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Israel Recommends 4th Vaccine Does for High-Risk Groups; Gov. Dismisses Tigrayan Claims of Withdrawal for Peace; Australian PM Rules Out Lockdowns Despite Rising Cases; Biden Outlines Plan to Fight Omicron as U.S. Cases Surge. Aired 1-2a ET

Aired December 22, 2021 - 01:00   ET

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

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[01:00:27]

JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: Ahead here on CNN Newsroom, the fourth shot ahead of an Omicron wave, Israel rolling out another booster shot for the elderly and medical workers.

Coming with a COVID storm, the World Health Organization warns Europe to prepare for a surge in COVID patients, which will push hospitals and health care 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.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Live from CNN Center, this is CNN Newsroom with John Vause.

VAUSE: Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us here on CNN. We begin this hour with a scramble to administer booster shots. A third dose seen as the most effective defense against this 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 or a booster shot for everyone. Officials decided a fourth shot was needed with an imminent surge in COVID infections. On Monday, more than 1300 new cases were diagnosed the most since October.

Journalists Elliott Gotkine has more now reporting from Tel Aviv.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELLIOTT GOTKINE, JOURNALIST: Israel's panel of Coronavirus experts has recommended a fourth dose of the COVID vaccine for over 60 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 a 5 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% jump in the daily COVID caseload on Monday to more than 1300 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 VIDEOTAPE)

VAUSE: Europe has recorded more than 2.7 million new COVID infections in the past week, France and Spain setting new daily records. U.K., Ireland and France are now offering financial support for businesses facing losses because of the pandemic and new restrictions. And the WHO says in the coming weeks health care workers will be 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 risk a threat to push already overwhelmed health systems further to the brink.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: Schools, bars, nightclubs are closing in Portugal, attendance will be limited at sporting events in Scotland. Sweden is asking everyone to work from home if possible. Germany confirms it will limit private gatherings to 10 people regardless of their -- if anyone's vaccinated or has recently recovered from COVID.

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OLAF SCHOLZ, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translation): 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.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: In a moment we'll hear from CNN Salma Abdelaziz with the very latest from the United Kingdom. But first here's CNN Senior International Correspondent Ben Wedeman.

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BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Across Europe, public holiday events are being cancelled and lockdown measures coming back into effect. The latest to announce such measures is Germany. We're 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, if you're not part of one of those two groups, you can forget about going to a restaurant in Germany.

[01:05:11]

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, their 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 REPORTER: 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 will 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 cancelled 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 staff, sick outs. Because of so many clients simply cancelling it's put 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 the State of Israel is continuing to stand at the forefront of the global effort to deal with a 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, that six starts? 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 that right now, with the vaccines that we have available today, we are going to need boosts and it's very possible that we could be looking at the same future that 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 arms of the vulnerable, and in our health care 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 vaccination alone is not enough. Because the vaccination protects against severe disease, it protects against death, 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, in a way 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 wear KN95 where they can, surgical masks are the next best. And cloth masks really don't offer that same kind of protection that we look for in a mask. So, I think that that's going to be critically important.

[01:10:20]

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: For the record K95.

RIMOIN: (Inaudible).

VAUSE: Thank you.

Bill Gates, he knows a few things about a pandemic, right. And on Tuesday, he won 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 way they 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 a status, 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. I mean, we've gone from a very small number from 1% of the of the infections here in the United States to 13% to 73% of infections being due to Omicron. And that curve is very, very stunning. We're seeing it, we saw it in South Africa, we've seen it in the UK, we're starting to see it here in the United States as well.

So, I think that 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 timeframe assessment here that also, 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 Bill Gates 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: Colombia has now recorded its first few cases linked to the Omicron variant. It was only a matter of time, but it comes with an already surging number of infections, adding to the misery of a Christmas mark by high unemployment, growing levels of poverty and now soaring prices for almost everything. Stefano Pozzebon reports from Bogota.

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STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST (voice-over): 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, FOUNDATION AMIGOS MISSION COLUMBIA: Right now, that are more, there is an equal percentage between the people that are addict to drugs here, and the people who lost everything. There are 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% of the population live in poverty. Among them are people like Edwin (ph), who used to work as a mechanic and now leaves on the street, more than a health emergency COVID as taking jobs away, he says.

