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New strand of covid make the new vaccines much less effective and has more intense symptoms. its has not spreed too bad yet but they say it will. what this means is that covid is mutating which means it could do it again making it harder to cure,

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The rapid spread of a new strain of coronavirus is the "worst news" of the pandemic so far, a government scientist has told Sky News.

Britons should be "very concerned" about the mutated strain of COVID-19 that is circulating in London and the South East, Professor Andrew Hayward of the government's New and Emerging Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) said.

Stressing the importance of how much easier this strain passes from person-to-person, he said: "This is really terrible news in terms of the pandemic.

"If the vaccine is the best news, this is the worst news we've had so far, and we really, really need to tighten down the hatches to stop the spread of this strain while vaccinating as many people as possible."
Follow live COVID updates from the UK and across the world
On Saturday, the new variant - named VUI-202012/01 - saw the prime minister cancel Christmas for millions of people after he was advised it is up to 70% more transmissible.

Professor Hayward, who is director of the Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare at University College London (UCL), told Sky News that this is because the new strain results in people having a much bigger viral load.

He added that areas that have not yet seen huge caseloads of the new strain are "around three weeks behind" those put into the toughest new Tier 4 restrictions over the weekend.

This could mean that regions such as the South West and the north of England could also soon find themselves in Tier 4.

Asked how the new mutation was able to thrive despite England's nationwide lockdown in November, Professor Hayward said it the last shutdown was "less intense" and people's attitudes to it were "less stringent".

"Worryingly, even though we had relatively strong measures that were enough to suppress the previous virus, they weren't enough to stop this one," he added.

But he said if the UK is to mitigate "many, many more deaths" as a result of VUI-202012/01, people need to reduce their contacts with people over the Christmas period.

And after a string of countries banned travel to the UK to stop the new strain getting in, Professor Hayward suggested the UK should "take its own action" to close its borders.

But he disputed claims the government's action on the new strain has been "too slow", saying his NERVTAG committee first discussed it on 11 December.

"I don't think it's fair to say the government has been slow to act on this. It's more a question of how much further we need to act," he said.

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COVID-19: Government scientist warns we 'should be very concerned' about new strain

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The rapid spread of a new strain of coronavirus is the "worst news" of the pandemic so far, a government scientist has told Sky News. Britons should be "very concerned" about the mutated strain of COVID-19 that is circulating in London and the South East, Professor Andrew Hayward of the government's New and Emerging Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) said.

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Now, as European Union regulators edge closer to approving two of those vaccines, the commission is asking its 27 nations to get ready to work together to roll them out.

If it all goes to plan, the EU's vaccine program could go down as one of the greatest achievements in the history of the European project.

The EU has suffered a sustained battering in recent years, fueled by the UK's departure, a surge in nationalist parties, and Euroskeptic attitudes across the continent.

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europe's covid-19 vaccine rollout: the eu is plagued with divisions. covid-19 vaccines are a golden chance to redeem the european project - cnn

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The EU is plagued with divisions. Covid-19 vaccines are a golden chance to redeem the European project

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The European Union is planning an ambitious and coordinated rollout of Covid-19 vaccines. It presents an ideal opportunity for the bloc to overcome its many divisions and truly deliver on its vision of unity.

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Congressional leaders are looking to extend the shutdown deadline, in order to negotiate its 900 billion relief deal and to push it through the House and Senate. The leaders are trying to scramble this deal, before the shutdown looms, so they can tie to an additional funding bill that will keep the government open through next September.

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prospects dim for capitol hill approval by friday shutdown deadline as leaders continue to negotiate relief deal - cnnpolitics

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Prospects dim for Capitol Hill approval by Friday shutdown deadline as leaders continue to negotiate relief deal

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As congressional leaders scramble to finalize a $900 billion Covid relief deal, it's growing increasingly unlikely that Congress will be able to get the long-awaited plan through both chambers by Friday night when a government shutdown looms.

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As we are about to wrap up the year the 3rd and possibly last round of stimulus checks are being sent out in hopes to once again help with these trying COVID-19 times.

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​Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, speaking on the Senate floor Thursday, said he believes a "bipartisan, bicameral agreement appears to be close at hand" on a COVID-19 relief deal.

"I'm encouraged that our Democratic colleagues have now embraced this framework, that's been the right solution for our country all this time," he said.

