at winter of severe illness and death. >> what the vice president says the white house didn't see the variants coming. meantime, spiking cases forcing holiday shows to shutter and up ending the return of live pro sports. >> i believe we're facing major cancellations. >> tonight, the country's top covid advisers reminding america science can and will save us. >> we have the tools to do it but we need the american people to do their part to protect themselves. >> we will win this war with this virus. >> i am pamela brown in washington. you're in the cnn "newsroom" this saturday. tonight, america on alert as covid surges ahead of the busy holiday week. president biden acknowledging the growing public concerns, now planning a speech on tuesday focusing on the omicron variant.