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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

90,000+ Americans in Hospital, 17th Straight Day with New Record; Trump Speaks to Reporters for First Time Since Election Day; Bidens Thank Front-Line Workers for Their Sacrifice; National Retail Federation Predicts Strong Holiday Sales; Europe Shudders as U.S. Witnesses New Surge of Infections; Lamar Jackson Tests Positive for COVID-19. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired November 27, 2020 - 05:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[05:00:19]

LAURA JARRETT, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world. Welcome to a special holiday edition of EARLY START. I'm Laura Jarrett.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Boris Sanchez, in for Christine Romans. Great to see you as always, Laura.

It's Friday.

JARRETT: Great to have you.

SANCHEZ: Thanks so much. It's Friday, November 27th. 5:00 a.m. in New York, and we're officially in the Christmas season.

Unfortunately, all the numbers, the trends are heading in the wrong direction when it comes to coronavirus.

JARRETT: That's right. It would normally be a day filled with leftover, family, friends, maybe some Black Friday shopping. Instead, for the 17th straight day, a new record number of Americans are suffering with coronavirus, not in the comfort of their own homes but in a hospital.

The number of Americans fighting for their lives in a hospital right now, over 90,000 for the first time. That's up by more than a third in just two weeks, and we're not even through the worse of it yet.

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DR. PETER HOTEZ, DEAN, NATIONAL SCHOOL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE: What we're seeing is the entire midsection of the country screaming at high levels and unfortunately, now, 2,000 deaths per day is going to be the new normal. We'll probably head to 3,000 deaths per day.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Three thousand deaths per day. Air travel on Wednesday breaking the pandemic era record, more than a million people deciding to fly, along with 6 million who decided to travel by air before the holiday. Most travelers are expected to return home all at once on Sunday, only compounding the potential for spreading the virus. And it appears we don't yet have a full picture of how many cases there have been in the United States.

A CDC study suggests we are vastly under counting: the data indicates only one in eight COVID cases in the U.S. may have been counted so far, and for all of those missed cases are missed transmissions which increases the spread everywhere. Emergency authorization of a vaccine could be weeks away as states are currently negotiating to get their hands on it.

Remember, the FDA predicted 40 million doses could be available initially. But that's only enough for 20 million people since each person will need two doses.

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DR. NGOZI EZIKE, DIRECTOR, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH: We have had a readjustment of the numbers quoted to us. I have talked to a number of state health officials. They have had a proportional decrease in their counts. We're still waiting to see answers, understanding maybe why that is. But it seems that the initial allotment that we thought would be ready to go out, that number has decreased and so as a result all of the states are going to get a smaller amount.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: At the same time, key pandemic relief programs are set to expire at the end of the year. What does that mean? Expanded unemployment benefits, eviction protection, extra paid family leave and a pause on student loan payments. Already, more than 50 million Americans, 50 million Americans are facing food insecurity. America's food banks are being stretched to their limits. The same way it's possible to have enough ICU beds, enough doctors to staff them, that's a problem.

Well, soup kitchens and charities may have the food but not the volunteers. Older volunteers at high risk from COVID are staying home and some other volunteers are suddenly in need themselves.

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CLAIRE BABINEAUX-FONTENOT, CEO, FEEDING AMERICA: About 40 percent of the people who are turning to food banks around the country are people who never before relied on the food system. What was really shocking was how often sometimes we did recognize them because they used to be volunteers in the food bank. And they found themselves in need of our services when they used to be the ones helping their neighbors.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Now some proceeds from an Emmy winning documentary will go to help the nation's hungry. The GOAT, Michael Jordan, donating $2 million from the series "The Last Dance" to feeding America's food banks in the Carolinas, and Chicago. Jordan says in a year of unimaginable difficulty, it's more important than ever to pause and give thanks.

JARRETT: And yet, the pandemic and struggles of every day Americans were not the focus for the president as he took questions Thursday for the first time since losing the election. He says he plans to go to Georgia to campaign for two Republican senators facing runoffs in January. Those races of course will determine control of the Senate, with huge ramifications for the next two years.

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DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Speaking of Georgia, I'll be going there. I spoke with two great senators, they're great senators. We're looking for a site. We're going to have a tremendous turnout, and maybe I'll go twice. It's very important that we win those races. These are two great people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: The president also said for the first time he will leave the White House if the Electoral College declares Biden the winner of the election. But then in the next breath, he said that would be a mistake.

[05:05:03]

And he took time to repeat more baseless claims about the election, never missing a chance to gin up supporters with conspiracy theories, as long as he has the platform to do so.

Kaitlan Collins has more.

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KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, Boris and Laura, the president has not taken a question in over three weeks since the day of the election, and he broke that streak on Thanksgiving, finally taking questions from reporters after he held a call with members of the military.

As he spoke to us, he repeated his accusations of widespread fraud in the elections, something his attorneys have been saying without evidence for weeks now. Also saying if the Electoral College certifies Joe Biden's win in a matter of weeks as they are scheduled to do.

One thing he did say that he would leave the White House, he said, of course, I would, should January come and push come to shove. There have been these theories about whether or not he'd actually leave the White House.