Lawmakers are working furiously to announce a $900 billion deal ahead of a government funding deadline at midnight Friday, but McConnell warned senators that a short-term funding bill is expected and that it is "highly likely" senators will have to work through the weekend to finish both bills: one for COVID-19 relief and the other a massive $1.4 trillion spending bill.

While a COVID-19 relief deal still must be finalized, it's expected to include $300 billion for the small business loan program, money for vaccine distribution and testing, education funds, and up to $600 in one-time direct payments for Americans on a sliding scale depending on income levels.

The deal would extend the eviction moratorium and reinstate a federal unemployment insurance supplement, potentially at $300 per week.

The stakes are incredibly high for members of Congress to strike a deal ahead of the new year.

Twelve million people are set to lose benefits if pandemic-era provisions to expand unemployment eligibility expire. Millions across the country could face eviction if a federal moratorium expires at the end of the year.

All this comes as the rising number of COVID-19 cases are taking a toll on the economy: the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose again last week to 885,000 - the highest weekly total since September.

On Thursday morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters the top lawmakers are making headway.

"We made some progress this morning, we are waiting to hear back, but that's it," Pelosi said. Asked if a deal could be announced as soon as Thursday, she responded: "We'll let you know."

Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer held several calls with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin into Wednesday night, according Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill. He said they would speak again Thursday morning.

"All three emphasized the urgency to reaching an immediate agreement," he wrote in a tweet.

The new COVID-19 relief legislation would "repurpose" over $400 billion in unused funds from the CARES Act, which Congress passed back in March - which means this bill will be about $500 billion in new funding if the $900 billion top-line holds.

Democrats acknowledged defeat in getting $160 billion in aid for state and local governments in the deal due to Republican opposition.

"It's heartbreaking for us," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Wednesday.

At the same time, McConnell has agreed to set aside liability protections for businesses, which he had said was a "red line" for Republicans.

There are still some unresolved issues as well, senators have said, including funding for nutritional assistance, or SNAP benefits.

"I think there's general, you know, disagreement on a temporary SNAP increase. So we just have to work out the details and there's other issues to make sure we're supporting food banks and other ways to get food to people," Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., told reporters Thursday.

Lawmakers are also still haggling over how much funding to include in the bill that would provide targeted support for the restaurant industry and independent live music venue operators, as thousands of businesses struggle to stay afloat after their doors were shuttered due to the raging pandemic.

The COVID-19 relief bill is expected to be attached to a larger omnibus spending deal. McConnell said negotiators are on the "one-yard line" in finalizing the spending bill.

"We are no strangers to December cliffhangers," McConnell said, adding that government funding "hangs in the balance."

"In the next few days, Congress will either succeed or fail at providing secure and stable funding," McConnell said.

He said he is open to passing a short-term funding bill to get the it done.

"We're going to stay right here, right here, until we're finished. Even if that means working through the weekend, which is highly likely," McConnell said.

McConnell closed his remarks with a subtle warning to negotiators, saying, "in my judgment, we're very close to a point that arises in every major negotiation. It's the point where each side faces a fork in the road," McConnell said.

"In short, we're near the point in this process where we decide if we're going to stay on the fast track or drift back toward business as usual," McConnell said. "I say the answer should be obvious."

On the Senate floor, Schumer signaled that agreement on a COVID-19 bill is close.

"We are putting the final touches on what would be the largest stimulus bill in the history of our country, with the exception of the CARES Act ... none of the remaining hurdles can not be overcome," he said.

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McConnell says pandemic relief deal with aid to individuals, businesses is 'close'

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​Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, speaking on the Senate floor Thursday, said he believes a "bipartisan, bicameral agreement appears to be close at hand" on a COVID-19 relief deal. "I'm encouraged that our Democratic colleagues have now embraced this framework, that's been the right solution for our country all this time," he said.

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Olivia Jade speak out for the first time about her parents scandall

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olivia jade giannulli: lori loughlin's daughter speaks out for the first time about her family's 'big mistake' - cnn

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Olivia Jade Giannulli speaks out for the first time about her family's 'big mistake'

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Olivia Jade Giannulli is opening up about the college admissions scandal that landed her parents, actress Lori Loughlin and designer Mossimo Giannulli, in prison.

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President Trump's lawyer Giuliani caught Coronavirus on Sunday (12/6) as confirmed by Trump over twitter. This is part of the White House outbreak which started in October. The implication of such occurrence is unknown.

