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Shortage of Testing as Omicron Spreads in the U.S.; Omicron Surges Around the World; World Honors Desmond Tutu; Build Back Better Act Sees Possible Comeback. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired December 27, 2021 - 02:00   ET

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

[02:00:00]

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KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN HOST: Welcome to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. Ahead on "CNN Newsroom," ending 2021 like it began with COVID cases surging in the U.S., difficulties getting tests and healthcare workers pushed to the brink.

President Biden won't be ringing in the New Year with a Build Back Better victory, but Democrats are plotting a new path forward to try and get his signature bill passed.

And a truck driver sentenced to 110 years following a fatal crash. Now, a public outcry and a district attorney are pushing the court to reduce his time behind bars.

All right. We begin this hour with the growing concern over the rapid spread of the omicron variant in the U.S. It's driving daily COVID infections to highs not seen since last January. This is the scene at testing sites around the country. Long lines with people often having to wait hours to get tested. The White House is facing increased criticism over its handling of COVID testing. Here's what top health expert Dr. Anthony Fauci had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES: We should be using testing much more extensively than we have, even in a situation where people who are vaccinated or boosted. We've obviously got to do better. I mean, I think things will improve greatly as we get into January, but that doesn't help us today and tomorrow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Meanwhile, nearly 1,500 flights were canceled Sunday as staff and crew continue to call out sick due to the omicron surge. CNN's Nadia Romero has more from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, one of the busiest in the world.

NADIA ROMEROP, CNN U.S. CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Some frustration here at Atlanta's airport here at Hartsfield-Jackson for some travelers whose flights were delayed or canceled. One woman told me that her flight was cancelled from Atlanta to Wyoming and she was hoping to get back because she has to go back to work and get back to her normal routine. But that just can't happen because of that canceled flight.

That flight, one of more than a thousand flights cancelled on Sunday alone, bringing the total this weekend to about 2,000 flights. That's just domestic. And you add thousands more when you talk about international travel. But for some people they said despite all the cancelations, delays, they have been checking their phone.

When their flight was able to be on time, they came to the airport, they said they weren't going to miss it because they haven't seen family and friends since before the pandemic two years ago. Listen to them talk about that experience of finally being able to get back home.

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UNKNOWN: This is my in-laws. It's the first time I've seen them in about two years so, yes, it's been a while. And saw my mom over Thanksgiving, first time in two years. I got my booster shot. That was first and foremost. I was due for it so I got that. Been wearing my mask. I actually ended up switching my seat to being next to one person instead of three other people. So, just to keep my distance. So, yes, my whole family is vaccinated and we felt safe. It was just immediate family, just like 10 people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMERO: Now, TSA tells us that screening through their security checkpoints is down this holiday season. Christmas and Christmas Eve compared to the same time period back in 2019, so pre-pandemic levels. You contribute some of that to the coronavirus, the omicron variant that is spreading rapidly with cases that we are seeing rising across the country and also all of the thousands of cancelations and delays. Nadia Romero, CNN, Atlanta.

BRUNHUBER: Carnival's Freedom Cruise Ship returned on schedules in Miami, Florida on Sunday, despite what the company calls a small number of COVID cases detected on board during the 8-day voyage. A Carnival spokesperson tell CNN all passengers were fully vaccinated and tested before the trip began. The ship was denied entry to two ports at two Caribbean islands. They made two other stops before returning to Florida. Now, some passengers had positive things to say about the trip while others at Carnival left them in the dark.

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LEAH MURRAY, CARNIVAL FREEDOM PASSENGER: The only reason how we found out that people on the ship had COVID is because the first destination we were supposed to go to, it took -- we sat there for a couple of hours, and then we found out they wouldn't let us on that destination because of so many people on the ship having COVID. And they just let everybody go about their business.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BRUNHUBER: CNN asked Carnival about these specific claims, but the company didn't directly address them.