(On camera) The pandemic had a devastating impact for informal workers, in particular, who didn't have any social safety nets to rely on when the lock downs 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% in 2021 in Colombia, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Poultry is up more than 20%. Fresh fruits and vegetables, everything that you want for a good Christmas meal is more expensive. As a result, while these will likely not be a lockdown Christmas the economic outlook is bleak.

[01:15:07]

Colombia 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% of Argentinian children under the age of six 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 translation): 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 harder 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 food 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: After 13 months of bloodshed, there's still no common ground between Ethiopia's government and Tigrayan fighters, the very latest blow to peace hoax and moment.

Also ahead, as far as the Russian President is concerned, the West is at fault for the increased tensions and strained relations across Europe. What about that military buildup in Ukraine's border, Mr. President, more from Vladimir Putin as he addresses Russia's top military officials.

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VAUSE: Ethiopia is no closer to ending its civil war despite recent statements from rebel Tigrayans forces that they're withdrawing from two northern regions as a confidence boosting measure to pave the way for peace talks. The Ethiopian government has rejected that offer saying the ongoing military offensive in that region is forcing rebel fighters to leave. 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 war Tuesday because the Ethiopian government essentially rejected any calls by the Tigrayans People's Liberation Front to come to the table and talk. That's what they said they were giving peace a chance. But Ethiopian government is saying that Tigrayans fighters are only pretending to offer this because they're being defeated. That's what they will do the troops from Afar and Amhara, these two neighboring regions in the north of Ethiopia. The Tigrayans fighters want a ceasefire. They want an arms embargo in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and especially they want that beginning of negotiations. But 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 and stability of Ethiopia.

[01:20:26]

MADOWO: The Cuban 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 come into 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.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VAUSE: The long running and bitter divorce between the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his six and youngest wife has ended with what appears to be the largest ever financial settlement ordered by British court and a 730 million U.S. dollars. The bulk of the settlement will pay for the security for the princess and her two children aged 14 and nine. The judgement noting the biggest threat they face is from Sheikh himself.

Day three of jury deliberation set to get underway in the Ghislane Maxwell's sex trafficking trial. On Tuesday, the jury asked the judge three questions regarding testimony from the women who were sexually abused by Maxwell's associated paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell is accused of luring teenage girls for Epstein and has pleaded not guilty.

Still ahead, how the U.S. is playing to ramp up its COVID response as Omicron sweeps across the country.

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VAUSE: In many parts of Asia, COVID infections are either breaking records or coming close. And fears are worse to come with Omicron, many countries are now returning to tough pandemic restrictions. CNN's Selina Wang joins us live from Tokyo. And this is happening from countries all across the region from Australia to New Zealand and beyond?

SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, exactly, John. We're seeing countries across the region scrambling to respond to the threat of the Omicron variant and in Australia, the state of New South Wales continuing to report record high daily COVID-19 cases reporting more than 3700 on Tuesday. Now, while Australia has thus far managed to a avoid the worst of the pandemic through strict border restrictions as well as these long lockdowns Prime Minister Scott Morrison is saying the country is not going to return to lock downs, not going to return to what he calls shutting down people's lives. Take a listen to what he said in a press conference today.

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SCOTT MORRISON, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: My message is to stay calm, get your booster, follow the common-sense behavioral measures as you're going into Christmas. And we look forward to that. Australians have worked very hard to have this Christmas together. And we want to protect that. One of the things we agreed today is we're not going back to lockdowns.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WANG: The Prime Minister says while the country has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases there is not yet a significant impact on the hospital system. But just last week, the health minister in New South Wales says that based on current modelling, the state could see up to 25,000 new infections per day by the end of January.

And meanwhile in South Korea, the country reporting yet another record number of patients in critical condition from COVID-19 reporting more than 1000 patients in critical condition. Just last week, the country had reversed its plan to phase, in a phased way, relax the social distancing rules and instead reimposing them, now cafes and restaurants need to close by 9 p.m. and in the greater Seoul area only for people allowed in private gatherings.

And in China, we're seeing the country continue its zero tolerance COVID strategy, the country reported 57 new locally transmitted cases mostly in the city of Xi'an. The city has started mass testing of its nearly 13 million residents, as well as asking those residents to stay at home except for necessary outings.

And in the city of Dongsheng which borders is which is neighboring to Vietnam that city reported one new case on Tuesday responds to just one new case, John, the city is requiring compulsory home quarantine as well as public facilities and transport shutting down, John.

