A special session of the Un General Assembly focused on covert 19 it coincides with the release of a u. N. Study showing that over 1000000000 people could be living in extreme poverty by 2030 due to the long term effects of the pandemic. Firefighters in australia a struggling to contain massive wildfires devastating a unesco World Heritage site Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world the fires have been burning there now for 6 weeks and have already affected almost half the island. This is doubly news from berlin follow us on twitter and instagram news or visit our website w dot com. Or. Or it goes without saying that in this pandemic no one is safe until everyone is safe and yet vaccine nationalism the race to be 1st in approving the vaccine if suddenly real what happens when nations race against each other hoping to beat the coronavirus with a virus usually wins in the United States almost 3000 people are dying every day from covert 19 more than 100000 hospitalizations and climbing the pandemic is killing like never before we have the ability to stop this tragedy everywhere for everyone its a question of we or me what will it be i bring gulf in berlin this is the day. To serve superimposed on the search for the 96. Permanently hospital. Number since the onset of. Were likely to lose another 250. 00 to 50. 00 people. Between north and were not in a good place you cannot be travelling through solid. Diminish to the extent possible travel christmas is going to be a lot harder. Also coming up a report from a remote corner of russia where distance is no defense against the corona by. With for just a one time there was a huge line of hearses standing in line outside the morgue and it was only then that people started to understand at the. It had really come. Down to our viewers on p. B. S. In the United States into all of our viewers around the world welcome we begin the day with statistics from the pandemic numbers that are usually attached to natural disasters or terror attacks not to a virus in the United States more than 2800 people died yesterday from coded 90 more than on any other day since the pandemic began about is the number of people who died in the september 11th 2001 terror attacks a Record Number of people are now hospitalized because of the virus 800000 climbing and Public Health officials more than a new surge is on the way created by the super spreader of it one week ago traditionally no mans thanksgiving take a listen to what the mayor of los angeles said wednesday were beginning to feel that stress here in los angeles and the latest data is nothing short of alarming. In the last month alone since early november our daily infections have tripled our hospitalizations have more than tripled and are at a new peak and our deaths have nearly doubled and they continue to rise these numbers dont reflect last weeks record breaking numbers they dont reflect yet the thanksgiving effect of time spent together with families when many people were gathering in traveling in defiance of Public Health warnings. So a warning there from the mayor of los angeles that the current spike in the number of people dying is only going to get worse lets go to california and bring in Peter Chin Hong hes professor of medicine at the university of california he joins us tonight from San Francisco professor is the mayor is it right are things only going to get worse is this the price for things giving thanks for having me on brands yes things are definitely going to get worse im an optimistic person Glass Half Full of weights but this search that were seeing is not even reflective of thanksgiving at and then we have the Christmas Holidays so its like a series on a series and then well have a surge on another series so its very grim whats your advice then to people about traveling over the christmas in the new year holiday i mean is it the same as the advice was for thanksgiving its the same except that ill multiply it by a 100. I think it was a little bit of poise around thanksgiving recommendation so not trouble came a little bit late after people that are ready to book their tickets. But i think at this point with the rate of increase that were seeing which frankly is breathtaking i would not advise anyone to travel at this point what about the Health Services where you are are they able to cope with the growing number of hospitals ations that youre seeing. Well brad its very variable right now and i think in some areas in some conny s. Theyre reaching the breaking point so govern and you said it is likely to. Issue an edict how the more us share measures saudi in the counties where their capacity for ice you bads is most at risk so in some areas for example theres 90 over 90 percent ice you bet its already filled in other countries 80 percent some a little bit better but because we have porous borders its only a matter of time and because we share patients within the satan out of state its only amount of time between before we got capacity so is there any way to avert what sounds like a tsunami that is going to hit the Health Care System in the United States. Thats a tough question i think right now where at the. Prospect of pressing on the emergency brake we have been just slightly stepping on it with the curfew in much of the state but you can definitely dial that up and get very close to where we were in march with only essential workers out and essential businesses open we know that vaccines are all on the way it is there a danger that people will have will know that and that they will start to let their guard down too early. Its certainly a danger i mean i think in our narrative to the community weve been constantly stressing that this will be a very slow rule out and for example california has 2000000 Health Care Workers alone and offers for a lot of vaccines the state is only going to be 300000. 