[02:04:58]

All right. Joining me now is Dr. Esther Choo, professor of emergency medicine at Oregon Health and Science University. Thanks so much for being here with us, doctor. So, from what you're seeing across the country and in places like New York State, which just broke its single-day COVID case record on Christmas, is this what you expected?

ESTHER CHOO, OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY: Well, certainly watching omicron as it was identified in other parts of the world and seeing the data that showed how rapidly the doubling time was and how highly infectious it was, we anticipated that omicron would be bad. And of course there's a timing issue here, Kim. And that omicron hit just as cold weather drives people indoors and the holidays drive people together.

And, you know, so many of us have waited so long to see family members, as you showed in the introduction. And I think it was just really hard to ask people to wait any longer, particularly people who are vaccinated and boostered and really had prepared to be safe when they traveled and saw family.

So, all these compounding issues coming together really meant that we were -- it is not surprising that we are where we are with cases just kind of exploding across the United States.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. And as you just referred to, those breakthrough infections, people who have had the shots and still been infected. So I want to get you advice on what to do. But first, let's start with simple exposure. Let's say, you know, this is happening all across the country, your kid came home from college for the holidays and tested positive for COVID.

I mean, the testing lines are so long, many people are saying, well, you know, I'll wear my mask, I'll limit my contact with other people, but if I don't have symptoms, I won't bother getting tested. Is that wrong, I mean, even if you have no symptoms, should you get tested if you've been exposed?

CHOO: I think it still is so important to have testing as part of our strategy. First of all, testing allows us to know when we can re-enter society, our jobs, our social lives. And also knowing whether you're positive or not kind of changes your plans going forward.

So, I know it is so frustrating to get -- it's so frustrating to get testing, particularly PCR testing. I do think we can do, really lean on rapid antigen testing, these lateral flow tests that are commercially available. Those have been so hard to get over the holidays too because people use them in order to gather.

But I think with the administration really trying to increase availability, manufacturers trying to increase availability, hopefully these rapid antigen tests will be more available. But people really do need after exposure to go into quarantine after a positive test, to go into isolation and then use rapid antigen test and symptoms to decide when they can go back out. But you do need a negative test in order to re-engage with people.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. Well, on the symptoms, I mean, with omicron, are the telltale signs that we learn to look out for like losing your sense of taste or smell, are those different?

CHOO: It seems like, you know, COVID is still COVID, and so the symptomatology still includes the things that we're used to seeing, so, cough, fever, losing sense of smell and taste, those things. But I will say for people who are vaccinated, it seems like overall symptoms are milder.

And for whatever reason I've heard this anecdotally from a lot of physicians, you know, we'll have more information in a few weeks. But it really seems like those mild symptoms tend to include sore throat, a kind of hoarse voice. And that's where the symptoms seem to be concentrated, and then people have a milder and faster course. This is kind of what we're starting to expect from people with omicron if you are vaccinated and triply vaccinated. It's mild and it's really upper, upper respiratory.

BRUNHUBER: Okay. So, let's say you've tested positive. What now? Obviously, you know, if the symptoms are serious, you go to the doctor, you go to the hospital. But let's say you have mild symptoms. Are there things that you can do, first of all, to make yourself feel better? I mean, what works?

CHOO: Yes. I think -- I like the way you put that. I mean, I think -- there's always two stages with an exposure or with an infection. You know, the first is, what do I need to do for myself? The second is how we -- how I contain spread for other people. So what do you need to do for yourself?

I think it's really just like any other cold or infectious disease, and that you want to address your symptoms, and that can be with over- the-counter medications, ibuprofen, Tylenol, you know, sore throat lozenges, things like that, just to address your symptoms, stay well hydrated and rest.

And then I think we still don't know enough about omicron to really understand how severe it can be, but everything is still on the table. So just because we're sensing it is more mild, particularly in vaccinated people, doesn't mean that in any individual they can't get sicker. So people need to watch for worsening over time.

[02:09:58]

And what we've seen with COVID in general, but it starts mild and there's kind of this delayed onset of more severe illness. So, just monitor for symptoms, any severe cough, high fever, shortness of breath, those things that seem to be getting worse and not better and need to take people to see their doctor or to the hospital.

