Fauci says to cancel New Year's Eve parties, as millions struggle for normalcy nearly two years into pandemic

Top White House coronavirus adviser Anthony Fauci said on CNN Monday morning that Americans should cancel their New Year's Eve parties due to the increasing spread of the omicron coronavirus variant, as Americans struggle to find some normalcy as the pandemic wraps up its second year. 

"I would stay away from that," Fauci said when asked about the annual parties on CNN's "New Day." 

"I have been telling people consistently that if you're vaccinated and boosted and you have a family setting, in the home with family and relatives," it's OK to gather, Fauci continued. "But when you're talking about a New Year's Eve party, we have 30, 40, 50 people celebrating. You do not know the status of their vaccination, I would recommend strongly stay away from that this year."

Fauci's advice comes on the heels of many state and local officials telling Americans that they should shun unvaccinated family members for Christmas, mask up around family members from other households or even cancel their Christmas gathering altogether for the second straight year.