Of two more events at the olympic games. The strain of the Delta Variant on Americas Health Care system is already beginning to be felt in the hospitals. A grim sequel to the darkest days of the pandemic. An average 67,000 new cases turning up daily and trending higher. A year ago, new cases were at about the same level but trending down. The centers for Disease Control says the Delta Variant is as contagious as chickenpox and can cause severe illness. Unlike earlier variants, a single case of delta has the potential to infect many more people. Health experts say the unvaccinated are, of course, at most risk. And right now thats about half of american adults. Unless those Vaccination Numbers come up soon, u. S. President Joe Biden says tighter restrictions are likely. In all probability by the way, we had a good day yesterday. Almost A Million people got vaccinated. About half A Million of those people for the first time. Im hopeful that people are beginning to realize how essential it is. Meanwhile, the head of the centers for Disease Control says the current surge of covid can be squashed within weeks if the country takes the threat seriously. What i think is really clear is that if we unify together as a country, if we take the steps that are necessary to squash the amount of disease that is there now, we can do so in a matter of weeks. If we all get vaccinated, if we wear masks until then, there is so much that can be done in such a short period of time to squash this. Global health officials labeled the Delta Variant a concern when it was first detected in india back in february. Well, now were finding out just how serious it really is. Cnns Athena Jones with our report. Reporter a pivotal moment in the pandemic. Internal Cdc Data warning the war against covid has changed. Weve underestimated this, and its time to consider this as a very long haul. Reporter the new data showing the Delta Variant of the coronavirus appears to spread as easily as the chickenpox, with one infected person on average infecting eight or nine other people, as opposed to two or three others with the original covid strain. The stunning new document raising the stakes for everyone, including the fully vaccinated, who appear to be able to spread the Delta Variant to others at the same rate the unvaccinated can. The more we learn about it, the more sobering it is frankly. Reporter experts say the virus is constantly changing, and so is the science. The enemy were fighting keeps changing tactics, deploying new weapons. And as we fight back, we have to be nimblefooted enough to change our own strategy and tactics to counter those threats. Reporter today the cdc also publishing a study that helped drive the decision to revise their Mask Guidance this week, urging everyone in areas of substantial or high transmission to mask up indoors regardless of vaccination status. It looks at an outbreak in provincetown, massachusetts, where 469 people were infected in july. 47 of the overall cases are among fully vaccinated individuals. I think that came as a surprise to many folks. Reporter the latest data coming as the u. S. Averages nearly 67,000 new cases a day. Hospitalizations up in 35 states. Deaths in many states rising too. Echos of last year. What the hospital feels like right now is really like were back in March Of 2020 or july of 2020. We are looking over the cliff. I dont see an end in sight. Reporter the cdc estimating there are 35,000 symptomatic infections per week among 162 Million vaccinated americans. Still, the vaccinated are much safer. Vaccines reduce the risk of severe Disease Or Death at least tenfold. You cannot avoid delta. It is not possible. So you have a decision, and the decision is get vaccinated or not. And the results are telling us if youre not vaccinated, you have a really poor outcome. Reporter in the case of provincetown, only four vaccinated people required hospitalization, two of whom had underlying health conditions. No one died. Measures like Mask Mandates and social distancing now more urgent than ever, and some are predicting im predicting we are not going to be able to reign this variant back in. Reporter some are already heeding the new warnings. All 41 broadway theaters will require vaccination for audiences, performers, and staff with some exceptions for all performances through october and proof of vaccination required for entry. Masks will be required except when eating or drinking. Athena jones, cnn, new york. Dr. Raj calsy is a board certified emergency medicine physician. He joins me now from illinois. Its good to see you again, doctor. I wanted to ask about your concerns about this notion that vaccinated people, even though they wont get as sick or die as the unvaccinated can spread the Delta Variant just as easily. The Delta Variant is a player we didnt anticipate. But the concern is that the new data that came out from the cdc says that the vaccinated people can spread the variant as much as nonvaccinated people or maybe just a little less than that. This is concerning because theres already a great schism among people who are vaxxers and antivaxxers, and now youre telling them that they can spread it regardless. Its very concerning because what do you do . Do you go back on lockdown . Do you mitigate with masking and closing down infrastructure, or do you move forward and anticipate this concept of Herd Immunity . So its concerning on all aspects. If vaccinations were at least in part about breaking the chain of infection, if infections are continuing, is the notion of Herd Immunity