Transcripts For CNNW CNN Newsroom Live 20201231

Its moving day. And are doing the heavy lifting, jess is busy moving her xfinity internet and tv services. It only takes about a minute. Wait, a minute . But what have you been doing for the last two hours . Delegating . Oh, good one. Move your Xfinity Services without breaking a sweat. Now thats simple, easy, awesome. Xfinity makes moving easy. Go online to transfer your services in about a minute. Get started today. Hello and warm welcome to our viewers in the United States, and around the world. Im paula newton, live, from cnns World Headquarters in atlanta. Where its 2 00 a. M. , on the east coast. 11 00 p. M. , out west. And i want to thank all of you for joining us. Now, for the third day in a row, and the 23rd time this month, the number of americans hospitalized with covid19 has hit a record high. At this very hour, there are more than 125,000 people in hospital, with covid19. Twice as many as just two months ago. Now, the crisis is still expected to worsen. But Health Officials insist, help is on the way. So far, more than 12 million vaccine doses have been shipped, around the country. Though, only 2. 8 million have actually been administered. We get more details, now, from cnns sara murray. Reporter as the rate of coronavirus vaccinations falls far short of the trump administrations optimistic projections. Of course, we need to be doing a better job. But all vaccine programs start somewhat slow. Reporter operation warp speed officials are offering few specifics on how to speed up the pace. Heres what i have confidence in. Every day, everybody gets better, and i believe that uptake will increase, significantly, as we go forward. Vaccines on the shelf are no good. They need to get in peoples arms. Reporter the administration, coming under fire from the biden team and other Health Experts for the slow rollout. What this reveals is a failure to plan. The failure to have a National Strategy to vaccinate individuals across the country. A failure to communicate. A failure to coordinate. Reporter this, as the uk adds another to its arsenal. Its cheaper, easier to transport, and the uk says it offers a high level of protection, after the first dose. Allowing the uk to vaccinate as many people as possible with the first dose, and wait longer to administer the second. I think it could represent a game changer. But i think we can we can wait, and really kind of focus on on letting our scientists vet the data, and make sure that were using the product that we have. Reporter Vaccine Developers still believe the shot will ward off new strains of the virus. One case of the new covid19 strain in a member of the National Guard with noknown travel history. Officials are looking into another probable case in another guard member. The california governor announcing, today, the new strain has, also, appeared in southern california. Whats really concerning is its taken so long to detect it in the United States. It tells us, once again, if youre not testing for something, youre not going to find it. Reporter as new york prepares emergencyhospital facilities, including the javits center. California is warning hospitals to prepare for crisiscare mode and the possibility of rationing care. In some hospitals, there is not enough infrastructure to deliver oxygen at the rate necessary. California is going through a very tough time, right now. Reporter sara murray, cnn, washington. Esther chu, cnn medical analyst and professor of emergency medicine at Oregon Health and science university. I feel like the statistics are making us all so numb. And yet, these numbers are so sobering. Weve just finished christmas. You guys are just ending the thanksgiving surge, never mind christmas and new years. I mean, what is your worst fear, at this point . I do fear, paula, that we are so disconnected from the numbers, that we think, well, it doesnt make a difference what i do. And so, i think a lot of people are making their individual decisions to go ahead, and go out and continue celebrating the holiday. And its exactly as you say. We are feeling the effect of thanksgiving, and that was a relatively short holiday. Here, we have christmas, right into new years. This extended holiday. A ton of travel. A ton of different kinds of gatherings. And and i think this almost guarantees us a very terrible february, into march. What do you hear anecdotally from whats going on . I hate to use that whole cliche, right, the frontline. But it is a frontline. There are people dying. Yeah. I know. The comparisons to to war, i thought, at one point, were totally overblown. But it feels more and more right, in the sense that we we really are putting up a fight against this virus. And it feels, right now, that the tide has turned and the virus has just found its way into clever ways of spreading. Even as we try to respond with things, like vaccines and medications. But, you know, the the vaccine uptake has been slow. It will take quite some time for those effects to to to really be felt, on the ground and in the hospitals. And and in the meantime, the numbers are just worse. I mean, there was a time where a thousand deaths per day in the United States seemed very terrible. I dont know if you remember. I mean, it was just a few months ago, but if we saw a thousand, that was really a marker of a terrible situation that day. And now, of course, you know, were approaching 4,000, a day, deaths. And it is it is almost like thats no big deal. You know . As we triple some of these numbers. Its just i i hear you because as i said, you