And then I think just really considering how you can limit exposure to other people. So any symptoms at all, especially in areas that have high rates of COVID, you can't assume that it's just a dry throat or allergies or a simple non-COVID cold. I think you have to assume it's COVID until proven otherwise, and really wait till testing before you allow yourself to gather with other people, particularly, you know, those who cannot be vaccinated, you know, or those like the elderly that may not have responded fully to vaccination.

BRUNHUBER: Absolutely. Excellent and timely advice as always, Dr. Esther Choo. Thank you so much for being here with us.

CHOO: My pleasure. Thanks, Kim.

BRUNHUBER: And it's not just the U.S. the omicron variant is fueling surges in COVID cases around the world. In Israel, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is self-isolating after his daughter tested positive. The news comes as Israel sees a spike in new infections with omicron cases doubling over the weekend.

In the U.K., new data shows vaccine uptick soared ahead of Christmas. In the week leading up to the holiday, the number of people getting their first dose was up 46 percent compared to the week before. The government is ramping up its vaccination and booster campaign amid a record surge in new cases.

And in China, authorities in the city of Xi'an have started the process of disinfecting the entire city amid a growing outbreak of COVID cases. It's the latest in a series of strict lockdowns in Xi'an aimed at stopping the outbreak before it spreads to other parts of the country.

All right. We have CNN's Steven Jiang standing by in Beijing, but let's start with Barbie Nadeau in Rome. Barbie, these cases leading to many governments in Europe imposing restrictions while the U.K. this week will be debating whether to act with harsher measures. What's the latest?

BARBIE NADEAU, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, you know, we're seeing that all across Europe right now. France is in an emergency meeting this morning with government official there's to determine what to do in terms of new restrictions. They topped over 100,000 cases in a single day over the weekend.

You know, we're seeing all sorts of smaller measures, too. In Belgium, they're closing movie theaters. In Germany, they are not allowing people to attend sporting events. Those games will be played in empty stadiums. So it seems we're in a little lock -- mini lockdowns. In the Netherlands, you know, essential -- all but essential shops are closed.

But going into New Year's celebrations, you know, we're really looking at cancelation of anything that even seems fun. Essentially, there will be no concerts. There'll be no fireworks. Here in Italy, mask mandates are outdoors, gatherings are limited. You know, they're looking at, you know, keeping people away from each other and in their small little bubbles, Kim. BRUNHUBER: Yes. Another subdued holiday period in Europe. Now, I

mentioned Israel's prime minister having to isolate because of COVID. Now, this is -- as the country is expected to begin a health study into the fourth COVID shot. What more do we know?

NADEAU: Well, you know, when we look at this kind of fourth booster shot, we see also here in Europe the idea that these health passes are going to start expiring six months after your last booster. Now, no one's saying you need another booster, but it logically imply that if they're going to make the health pass, which you need to go into restaurants or cultural events or even work in some places, as those are more restricted.

And obviously in Europe, too, they're going to be asking people to get a fourth shot or, you know, those who haven't had their third shot yet. So, it's widespread it seems that, you know, Israel led the way, the vaccine campaign in the first place so, we're sort of all going to be following that same step, it seems, Kim.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. All right, thanks so much. Let's pivot now to Stephen. (Inaudible) to disinfect the whole city, Xi'an, I've been there. It's not a small city by any means, some, you know, 9 million people in the city itself there. How will they go about doing this exactly?

STEPHEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Well, they have one residence actually, as you say. It's a large metropolis, 13 million residents in the metro area. And officials have warned residents to close their doors and windows and not to touch anything outside in terms of surface and plants as they try to spray the entire city with disinfectants, even though the effectiveness of this kind of practice has been questioned by China's own health experts.

But these kind of rather over-the-top measures is probably because a cluster of cases in Xi'an now more than 600 in the past two and a half weeks even though this still pales in comparison to what we are seeing in many other parts of the world. But here in China, as you know, they insist on sticking to this zero COVID policy.

