virus, not ourselves. >> unlike the previous strains, it transmits very readily to the air to large numbers of people. >> if we wait and see, then by the time we're seeing, it's always too late to act. >> it is being called an unpleasant case of deja vu. the u.s. sees another covid winter surge, but this time it's the omicron variant taking over. we are just hours away from president biden's speech on the pandemic. what will he tell americans as they head into the holidays? and jury deliberations will begin in the trial of the killing of daunte wright. we'll have closing arguments in the trial of the police officer kim potter. >> announcer: live from london, this is "cnn newsroom" with isa soares. welcome, everyone. it is tuesday, december 21st, and we begin with a staggering