becoming out of reach because of this variant . So a couple of concepts. One is Herd Immunity is still something that is something we can achieve. So for all the people that have been vaccinated, they are vaccinated, and then those who are getting the illness, the new Delta Variant that chose not to get vaccinated, theyre essentially getting forced into a vaccine. This is natural immunity from the disease itself. They didnt want the vaccine, but theyre going to get the illness, and hopefully they dont die from it or have any of these longhaul symptoms because of it, or this Herd Immunity thing takes too long and by the time we do get Herd Immunity to the current Delta Variant, theres a Lambda Variant or a gamma variant, omega variant, that is not only more contagious but also more deadly. That leads me into my next question. When we look at countries with low Vaccination Rates, not to mention dozens of countries which cant even get vaccines, there are risks obviously in a global sense. To your point, i had a doctor last week say that delta isnt the last letter in the greek alphabet. Do you fear more and stronger and more deadly variants, ones that could defeat the vaccines . Its always a fear in my mind, and recall im an e. R. Doctor, boots on the ground. Im not the Guy Thinking in the Think Tank at the cdc or wherever the virologists sit and ponder, you know, Public Health. That being said, i think were scientifically, based on all the data that im reading, were still very far off from an extremely contagious and extremely deadly virus. However, nothing that weve anticipated has really come to fruition with this pandemic. Everything is really defying everything we projected, so thats a bit scary. And when it comes to your boots on the ground status, what are you seeing in terms of people with the virus who are perhaps unvaccinated . Are you seeing a lot of, you know, Buyers Remorse or nonBuyers Remorse . At times i am, and they are heartfelt stories, people that are sick and lamenting the fact they didnt get vaccinated. Also were seeing people that got vaccinated with pfizer, johnson johnson, moderna, and theyre getting covid, and they did all the right things, and they moved forward in their life appropriately according to the guidelines, and theyre getting covid albeit i feel like theyre getting a less severe covid, which is a good thing. And its less likely for a vaccinated person to get the Delta Variant. That being said, were starting to see an uptick in admitting people with the Delta Variant. And less likely to die. I think the latest statistic i saw was 99 of deaths are unvaccinated people, which makes it a bit of a nobrainer. I wanted to ask you just quickly before we go, in the u. S. , there are the new Mask Mandates by companies as well as the federal government to require workers to be vaccinated. Similar measures in europe. Are these tactics the right way to go . Are there risks in Coercion Versus Persuasion . Listen, im an american. I was born and raised here. I believe in autonomy, freedom of speech. I support americans that feel like their autonomy is being violated by being mandated to be vaccinated. That being said, the Double Edge of that sword is if you get covid, you could die from it. You could have a Longhaul Set of symptoms from covid, and thats on you. You make your choice, and you lay in bed with it, and thats on you. But, you know, theres two edges to every side of this, and i believe in human autonomy, and people have a right to make that determination. However, this time its affecting everybody. Yeah, thats the point. You have your freedoms as long as they dont impinge about on my health, and thats the ongoing argument. Dr. Raj kalsi, appreciate your time. Always good to see you. You too, michael. Thank you so much for having me. It is day eight of the tokyo olympics, and Simone Biles arguably the worlds greatest gymnast, has withdrawn from two more events. Usa gymnastics says Biles Wont be competing in the vault and uneven bars finals on sunday. But she still could take part in the Floor Exercise and Balance Beam events early next week. Biles says shes been suffering from what gymnasts call the twisties, a debilitating mental block that keeps them from performing moves theyve done thousands of times before. You basically lose track of where you are in the air. Joining me now, cnn sport, Andy Scholes here in atlanta. It is surprising that biles pulled out of more events . Reporter well, michael, we certainly knew it was a possibility after what biles had been saying on instagram. As you mentioned, she says shes suffering from a case of the twisties, which is a term used by gymnasts when they feel like they just get lost in the air doing the same movements theyve done thousands and thousands of times. She posted these videos of her practicing, just struggling, saying her Mind And Body are simply just not in sync right now. Usa gymnastics releasing a statement earlier saying, today after further consultation with medical staff, Simone Biles has decided to withdraw from the event finals for vault and the uneven bars. She will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether to compete in the finals for Floor Exercise and Balance Beam. The Floor Final is on monday, and the Beam Final is tuesday. Well wait to see on those, of course. Biles also firing back at the people who think she quit, michael, saying on instagram, they dont realize how dangerous it is trying to land these moves on that hard competition surface. Yeah, really. I mean we cant even begin to