Full transcript of "Face the Nation" on December 26, 2021
On this "Face the Nation" broadcast, Vice President Kamala Harris joins Margaret Brennan.
COVID-19
Omicron surge disrupts Christmas holiday
The surge of the Omicron variant worldwide is impacting travel this holiday season. Studies show that while Omicron is less likely to result in hospitalization, but Dr. Anthony Fauci is warning Americans not to get complacent. Former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden joins CBSN for more.
COVID surge prompts online Christmas services
Many churches made the difficult decision to forego in-person services for Christmas yet again, as the Omicron variant fuels a spike in coronavirus cases nationwide. Elise Preston reports.
Hundreds more U.S. flights canceled on Christmas due to Omicron
United, Delta and other domestic airlines have scrubbed hundreds of flights, although holiday travel remains brisk.
Pandemic causes more flight cancellations
Hundreds of flights in the U.S. and thousands worldwide have been canceled this Christmas due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, fueled by the highly contagious Omicron variant. CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg joins CBSN to discuss what travelers can do to help navigate the chaos.
Holiday COVID surge & flight cancellations
A rise in COVID-19 cases is forcing airlines to cancel hundreds of flights and disrupting Americans' holiday plans. CBS News' Michael George reports, and then CBSN's Debra Alfarone talks with Washington Post health and science reporter Fenit Nirappil about navigating the second year of holidays in the pandemic.
Pope Francis’ Christmas blessing
Pope Francis is urging the world to be more open to dialogue this Christmas. In his holiday message delivered Saturday morning, he says that is key to resolving the large number of conflicts seen in places like Syria, Iraq and Yemen. It comes as Christians throughout Europe try to embrace the holiday while keeping concerns about Omicron in mind. Roxana Saberi has that part of the story.
Holiday travel hit by latest COVID surge
The holiday season is being dampened by the coronavirus pandemic again this year. More than 700 U.S. flights are already canceled today and that's on top of hundreds that were called off on Christmas Eve. The holiday travel woes are the latest reminder of just how disruptive the pandemic has become. Michael George has more.
Omicron’s impact on Christmas in Bethlehem
For the second straight year, outside tourists will largely be barred from Bethlehem for Christmas because of COVID-19. CBS News foreign correspondent Ian Lee reports on the global Christmas Eve celebrations, and CBS News radio correspondent Robert Berger joined CBSN with how Bethlehem is observing the holiday amid the pandemic.
Bethlehem traditions continue despite pandemic
Christmas celebrations continued this year despite rising COVID-19 cases. Pope Francis held a Christmas Eve Mass with about 1,500 attendees as smaller crowds gathered in the city of Bethlehem. Imtiaz Tyab has more.
Shorter COVID isolation time for health workers
The Biden administration is lifting COVID-related travel restrictions on eight African nations December 31. And the CDC is shortening the isolation time for health care workers who test positive for COVID-19 from 10 days to seven. Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert and senior scholar at Johns Hopkins University, joins CBSN's Elise Preston to discuss the latest on the pandemic.
Tips for coping with holiday stress
Travel snafus and the rise in COVID-19 cases will keep some families apart during this holiday season, adding to the stress level many Americans are feeling. Psychiatrist and certified addiction medicine physician Dr. Daniel Bober joins CBSN to share his advice.
COVID curtails Christmas plans worldwide
Countries around the world are scaling back Christmas celebrations for the second year in a row as the Omicron variant causes another wave of COVID-19. CBS News correspondent Roxana Saberi joins CBSN from London with the latest on the impact.
Bidens to spend Christmas at White House
President Biden and his family will spend Christmas at the White House this year, instead of traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands. And Vice President Kamala Harris will receive another COVID-19 test after one of her staff members tested positive this week. She and her husband are spending Christmas in Los Angeles. CBS News correspondent Christina Ruffini joins CBSN from the White House with more.
Essential workers slammed again as Omicron variant spreads
COVID-19 is again hitting nurses, flight crews and other frontline staff. "We don't have enough hands," one grocery worker says.