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President Trump's personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the president. Trump made the announcement on Twitter on Sunday afternoon.

".@RudyGiuliani, by far the greatest mayor in the history of NYC, and who has been working tirelessly exposing the most corrupt election (by far!) in the history of the USA, has tested positive for the China Virus," Trump tweeted. "Get better soon Rudy, we will carry on!!!"

No further details were immediately released, and it's unclear how the former New York City mayor became infected. Giuliani has spent recent weeks traveling to lead failed legal challenges in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

On Wednesday, Giuliani was in Lansing, Mich., where he did not wear a mask while speaking to Michigan lawmakers at a hearing lasting more than four hours. On Thursday, he was in Atlanta, where he talked to Georgia state senators without a mask.

Giuliani is the latest of more than a dozen people in Trump's orbit who have tested positive since October. Giuliani's son, Andrew Giuliani, who is a White House staffer, said he tested positive on Nov. 20.

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Rudy Giuliani Tests Positive For Coronavirus, Trump Says

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President Trump's personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the president. Trump made the announcement on Twitter on Sunday afternoon. ".@RudyGiuliani, by far the greatest mayor in the history of NYC, and who has been working tirelessly exposing the most corrupt election (by far!)

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Belarusian protesters protesting against election rigging in the recent Belarus election were brutally beaten and attacked by police, with reports of torture and assult led by Belarusian authorities. The UN Rights Chief, Michelle Bachelet, commented that action may be taken against the Belarusian Government.

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The United Nations' human rights chief is lamenting a deteriorating situation in Belarus and says that reported beatings of protesters by security forces may in some cases amount to torture

GENEVA -- The United Nations' human rights chief lamented a deteriorating situation in Belarus and said Friday that reported beatings of protesters by security forces may in some cases amount to torture.

Michelle Bachelet, the high commissioner for human rights, told the U.N. Human Rights Council there has been no improvement since a September debate about Belarus and "recent weeks have seen continued deterioration, particularly with respect to the right of peaceful assembly."

Belarus has seen mass protests triggered by President Alexander Lukashenko's election to a sixth term in an Aug. 9 election that the opposition said was riddled with fraud.

Police have cracked down hard on the largely peaceful demonstrations, using stun grenades, tear gas and truncheons to disperse protesters. Thousands of people have been detained and many of them badly beaten since the protests began, human rights advocates say.

The rallies have continued despite the tough police response. The United States and European Union have introduced sanctions against Belarusian officials accused of involvement in vote-rigging and the post-election crackdown.

"The penalties imposed on protesters appear to be growing more severe," Bachelet said. She pointed to the "unnecessary or disproportionate use of force" police used to "systematically, and in most cases, violently" disperse protest crowds that were "overwhelmingly peaceful."

There are "multiple and credible reports of people beaten by members of the security forces during and after their transport to police stations or detention centers," Bachelet said. "If confirmed, such incidents would constitute ill-treatment and, in some cases, may amount to torture."

She said she was "alarmed by the numerous allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in custody," by the harassment and arrests of many journalists and human rights advocates, and by disciplinary action against teachers and students.

The Belarusian ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Yury Ambrazevich, said that "not all the protests were peaceful, and in response law enforcement agencies used force, used detentions and special means." He asserted that police use force more frequently in western Europe, and he accused Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine of using the situation in Belarus to "line their pockets."

Ambrazevich maintained that the anti-government protests demanding Lukashenko's resignation are diminishing.

"Those who protest in the streets today are individuals who reject the opportunities that have been created for direct dialogue with the government," he said.

Opposition leaders in Belarus have sought discussions with the government about a transfer of power or a new election, which Lukashenko has rejected.

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UN rights chief laments worsening situation in Belarus

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The United Nations' human rights chief is lamenting a deteriorating situation in Belarus and says that reported beatings of protesters by security forces may in some cases amount to torture GENEVA -- The United Nations' human rights chief lamented a deteriorating situation in Belarus and said Friday that reported beatings of protesters by security forces may in some cases amount to torture.

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As a vaccine is being prepared to be distributed across the USA, COVID-19 cases are rising in numbers that could cripple health care systems very soon

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us coronavirus: vaccines won't rid us of covid-19

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Vaccines won't end Covid so keep wearing your mask, top health official says

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Coronavirus vaccines will provide some light at the end of the tunnel, but they alone won't mean an end to Covid-19, one leading health official said Friday.