imagine. Americas swimming stars, katie ledecky, Caeleb Dressel continuing to dominate in the pool. What caught your eye saturday . Ill tell you what, these two both so impressive. You got to give the nod to Caeleb Dressel on saturday. He set a World Record in the 100 meter butterfly. I tell you what, he needed every bit of that World Record as he was just able to narrowly beat hungarys kristov milak. The third Gold Medal for dressel. His family just going nuts there. Just minutes after collecting his gold from that race, dressel had to hustle back to the pool for the semifinals of the 50 freestyle. He won that with a top qualifying time. Dressel then also anchored the 4 x 100 mixed Medley Relay which features two men and two women on each team. The u. S. Finished fifth in that race, though, ending Dressels Bid to win six golds at the games. Its something only three swimmers and four athletes total have ever done at a single olympics. Dressel will take part in two more finals on sunday. Katie ledecky further cementing herself as one of the best swimmers of all time with another impressive win on saturday, winning the 800 Meter Freestyle for a third consecutive olympics. Ledecky is the first woman ever to do that in that event. If anyone has ever owned one event, its ledecky in the 800 meter free. She owns more than 20 of the fastest times of all time in the event. The win gives ledecky her sixth individual gold, which is the most ever by a female swimmer. To win just even one gold at the past three olympics has been amazing, and i never dreamed of making it to one olympics when i first started swimming, when i was 6 years old. To have the opportunity to go to three now and to win medals and to hear your National Anthem play, its its amazing. Heres an updated look at the medal count. China in the lead with 20 Gold Medals. Host japan in second with 17. The u. S. In third right now with 16, but they do have the most medals overall with 45. Track and field, michael, really gets started this weekend. What is your favorite Track And Field event . High jump. That was sort of my thing back in the day. Reporter oh, yeah . 400 years ago, yeah. Reporter i like the 100 meter mens, just to see who is the fastest man in the world. Its been Usain Bolt for the last three olympics. You mentioned ledecky. I saw a graphic of the top 800 Meter Freestyle times, and youre right. Its just her name for days. Incredible. They need two graphics to fit it all. 20, 30. Its ridiculous. I mean fantastic. Awesome. Andy scholes, always a pleasure, my friend. Thank you. Good stuff. Good for her. Tokyos olympic venues are mostly empty. Very few people allowed to watch the games in person. But the athletes families, friends and supporters are finding ways to cheer them on from afar. Selina wang shows us how. Reporter the olympic excitement keeps growing, not just in japan but around the world. There are few spectators in the stands, but that hasnt stopped passionate olympic fans from making their voices heard. Japanese residents gathered outside of the olympic stadium, posing for photos, celebrating the host countrys many Gold Medals so far. Some say the national pride they feel has moved them to tears. Translator im moved. I cry every day when i see our athletes winning. Its as if its my own kids out there doing their best. Reporter in oakdale, minnesota, Usa Gymnast Suni Lees Family was thrilled to see her Win Gold in the Womens Allaround gymnastics competition. Her parents say the moment is just surreal. Im happy. Im proud. But there is no words that can describe how we feel right now. Reporter 29 of the athletes in tokyo this year are refugees competing in the games under the olympic flag. Their families are cheering them on, some from kenyas refugee settlement. Translator may god grant you a pure heart. Run with it. Run as you normally do, and i pray you win so that when you come back, we will all celebrate your victory. Reporter excited crowds greet some athletes as they begin arriving home. This weightlifter took home the countrys first olympic Gold Medal and set a record with her combined Weight Total of 224 kilograms across two successful lifts. President Rodrigo Duterte also recognized her success. The nation is ecstatic about your achievement. Reporter it was cheers and hugs as skateboarder arrived home in brazil. The 13yearold is the youngest brazilian athlete to ever win an olympic medal. She showed off the silver she won in the womens street skateboarding event. Olympians from around the world are making history, and they have incredible support from their fans in tokyo and beyond. Selina wang, cnn, tokyo. Cnn newsroom will be right back. Does scrubbing feel like a workout . Scrub less with dawn platinum. Its Superior Formula breaks down and removes up to 99 of tough Grease And Food residue faster. So you scrub less. Tackle grease wherever it shows up. Scrub less. Save more. With dawn. Tony here from creditrepair. Com taking to the streets to talk about credit. Can you repair your credit yourself . Yes. Great. How . Uhhh. How long does Credit Repair take . I dont know, like 10 years. What . Are you insane . Whats a good Credit Score . Go. 600. Maybe if youre trying to pay thousands extra in interest rates. Cut the confusion, get started with a free Credit Evaluation at creditrepair. Com. Welcome back. Florida governor Ron Desantis thumbing his nose at the scientists at the cdc, issuing an Executive Order On Friday to prevent Mask Mandates in floridas schools, saying it was, quote, in response to several florida School Boards