[02:15:01]

That's why we are seeing officials pretty much lockdown the entire population to their homes since last week with very few exemptions such as allowing each household to send out one representative every other day to buy groceries. But even that privilege, if you will, has just been suspended according to the latest news reports from local media because now they are conducting another round of citywide mass testing.

So Kim, by now, this is part of their familiar playbook of mass testing, mass quarantine, and extensive contact tracing even though they have blamed the latest outbreak to a flight from Pakistan in early December. There are still some unanswered questions in terms of this chain of transmission, and the reason we are seeing a lot of these draconian measures make a return here I think is because as we draw closer and closer to the Winter Olympics to be held here in Beijing in just a month and a half, nobody in this country wants to take any chances. Kim?

BRUNHUBER: Yes. Absolutely. All right, listen, let's thank our correspondents there, Barbie Nadeau and Steven Jiang. Really appreciate it.

All right, still to come, the White House says it isn't giving up on its ambitious Build Back Better legislation. We'll have the latest from Washington. But first, the world mourns South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu who passed away Sunday in Cape Town. We'll have a look at his life and legacy after the break.

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BRUNHUBER: Flags are being flown at half-staff in South Africa and diplomatic missions around the world to mark the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Nobel Peace Prize winning anti-apartheid activist and human rights leader died Sunday in Cape Town.

In the hours since, there's been an outpouring of love for Tutu and respect for his legacy. Here's CNN's David McKenzie.

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tributes are pouring in for Desmond Tutu, the global icon and anti-apartheid struggle hero from South Africa, including from the president Cyril Ramaphosa, who in a late evening address on Sunday, addressed the nation saying that flags will be flown at half-staff both here in South Africa and diplomatic missions around the world, really speaking to his place in this country. He called Desmond Tutu an icon of freedom.

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CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT: Archbishop Desmond Tutu was one of our nation's finest patriots. He was a man of unwavering courage, of principled conviction, and whose life was spent in the service of others. He, in many ways, embodied the essence of our humanity.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCKENZIE: Now, Tutu made his name during the dark days of apartheid. Using his position in the church and underpinned by his faith, he was deeply involved in politics, though never a politician. He would be there physically leading marches against the apartheid regime in the mid-'80s as Nelson Mandela and other members of the now ruling ANC were either in prison or in exile.

After the end of apartheid, he continued his moral standing as the chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which tried to build bridges between South Africans and to try to heal the painful past of this country. But he was never post-apartheid afraid of voicing his concerns, his distaste for corruption and allegations of other wrongdoings of the ruling ANC.

And sometimes he was a thorn in the side of this nation's leaders. But, still, it was a tribute from the current president of South Africa and tributes flowing in from around the world, which show just what a special place this man has in both the history of South Africa and the global scene. David McKenzie, CNN, South Africa.

BRUNHUBER: And messages of sympathy are pouring in from around the world. U.S president and the First Lady released a statement saying, "Born to a school teacher and a laundress and into poverty and entrenched racial segregation, Desmond Tutu followed his spiritual calling to create a better, freer, and more equal world. His legacy transcends borders and will echo throughout the ages.

Former President Barack Obama called him, "A mentor, a friend and a moral compass for me and so many others. A universal spirit, Archbishop Tutu was grounded in the struggle for liberation and justice in his own country, but also concerned with injustice everywhere.

U.S. President Joe Biden won't be ringing in the New Year with a Build Back Better victory after West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin slammed the door on it. Now, Democrats are considering a new approach. CNN's Jeremy Diamond has more from Washington.

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Christmas came and went, and President Biden still doesn't have that key piece of his domestic policy agenda secured. That's the Build Back Better Act, which the president had hoped to pass in time for Christmas. But instead that has been pushed back to early 2022 after Senator Joe Manchin last week said that he could not support that bill in its current form.