00 so you have to think about not just the front line but whos the front line of the front line so yes it will be a very slow or a lot by the time the Community Gets it will be beyond this deadly winter search and is this what youre hearing i mean are people eagerly awaiting the vaccine or are you also in countering people who are fearful and say that theyre not going to be vaccinated and they want to wait wait it out 1st and see what happens i think many people in the community have vaccine has its in c. So i think the numbers of folks who are enthusiastic about the vaccine in the greenies going up but when we say going up its still hovering on the 50 to 60 percent approval rate in the United States and much of that has and see was due to the name operation on speed as well as they use of the vaccine for Political Capital and then an Election Year so multiple forces going together but i think maybe the search is going to get swing that whats more people accepting the vaccine even if theyre going to be one of the 1st to be immunized before we run out of time i want to ask you does it go through your mind very often when youre looking at these for horrendous numbers that if there had been a National State strategy earlier in the United States that maybe the situation would be would be a lot less severe now it would be a lot more people alive today does that go through your mind a lot. Yes 100 percent a National Strategy weve never had that in more than 9 months its going to the state level and which is doesnt make sense when the virus doesnt know any borders weve also not out the alignment of science and politics but were hoping that will change in january. All right Peter Jim Hong professor of medicine at the university of california in San Francisco professor we appreciate your time and your insights youre doing valuable work stay safe stay healthy thanks so much friends thank you. For now for the latest from the pandemic here in germany and the news is not good the head of the countrys Public Health institute says that germany is still nowhere near bringing the 2nd wave of corona virus infections under control a partial lockdown in place since early november has stabilized the numbers but those numbers remain too high. The coronavirus pandemic is not yet letting up in germany. The head of the countrys federal Health Agency issued a stark warning. Many people are still getting infected with cause with 19 and the numbers are still too high they are on a plateau but they are not yet falling noticeably. We also see that the number of serious outbreaks and deaths is increasing from week to week but since both of these always occur with a certain delay we must expect many more here. Germany has been under a partial lockdown since nov 2nd the daily increase in new infections has leveled off with just over 22000 cases recorded on thursday but this but the restrictions on public life the numbers havent dropped significantly and this week the country reported a record 487 deaths the highest death toll since the onset of the pandemic with no clear change for the better in sight chancellor Angela Merkel announced on wednesday that the partial lockdown will be extended until january 10th restaurants bars and Leisure Facilities will remain closed and contacts will be restricted some say even that is not enough the Southern State of bavaria is considering tougher measures. In the coming weeks well really have to ask ourselves whether all these measures are enough whether we can keep the country in a sort of half sleep like this or whether we should be clear and consistent and impose even stricter measures in certain areas with some exceptions will be made over the Christmas Period to allow friends and families together. In berlin some think a loosening on restrictions over the holiday is a good idea while others fear it may be too risky to get out of the spirit is very difficult at the moment people cant meet with friends they cant see or their grandparents maybe these few days will have a positive effect on our lives and with. This will only make things worse if we pause the restrictions and then we have to be back to the virus again for. Still some long weeks of coronavirus restrictions ahead with hopes pinned on the forthcoming vaccines. From the starts. Going to ization provided factual information and scientific guidance that should have been the basis for a court of in a few Global Response unfortunately many of these recommendations were not followed and in some situations there was a rejection effect. And and ignored those of the United Nations and when companies go in their own direction of the virus goes in every direction. It was the secretary general of the u. N. There criticizing the fragmented and disjointed Global Response to the coronavirus pandemic will the world pass or fail this test for multilateralism the United NationsGeneral Assembly is meeting in a 2 day session to discuss the International Response since the 1st outbreak my next guest sees serious risks ahead if and every country for itself attitude determines how the Coronavirus Vaccines are distributed thomas boy he is director of the Global Health program at the council on Foreign Relations he joins me tonight from washington d. C. Mr boyd its good to have you on the day we have been in this pandemic almost a year now what grade would you give multilateralism and Public Health. So for the most part i think the best grade you could give multilateralism is is. A c. Minus there is one area where countries have cooperated and thats around the science to one aspect of the Global Response and has worked well within 10 days of the publication of the genetic sequence. We had at trials candidate identified to me during the vaccine it was within in trials just 66. 