considering or implementing Mask Mandates in their schools after the biden administration issued unscientific and inconsistent recommendations that schoolaged children wear masks his words. Desantis says his order is meant to, quote, protect Parents Freedom to choose whether their children wear masks. It also includes financial penalties for schools that dont comply, choose to go their own way. Australias military is stepping in to help enforce Covid Isolation rules in sydney. The citys police are out in force right now. But on monday, troops will join the officers to make sure people who tested positive for covid are, indeed, isolating. The move came after australia announced a new plan to get its covid surge under control. As Cyril Vanier reports, there is no firm timeline for Ending Lockdowns and reopening borders. Reporter a path to freedom. Australian prime Minister Scott Morrison laying out a staged plan to break the back of the coronavirus. Australians, we have to take each step together, and that starts with walking in the door of that Vaccine Clinic and seeing that g. P. , that pharmacist, the state hub, and getting that vaccine. Reporter so what does the government say is the way out . Phase a, suppression of the virus. Its where the country is now and for the near term will continue to be, with parts of the country with high infection rates going in and out of lockdowns to contain outbreaks. Phase b will be reached when 70 of adults in the country are fully vaccinated. Morrison hoping this can be achieved by The End of the year, saying, those who get the shots will be subject to fewer covid19 restrictions. So if you get vaccinated, there will be special rules that will apply to you. Why . Because if youre vaccinated, you present less of a Public Health risk. Reporter morrison says international borders will begin to reopen in phase c, when 80 of that population is fully vaccinated. But getting people to follow the steps will be one of the governments biggest challenges. So far, just over 18 of people over 16 years old in australia are fully vaccinated because of a Vaccination Drive that got off to a slow start due to a shortage of doses. Also sydneys 5 Million residents are under stayathome orders because of the highly contagious Delta Variant, restrictions that are wearing thin with some people. Last week in sydney, antilockdown protesters fed up with Coronavirus Rules turned out by the thousands, defying social distancing measures. The premier of the state of New South Wales warned protesters not to repeat them this weekend. Your actions will hurt forget about the rest of us, but you could be taking the Disease Home and passing it on to your parents, your siblings, your brothers and sisters. Reporter officials say there will be 1,000 Police Officers on hand this weekend, and the australian Defense Force has been called in to crack down on noncompliance. From monday, some 300 army personnel will help police go door to door to ensure people who have tested positive are isolating. The government saying these tougher measures, the only way to contain a virus thats becoming tougher to control. That was Cyril Vanier reporting there. Im michael holmes. If youre an international viewer, african Voices Change makers is Coming Up next. If youre here with me in the United States, ill be back with more Cnn Newsroom in just a moment. [whispered] Air Wick. Get more fresh fragrance with Air Wick scented oils. For the price of one frebreze refill, you get two Air Wick refills. For over 50 more of the fresh fragrance you love. Choose Air Wick. I dont just play Somee Brainy On Tv im an actual neuroscientist. And i love the science behind Neuriva Plus. Unlike ordinary memory supplements, Neuriva Plus fuels six key indicators of Brain Performance. More Brain Performance . Yes, please neuriva. Think bigger. Do you struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep . Qunol Sleep Formula combines 5 key nutrients that can help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up refreshed. The brand i trust is qunol. Team usa is ready for the olympic games. And so is sharon she got Xfinity Internet and mobile together. So she has fast and reliable wifi at home. Wow . And nationwide 5g on the most reliable wireless network. Oh my gosh . Plus up to 400 Dollars off her Wireless Bill wow cheer on Team Usa with Xfinity Internet. And ask how to save up to 400 a year on your Wireless Bill when you add xfinity mobile. Get started today. And welcome back to Cnn Newsroom, everyone. Im michael holmes. Now, we are learning more about yet another attempt former president Donald Trump made to overturn the 2020 election. A House Committee released handwritten notes of a late December Phone call between trump and a top Justice Department official. They show him pressuring his incoming Attorney General, jeffrey rosen, to declare the election corrupt. Cnns Paula Reid has details. Reporter well, these new details come in contemporaneous handwritten notes by the former acting deputy Attorney General, richard donahue. In these notes, he describes a December 27th meeting between former president trump, himself, and the thenacting Attorney General jeffrey rosen. During this meeting on December 27th, the president allegedly told them that they should declare the election illegal and corrupt, reportedly telling them, just say the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me. According to these notes, the acting Attorney General told the thenpresident that, look, we cant just snap our fingers and make things happen. Thats