Now we know that those conversations, though, have resumed between the White House and Senator Manchin's office. President Biden saying just days ago that he believes that he can still get large chunks of that bill pushed through Congress. How exactly, though, appears unclear. Senator Ben Cardin, though, one of those members of the Democratic Caucus in the Senate, weighing in on how it might get done. Listen.

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MIKE EMANUEL, FOX NEWS HOST: Are Democrats open to scaling it back even more or passing various pieces as standalones, maybe attracting Senator Manchin or even some GOP on some of these issues?

SEN. BEN CARDIN (D-MD): Well, that's a strategy decision that's being negotiated. We are open to a way to reach the finish line. We want to make it as comprehensive as possible because the needs are just there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAMOND: Getting that bill done in smaller bills though will be challenging given that Democrats need to use that reconciliation vehicle if they want to pass anything without any Republican support. Ultimately, though, one thing is clear, and that is that different factions of the Democratic Party want to move forward and try and find a way to get large chunks of this bill passed.

[02:24:57]

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, the head of the Progressive Caucus writing in an opinion piece in the "Washington Post" on Sunday that she wants to continue working towards getting this bill done and getting something as close to that framework that Democrats had previously agreed to as possible.

Meanwhile, Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, has said that Democrats in the Senate will indeed vote on that Build Back Better Act in early 2022. He has not, though, officially set a date for that. Jeremy Diamond, CNN, the White House.

BRUNHUBER: The never-ending pandemic is taking a mental and physical toll on the people taking care of the patients. After the break, we'll meet some healthcare professionals who wonder how much more of this stress they can take.

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BRUNHUBER: The omicron variant is sweeping through the U.S., driving up case counts and leaving many Americans hospitalized. Now, with hospitals overwhelmed, healthcare workers are being pushed to breaking point. CNN's Sara Sidner spoke with some of them in New Mexico.

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SARA SIDNER, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORESPONDENT (voice-over): In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the annual holiday light display dazzles the eye and lifts the spirit. But these are the lights grabbing all the attention just down the road. This is a COVID ICU, suddenly as busy as it ever was.

[02:30:03]

SCOTTY SILVA RESPIRATOR CARE DIRECTOR, CHRISTUS ST. VINCENT MEDICAL CENTER: It is clinically, psychologically impossible to keep doing this day in and day out, especially for the past year or two. Even the strongest respiratory therapists that I have, have broken down at times.

SIDNER: The staff is resilient, but despondent some days and plain old exhausted most, suffering and death, greet them every day.

SILVA: They come to me and they say, I do need a break. Help me.

SIDNER: You know, when you talk about things like pulling them out and people breaking down, it sounds like a war zone. That's the same language that soldiers sometimes use.

SILVA: Yes.

SIDNER: Is that what it feels like.

SILVA: Yes. To the point of it being almost unbearable. To see that, these are very good people. Good respiratory therapists, good clinicians who want to do the best possible job, and they just can't. They can do it.

SIDNER: There was a moment of light and hope.

DOMINICK ARMIJO, CLINICAL NURSE MANAGER, CHRISTUS ST. VINCENT MEDICAL CENTER: We thought the cases were going down.

SIDNER: Clinical Nurse Manager, Dominick Armijo was filled with hope when the vaccines were approved. He was one of the first in New Mexico to get the shot.

ARMIJO: It was just that light at the end of the tunnel. And then all of a sudden, it was like, wham bam, here we are, again.

SIDNER: He couldn't have possibly accounted for the number of people who would refuse the vaccine.

ANGELA BYRES, ICU PATIENT: I, In the beginning was an anti-vaxxer only because of my system. But not anymore.

SIDNER: What was it that sort of kept you from going to get vaccinated?

BYRES: I do not have a very good immune system.

SIDNER: A lot of times, the doctors will tell you, if your immune system is compromised, go get vaccinated. What were your concerns.

BYRES: My heart issues. I know there was a lot of clotting in the first few. And I did have an example of not a good reaction to a friend who did get vaccinated.

SIDNER: Byres never got the vaccine. Instead, she got a bad case of COVID and was unable to breathe. Do you regret it now?