tend to gloss over the statistics because theyre theyre just so staggering. And yet, each one is loved one that that thats gone. I want to get to this issue of the vaccinations, though. We had hoped that even this would give us some kind of respite, even by march march or april. That seems out of the question. What needs to be done, in order to pick up the pace of vaccinations, at this point . Yeah. Its its really downstream, at the level of the states, and even of individual communities and health systems. I mean, we need that money for states to be able to to mobilize a huge, Health Workforce so they can get trained and educated to talk to people about the vaccine. To ensure there is uptake, and also, simply, to be trained to administer the vaccine. And we just need a lot of resources, and and and actually, a lot of central guidance, too. So that we can be really responsive to the different vaccines that are coming out. Their supply. How we you know, how we distribute them, how we inform the public about different vaccines as they come out. We just need a huge a huge support and direction of our publicHealth Workforce. And thus far, it has not happened. Yeah. And and quickly, in terms of the uk saying lets just try one dose. Well worry about the second dose of the vaccine. Would that help . Considering, were really, you know, in an emergency right now. Yeah. I mean, i definitely see and understand the instinct to say lets do more for greater number of people. You know, lets lets lets do a single dose but be able to be more inclusive. I mean, from an equity standpoint, that makes a lot of sense. At the same time, people cannot get the message that a single dose is okay. These were tested as a unit, as a twodose vaccine. And so, i think its just critically important that we really keep up the message but you still need to get that second dose in order to realize the full efficacy, and really have a chance at changing the tide in the pandemic. Okay. All good points there. Dr. Chu, i want to take the opportunity, for all your time that you have spent with us throughout this year, educating us, and really protecting us from this virus. Dr. Esther chu there for us. Thanks so much. Thank you, paula. Now, President Donald Trump will be rushing back to the white house, today. Skipping his annual new years eve bash in florida. He plans to be in washington, when congress meets to certify president elect joe bidens win, next week. There is no doubt, of course, that biden won the president ial election. But mr. Trump believes it may be his last chance to try and, somehow, overturn the results. Now, a republican senator says he plans to vote against the certification. Cnns Kaitlan Collins has the details. Reporter its a move that will delight President Trump, and rankle republican leadership. Josh hawley, becoming the first, republican senator to say hell object when congress meets next week to certify joe bidens win. An effort that wont change the outcome, but could set up a showdown in washington. Theres a very clear process to handle and dispense with objections from members of congress to the counting of the result. And thats just what well do. Dispense with them. Reporter hawley writing, at the very least, congress should investigate allegations of voter fraud, and adopt measures to secure the integrity of our elections. Senate majority leader, mitch mcconnell, warned his caucus against this very move. Saying, it was bound to fail and would force republicans to defy trump or vote against a fair election. So, youve either got to say there was no systematic fraud or donald trump had the worst legal team in the history of western civilization. This is a complete sham. Reporter hawley is the first republican senator to say hell object. But he may not be the last, as others also consider their political futures. Meanwhile, the president argued that, because a gallup poll found he was the most admired man of 2020, it also means he won the election. As 600 stimulus checks were being deposited into Bank Accounts of americans, overnight, the fate of the 2,000 ones that trump pushed for at the last minute, remained in limbo. As he tweeted, 2,000, asap. Mcconnell made clear today the senate wont move forward on a housepassed bill to increase checks to 2,000. And will only consider a bill that includes trumps other demands as well, which democrats argue, will doom it. The only way, the only way, to get to the american people, the 2,000 checks they deserve and need, is to pass the house bill, and pass it now. Senates not going to be bullied into rushing out more money into hands of democratrich friends. Reporter the president is, also, lashing out at republican officials in georgia, once again. Urging the gop governor, he once endorsed, to resign from office, while falsely claiming the secretary of state who voted for him has a brother working for china. President elect biden will visit the state on monday, the same day President Trump is scheduled to hold a rally there. Hello, georgia. Reporter the focus on the 2020 race and the fate of the Senate Majority comes, as trump is back to blaming states for criticism of his own coronavirus response. Now, saying its on them to distribute the vaccine, and telling them to get moving. And on top of all of that, we have now learned that the president is going to be leaving his florida club earlier than expected, and going back to washington. Typically, he stays for the new year because they have that annual party at maralago, where you often see the president walk the red carpet with the first lady. Speak