not the way this works. This evidence has been handed over to lawmakers. Thats how it was released and made public. Its likely to be used in several ongoing congressional investigations, looking at the Form President s efforts to try to undermine confidence in the election and the events leading up to the January 6th insurrection. Both of those former justice officials could potentially be called to testify. Now, in another major legal development related to the former president , the Justice Department has ordered the treasury to turn over some of his tax records to congressional lawmakers. Now, the House Ways And Means Committee had requested these documents over two years ago, and the trump Justice Department had suggested that the reason they were trying to get them may not be legitimate. But the biden Justice Department disagrees with that reasoning and the Office Of Legal Counsel has said that they must be turned over. Its not clear if the former president will fight this decision in court. We know a Manhattan Grand Jury has already gotten some similar documents. So far they have not leaked, but things have been anyone to leak off the hill. Paula reid, cnn, washington. U. S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi applauding the Justice Departments decision on trumps taxes, writing in a statement, quote, Access To Former president trumps Tax Returns is a matter of national security. The american people deserve to know the facts of his troubling Conflicts Of Interest and undermining of our Security And Democracy as president. But there has been some pushback. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley is criticizing the opinion, saying, quote, the Office Of Legal Counsel is supposed to be a source of thoughtful legal analysis, not a source of political justifications to back up partisan house investigations. Troublingly, this new opinion contradicts its own very recent opinion. Now, the first group of afghan interpreters who worked alongside american troops has finally arrived in the United States. About 200 afghans, including special Immigrant Visa applicants and their families, traveled to Fort Lee, virginia, On Friday. In a statement, President Joe Biden thanking them for standing with the u. S. During the nations longest war, adding hes proud to tell them welcome home. Now, those who arrived On Friday are part of a group of 700 afghans who have completed most of the background screening process. Theyll be at Fort Lee for about a week, securing a medical clearance and getting the opportunity to receive a covid vaccine. Heres virginia senator Tim Kaine on their arrival. We feel particularly supportive and even proud that we can be the initial place of touching soil in the United States as these afghan sivs and their Family Members begin a next exciting, challenging chapter of opportunity in this country, just as waves of immigrants before have enriched our nation. These afghans are already enriching our nation and will continue to. Now, these afghan nationals were essential, of course, to u. S. Efforts in afghanistan over the past two decades. Listen to how one Army Captain described the wartime camaraderie. Im grateful to anybody that sat in the trenches with me, fully knowing the hazards that we faced, that more than likely One Of Us was going to die. And the interpreter was right there with us, and i owe them a duty as much as i owe any soldier that i was with. Now, the arrival of those afghans in the u. S. Is good news, but its a drop in the bucket, and it comes late in the game for Tens Of Thousands of others whose lives are at risk right now and who continue to wait. But meanwhile, afghans and afghanistan have myriad other looming challenges and risks ahead, even from nextdoor neighbors, which brings me to hussein hakani, a former pakistani ambassador to the u. S. , also director for south and Central Asia at the hudson institute. Hes written about some of these challenges in Foreign Affairs magazine, focusing on neighboring pakistan. I want to chat about a few things. Its good to see you again. Lets start with this. The taliban gains have been fast, predictable in many ways. But as you write, pakistans hardliners have been supporting the taliban for decades. Theyre getting what they wished for. But as you put it, they will come to regret it. Explain what you mean. Pakistan now does not want the taliban to have a Military Victory because it would result in two things. One would be chaos in afghanistan. Second, international isolation for both afghanistan, ruled by the taliban, and for pakistan for enabling it. So pakistan would have preferred some kind of a brokered settlement in which the Taliban Ascendancy was accepted by the international community in a negotiated process. And all of a sudden, those who have supported the taliban in pakistan are realizing that the fact that their wish has been granted may not necessarily end the problems that they had hoped to combat. Pakistans reason for supporting the taliban historically has been that they want to deny indian influence in afghanistan, and that is something that they may be able to achieve but at a much bigger price, which is the loss of international support from other quarters. Which is a good explainer on your piece. How might then a Taliban Regime next door affect pakistans domestic Peace And Security . You write that, quote, islamist extremism has already divided pakistani society along sectarian lines. How might that play out . Well, pakistans current Military Chief has disagreed publicly with his