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According to reports released by the Tokyo organizing committee and the Tokyo government, the cost of postponing the Olympics could potentially reach $2.8 billion. Two-thirds of the additional costs are being picked up by the government, and the other one-third will be handled by the privately funded organization committee.

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The cost of the postponement for the Tokyo Olympics could reach at least $2.8 billion in figures released by the Tokyo organizing committee, the Tokyo city government and Japan's national government

TOKYO -- The cost of the postponement for the Tokyo Olympics could reach about $2.8 billion, according to figures released Friday by the Tokyo organizing committee, the Tokyo city government and Japan 's national government.

The numbers are in line with estimates that have been made in Japan since the Olympics were postponed eight months ago. They are now set to open on July 23, 2021.

About two-thirds of the added costs are being picked up by the two government entities, with the other one-third going to the privately funded organizing committee.

The operational cost for the delay is listed at 171 billion yen, or about $1.64 billion at the present exchange rate. The organizing committee and the Tokyo government share equally in covering the expenses. The national government will pick up a small portion.

Tokyo organizers also said they could add 27 billion yen (about $260 million) from a contingency fund to help cover added costs.

Tokyo costs are ballooning and could reinforce skepticism about holding the Olympics in the middle of a pandemic. Recent polls show the public is divided on the issue of the Olympics, and allowing fans from abroad to enter.

Prior to the postponement, Japan said the Olympics would cost $12.6 billion. But a government audit last year said it was likely twice that much. All but $5.6 billion is public money, before any delay costs.

Tokyo said the Olympics would cost $7.3 billion overall when it won the bid in 2013. And a University of Oxford study two months ago said the Tokyo Games are the most expensive Summer Olympics on record.

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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports

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Tokyo Olympics delay costs may reach $2.8 billion

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The cost of the postponement for the Tokyo Olympics could reach at least $2.8 billion in figures released by the Tokyo organizing committee, the Tokyo city government and Japan's national government TOKYO -- The cost of the postponement for the Tokyo Olympics could reach about $2.8 billion, according to figures released Friday by the Tokyo organizing committee, the Tokyo city government and Japan 's national government.

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As America goes through its unemployment recovery, the unemployment rate has dropped 6.7% with 245,000 jobs added last month. However, we are still millions of jobs away from our previous 3.5% unemployment rate.

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The latest government jobs report sheds light on how the recovery is faring.

U.S. employers added 245,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate slipped to 6.7%, the Department of Labor said Friday.

The fresh economic data shows the labor market clawing its way out of the pandemic-induced downturn, but still far away from a full recovery. The unemployment rate in the U.S. was 3.5% in February before the crisis hit.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Unemployment rate dips to 6.7% as employers add 245,000 jobs last month

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The latest government jobs report sheds light on how the recovery is faring. U.S. employers added 245,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate slipped to 6.7%, the Department of Labor said Friday. The fresh economic data shows the labor market clawing its way out of the pandemic-induced downturn, but still far away from a full recovery.

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Jobs are predicted to drop on a monthly basis before a vaccine will be widely available. The US is still down nearly 10 million jobs since February. About 12 million workers are at risk of losing their benefits.

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the us could start losing jobs very soon - cnn

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Here we go again: The US could start losing jobs very soon

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The job market recovery is at risk of stalling out as the pandemic intensifies. The rapid loss of momentum in the economy raises the pressure on Washington to do what should be a no-brainer: provide more fiscal relief.

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An invasive type of cactus is getting out of control in Africa. The cactus spreads when wildlife eat the seed and disperse it in other places. The only problem is that the plant can also take root from any other part of the cactus, making this plant grow rapidly. When wildlife like elephants eat it, they tend to get the 🤬in their stomach, which causes very painful abscesses. With this plant continuing to spread to human settlements, conflict between  the humans and elephants is rising. Attempts so far to get rid of the plant have only caused its growth even more.

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an invasive cactus in kenya has spread out of control

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An invasive cactus in Kenya has spread out of control

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Technology is being used to stop the spread of an invasive cactus that is tearing through wildlife-rich farmland in Kenya.