VAUSE: Selina, thank you. Selina Wang there live for us in Tokyo.

In the United States, Joe Biden walked a line between calm and concern, Tuesday, assuring vaccinated Americans they can go ahead with holiday plans, but delivering a grim warning for the unvaccinated as Omicron races across the country. Details now from CNN's Jeff Zeleny.

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JOE BIDEN, (D) U.S. PRESIDENT: Let me give it to you straight again: Omicron is serious, potentially deadly business for unvaccinated people.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: President Biden issuing a stark new warning four days before Christmas, as the administration praises for a staggering surge in COVID cases.

BIDEN: Let me say again and again and again and again: Please get vaccinated. ZELENY: The President drawing a sharp line between the vaccinated and boosted and the unvaccinated making yet another plea for Americans to take seriously the Omicron variant that suddenly majority of new U.S. cases.

BIDEN: I know you're tired -- I really mean this, and I know you're frustrated. We all want this to be over. But we're still in it, and this is a critical moment.

ZELENY: The President's plan calls for addressing a significant deficit in testing, with 500 million rapid COVID test to be sent to the homes of Americans who request them, preparing 1000 military service members to deploy to overburdened hospitals, new federal testing sites starting in New York City.

On the testing front, it's an about face for the White House. With Press Secretary Jen Psaki dismissive of sending tests to people's homes just two weeks ago.

JEN PSAKI, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Should we just send one to every American?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe.

PSAKI: Then what happens if every American has one test? How much does that cost? And then what happens after that?

ZELENY: When we asked Psaki about that moment, she said this.

PSAKI: Should I have included that additional context again in that answer? Yes, going back I wish I would have done that.

ZELENY: The at home testing initiative will not roll out until January, leaving the President to defend the timing.

BIDEN: And so, no, it's not a failure, but the alarm bell went off. I don't think anybody anticipated that this was going to be as rapidly spreading as it did.

ZELENY: The White House also revealing that a staffer who spent 30 minutes Friday with the President on Air Force One tested positive for coronavirus. The President tested negative on Monday and will test again on Wednesday.

PSAKI: I spent several hours with him this morning. And he is feeling great.

ZELENY (on camera): President Biden focusing on vaccines but also going hard after the disinformation surrounding vaccines perhaps in stronger language than we've ever heard him say before going after the companies that push this, but also then turning to former President Donald Trump, pointing out that he has had the booster and he said that's one thing that we agree on. Jeff Zeleny, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE) VAUSE: Bill Gates worn 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 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 cancelled most of my holiday plans."

[01:29:51]

But despite an ominous threat from omicron in the U.S., air travel has surged in recent weeks. And airlines are expected to cram even more messengers into the 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. Dr. Bhatti, thank you for being with us.

DR. FARHAN BHATTI, FAMILY PHYSICIAN: My pleasure. Great to be with you.

VAUSE: Ok. 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 health care system here is prepared for the worst.

Here he is, listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My administration has stockpiled and pre-positioned millions of gowns, gloves, masks, and (INAUDIBLE) we call it PPP. We were 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?

DR. BHATTI: Well, health care workers are already dealing with an enormous challenge. Here in Michigan, ours 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 the hospital beds, in order to help us.

So, we are leery, we are nervous, many of us are tired, and we are asking the public for help. We are asking people to help us, health care workers, by getting a vaccine.

VAUSE: Yes. And there's also this, you know, the concern about what will come with the holidays with so many people 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 being all but cancelled.

Here is the prime minister.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTONIO COSTA, PORTUGUES PRIME MINISTER: 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 is 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 visit extended families, which may have older relatives, that kind of thing.

DR. BHATTI: So, there is 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, please be diligent with wearing a mask, because this virus is an airborne virus.

It spreads through respiratory droplets. So you can breathe or cough onto someone or someone can 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 have 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?

DR. 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've 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, you have to wear a mask but what your eyes? They're exposed. That's a potential area of contagion. Will that surface transmission, is that still concern.

DR. 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 spreading it 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.

DR. BHATTI: My pleasure.

VAUSE: When we come back, Libyans anxiously awaiting for Friday's presidential election, but they may have to wait for even longer. Ahead, experts say the vote will likely be postponed.

[01:34:52]

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VAUSE: Russian President Vladimir Putin again talking up a possible conflict with the U.S. and its allies. He was speaking to military leaders and intelligence chiefs at the defense ministry in Moscow, justifying the buildup of Russian forces on Ukraine's border as defensive in nature.