BYRES: Do I regret it? Yes and no. I wish I'd gone vaccinated sooner; I wouldn't be here. That's the regret.

SIDNER: I've talked to a lot of doctors and nurses. And I've heard a lot of people say, I don't want to retire. I don't want to leave. But I don't know if I can do it. Where are you on the--?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm probably at that end of that spectrum as well. It's trying. But I just - this is my family. And this is my community. We're the city of holy faith. Just been a lot.

SIDNER: The unending pandemic surges have taken a toll.

LILLIAN MONTOYA, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CHRISTUS ST. VINCENT MEDICAL CENTER: We have lost 110 nurses this year.

SIDNER: That's 25 percent of the hospitals, nurses.

MONTOYA: It's across the board. I mean, most definitely nursing, respiratory. But it's also food and nutrition, and custodial support, and techs, and medical office assistants and registration, it is across the board. SIDNER: The remaining staff are fighting back death alongside their patients, there is no respite, not even for Christmas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SIDNER: The unfortunate thing that everyone is realizing including, of course, this exhausted staff inside these hospitals, is that COVID is here to stay satisfied. Sara Sidner, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN HOST: And joining me now is Zenei Triunfo-Cortez, President of National Nurses United. Thanks so much for being here with us. So, as we just heard in that report, so many nurses out there are spending their holidays either working in short staffed facilities or out sick themselves. Was that right?

ZENEI TRIUNFO-CORTEZ, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL NURSES UNITED: Yes, that's true.

BRUNHUBER: So, what is that? What problems is that causing for the nurses? I mean, we heard some emotional staff in those hospitals sort of talking about what this is doing to their morale, and so on, how are they coping with this.

TRIUNFO-CORTEZ: So, we are almost two years into this pandemic. And we have not seen any light at the end of the tunnel. The problem is, is that here we are in the frontlines fighting for our patients, fighting for our safety. And yet our employers and our governments are not protecting us. And instead of strengthening the guidance so that we will be protected in order to do our job safely. They continue to chip away the guidance. And so that's again, another distressing factor that leads to the moral distress that we are all experiencing now.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, I mean, by the guidance, you're talking about the CDC's decision to shorten the isolation time for health care workers who test positive, is that right? So, why is that particularly such a problem.

[02:35:00]

TRIUNFO-CORTEZ: Well, yes, that's what I'm talking about, because when the COVID first came about it, the isolation period when you're exposed, even if you know, you're awaiting your results for the COVID test, you are put out for 14 days, the incubation period of the virus, and then they shortened it to 10 days. And now they want to shorten it to even, half of that which is five days. And shortening the isolation period or the quarantining period would only lead to more cases of transmission, more illnesses, and even deaths. And we have lost a lot of nurses and other frontline health care workers to this pandemic.

And so, once again, it adds to the moral distress that we are experiencing, and we have been experiencing for the past two years almost.

BRUNHUBER: And especially with Omicron. I mean, we've seen in the UK, much of the stress on the health care system is not just because there's an uptick in patients, it's because so many health care workers are coming down with COVID themselves, is that what you're seeing amongst your nurses?

TRIUNFO-CORTEZ: Yes, that's true. Because again, it goes back to the fact that instead of our employers and our governments protecting us, they're chipping away at the current protections that we have, I still get choked up, because this should not be happening. We are here to do our jobs. But we need protection protections. We need to be, you know, protected so that we can protect our patients, protect the public health. And that's that what's happening.

BRUNHUBER: And I'm sure, making it all worse. I mean, nurses are also having to contend with, with angry people out there. I mean, the mood seems to have darkened from those early days, a year or two ago, orchestrated applause, sending health care workers free pizza. I mean, the health care workers now have to face growing anger in the community, from people who are resisting things like masks mandates, other public health measures, which I imagine makes a hard job even harder.