predecessors by saying that the ttp, the Pakistani Taliban, who were responsible for many Terrorist Attacks inside pakistan, including that very brutal attack on pakistani schoolchildren a few years ago, that that group is inextricably linked with the afghan taliban. And you had on cnn the leader of the Pakistani Taliban saying that we are working with the afghan taliban. So ttp will be the first threat that pakistan will face. They will want not only afghanistan to be islamized. They would want their vision of islam to also spread to the areas of pakistan bordering afghanistan. The second threat for pakistan will be refugees. Not all afghans will just accept the taliban rule, and many will resist. Third, having a Civil War Next Door is never good for a countrys economy. So that will be another Problem Pakistan will have to deal with. And of course whenever the taliban come into power, all afghanistan descends into chaos. There is always the increase in Narcotics Production in remote border areas. That will become a problem for pakistan. And lastly, pakistan will have to deal with being blamed for the taliban having taken over, and it will be in a difficult position of not being able to totally break with the taliban because this is a country right next door in pakistan who would like to have relations with whoever is in power there. But at the same time, the other problem will be that they will not be in Pakistans Control while the international community will demand that pakistan bring them under control. As i said at the outset, there are myriad issues for pakistan. The major u. S. Demand in talks with the taliban was that they break off ties and cooperation with Al Qaeda, dont allow a Terror Base in the country. I mean that was pretty naive really, and the evidence is that the taliban have indeed not broken off ties, and Al Qaeda has even been fighting along size the taliban. Then youve got the Haqqani Network in pakistan with its links to Al Qaeda. Do you believe Al Qaeda will reconstitute itself in afghanistan, and what are your fears if that happens . Al qaeda according to the u. N. Report on the subject already has relations with the taliban, and it already stands reconstituted. It may not have the same vigor that it had in the past. But once the taliban Control Afghanistan and are an international pariah, we will go back to the 1990s where the taliban will get some kind of international connection through Al Qaeda. And Al Qaeda will have the protection of the taliban. Look, these are groups that are ideologically connected. They are also connected by marriage. They have been together in one form or another going back all the way to the soviet occupation, and we must acknowledge that at that time the americans were naive enough to let these people come and operate out of pakistan, thinking that they will only fight the communists and will not be a problem later. Well, they did become a problem. And then after 9 11, there was american naivete in thinking they can go after Al Qaeda without going after the taliban. And lastly there has been this naivete that if only the taliban can come to the ritzcarlton in doha, they will sit together with us, sign an agreement, and then they will say goodbye to Al Qaeda. None of those naive presumptions are going to be fulfilled because the taliban have a core ideological belief. They believe they are doing gods work in whatever you do. When you feel that, then you do not compromise. I wish we had more time. We never even got to china, iran, russia, their interest in the country as well. Always a fascinating discussion with you. Thank you so much. Such a pleasure. Coming up here on Cnn Newsroom, Unvaccinated Americans are getting hit hard by the Delta Variant, especially in conservative corners of the country. So why are many republican politicians openly mocking masks and vaccines . Well be right back. This. Is what freedom sounds like. And this. This is what Freedom Smells like. Ahhh, enjoy 30 days of openroad freshnhness. Febreze car. Hey, i just got a text from my sister. You remember rick, her neighbor . Sure, hes the 76yearold Guy who still runs marathons, right . Sadly, not anymore. Wow. So sudden. Um, were not about to have the we need Life Insurance Conversation again, are we . No, were having the were getting coverage so we dont have to worry about it conversation. So youre calling about the 9. 95 a Month Plan from Colonial Penn . I am. We put it off long enough. We are getting that 9. 95 plan, today. jonathan is it time for you to call about the 9. 95 plan . Im jonathan from Colonial Penn Life Insurance company. Sometimes we just need a reminder not to take today for granted. If youre age 50 to 85, you can get guaranteed acceptance whole Life Insurance starting at just 9. 95 a month. There are no Health Questions so you cant be turned down for any health reason. The 9. 95 plan is colonial Penns Number one most popular whole life plan. Options start at just 9. 