Notably saying there is no room for retreat, and warned Russia has the right to quote, "react harshly to unfriendly steps". Putin has demanded legally binding guarantees from the United States and NATO that Ukraine will not be allowed to join the defense alliance. But he said those demands do not amount to an ultimatum.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

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 results within the specified timeframe which would ensure equal security for all.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: As for NATO, the secretary general says the alliance is ready to engage in meaningful dialogue with the kremlin, while also continuing to support Ukraine politically and practically.

CNN's Melissa Bell has more now reporting in from Moscow.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was a combative turn that was struck by Vladimir Putin in the televised meeting at the Defense Ministry here in Moscow on Tuesday.

Vladimir Putin warning that while 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 from the other side. We heard on Tuesday also 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 massed on Ukraine's borders.

So fiery language on either side, a ratcheting up of those warnings by either 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 had been contacts between the American and Russian delegation, a confirmation from Karen Donfried again, the American top diplomat to Europe speaking to reporters today, the 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 on what been a rising of tensions over the last few weeks.

Melissa Bell, CNN -- Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VAUSE: Voters in Libya were expected to go to the polls on Christmas Eve, December 24th. That's Friday. But now there are questions over whether the vote will actually take place at all.

It appears to be dissolved after an electoral commission was dissolved. And now, there's uncertainty whether they'll be held at all.

CNN's Becky Anderson explains.

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(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) BECKY ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): This first presidential elections scheduled for December 24th were meant to be a crucial step in what observers hoped would put an end to the country's long running civil war.

But due to legal challenges and administrative issues, experts say those elections are likely to be postponed, raising fears of a return to dysfunctional squabbling factions, or even armed conflicts.

Tensions are mounting over a number of controversial figures, who planned to run when Libyans eventually go to the polls. Amongst them is renegade General Khalifa Haftar, who once laid siege to the capital and is commander of the Eastern-based Libyan National Army.

Also Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the former dictator. He wants to run despite being wanted by the International Criminal Court.

And interim prime minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, who heads the Tripoli- based unity government. He pledged not to seek elected office when he took the post earlier this year.

The country has been split between rival administrations, supported by vast numbers of militia, and tens of thousands of foreign fighters from countries such as Russia and Turkey.

International organizations, and members of Libya's government have voiced strong objections to foreign interference in the national vote, leading to the potential delay.

JAMAL BENOMAR, CHAIR, INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR DIALOGUE INITIATIVES: Elections by their nature unleash political competition, but unleashing political competition in a country with no state to speak of, no institutions to manage conflict, is a recipe for disaster.

ANDERSON: A shell of what it once was, the leadership struggles to allocate properly the country's national resources, particularly oil.

And another crisis brews offshore, as hundreds of thousands of migrants use Libya as a gateway to Europe. Nearly 1,500 men, women and children have died so far this year, trying to cross the Mediterranean from Libya.

The EU sent more than $500 million since 2015, largely channeled through agencies like the U.N., which aims to beef up Libya's coast guard.

There have been reports of abuse of migrants, and Libya's foreign minister recently criticize the E.U.'s migration policy in the region.

Holding elections won't solve these issues, but the hope is it will bring stability to a country desperate for peace. For now, though, it's a waiting game.

Becky Anderson, CNN, Abu Dhabi.

(END VIDEOTAPE) VAUSE: Well, one of China's most popular influences has been busted for tax evasion, and hit with a $210 million fine. The largest ever penalty imposed on a live streamer, according to Chinese state media.

Hwang Wei was known as the live streaming queen and she was also (INAUDIBLE) of social media. Before her Weibo account was taken down Hwang posted she was deeply guilty, allegedly evading more than $100 million in taxes by falsely reporting her income from commissions.

Hwang (INAUDIBLE) goods worth billions of yuan for fear that she will be back online anytime soon.

According to multiple reports, COVID concerns are likely to prevent many players from North America's National Hockey League from competing at the Beijing Winter Olympics. As of now, there's been no official announcement, but the matter has been the focus of discussion, between the NHL and the players association for some time.

The NHL season is now on hold, until after Christmas, because of COVID outbreaks among a number of teams.

Thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm John Vause. Please stay with us, World Sport is next after a very short break. See you back here tomorrow.

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