TRIUNFO-CORTEZ: Yes, that's the other thing that's going on. Instead of us, doing our jobs, taking care of patients, we still need to look out for the safety of our patients and of ourselves as well. Because like you said, there are a lot of angry patients, patients who cannot get appointments, or patients who cannot get tested, and they all think that it's the nurses fault. And we are the main targets, we are the easy targets because we are there at the frontlines. And yet, when we bring all this issues up to our employers, it falls on deaf ears.

When the COVID first hit, we were hailed as heroes, as the frontline nurse who will be there 24/7 taking care of patients. And now, they treat us like we are disposable, that you know it's OK for us to get sick, to get ill and to even die. They're not considering our safety. And so, if we're not safe, our patients are not safe.

BRUNHUBER: Well, listen, we all know how valuable your work is and all the health care workers out there. So, we certainly wish you the best and hope you can cope with all of those issues, especially throughout these holidays. Really appreciate you talking to us, Zenei Triunfo- Cortez. Thank you so much.

TRIUNFO-CORTEZ: Thank you for having me.

BRUNHUBER: Well, COVID is again throwing the sports world into disarray. The rising number of cases across the U.S. has impacted at least five bowl games and college football so far. The Sun Bowl is now searching for replacement team after the University of Miami dropped out due to COVID protocols. Washington State is still hoping to play a new opponent on Friday. Meanwhile, the Military Bowl plan for Monday in Annapolis, Maryland has been canceled and the Fenway Bowl in Boston has also been called off.

A district attorney in Colorado wants a court to reconsider the 110 year prison sentence for a truck driver convicted in a fatal 2019 crash. We'll have the details ahead. Stay with us.

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[02:40:00]

BRUNHUBER: In the coming hours, Colorado court is set to hold the hearing as it's being asked to reconsider a lengthy prison sentence for a truck driver convicted in a fatal 2019 crash. CNN's Lucy Kafanov has the details from Los Angeles.

LUCY KAFANOV, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the district attorney is now asking the court to reconsider that lengthy 110-year prison sentence for Rogel Aguilera-Mederos potentially reducing it to 20 or 30 years. Just to remind viewers Mederos was 23-years-old at the time of the incident. He was driving at 85 miles an hour, his brakes failed. He was convicted of vehicular homicide, among other charges. The DA is not looking to overturn the conviction. In fact, the DA Alexis King said that Mederos made multiple choices that resulted in the death of four people as well as serious injury to others. And adding that the shorter sentence reflects an appropriate outcome for that conduct.

Now, at issue our Colorado mandatory minimum sentencing laws that require sentences to be served out consecutively rather than concurrently, which is how Mederos ended up with more than a century behind bars. Even the judge who sentenced him said at the time, if I had the discretion, it would not be my sentence. Several Colorado lawmakers now calling for legal reforms. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEX VALDEZ, U.S. STATE HOUSE DEMOCRAT: Our system here at this building has created a situation where a judge at their own discretion who doesn't want to issue a sentence has had to issue that sentence. What we hope to achieve is reforms. That's really what this is all about. We have to reform a system that is creating a situation where we are creating more victims of our justice system. We have to do that now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[02:45:00]

KAFANOV: Mederos himself was emotional during the sentencing saying that he never intended to hurt anyone. the case sparking international and national concern nearly 5 million people signing a petition asking the Colorado governor to reduce or overturn the sentence. This office telling CNN that he is currently reviewing the clemency request. Lucy Kafanov, CNN, Los Angeles.

BRUNHUBER: At least one official says the deadly floods hitting Eastern Brazil are unprecedented. We'll explain why conditions there could get even worse. Coming up, thus Brazil isn't alone in rare weather events. The effects of climate change in 2021. That's coming up. Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: At least 18 people are dead and dozens more hurt has heavy floods hit Eastern Brazil. Official say thousands have been displaced and left homeless in Bahia State. Rain is possible through Tuesday, which means threats of more flooding and landslides. From floods to fires, record cold to record heat. We saw it all in 2021 except a way to stop it. CNN's Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir looks back at the top 10 climate stories of the year.

