVER: That's easier said than done. A deep-rooted geopolitical
battle lingering into the new year. Citing widespread allegations of human rights abuses against China's Uyghur population --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What kind of country does this to people? To innocent people?
CULVER: -- the U.S. announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
PSAKI: The Biden administration will not send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
CULVER: With allies following. Calls for a boycott in the games fueled, in part, by the case of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai. The three-time Olympian briefly disappeared in November, after she accused a top Communist Party official of forcing her into sex.
The Women's Tennis Association suspended tournaments in China, calling for Peng to be able to speak freely and openly. But, for now, it won't help the Winter Games.
These, the first Olympics to be held under President Xi. 2022, setting the stage for Xi to rule for an unprecedented third term and likely beyond.
David Culver, CNN, Shanghai.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Still ahead, many of the world's top hockey players may, in fact, skip the Beijing Winter Olympics. We'll tell you why, in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: COVID concerns might just keep many players from the National Hockey League from competing in the Beijing Winter Olympics. As of now, there's no official announcement, just multiple media reports. The NHL and the Players' Association have been discussing this issue for some time, and the NHL season on hold right now until after Christmas because of COVID outbreaks among several teams.
And like the NHL, most major American sports leagues are seeing more players and team staff testing positive each day. As CNN's Brian Todd reports, the coronavirus is proving to be the toughest opponent yet.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's the Raiders on the Browns.
[00:55:02]
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tonight, the world's most popular sports leagues are flailing, struggling to figure out when they can hold contests, and if their schedules can even survive the winter and the Omicron outbreak.
BARRY SVRLUGA, SPORTS COLUMNIST, "THE WASHINGTON POST": It is moving fast. It's moving fast in the world, and it's moving fast in sports. And while there is a bit of a playbook now for how the leagues have dealt with it, different than in March 2020, Omicron is proving to move through these locker rooms and these teams at a much higher rate of speed.
TODD: The National Hockey League has just paused its entire schedule for a few days until just after Christmas, after COVID outbreaks affected several teams. But after Christmas, one NHL reporter says it's anyone's guess.
ELLIOTTE FRIEDMAN, NHL REPORTER, SPORTSNET: There's no guarantee they're going to be able to play, or resume their full schedule next year week -- so I think what they're doing is just calling a brief time out, given the players the time and the staff the time that they normally get, and we'll see where we are on boxing day.
TODD: The NHL had already started to play some games in Canada with no fans in the stands. Like the Canadians and the Flyers did last week at Montreal's Bell Center.
At least three NFL games over the past week had to be postponed after dozens of players tested positive and many players had to be placed on COVID protocols as a precaution.
The NFL has also adopted a controversial new testing policy. Previously, the league required weekly testing of its players. But now, the NFL is only testing unvaccinated players, coaches, and staff. And vaccinated ones only if they show symptoms of COVID.
DR. CARLOS DEL RIO, EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATE DEAN, EMORY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: I think today, with Omicron, I would test everybody on a regular basis. If I had the capabilities, I would test everybody literally three times a week.
TODD: Sports analysts say the NFL is determined for the show to go on, and keep as many players as it can available for games. One problem with that, they say, could be the mentality of the average NFL player.
SVRLUGA: Football players are known for toughing things out. They tough through sprained ankles and pulled muscles, are they going to voluntarily come forward to their team doctors and say, Look, I vaxed and boosted, but I am feeling some symptoms? I'm not sure that's 100 percent the case.
TODD: While the NBA has also postponed some games --
ADAM SILVER, NBA COMMISSIONER: No plans right now to polish this season. We have, of course, looked at all the options. But frankly, we're having trouble coming up with what the logic would be behind pausing right now.
TODD: But one medical expert says it could reach a point where Omicron may not give these leagues much of a choice. DEL RIO: What we need to try to do is limit transmission as much as
possible. And I think it may be necessary to do what you're talking about. You know -- you know, canceling events such as sports events and other things like that.
TODD (on camera): Sports columnist Barry Voluca (ph) says one scenario we could see is indoor leagues like the NBA and NHL playing games, again, in bubbles. Maybe not quite the excessive bubble that the NBA set up in Orlando in 2020, but clusters of teams in smaller pockets playing in different cities, as these leagues try to ride out the Omicron variant without completely shutting down.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm John Vause. The news continues after a very short break. I'll be back in a couple of minutes. You're watching CNN.
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