95 a month. Thats less than 35 cents a day. Your rate can never go up. Its locked in for life. Call today for free information. And youll also get this free beneficiary planner, so call now. Soft Music hello, Colonial Penn . Now, even as we see more evidence of the danger from the Delta Variant, many republican officials continue to mock and defy recommendations to wear masks and get vaccinated. That is as republicancontrolled areas tend to have lower Vaccination Rates and are, of course, as it would follow, getting hit by the worst of the Delta Variant. But some republicans are now changing their tune. Cnns Brian Todd with that. Reporter florida republican Senator Marco Rubio mocking Defense Secretary Lloyd austin for wearing a mask and a Face Shield on an official visit overseas, tweeting this. Quote, our sec def is vaccinated, but he arrives in the will feens wearing a mask and a Face Shield. Embarrassing covid theater. This is akin to making fun of Police Officers and soldiers who want to wear bulletproof vests and Body Armor in the line of fire. Reporter a Defense Spokesperson responded to rubio by telling cnn that general austin was abiding by the philippine Governments Health guidelines. These kids are in school. They have the masks on. When they go out of school and hang out, do you think theyre wearing the masks when theyre at each Others House . Of course not. So its terribly uncomfortable, and its something that a lot of parents have been frustrated about. Reporter all of this despite the governments push to get more americans to vaccinate and wear masks are doing is very detrimental to Peoples Health because they are actively discouraging them from doing the very things that will protect their health. Reporter meantime, other republican leaders like Senate Minority Leader Mitch Mcconnell are pushing americans to get vaccinated. Mcconnell narrating this new Radio Ad in his Home State of kentucky, recalling his own battle with polio. Every american should take advantage of this miracle and get vaccinated. Its the only way were going to defeat covid. This is not complicated. Reporter alabamas republican governor, kay ivey, whose state has some of the lowest Vaccination Rates, has been more blunt about whos responsible for the spikes in new covid cases. Its time to stop blamining now some of the unvaccinated and their Loved Ones are saddled with crushing pain and regret. William Thomas Ball from mississippi and his wife, alicia, nationally decided not to get vaccinated. Alicia has since gotten the shot, but her Husbands Case of covid has kept him in the hospital for three weeks. He means so much to our family. Hes the rock of our family. We just want him to get better and come home. Reporter Kristi Carpenter and her family had been hesitant to get the vaccine. Coming off her own battle with the virus, the Hospital Employee from alabama is now telling journalists what she misses most about her 28yearold son, kurt, who died of covid. Youre going to make me cry. Just his infectious laugh. He would laugh from his toes. He was so sweet and loving and just really caring. Reporter infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Sell even gounder acknowledges that americans are burned out from all of this and that the new messaging on masking at least has been confusing for many americans. But she says the public has to understand the messaging will change again as the science keeps changing, and she urges patients, as americas top doctors try to get ahead of this dangerous moving target, the Delta Variant. Brian todd, cnn, washington. And well be right back after the break. Its a simple fact it even kills the covid19 virus. Science supports these simple facts. Theres only one true lysol. Lysol. What it takes to protect. Facing collagen thats all hype . Olay Collagen Peptide 24 with derm recommended peptides. Hydrates better than the 400 cream. For visibly firmer skin. Olay. Face anything you know, im glad that you got your credit sorted with extracredit, but isnt this a little much . Too much . Is building my credit by reporting my bills too much . no. Its just 100 degrees out here. I mean, arent you hot . Getting tradelines on my credit by reporting bills im already paying does make me feel warm inside. What . I know right . Where has extracredit been All My Life . When it comes to your credit, more is better. So get more with extracredit, including Rent And Utility reporting, Credit Building offers and more. Look, this isnt my first rodeo and let me tell you something, i wouldnt be here if i thought Reverse Mortgages took advantage of any american senior, or worse, that it was some way to take your home. Its just a loan designed for older homeowners, and, its helped over A Million americans. A reverse Mortgage Loan Isnt some kind of trick to take your home. Its a loan, like any other. Big difference is how you pay it back. Find out how Reverse Mortgages really work with aags free, noobligation Reverse Mortgage guide. Eliminate monthly mortgage payments, pay bills, medical costs, and more. Call now and get your free info kit. Other mortgages are paid each month, but with a Reverse Mortgage, you can pay whatever you can, when it works for you, or, you can wait, and pay it off in one Lump Sum when you leave your home. Discover the option thats best for you. Call today and find out more in aags free, noobligation reverse Mortgage Loan guide. Access taxfree cash and stay in the home you love. Youve probably been investing in your home for years. Making monthly mortgage payments. Doing the right thing. And its become your Familys Heart and soul. Well, that investment can give you taxfree cash just when you need it. Learn how homeowners are strategically using a reverse Mortgage Loan to cover expenses, pay for healthcare, preserve your portfolio, and so much more. Look, Reverse Mortgages arent for everyone but i think ive been round long enough to know whats what. Im proud to be part of aag, i trust em, i think you can too. Trust aag for the best Reverse Mortgage solutions. Call now so you can. Retire better did you know Prilosec Otc can stop frequent heartburn before it begins . Heartburn