00 days later and we have a vaccine stent look close to approval in the European Union and the us less than a year from the publication of the great thats great news in every other area im sorry to say multilateral lissome has largely failed countries close orders they hoarded medical supplies and havent responded to the economic or health needs of organisations its you mentioned the vaccine the u. K. Is the 1st country to approve a Coronavirus Vaccine i want you to take a listen to what was said today in the u. K. And the European Union id like to get your reaction to that take a listen i just reckon weve got the very best people in this country and weve got the best bed equal rights is much better than the french have much better than the belgians have much better than the americans not that doesnt surprise me though because we are much better country than every single one of the we are of course absolutely convinced that the regulators in the united kingdom. Are a very good but we are definitely not in the game of comparing the regulator is across countries nor in commenting on claims as to who is better to says no to football competition were talking about the life and health of people and it didnt stop there today dr fallon she in the us also chimed in and he implied that the u. K. Has moved too quickly and that the f. D. A. In the us will not act so hastily you look at all of this together is this the error of vaccine nationalism that we have been terrific. I dont know if its a sign of vaccine nationalism per se countries hoarding supplies for themselves. I think it is a sign unfortunately of a lot of seriousness on behalf of some politicians and the opportunity that this vaccine presents at the end of the day a vaccine must be proven safe and effective and it must be trusted by the broader population and that trust is going to be key because the race here is not to have a vaccine approved its to have people take it and from that standpoint conveying to the population that every step was taken. To ensure the safety and efficacy of the vaccine is going to be really important i have no doubt that the british regulators feel that they have done that in the us that requires an independent assessment in europe theres also a longer process i think its important that we take her time to make those assessments particularly for a vaccine that wall to be given to billions the rich and the powerful making sure that the poor and the weak are not left behind when the vaccines are distributed the Eurasia Group has released a report showing that global equitable access to curbing 1000. 00 vaccines would generate half a trillion dollars in economic benefits by the year 2025 now this should be a no brainer but it apparently is not how do you explain that. So unfortunately were in a situation that can only be described as your classic prisoners dilemma. We are every nation is being other nations as uncooperative so they will be on cooperate its also. Every nation seems to believe that other nations will foreign so they will or a vaccine supply as well thats really a dynamic were seen and we seem to be and its unfortunate because as you said it is a no brainer this virus doesnt know borders the response to it cannot it was either if we cannot share a medical intervention in Global Crisis in which it is everyones every nations interest to share what exactly are we going to cooperate on thats a very good question is a job by presidency is it a lifeline for the w. H. O. And for the future of multilateralism in Public Health considering what weve seen the past 4 years especially with the america 1st approach relatively speaking there is no doubt the president elect has made clear president elect biden has made clear on his 1st day in office he will withdraw the withdrawal notice that the u. S. Had filed to leave the World Health Organization now id like to thank the u. S. Makes a big difference on Global AffairsGlobal Health in particular. But at the w. H. O. In in particular it is a significant contributor resources and the u. S. Is behavior towards World Health Organization over the last several years has been a major distraction so resolving that will be certainly a good start. And how prepared is the world for the next pandemic commune how many selfish mistakes and missteps will countries have to repeat when the next virus arises. So i am fearful of this. We may refer to this pandemic as a once in a 100 year crisis but there is no reason why that would be the case the next pandemic threat could be emerging now as the current one rageous. Thats why its so important that we find a way to cooperate around this vaccine not only because cooperation around this vaccine will end this pandemic sooner than any alternative approach but again if we are going to set the stage for future cooperation we cannot have a handful of wealthy nations hoarding a vaccine while the rest of the world waits with the pandemic raging we will not have a Good Platform on which to cooperate to fight the next pandemic threat and its really important that we do so do you find any optimism when