CNN's Sara Sidner moved to tears covering COVID-19 havoc: 'It's really hard to take'
Sometimes the weight of the pandemic is just too much to take.
CNN correspondent Sara Sidner broke down Tuesday while reporting on COVID-19 and its impact on communities of color from California. Sidner's report included an interview with Juliana Jimenez Sesma, who lost her mother and stepfather less than two weeks apart, according to the report. The family held a funeral in a parking lot.
"This is the tenth hospital that I have been – I'm sorry," Sidner told "New Day" host Alisyn Camerota before trailing off. "I apologize," said Sidner. "I'm gonna try to get through this."
With tears in her eyes, she began again. "This is the tenth hospital that I have been in, and to see the way that these families have to live after this, and the heartache that goes so far and so wide... It's really hard to take. I'm sorry, Alisyn."
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Camerota assured her colleague there was "no apology needed," as Sidner wiped away tears. "We’ve been watching your reporting on the ground throughout this horrific year, and we have all been struck by the grief – by the collective grief that all of us are in,” she said.
Sidner stressed the importance of doing one's part to stop the spread.
"These families should not be going through this. No family should be going through this," she said. "Do whatever you can to keep this from killing your family members and your neighbors and your friends and your teachers and doctors and firefighters. All of these people are here to help you, but you have to do your part.”
Sidner received support from journalists on Twitter, including CNN Political Correspondent Abby Phillip, who will host her own show for the network starting Jan. 24.
".@sarasidnerCNN we love you," posted Phillip. "Thank you for your heart and dedication to your work. The stories you tell will save lives."
Thank you @abbydphillip," Sidner responded. "I needed to compose myself but failed. This means a lot."
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: COVID-19: CNN's Sara Sidner moved to tears covering pandemic havoc