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BILL WEIR, CNN CHIEF CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT: The signs were everywhere in 2021, starting at the top of the world, where Greenland's highest peak was so freakishly warm, that it rained for several hours. They believe that this is the birthplace of the iceberg that sank the Titanic. But now scientists are really worried, this place could help sink Miami, and Boston and Bangkok and Shanghai, because just this part of Greenland has enough ice that if it all melts, will raise sea levels by two feet.

A new study predicts that the Arctic will see more rain than snow as soon as 2060. And in the meantime, the ice sheets so vital to a planet imbalance is melting at a staggering rate.

At number nine that icy surprise in Texas which illustrated how the climate crisis can run hot and cold, with wind chills below zero on the Rio Grande, nearly 10 million loss power. The February blast became America's costliest winter storm event ever.

At number eight, flash floods on three continents. In Germany and Belgium, modern day warning systems failed as a month of rain fell in one day. In China, commuters clung to the ceiling of a subway as a 1000 year flood hit Henan province. And back in the US, the deadliest flood in Tennessee history came like a tidal wave.

At number seven, the U.S. rejoins the Paris Climate Accord hours after Joe Biden became president. Pledging to slash planet cooking pollution by half this decade is one thing convincing Congress to take bold action is another.

At number six, a code red for humanity, as scientists around the world issue their most dire warning to-date. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says it is unequivocal that human activity has cranked up the global thermostat by over two degrees Fahrenheit and that we are careening dangerously close to a point of no return.

JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We meet with the eyes of history upon us.

WEIR: And those warnings made number five all the more urgent. COP26 in Glasgow Scotland. Of the four main themes laid out by COP26 host Boris Johnson, coal, cars, cash and trees probably is going to be cash that provides the biggest challenge.

For the first time in 26 meetings. The world's delegates agreed that fossil fuels are driving the climate crisis. But not a single country committed to stopping oil or coal production anytime soon.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A monster named Ida, the hurricane is intensifying quickly and drawing chilling comparisons to Katrina.

WEIR: Hurricane Ida comes in at number four. As 150 mile per hour winds screamed ashore in Louisiana, in early September. But that was just the beginning. It is aftermath dropped a rain bomb on New York sudden enough to drown families in their basement apartments. And all told, the single storm cost over $60 billion.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are following breaking news this morning. A dangerous and deadly night across the Central United States. A powerful line of storms unleashing at least 24 tornadoes across five states.

WEIR: At number three, tornadoes in winter. December usually brings the fewest twisters of any month. But record warmth in the heartland spun up funnel clouds from Arkansas to Ohio. And weeks later, the damage is still being tallied.

At number two, the Pacific Northwest heat dome, which pushed the mercury in famously mild Portland well over 100 degrees for days, creating a mass casualty event of creatures great and small, over a billion shellfish baked to death on the shores of British Columbia. And the little town of Litton broke the Canadian heat record three times in a week before most of it burned to the ground.

And at number one, America's mega drought. Your water can come from rivers, reservoirs, or from wells, all of which have been impacted by a 20-year mega drought fueled by the climate crisis, with 90 percent of the west starving for rain. The Feds declared the first ever shortage of the Colorado River, which is a source of life for over 40 million Americans.

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Meantime, smoke from Western wildfires reached the East Coast this year. From one to 10, it is all connected and without dramatic changes on a global scale, scientists warn us the worst is yet to come. Bill Weir, CNN New York.

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BRUNHUBER: Everyone's friendly neighborhood Spider Man is now a friendly neighborhood billionaire. Spidey's latest outings Spider Man No Way Home has grossed $1 billion at the global box office. Tom Holland stars as Peter Parker who's tasked with saving the multiverse from Super Villains spanning the characters nearly 20 year film history. No Way Home is the first film that reached the billion dollar mark since 2019, Star Wars Rise of Skywalker and it's the second largest domestic opening of all time.

All right, that wraps this hour of CNN Newsroom. I'm Kim Brunhuber, and I'll be back in just a moment with more news. Please do stay with us.

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