REPORTER: If the Electoral College does elect President-elect Joe Biden, are you going to not leave the building? TRUMP: Certainly, I will. Certainly, I will. And you know that. But I

think that there will be a lot of things happening between now and the 20th of January, a lot of things. It's going to be a very hard thing to concede because we know there was massive fraud.

COLLINS: He also criticized that Biden is moving ahead with transitioning to the presidency by picking people who are going to be in his cabinet, and he wouldn't say whether or not he's going to attend Biden's inauguration as, of course, is the precedent for past presidents in January.

And it's really notable, I can't stress enough, the president has had such a quiet period in his presidency where he has not taken questions, and, of course, now, after three weeks, we broke that streak, and we'll see if that continues with these baseless allegations about fraud.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: All right. Kaitlan Collins, thanks for that.

Ahead of his first highly classified presidential briefing on Monday, the announcements about his economic team next week, President-elect Joe Biden spent part of his Thanksgiving holiday speaking virtually to front line workers. He called it an honor to speak to some of the hero nurses and firefighters who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe.

MJ Lee is with the Biden transition team in Delaware.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MJ LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Laura and Boris.

Well, yesterday was obviously a very challenging Thanksgiving for so many families across the country who couldn't travel, who had to skip some of their usual traditions around the holidays couldn't be with the family members they wanted to be with, and the same was the case with the president-elect and his family, Joe Biden and his wife staying back here in Delaware where as in past years they would have gotten together with their extended family and traveled out of state, and we have heard Biden talk in the last couple of days a lot about the sacrifices that people are making across the country, and that he really understands what these folks are going through.

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT-ELECT: I know this isn't the way many of us hoped we'd spend our holiday. We know that a small act of staying home is a gift to our fellow Americans. Yes, it's a personal sacrifice that each of our families can make, and should make to save somebody else's life. But it's also a shared sacrifice for the whole country. A statement of common purpose that says we care about one another, and we're all in this together.

LEE: An important message that we have been hearing from Biden over and over again, is just urging people to act responsibly, saying we could be so close to turning a corner, particularly as we get closer and closer to vaccine distribution, happening across the country. So, this has been a consistent message on the coronavirus pandemic from the future president.

Laura and Boris, back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JARRETT: MJ, thank you for that report.

Millions of Americans are struggling to pay the bills right now. So, what does it mean for one of the biggest shopping days of the year? Retail forecasts may surprise you.

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[05:13:03]

SANCHEZ: One of America's biggest holiday traditions upended today. Many big stores that normally open at midnight on Black Friday to a big rush through the doors did not do so, although some will hold events today against the advice of health experts and smaller retailers forced by the pandemic to shut down are pushing officials to allow them to stay open so customers can shop, and employees can work.

So, what is the financial forecast for the holiday shopping season?

CNN's Cristina Alesci has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CRISTINA ALESCI, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Laura, Boris, the National Retail Federation is painting a rosy picture of holiday sales. The trade group predicts that customers will spend between 3.6 and 5.2 percent more this November and December versus the same period last year. That means nearly as much as $776 billion over those two months alone.

Now, the group's estimate comes as millions of Americans are still out of work and another 778,000 filed for first time unemployment benefits just last week. This underscores how the pandemic continues to deepen the divide between two groups of Americans. Workers who have been negatively impacted, lower income and standing in line at food banks across the country, and those that have been able to weather the crisis for various reasons, maybe because they can do their jobs remotely or because they're wealthy.

The National Retail Federation is banking on that latter group, seeking retail therapy. The NRF says this about consumers, after all they have been through, we think there's going to be a psychological factor that they owe it to themselves and their families to have a better than normal holiday. There are risks to the economy if the virus continues to spread, but as long as consumers remain confident and upbeat, they will spend for the holiday season -- Boris, Laura.

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[05:15:01]

JARRETT: Cristina Alesci, thank you so much for that.

Let's jump overseas where Germany's capital of Berlin not easing coronavirus restrictions over Christmas. That's a break with France and Britain which will loosen their rules for the holidays if cases drop enough.

There's a surge in infections around the world right now. Take a look at that. That skyrocketing red line is the United States far above any other country. Even European nations with big populations are far behind the U.S. The global perception of America taking a big hit over the country's handling of the pandemic.

CNN's Melissa Bell is live in Paris.

Melissa, nice to see you this morning. How did Europe get this right? Obviously, the restrictions, the lockdowns have been in place. But why are they doing so much better than the United States?

MELISSA BELL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, what's been interesting with the first wave and second wave is its westward progression globally, Laura, has allowed us to see how different countries cope in Europe in the first wave and second wave really has managed to find the right way to do it. What does that involve, essentially listening to the science and consistent and clear government messaging.

So, you're right, those figures here in France and in England and also in Germany, because the second lock downs were brought in fairly effectively, fairly quickly, and fairly tightly, those numbers that had been soaring a month ago in all of those countries really brought back under control, which is what is allowing authorities to say they're looking at loosening the restrictions for Christmas.

