“At least four U.S. cruise ships are reporting COVID-19 outbreaks aboard, leading to them being denied entry to — or turned away from — foreign ports.” It’s like deja vu, but at hyper speed. Covid updates from ABC News.

+ Between Christmas and New Year’s, doctors expect the US Omicron surge to grow. (It still looks less deadly as long as you’re boosted. And there are still signs it’s going to be fast and furious, but short in duration.)

+ If only everyone was working towards the vaccination goal. WaPo: 5 GOP-led states extend unemployment aid to workers who lose jobs over vaccine mandates.