to reporters, in front of all the cameras and all of his guests. But instead, this year, he is leaving florida before that partys even happened. Even though guests were told he was going to be there, hell be back in washington according to the schedule that weve seen, so far, by the time that actually happens. And of course, that comes as sources say he is single mindedly focus on whats going to happen next week on capitol hill when he and his republican allies are plotting a disruption to typically whats a pretty mundane event by certifying joe bidens win. Kaitlan collins, cnn, traveling with the president , in florida. Time to bring in larry, director of the center for politics at the university of virginia. Larry, thanks so much for being with us. And, you know, again, another curve ball in congress. In terms of where this is going, and as many times as people say that, look, this is going nowhere. The election was won by president elect joe biden. What is there any kind of method to this madness, at this point . Yes. Individual ambition. And and you put it exactly correctly. This is going nowhere. But thats not why its being tried. This particular senator from missouri has president ial ambitions on the republican side. Well, hes jumping the line by doing this. Hes endearing himself to President Trump, and particularly President Trumps base. All hes doing is showboating and helping himself. Hes putting his colleagues on the spot, at least those who understand that joe biden is absolutely going to be sworn in as president , on january 20th. But would prefer not to offend trump and his backers because, when they run for reelection, they could be challenged in the primary, based on this vote. And yet, somehow, the depressing part here is that, do you think he will be rewarded for doing this . And do you think this sends a message . A message, that we thought wed have a definitive end, at least for a little while, to the trump presidency. And yet, it will continue to have a long tail. He will be rewarded, in the sense that some of the trump people will remember where he stood. And how forthright and courageous he was. But he is, also, going to lose, in other ways, because not just democrats but, also, i think independents, and even some nevertrump republicans or imgladtrumpisgoing republicans, will remember that he put himself first. And he made the party look bad. He made some of his colleagues look bad. And also, its just so incredibly obvious. You know, if youre if youre going to benefit yourself, try to do it with a little bit of subtlety. Theres no subtlety here, at all. Its embarrassing for him. Right. Right. But look at, you know, donald trump was never about subtlety, at all, in any of it. I guess, some people are trying to take listen. To get to the highstakes race here in georgia right now. Less than a week to go. You know, this is going to be a very busy weekend, going into that campaign. Or or that election, next week. In terms of i think everyone in the United States now knows whats at stake. It is really for the legislative agenda, going forward, for at least two years. It will be incredibly consequential. Do you think democrats are getting ahead of themselves, at this point in time . Because i do hear a lot of optimism from them. Well, they shouldnt be too optimistic. But i think they are correct to recognize that they really are in this race. And normally, democrats are not in contention to win runoffs in georgia. The runoff turnout normally goes down. It benefits republicans. Thats not happening. Amazingly enough. And i think its because of what you just said. The stakes are so high, and everyone knows it. Theres been so much coverage, so constantly, since november 3rd, about these runoffs. That georgians get it. They, quite literally, are determining the agenda for the country, for the next year or two, or maybe even beyond that. Because of that, democrats are getting a really good turnout, especially from blacks in georgia. But also, from young people. Young people often dont turn out in primaries or runoffs, or even general elections. But they appear to be doing that, now. Yeah. It will be interesting. Well have to keep a look out because, as you know, larry, the president , with those late rallies, even though he didnt win the election, got turnout going. And i guess thats what they are hoping for again here in georgia. Thats a good point. He will be there on election eve. Of course, so will joe biden but biden isnt known for stowing rhetoric is trump is. But is he going to spend the time promoting the two republican senators . Or is he going to spend more time airing his grievances with the various republican officials in georgia . I can see him doing more of the latter than the former. Yeah. And and past pattern is correct, he is not disciplined on that and he will go into those grievances. Lar larry, happy new year if i dont see you, and thanks for joining us. Thanks, paula. Happy new year to you, too. A new virus variant. And now, tighter restrictions. Were live in london, as the covid curves spread right across england. And britains Prime Minister signs off on a hardfought brexit trade deal. Believe it or not. What it means to britons and europeans, ahead. Some people say our tradein process feels too easy. They cant believe its 100 online and gives them a competitive offer that wont change for 7 days. An offer that they can put toward their new car. Some people cant believe our friendly advocate will come to them as soon as tomorrow. Drop off their new ride and whisk their old one away. Because