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As Covid cases rise, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new stay-at-home order Thursday with the exception of the public schools with in-person learning. He went on to say that if people don't follow the order, the state's hospitals will be overwhelmed with patients infected with the virus. The order takes effect on Saturday and could stay in effect for at least three weeks.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom says most of the state will likely be under a new stay-at-home order within a day or two

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California will likely order most of its businesses to close or limit capacity in the coming days, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday, part of new rules triggered when fewer than 15% of beds are available in intensive care units for regional hospital networks.

Newsom said four of the state's five regions -- excluding the San Francisco Bay area -- will meet that threshold within a day or two. When they do, the state will order the closure of all hair salons and barbershops; bars, breweries and distilleries; casinos and indoor and outdoor playgrounds.

Restaurants would be limited to take-out and delivery, while retailers would have to limit customers inside their stores to 20% capacity during the busy holiday shopping season.

Once triggered, regions would have 48 hours to implement the rules, which must stay in effect at least three weeks. The rules don't apply to public schools.

"The bottom line is if we don't act now our hospital system will be overwhelmed," Newsom said. "This is the most challenging moment since the beginning of this pandemic."

The new rules recognize the strain placed on hospital networks that serve multiple counties.

California's virus hospitalizations have nearly quadrupled since mid-October. Thursday, the state reported 8,240 coronavirus hospitalizations, including 1,890 in intensive care units. The state now has fewer than 2,000 intensive care beds available, down from more than 3,000 available in October.

Overall, California has reported more than 1.2 million cases and more than 19,400 deaths.

The new rules, once implemented, would be a return to the kind of lockdown first imposed in March, when the pandemic was new and public health officials were scrambling to figure out how to contain the spread.

Public health experts praised the state's quick actions then, saying it likely saved lives. But the impact on the economy was severe: California lost 2.6 million jobs in March and April, prompting people to flood the state with unemployment claims.

Since then, California has gotten 44% of those jobs back in a modest recovery as new cases fell dramatically after large public gatherings ceased, and people wore masks and socially distanced at grocery stores and other public places.

But the fall holiday season, coupled with colder weather driving more people inside - where the virus flourishes - prompted warnings of a "second wave" of COVID cases that could dwarf anything the state had seen previously. Those prophecies came true last month, as new cases increased at a rate that astonished public health experts.

California is now averaging nearly 15,000 new cases a day.

The rules have threatened the state's economic recovery and frustrated residents who have "COVID fatigue" as the pandemic enters its 10th month. Some counties have bucked the new rules, following cues from state and local elected officials who have criticized the governor for going too far.

Shannon Grove, Republican leader in the state Senate, criticized Newsom on Thursday for continuing "to disrupt life as we know it without releasing the full data behind his decisions."

"And to be clear, it's not just about the numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations he runs through in his almost-daily press conferences, but the data and facts about the toll his shutdown orders are taking on Californians' mental health, on our children's education, including the achievement gap, on domestic violence and child abuse rates," she said.

Newsom acknowledged the difficulty in following the rules. But he urged people to stay vigilant, promising the worst is almost over.

"There is light at the end of the tunnel. We are a few months away form truly seeing real progress with the vaccine," Newsom said. "We do not anticipate having to do this again but we really all need to step up. We need to meet this moment head on."

The new order comes after two of the state's largest counties - Los Angeles in Southern California and Santa Clara in the San Francisco Bay Area - issued lockdowns. They also banned professional sports, forcing the NFL's San Francisco 49ers to move some of their games to Arizona.

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California governor: Most of state nears stay-home order

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom says most of the state will likely be under a new stay-at-home order within a day or two SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California will likely order most of its businesses to close or limit capacity in the coming days, Gov.

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Data shows that people who got modern vaccine still had antibodies three months later.

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The data came from a small number of phase 1 participants.

People who were vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine still had elevated antibodies three months after their second dose, according to new data published Thursday as a letter to the editor in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.

"These data give us further optimism to expect that the high level of efficacy recently demonstrated by mRNA-1273 to prevent COVID-19 disease will be durable," Dr. Tal Zaks, chief medical officer of Moderna, said in a press release.

Moderna's vaccine has already demonstrated it's more than 94% effective in a massive phase 3 trial, but those results only show the vaccine is safe and effective for roughly two months after the last dose.

Moderna's vaccine could be authorized by the Food and Drug Administration later this month, based on the strength of those results.

But data published Thursday is promising because vaccine experts still don't have a good understanding of exactly how long a COVID-19 vaccine might protect you from infection.