you look at the future and our ability to fight the next pandemic because i see the richest countries in the world are the countries that have been hit hardest by this virus one would think that that would humble us but i dont see that right now what does that tell us then about the next challenge. Yeah so i think and it ties back to the great quote you claimed before from from politicians around the spec scene its a great moment for science and the nations in particular that supported that Scientific Development are posted those scientists should feel proud but at the end of the day were a year into this pandemic with one and a half 1000000 mice lost trillions of economic damage tens of millions infected before we got it baxi it is science is not going to save us from working together to prevent and control outbreaks earlier the only thing that can save us is nations cooperating together the fact that we have done that around the science and this crisis is a sign of hope its we the challenge has been the politics and thats really the area on which i am hopeful that a new u. S. Administration working with allies and partners can start to help support that saddam era the emerging you know what you are certainly not the only person with those hopes tonight tomas boycie director of the Global Health program at the council of Foreign Relations. We appreciate your time and your insights tonight thank you. And. The 2nd wave of the corona virus pandemic has hit parts of russia hard in many cities there are hardly any hospital beds left almost 40000 people in russia have died from cope at 19 that is the official number but media reports say the true mortality is 4 times that our correspondent emily sure when went to the city of thought in the countrys south west where it is mainly undertakers who experience these grim figures. With a steady stream of coronavirus dead speed is of the essence at the morgue every morning the team from the Funeral Agency comes here to collect new victims of the pandemic. 29 year old. Has been working at the funeral home for 12 years but he says hes never had to bury this many bodies but one time there was a huge line of hearses standing in line outside the morgue it was only then that people started to understand the death really come to. Call the relatives to identify the body. This morgan the city of is only for those who died of the corona virus or had contact with an infected person the bodies have to be sealed in plastic the coffins closed. Many russians feel they are dead should be treated with more respect toward explains. Some of their relatives are often more tense than usual because their dead are handed over to them in plastic bags. To open the bags so i tell them that right away some people cry and demand that we open the bags then i have to explain that they could get infected themselves this virus is no joke. But bring it to. You because love has been in the business for 7 years today hes in charge of the team of undertakers he says since the 2nd wave of corona virus there has been at least twice as many deaths in the city of funeral agencies have had a tough time keeping up. With we have more work a lot more work over a 1000000 people live in the capital of the republic of. Government statistics say that only around 80 people in the region have died of the corona virus since the pandemic began but official numbers also show that during that time over 4000. 00 more people died than in the same period last year corona virus infections are spiking across russia but authorities insist the situation is under control. The undertakers arent so sure today unity and his team are interring and 92 year old woman she didnt die of the coronavirus that means her relatives can say their final farewell with an open casket which is the tradition in russia. Usually funerals are big Family Affairs in russia but the pandemic has changed that people are often worried about getting infected and stay away. Youre millys youre reporting there from russia the day is almost done the conversation continues online well see you tomorrow about. Entering the conflict zone with Tim Sebastian coe less than 3 months ago alex a mob on me collapsed from a car and poisoning my guests this week moskos vicious lovemaking off a member of president putins haughty united russia. Why is it that those who speak loudest of the russian opposition from the risk of mortal danger. The 1st. Missed difficult. To use crime fighters are back africas most successful radio drama series continues this season the stories focus on hate speech cholera prevention and sustainable charcoal production. All of a sows are Available Online and of course you can share and discuss all. Africas Facebook Page and other social media platforms. Crime fighters to mindanao. From the ghetto to. The street come to notice bobby was. The pop star rails against corruption by links to terror. Despite coming from a poor family to become president. And the challenges are just. Going to be an incredible story of bobby wind. That. Starts december 10th on g. W. Do you still think we are inferior why will the contradictory versions on all things but we definitely decent people is the you and also paul to just be a russian whatever i say it doesnt matter to you you just dont listen less than 3 months ago i looked saying of on me current figurehead of the russian opposition collapsed from apparent poisoning on the flight between siberia and most got german doctors who treated him later so he ingested the nerve agent no he chopped the kremlin has denied any involvement accusing