we make trading your car unbelievably easy. All so you can say. Told you so. Experience the new way to trade in your car with carvana. The coronavirus is raging out of control in england, with more than 44 Million People there now under the most severe, or tierfour, restrictions. Thats almost 80 of the population. Now, the explosion in cases is driven, in part, by the new, covid variant, which experts are warning is much more transmissible. Now, britain, also, recorded nearly a thousand coronavirus deaths, on wednesday alone. Staggering. Its the highest figure, since april. This all comes, soon after the uk approved the oxfordastrazeneca vaccine. The Prime Minister says tens of millions of doses of all approved vaccines will be ready, by late march. But until then, everyone must follow the guidelines. Weve seen a 40 increase in cases, in england, in the last week alone. Almost 15 more patients, in hospital. More than at the peak of the first wave. So, at this critical moment, with the prospect of freedom within reach, weve got to redouble our efforts to contain the virus. Joining us, now, cnns Matthew Chance is live in london. Matthew, good to see you. I cannot even i really cant fathom what new years eve. It is new years eve right now in britain, and what thats going to look like. And, you know, Boris Johnson illustrating the fact, cases have gone up 40 , in one week, alone. Yes, thats right. Its a real dire situation that the United Kingdom is experiencing, at the moment. Its not been business as usual when it comes to the holiday period. Christmas was, you know, a very subdued affair. And the authorities are making it clear that they want to make sure that people conform to the very severe restrictions that have been imposed across across threequarters of the entire country over the you know, recently. And to make sure that people dont have new years parties. And see in the new year, in the way that they would would normally do. Covid loves crowds, is one of the messages thats come out from the medical authorities here to try and encourage people to stay at home. Not to circulate beyond their immediate, sort of, family, household, groups. Which is a message, which i think, you know, everybody in the country hopes the majority of people will stick to. There are similar measures, of course, that have been imposed not just here in britain, but elsewhere in europe. France has tight restrictions thats imposed its deployed tens of thousands of troops or will be deploying tens of thousands of police, rather, on the streets of the country to impose restrictions there, and a curfew. Germany, italy, turkey, theyre all imposing these restrictions. On the flip side, though, there is some positive news, which is this new vaccine from Oxford University and astrazeneca. Has finally been approved by britain and thats expected to be approved elsewhere, as well, paula. Yeah. And to give someone people some hope, britain has been doing relatively well in getting those vaccines out. Matthew chance, happy new year and good to see you. Matthew chance there in london. Same to you. Frantically, busy day. Really, one of the busiest in the uk. It, right now, the uk, closed with the passage of the postbrexit trade agreement. Now, more than four years of debate and negotiation are, finally, ending. Hallelujah. Ended late, wednesday, when lawmakers approved the deal and the queen gave her ascent. Salma abdelaziz, in london, has the details. You know, so much to take in in britain, today, salma. Im really interested to hear from you, and how people in britain are reacting to this news. It was definitely a very news day here yesterday, as you just heard from my colleague, Matthew Chance. Really, a chapter that has plagued this country for four and a half years finally closed. Finally, moving on. Brexit trade deal signed but it comes at a time when more uncertainty isnt needed. Paula, Prime Minister Boris Johnson touting this as a victory, yesterday. Saying this is something british people wanted in their hearts but were told could never be true. Sovereignty over their country, control of their national destiny, right to their own future. But for many in this country, this is, of course, a sadd day. The conclusion to a bitter debate, a divisive debate, that ultimately sees the uk, of course, leaving the eu. And for those who are against it, it means losing great benefits. Like the right to study in france or live in spain. And a great deal of uncertainty as well for businesses, which now have to figure out these rules so very quickly. All this, of course, going into place at 11 00 p. M. Gmt, today. But the real litmus test of this, paula, of course, how ordinary people fare under the new rule. Yeah, and as you point out, they are just trying to parse some of these new details right now. And happy new year to you, as well. Salma there for us live from london. Appreciate it. Overwhelmed and long, hotlines, as the elderly rush to get the Coronavirus Vaccine in florida. Details of the confusion and unfortunate chaos the new vaccination plan is causing. Thats next. For People Living with hiv, keep being you. And ask your doctor about biktarvy. Biktarvy is a complete, onepill, onceaday treatment used for hiv in certain adults. Its not a cure, but with one small pill, biktarvy fights hiv to help you get to and stay undetectable. Thats when the amount of virus is so low it cannot be measured by a lab test. Research shows people who take hiv treatment every day and get to and stay undetectable can no longer transmit hiv through sex. Serious side effects