But, as you mentioned, Laura, and this is crucial, only if the figures allow it. So, France will lift the partial lock down on December 15th if it's reached the target of no more than 5,000 new cases. The United Kingdom as well, England particularly will be reassessing in mid- December whether it's changed to that regional tiered system is working enough that Christmas is allowed to happen in certain conditions.

Germany, another good example. It is because the figures are beginning to improve that although the restrictions will stay in place until January of next year in order to ensure that that remains the case, they will be loosening restrictions with ten people allowed at home.

But as you say, Berlin saying we're not going to do that. Our figures do not allow it. The restrictions of no more than five people per household remain in place, whether or not that gets in the way of your Christmas plans.

So, again, a real ability of governments to come down hard, come down strict when it came to imposing lockdowns, clear messaging, and again, a sense of if you're going to have to sacrifice holiday joy and family get together to avoid the third wave, then that's what's going to have to happen. So, you're looking at countries that are going to try to make it work

but for now, that's far from guaranteed.

JARRETT: Yeah, of course, the hope is that if you lock down hard you can avoid doing it once again. But, clearly, so many countries are struggling with that right now.

All right. Melissa Bell in Paris, thank you.

SANCHEZ: A coronavirus outbreak for the Ravens could sideline the reigning MVP for Baltimore's biggest game of the year so far. Your "Bleacher Report" is next.

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[05:22:27]

JARRETT: All right. The NFL's reigning MVP reportedly tests positive for COVID-19, casting doubt on an already rescheduled game.

Carolyn Manno has this morning's "Bleacher Report".

Hey, Carolyn.

CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESOPNDENT: Hey, Laura, good morning.

As you noted, the Ravens were supposed to play the undefeated Steelers in a primetime meeting that so many were looking forward to, but a positive test within Baltimore's organization pushed the game until Sunday and a lot of things are up in the air.

This is being called a widespread outbreak in Baltimore, and we're learning that ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is now reportedly positive for the virus. He's arguably the highest pro profile player to contract COVID-19 to date. The status for Sunday's game between the AFC North rivals in question.

Not counting Jackson, the Ravens already have ten players sidelined by the virus. Back up quarterback, Robert Griffin III, who would likely start on Sunday tweeting, playing for my brother Lamar, and every staff, ensuring the safety of the entire organization is important. Handling this outbreak within the team is bigger than football.

With last night's schedule impacted, only two Thanksgiving Day games, instead of usual three. And in his first start on the holiday, Texans quarterback, Deshaun Watson making it look easy against the Lions. Up by 14 here in the 4th, 17 in the 4th, excuse me, Watson handing off to Duke Johnson, turns around, throws the back ball to Watson, and Watson airs it out to wide open Will Fuller for the touchdown.

Fuller just a fourth player to have two touchdowns in more than 170 receiving yards on Thanksgiving. He finished with four touchdown passes, Watson did, and a 16-point win over Detroit. Just incredible.

In a later game, Washington rookie Antonio Gibson made the most of playing in front of a national audience, carving up the cowboys to the tune of three rushing touchdowns, he's the first rookie to have three TDs on Thanksgiving since Hall of Famer Randy Moss back in 1998. Gibson, thankful after the game saying he never would have dreamt in a million years that he would have a performance like that. Washington moving into first place in the NFC East with a 25-point blow out.

Meantime, in college football, eleven games postponed this week because of concerns about coronavirus, and this does not bode well for the college basketball season which is underway. The season opener for both top ranked Gonzaga and number six Kansas. These teams were one and two in the polls last season because March Madness is called off.

And Bulldogs freshman Jalen Suggs wasn't part of the team then, but his college career off to a flying start after some foul trouble in the first half.

[05:25:02]

He scored 17 in his 24 in second. Kansas fighting back from a 14-point deficit. Couldn't hold off the Zags who ended up winning by 12.

And lastly for you this morning, we are hours away from the match three. All eyes will be on Charles Barkley's swing this holiday weekend. His teammate Phil Mickelson sharing some pro tips off the tee. Win or lose against Peyton Manning and Steph Curry, you know this is going to be entertaining with those four guys.

You can watch it today at 3:00 Eastern on our sister channel TNT. This is for a great cause, too, proceeds from the event benefitting historically black colleges and universities.

Boris, I know I'm looking forward to it, and I know you're a sports fan. So, what's the play here, are you going to do a turkey sandwich? Or are you going to do a full dinner play? What are we -- what are we thinking?

SANCHEZ: I'm not sure. I don't have leftovers from yesterday. I might switch it up.

I do have to say, though, it looks like Charles has been listening to Phil because his swing looks a lot better than I remember it, right? It used to be like a three part sort of mechanical thing. It's a lot smoother now.

MANNO: It's getting there. He's no Tiger Woods. We may have traded one of the best for one of the worst, but it's getting better.

SANCHEZ: Right. Carolyn Manno, thank you so much for that.

A quick programming note to share with you. Another powerful season of "THIS IS LIFE WITH LISA LING", as she documents the unlikely bond between high schoolers and prison inmates and examines how the digital age is impacting a generation of young boys. A new season of "THIS IS LIFE" premieres with back to back episodes right here Sunday at 9:00 p.m., only on CNN.

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