COVID antiviral pills could be game changer—if you can find them
Supplies of antiviral pills from Pfizer initially will be scarce, with some states getting only 100 courses of treatment.
Flights canceled, plans upended by Omicron
The COVID-19 Omicron variant is wreaking havoc on holiday plans. CBS News' Courtney Kealy reports, then Dr. Bob Lahita spoke with Bradley Blackburn on CBSN about what you should know if you're going to gather with your family this Christmas.
Religious pilgrimages on the rebound after pandemic put them on hold
The coronavirus pandemic forced the Catholic Church to cancel its annual pilgrimage in 2020, but this year travelers were back.
U.S. COVID cases surge ahead of holidays
New cases of the Omicron variant are spreading rapidly in the U.S. ahead of the holidays. People are dealing with long lines at testing sites across the nation. At-home testing kits are also short in supply and pharmacies are limiting how many customers can buy. CBS News correspondent Nancy Chen reports from New York City. Then critical care physician Dr. Lakshmana Swamy joins CBSN's Debra Alfarone to discuss the latest on the pandemic.
Omicron spike sparks surge in COVID testing
This year's holiday season is looking like a repeat of last year -- all thanks to the Omicron variant. Cases are surging, hospitalizations are rising and health care workers are overwhelmed. Nancy Chen has the latest.
COVID precautions for holiday gathering
With COVID-19 cases once again on the rise, what can you do to best protect your family during holiday gatherings? Dr. Jon LaPook has the answers.
Scientists learn more about risk from Omicron
New studies out of South Africa and the U.K. suggest the Omicron variant is less likely to cause hospitalizations -- but it can still be deadly. The FDA also authorized a new antiviral pill to treat COVID-19. CBS News' Nancy Chen reports on the latest, and then Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, spoke with Jessi Mitchell on CBSN about the Omicron research and how some patients are experiencing different symptoms than earlier strains.
Biden defends response to Omicron
President Biden is addressing growing frustration with long COVID testing lines across the country. Some critics argue the federal government should be doing more. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe joined CBSN with details.
FDA approves second COVID treatment pill
The FDA has authorized the second antiviral pill to treat COVID-19. CBS News' Michael George reports. Then Dr. Jeremy Faust, emergency physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital at Harvard Medical School, joins CBSN to break down how the drugs work. He also explains why he thinks the CDC should implement "circuit breakers," short-term restrictions on high-risk activities to help curb the spread of the Omicron variant.
CDC shortens isolation time for health care workers with COVID-19
Federal officials say the change was motivated by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant and a staffing crunch at hospitals nationwide.
Fed lowers interest rates by 0.25 percentage points in first cut since 2024
The Federal Reserve is cutting its benchmark interest rate as the U.S. economy faces headwinds, including a faltering labor market.
5 police officers shot in York County, Pennsylvania; Shapiro headed to scene
Five officers were shot in in York County, Pennsylvania, Wednesday afternoon, officials say.
Maps show the forecast track of Tropical Storm Gabrielle
Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed Wednesday morning over the central Atlantic Ocean, becoming the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
Trump attends banquet dinner with King Charles during 2nd state visit to U.K.
Trump is receiving the royal treatment from King Charles on a historic second U.K. state visit, but he's been greeted also by protests over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
FBI Director Kash Patel faces questions on Epstein files at House hearing
FBI Director Kash Patel appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for a second day of questioning by lawmakers.
Ousted CDC Director Susan Monarez testifies about RFK Jr., vaccines
Former CDC Director Susan Monarez and Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry testified before a Senate panel weeks after departing in a dramatic shakeup at the health agency.
Bear seriously injures hiker in "surprise encounter" at Yellowstone
The 29-year-old man suffered injuries to his chest and arm in Tuesday's attack on the Turbid Lake Trail northeast of Yellowstone Lake.
The IRS will soon set its 2026 tax brackets. See how yours could change.
The IRS adjusts its tax provisions for inflation every year, which can help taxpayers avoid so-called "bracket creep."
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