CNN Reporter Who Cried Live on Air: "Angry at Those Ignoring COVID"

"Tears Over the Bleak Reality of Holding Parents' Funeral in a Parking Lot"

A CNN reporter covering the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus outbreak was suddenly seen sobbing live on air on the 12th. Many comments expressing sympathy were posted on the reporter's Twitter account. Photo by CNN Twitter capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] An American CNN reporter covering the chaotic medical scenes caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was shown breaking down in tears during a live broadcast. This happened as the reporter became emotionally overwhelmed while reporting on the devastating medical situation due to COVID-19. Viewers and the reporter’s Twitter followers empathized with the effort to report the vivid scenes and the emotions felt during the process, expressing that everyone must do their best to prevent COVID-19.

The main figure is Sarah Sidner, a CNN reporter. On the 12th (local time), she visited a COVID-19 treatment hospital in California to cover medical staff, patients, and their families. In California, around 30,000 new confirmed cases are reported daily, leaving hospital beds and medical personnel depleted. As the number of deaths rapidly increases, even funeral homes are overwhelmed and unable to meet the requests of bereaved families. Medical staff are exhausted from the influx of patients, and patients and their families live in sorrow and pain.

During her coverage, Sidner met a woman who lost her mother and adoptive father to COVID-19. In an interview with Sidner, the woman said, "Due to the shortage of funeral homes, we held my parents’ funeral in the hospital parking lot," and appealed, "If you truly love someone, please follow the prevention guidelines to the end so that this does not happen."

After the interview video ended, the camera focused on Sidner, who said, "This hospital is the 10th hospital I have visited... 10 hospitals... I’m sorry. The situation at 10 hospitals is..." but she could not finish her sentence and burst into tears.

The anchor said, "Your sorrow is a collective grief and trauma that we all are experiencing. There is no need to apologize."

The next day, on the 13th, Sidner posted an article titled "Why I Could Not Hold Back Tears on Live TV" on CNN’s website.

In the article, Sidner wrote, "I cried out of anger toward those ignoring prevention rules and the bleak reality of having to hold a funeral in a parking lot," and "I imagined her greeting the morning alone in an empty house without her parents. There is nothing lonelier and more painful than losing family."

CNN reporter Sarah Sidner is raising awareness of the devastating medical situation through social media. Photo by Sarah Sidner SNS capture.

Sidner said, "While visiting 10 hospitals, I saw patients struggling in intensive care units and eventually passing away," and "Even though the COVID-19 outbreak has lasted for a year, I witnessed the tired faces of doctors and nurses who still have to fight as if it were the first outbreak."

She added, "On the other hand, on my way home, I met people at a gas station mocking me, asking 'Why are you wearing a mask?'"

She appealed, "How painful it is to constantly face two different worlds in a beautiful but imperfect America. One is a world based on reality, and the other is based on conspiracy and lack of understanding. You saw anger in my tears. I sincerely worry about America and COVID-19."

Sidner’s news video spread through social media, and netizens responded with support, saying, "I cried along too," "She is the reporter with the warmest heart," "It was an impressive report," and "I watched your news this morning. Thank you for informing us about these things."