can occur, including kidney problems and kidney failure. Rare, lifethreatening side effects include a buildup of lactic acid and liver problems. Do not take biktarvy if you take dofetilide or rifampin. Tell your doctor about all the medicines and supplements you take, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis. If you have hepatitis b, do not stop taking biktarvy without talking to your doctor. Common side effects were diarrhea, nausea, and headache. If youre living with hiv, keep loving who you are. And ask your doctor if biktarvy is right for you. Welcome back to our viewers in the United States, and all around the world. Im paula newton, live, from cnn center in atlanta. Florida is one of the few states vaccinating people beyond the first wave of healthcare workers and longterm care facilities. As you can see from this chart, floridas total coronavirus case count is now over 1. 3 million. But the new vaccination plan is creating a scramble, among its elderly population, for the limited number of doses now available. Cnns ryan young has details. Reporter this bumpertobumper traffic jam twists around the Orange County Convention Center in orlando, florida. A line so long, drivers have more than enough time to get out and stretch. Be patient but its a good setup. Reporter not just in orlando. Elderly floridians, across the state, anxious to receive the covid19 vaccine, are dealing with a similar situation. In ft. Meyers, many bringing lawn chairs as they sit and wait for hours. Nine, to be exact, for this man. I, personally, feel theres got to be a better way. Reporter because florida has one of the largest populations over the age of 65. Governor ron desantis decided to break slightly with cdc recommendations, which call for Frontline Health care workers and First Responders to be vaccinated first. We believe that the better approach is to focus on the elderly, first and foremost. Then, well get into essential workers. Reporter the vaccine, much needed in the sunshine state, which has seen dark days, this year. More than 21,000 covid deaths, so far. Many of them, seniors. We know people that have not survived. Unfortunately. Unfortunately. Reporter but the problem is, all 67 counties are handling the vaccine rollout differently. Creating some confusion. Im grateful to get the vaccine. I feel theres got to be a better way to distribute this. For people that really need it, elderly that might be dis disabled, in some way, they cant endure this process. So, theres got to be a better way. Reporter the issues not restricted to long lines. Some seniors have heard the vaccine is available, and have started showing up at hospitals, only to get turned away. While others flood hospital phone lines looking to make appointments. In south florida, Broward Health says they have already booked up with vaccine appointments, and wont take on more patients until february. Back in Orange County, 30,000 people signed up, within 24 hours, on the countys website. They vaccinated more than 1,500 seniors, on the first day. A dose of hope, during this awful year. Great. I cant wait to see my grandkids. I cant wait to hug those little guys. Its like its its just been so long and coming that so relieved. Just wonderful. Were just feeling very blessed right now. Ryan young, cnn, orlando, florida. That grandmother spoke for so many of us. Unfortunately, covid19 has also claimed the life of actress dawn wells, who played mary anne on the 1960s tv show gilligans island. She passed away wednesday, at the age of 82. Mary anne was known for her pigtails and wholesome image. A miss america contestant in 1959, she appeared in hundreds of tv shows, movies, and broadway productions. Later in life, she became an advocate for endangered elephants. And our condolences to her family. Now, the virus has taken so many lives. For the latest on the pandemic and the response, be sure to visit cnn. Com. Youll get everything you need right there. Still ahead. Investigators still dont know a motive for that rv bombing on Christmas Morning in nashville. People pardon me, police may have missed a key warning. Saudi arabia is blaming Houthi Rebels backed by iran for wednesdays airport attack in yemen. The group has still not claimed responsibility. You hear the explosion and see the reaction there. Officials say at least 22 people were killed in the attack, which happened soon after a newlyformed government arrived from saudi arabia. There is now an investigation, into what caused the explosion. Saudi arabia has managed to unite its two allies in yemens civil war against the houthis to form a new cabinet. And this attack, that you are seeing right there, is just the latest challenge its had to face. Okay. So, we are also following the bottoming, of course, in nashville, tennessee. The girlfriend of the bomber warned police, last year apparently, that Anthony Warner was building bombs. An attorney for pamela perry called police, in august of 2019, after she threatened to kill herself when officers arrived, she told them warner was making explosives in his rv and his home. She was so convincing that morning and so distraught, that i decided, in her front yard, in the middle of all those police officers, on the spot, that even though it was a former client of mine, that somebody needed to go check him out. Right then. If somebody had checked tony out, and gotten him the help that he needed, then this wouldve never have happened. So, police say they staked out warners home for several days. But never had probable cause for a search warrant. Nashvilles mayor tells a