happens when Stomach Acid refluxes into the esophagus. Prilosec otc uses a unique Delayedrelease Formula that helps it pass through the tough Stomach Acid. It then works to turn down acid production, blocking heartburn at the source. With just one pill a day, you get 24hour heartburn protection. Prilosec otc. One pill a day, 24 hours, zero heartburn. And to florida now, where dead fish are piling up in Tampa Bay. The water there full of Red Tide, a toxic Algae Bloom that kills marine life and has gotten noticeably worse. Cnns Nick Valencia with that story. Reporter Fishing Boat Captain Dustin Pack says hes never seen the Red Tide in Tampa Bay this bad. I hope that the worst is behind us in Tampa Bay. I pray that it is, but im not holding my breath. Reporter the toxic blooms which cause Fish Kills and can be harmful to humans happen almost every year in and around floridas coast. But for the lifelong fisherman, this year is different. Typically what happens is Red Tide happens offshore. With currents and tides or wind direction, it can be blown into the beach. Whats different about this one is this started inside of Tampa Bay. Reporter back in the spring, 215 Million gallons of wastewater were released into Tampa Bay from this plant to relieve pressure on a leaking reservoir. You can see cleanup is still under way. Environmentalists say the disaster is fueling the Red Tide that were seeing in Tampa Bay. Now five organizations are suing the governor, the Acting Secretary of Floridas Department of environmental protection, and the owners of Piney Point. They want the plant cleaned up and closed down safely so disasters of this magnitude never happen again. But governor Ron Desantis claims the science is pointing in a different direction. The Scientific Consensus is clear. It didnt cause the Red Tide. The Red Tide was here. Reporter the governor saying it was Hurricane Elsa in july and not Piney Points wastewater which led to this years historic Fish Kills. Asked if he might be playing politics by not declaring a State Of Emergency over the Red Tide in Tampa Bay, desantis was defiant . How did i politicize Red Tide . They were the ones who were saying, you got to declare a State Of Emergency, and so we asked them, why . Well, they didnt know why. The data are really clear that this Algae Bloom that was occurring in Tampa Bay started well before Hurricane Elsa passed by. Reporter Maya Burke with the Tampa Bay Estuary Program says while money made available so far by the Governors Office has helped clean up the bay, they need more of it now. She says not only has the water not looked this bad since the 1970s, before there was a clean water act, but the governors timeline for whats causing the Red Tide is way off. What Hurricane Elsa did was it changed the Wind Patterns and it put all of those, you know, thousands of tons of dead Fish Right up along the Downtown Waterfront in st. Petersburg. Nikki fried thinks based on the Neurotoxin Levels in the water, the red Tide And Fish kills could be a recurring problem in the bay for months. We saw the emergency. We saw the governor able to come out there at the very front end of Piney Point and then he forget about it and kind of moved on to the next issue. And instead of continuously having resources and support, it got, you know, brushed under the rug. Reporter back on the water, pack says some fishermen have had to leave for work elsewhere. His Conservation Group is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. We keep doing that, we keep having these year in and year out, i dont know if were going to have a bay left, you know. Well have water here. Nobodys going to want to swim in it. Nobody is going to want to fish in it. Reporter according to scientific measurements done by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, an estimated 40 of the wastewater from the Piney Point disaster is still in Tampa Bay. Environmentalists say the Red Tide here could ultimately get worse before it gets better. We did reach out to the office of governor Ron Desantis to see if he wanted to clarify his comments as to the cause of the Unpress Departmented Red Tide. His office did not respond. Nick valencia, cnn, tampa, florida. Im michael holmes. Thanks for spending part of your day with me. Follow me on Instagram And Twitter holmescnn. Robyn curnow will have more Cnn Newsroom in just a moment. Ill see you next time. Some people have joint pain, plus have high Blood Pressure. They may not be able to take just anything for pain. Thats why doctors recommend tylenol®. It wont raise Blood Pressure the way that advil® aleve® or motrin® sometimes can. For trusted relief, trust tylenol®. Press start and consider the job finished. Finish Quantums Threechamber Detergent works with boschs precisionwash technology to clean, degrease and shine every dish, every load. For a sparkling clean, from bosch to finish. Most Bladder Leak pads were similar. Until always discreet invented a pad that protects differently. With two rapiddry layers. For strong protection, thats always discreet. Question your protection. Try always discreet. Hi, welcome to Cnn Newsroom, im Kern Kern live in atlanta. Coming up, the pandemic takes a terrible turn, as the Delta Variant surges in the u. S. , some hospitals are running out of space again. Also, hoping to see people who are not vaccinated, and to do something responsible as a member of the community. Pushback against the unvaccinated. Some people say those who refuse the Vaccine Need to do their part. Plus Simone Biles perhaps the worlds grea