Thursday's data came from volunteers from Moderna's phase 1 trial. Researchers kept tabs on them after the initial results were published, measuring the amount of antibodies in their blood as time went on.

Three months after getting their second dose, 34 health y adults still had relatively high levels of neutralizing antibodies -- one of the tools your immune system has to fight the virus.

Antibody levels did dip a little, and they were more likely to drop off in older volunteers. But overall, researchers said the results were encouraging.

"The 90-day durability is quite good, although there are more declines in antibody titers in the elderly compared with younger individuals," said Dr. Dan Barouch, the director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

"This is terrific news and very reassuring," said Dr. Carlos Del Rio, professor of medicine and global health at Emory University. Del Rio described the findings as "very important," and further evidence that the "vaccine is not only effective but also durable."

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New data shows people who got Moderna vaccine still had antibodies 3 months later

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The data came from a small number of phase 1 participants. People who were vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine still had elevated antibodies three months after their second dose, according to new data published Thursday as a letter to the editor in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.

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Stocks rally to an all time high today even though the government reported a lower than expected increase in jobs in November.

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Stocks edged higher Friday after the government reported a lower-than-expected increase in jobs in November.

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Although the US is ready to start distributing COVID-19 vaccines the experts say the worst case scenario is about to come. They say the hospitals should be ready to be overwhelmed and the death counts will rise a lot.

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us coronavirus: vaccines won't rid us of covid-19

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Vaccines won't end Covid so keep wearing your mask, top health official says

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Coronavirus vaccines will provide some light at the end of the tunnel, but they alone won't mean an end to Covid-19, one leading health official said Friday.

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Scientists in the Netherlands believe they are close to being able to restore the sight of the blind with brain implants. This comes after several successful implants done on monkeys,

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Scientist are saying due to the travel on Thanksgiving that a new surge of the Corona Virus will take place two - three week after thanksgiving.

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Another coronavirus surge is likely to hit the U.S. in the two- to three-week period following Thanksgiving, says Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert.

The country is already experiencing record highs in coronavirus hospitalizations, topping 100,000 on Wednesday, with the figure climbing to 100,667 in hospital care as of Dec.3, according to data compiled by the Covid Tracking Project. The U.S. also just broke a new daily death toll at nearly 3,000, and Fauci says Thanksgiving gatherings will only make matters worse.

"So I think we have not yet seen the post-Thanksgiving peak," Fauci said on the NBC's TODAY show. "That's the concerning thing, because the numbers in and of themselves are alarming."

Public health officials are pleading Americans to double down on mask wearing and social distancing, among other measures, ahead of anticipated holiday travel and additional indoor gatherings.

LIVE UPDATES: Today's latest COVID-19 headlines
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just this week said "December and January and February are going to be rough times. I actually believe they're going to be the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation, largely because of the stress that's going to be put on our health care system."

Redfield projected nearly 450,000 coronavirus-related fatalities in the U.S. before February. (The U.S. reported 276,402 virus-related deaths by Friday morning, per data by Johns Hopkins University.) However, like Redfield, Fauci says public health efforts can begin to disrupt serious consequences.

"I hope that that's not going to happen...It shouldn't be despair where you throw your hands up and say 'it's inevitable, it's going to happen,'" Fauci told NBC, regarding Redfield's projected figures on mortality. "If you do the fundamental things of public health measures, you can blunt it. And now probably is more than ever to double down on it because vaccines are literally at the threshold."
CORONAVIRUS LIKELY TO BRING ON 'DARK WINTER' FOR AMERICANS, EXPERTS SAY

CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
The interview occurred shortly after news that Redfield upheld a vote by a panel of independent experts that health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities should be the first to receive the long-awaited coronavirus vaccine.

Fauci echoed this plan during his interview, calling on Americans not to give up.

"We're going to be starting to administer to the higher risk people and to people who are the health care providers in mid and late December," Fauci said. "And then as we get into January, February and March, more and more people will be able to get vaccinated. So now's the time to hang in there and not give up."

Aside from Redfield's nod of approval for vaccine distribution, the plan to allocate the jabs to health care workers and long-term care residents is also dependent on authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which still has to approve an application of emergency use from pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, the first to apply, and biotech company Moderna.

