Despite these really horrific numbers, there are still political leaders downplaying the severity or even the existence of the pandemic. To that, one of the top federal officials overseeing the Pandemic Response had this to say this morning to cnns john berman. We have hundreds of thousands of dead americans. Well have millions of people around the world. This is not phony, this is not fake. It is serious. It is serious. And today were going to focus in on not only hospitals getting hammered right now and also the hope these vaccines are bringing, but also on the wider ripple effects of the pandemic. Restaurants forced to close their doors, schools trying the best to the best they can to keep their doors open as we enter this dark winter. Lets turn first to capitol hill. The top leaders in congress are offering up clear signs that they are confident a covid relief bill is coming but, yes, you have heard this before. No, they dont have a lot of time left. Cnns manu raju is tracking this