tennessee newspaper, Law Enforcement will have to take a hard look at what they could have done better. Now, well continue, of course, to follow that story here on cnn. I am paula newton. Coming up, for our international viewers, world sport is next. And up next for us here, in the United States, the faces of covid19. A war photographer captures the emotional stories of communities facing the coronavirus crisis. Donald trump is calling for georgias republican governor to resign. He claims brian kemp refuses to admit trump won the state. In fact, joe biden, of course, won georgia. Now, the infighting is making things complicated for two Senate Republicans facing runoff elections that will determine who controls the u. S. Senate. Cnns kyung lah reports. Reporter you can feel the window closing here, as we are edging closer and closer to election day. Early voting ends, this week, and its becoming very clear that this is, indeed, a proxy war between the national parties. On monday, President Trump will be here, in the state of georgia, as will president elect joe biden. The democrats are counting on biden to juice the coalition that helped him flip the state of georgia. What they are counting on is the asianamerican vote, the latino vote, and then the very critical, black vote, here in the state. Delivering the closing message for jon ossoff, in a powerful commercial, president barack obama. Now, americas counting on you again. You can send jon ossoff to the senate to beat this virus and rebuild our economy. To make sure everybody can afford healthcare. And to carry the torch john lewis passed to us with the new Voting Rights act that secures equal justice, for all. Georgia, you have the power, and now its time to vote. Reporter healthcare, the economy, and justice. That is essentially the message of the democrats in order to get their voters out. The question, though, is with 500 million in campaign ads blanketing the state, will anybody hear that . Kyung lah, cnn, atlanta. Californias hospitals are filling up, and resources are dwindling. State officials have confirmed more than 2. 2 million cases of covid19, so far. Healthcare workers are now treating some 20,000 patients, statewide. Californias outbreak is, by far, the worst in the United States. With more confirmed cases than most countries, around the world. Joining me, now, is dr. Jennifer ellis. She is an emergencyroom physician in california. I have got to admit, doctor, i am almost afraid to ask you this question. What has it been like in california, in the last couple weeks . And and what do you fear is going to happen, in the coming weeks . Hi, paula. Thank you for having me. Whats been happening, in the past few weeks, has been pretty much the worstcase scenario that we could have imagined back in the summer time. Weve seen this thanksgiving surge that most recently occurred. We had just so many patients turning up in the emergency room. So many patients, admitted to the hospital, that our entire hospital is filled up with Covid Patients. And entire emergency room is filled up with Covid Patients. Weve had to turn, you know, people away. Weve had to treat people in hallways. Its its kind of the worst case. Youre already turning people away . Well, i mean, its not that we turn them away. Its more, you know, after a six, eighthour wait, they leave. On a recent shift, i had to call back a patient i called and called for her in the waiting room. She wasnt there. And i called, she had gone home. I called her back because she needed she had an emergency. She needed surgery. And so, there there were already rationing care, in the sense that we dont have space. And we dont have staff to take care of people. And getting to that point, what is it like for you and the staff around you to have to deal with this when you have already been dealing with it for so many months now . And christmas and new years, those surges, you know, are just around the corner. Yeah. I mean, quite frankly, were exhausted. You know, my colleagues and i have been wearing full ppe for our entire shifts, since march. And, you know, weve when youre working like this, when youre pushing yourself like this, it it its it takes a toll. You know, on a recent shift, i was working with one nurse who looked like she was about to collapse. She shed been wearing the ppe. You know, you sweat and its really hot. She had been taking care of four icu patients, for hours. And one of her patients, our patients, was crashing. And, you know, she would not take a break. She wouldnt leave because she knew because she knew there werent enough nurses to take care of other patients. She wouldnt leave. Ive seen my colleagues close to tears. You know, this is not easy. And as you said, we are expecting because of the travel and because of the Christmas Holidays that it might be worse in the coming weeks. We certainly wouldnt blame any of you for being exhausted. You guys have all given so much. And quet i alwayet i always try people, you guys have family too. You guys are trying to protect yourself from this virus as well. How difficult has it been . We seem to be at a better point because we have vaccines and yet now even in california now we know that a new variant that perhaps is even more transmissible is in california. You know, that has been one of the scariest things about this. Not only do i fear for my patients every night when i go to sleep, but especially in the beginning i did fear that i might bring this home to my family as well. Right now i just found out a few hours ago that one of my colleagues just got