Both companies have developed coronavirus vaccine candidates that have proven over 90% effective in late-stage clinical trials.
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Coronavirus surge 'likely' 2 to 3 weeks post-Thanksgiving, Fauci says

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Another coronavirus surge is likely to hit the U.S. in the two- to three-week period following Thanksgiving, says Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert. The country is already experiencing record highs in coronavirus hospitalizations, topping 100,000 on Wednesday, with the figure climbing to 100,667 in hospital care as of Dec.3, according to data compiled by the Covid Tracking Project.

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Republican Sen. Mitt Romney put Trump on blast, saying his leadership, or lack thereof, during the pandemic a ' great human tragedy'. When asked where Trump's leadership is as the President focuses on other issues amid the worsening pandemic he said, "Well, this hasn't been the focus of his rhetoric, apparently, and I think it's a great human tragedy, without question,".

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romney calls trump's leadership on covid-19 'a great human tragedy' - cnnpolitics

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Romney calls Trump's leadership on Covid-19 'a great human tragedy'

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Republican Sen. Mitt Romney on Thursday blasted President Donald Trump's leadership -- or lack thereof -- during the deadly coronavirus pandemic as "a great human tragedy."

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On Wednesday in Alaska landslides caused four homes to be destroyed and six people are missing. There were many landslides but the one to cause the most destruction was 600 feet wide. The landslides also caused extreme floods which led to the mayor declaring an issue of emergency.

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Search and rescue operations will begin Thursday.

Six people are missing and at least four houses have been destroyed after a series of landslides hit Haines, Alaska, Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Several slides occurred during the day. The largest, in Battery Hill, was about 600 feet wide and trapped about 30 people. The victims were soon evacuated, Haines Borough Mayor Douglas Olerud told The Associated Press.

As of Wednesday night, there are approximately 9 feet of mud and trees covering the area where the houses were destroyed, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

Search and rescue operations were suspended for the evening due to rumbling unstable ground. Juneau's Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Alaska State Troopers, Juneau Mountain Rescue, SEADOGS, and Capital City Fire Department medics will be departing Thursday morning on an Army Guard helicopter to assist in the rescue efforts. Due to severe turbulence, they were not able to visit the area Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the mayor issued a declaration of emergency due to the severe flooding in the area caused by a winter storm. The declaration states that due to heavy rain and snow, several roads are flooded and impassable and there was significant infrastructure loss due to the deterioration and collapse of roads. "Several Haines Borough residents have lost their homes both due to flooding and mud slides," Olerud's declaration states.

Due to the declaration of emergency, the town closed its school and non-essential businesses.

"Haines is going to be needing lots of prayers," Olerud wrote on his Facebook page Wednesday. "We have several roads that have washed out, mud slides, and houses flooding. Crews have been working all night but the amount of rain we are getting is making it difficult for them to address all the problems. Please be patient with each other. These are stressful times but Haines will come together and help each other. If you are in an emergency situation contact dispatch at 766-2121."

Various local businesses are helping out the community by providing food and blankets to those in need.

"To our Haines angels, thank you Sarah J's, Rusty Compass, Alpenglow and Krystal Lloyd for feeding our responders. Your support is greatly appreciated," the Haines Borough Police Department wrote on Facebook late Wednesday.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, groups are also organizing socially distanced evacuation efforts, and calling residents to leave their homes and convene at the beach, the police department announced on Facebook. On Wednesday, the mayor recommended residents living in risk zones evacuate to local hotels.

The Statewide Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is working on sheltering and other disaster aspects, and the Alaska State Troopers are working with government and non-government agencies to get residents affected the help they need, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

"At this point we are aware that damage has occurred in the town of Haines following the report of multiple landslides in the borough," Capt. Stephen White, commander of Coast Guard Sector Juneau, said in a statement, according to the AP. "The scope of the damage is unknown at this time but we are proactively moving several assets and personnel to provide assistance to local first responders and the residents who may have been impacted by the landslides."

Haines Borough is currently running on an emergency power supply, as Lutak Dock, where the town receives its fuel barge, is on the other side of one of the washed out roads, Olerud's declaration states. The declaration will remain in place for at least seven days.
ABC News' Michelle Mendez contributed to this report.

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6 people missing after Alaska landslides, at least 4 homes destroyed

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Search and rescue operations will begin Thursday. Six people are missing and at least four houses have been destroyed after a series of landslides hit Haines, Alaska, Wednesday afternoon, authorities said. Several slides occurred during the day. The largest, in Battery Hill, was about 600 feet wide and trapped about 30 people.