intubated on a ventilator. So this is a very real concern for us. And you know, its something that pales in comparison, though, that fear, it pales in comparison to what i see every day happening to my patients. And yes, the vaccine is here. It has offered us a lot of hope, but my patients havent gotten the vaccine and they continue to suff suffer. And its fearing for yourself and your own family kind of fades when you see what we some of the things that weve seen in terms of what our patients are going through. You know, i had a phone call recently with a family member, and his 90yearold mother had covid and i had to call and tell him that we were going to keep her in the hospital. And you know, he asked a few questions and then his voice broke and he you know, he said, ill take her home. He was 70. And he said ill take her home, i dont care if i get it, i want to take care of my mom, you know. And then after that he said i know youve got a family too and i know and he wanted to thank us for what we had done. But that we beg people to wear masks and we beg people not to travel and take this seriously not because we fear for our families but because we fear for our patients. And i pray that everyone listening right now heeds those words, no matter where you are in the world. I want to thank you and all of your colleagues for your sacrifice. And really, we are all hoping for Better Things in the new year. Dr. Jennifer ellice joining us. Thanks so much. Thank you for having me. For so many of the reasons that you just heard from that doctor, 2020 may have seemed just like a complete blur. One photographer, though, is trying to put this year in perspective. Peter turnly traveled from new york to paris capturing really raw moments of this pandemic. Hes created a visual tribute and is sharing some of those stories with us. In the beginning i didnt have any kind of goal. I was literally existing with my camera. And i met an ambulance emt named mike galloway. And i asked him to tell me his story. And among the other things he told me that he was upset because he didnt think that he and his colleagues had enough ppe. And he said, you know, i dont think im the only one that feels this way. After about a month i got a phone call one night from mike, and he told me that a legendary new york paramedic, anthony tony thomas, had just passed away from covid. There was going to be a ceremony at a funeral home in brooklyn. And he wanted to know if i would be willing to come to photograph this ceremony because mike and his colleagues wanted to give tony the sendoff he deserved. And i said that would be an honor. Every night at 7 00 many of the nurses and the doctors of lennox hill hospital would come out and many, many people from the Upper East Side neighborhood would come and express very heartfelt large applause and thanks for these essential health care workers. This particular night a car pulls up. One of the young men gets up on top of the car with a microphone and he starts to sing the song america the beautiful. And i saw the woman that is in the cover photograph of my book, whose name is erica, she happens to be from brazil, has lived in the United States for a long time. Shes a traveling nurse. She had left North Carolina to work with Covid Patients at lenox hill hospital. As i looked at her, i saw her put her hand over her heart as she listened to this song, and i saw tears in her eyes. And what struck me after i made this photograph is i feel that ericas tears are our tears. She cried for all of us that day. When i returned to paris, this city that i know so well, what struck me were two things. One was the universality of this moment. The feelings and emotion that people in paris were feeling with each other. The similar kind of solidarity. The appreciation that people felt for the people that were saving their lives, the essential workers. All of this was very similar to what i had seen in new york. What was different were some of the visual reference points. I would see parisians that now for the first time in the literally three months could come and sit outside and not be isolated at home. The louvre opening for the very first day was incredibly emotional for me. I saw a young couple that were visiting in the louvre from the ukraine. They said to me, would you mind making us a photograph of us . Because this moment means a lot to us. And i said of course. And they touched their masks to each others lips in a kiss in front of the mona lisa, and i thought that was so wonderfully symbolic of that moment. As ive made these photographs during this period of time of covid and have spoken to people and have shared their stories, what has struck me has been the need that we all have worldwide to identify with each other. I believe profoundly that we are all members of our human family. Everyone on this earth is my brother and sister. And it is with that kind of love for each other and the recognition of the beauty of our diversity that we can go forward. Thank you. Yeah, we all definitely want to go forward. To learn more about peter turnlees work or buy a copy of his work, a new york paris visual diary, the human face of covid19, you can go to peterturnley. Com. And thats it for me and this hour. Im paula newton. Cnn newsroom continues, though, right here on cnn with issa soares, who will be live from london after a quick break. 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New cdc data predicts an even more grim january. Much of englands waking up under new tougher covid restrictions as it looks toward the rollout of another