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New Day
Rhode Island Is Warning Residents That Hospitals Have Hit Capacity With New Patients; Isai Morocho, 16, Thought To Be The Youngest Person In Wisconsin To Die Of The Coronavirus; Republican Election Officials In Georgia Rejecting Bogus Claims Of Voter Fraud By President Trump; Sen. Kelly Loeffler And Reverend Raphael Warnock Will Debate This Sunday; Head Of The FDA Has Been Summoned To The White House To Explain Why He Has Not Moved Faster On A Vaccine Approval. Aired 7:30-8a ET
Aired December 01, 2020 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[07:33:10]
JOHN BERMAN, CNN HOST: Rhode Island is warning residents that hospitals have hit capacity as the state hits another record number of patients. People in Rhode Island got this emergency alert on their cell phones urging people to help the frontline by staying home as much as possible for the next two weeks. No space in the hospitals.
The state now has two field hospitals to deal with the surge.
Joining us now is Dr. Megan Ranney. She's an emergency physician and Director of the Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health in Providence. Dr. Ranney, thank you so much for being with us.
When this alert when out on cell phones across Rhode Island, you retweeted it. You took a screen shot of it and you retweeted it and you wrote, this is my state right now. To all the people who I don't tag because they don't deserve the notoriety who accused me of being a fear monger, I hope you don't get sick from COVID-19 or anything else because we have nowhere to treat you, hospitals at capacity, that message says.
So, why did you send out that tweet? What was your thinking of sending that out?
DR. MEGAN RANNEY, DIRECTOR, BROWN-LIFESPAN CENTER FOR DIGITAL HEALTH: So, I was actually pulling into my hospital parking lot at that moment when I got the text message. I had spent the entire weekend working in our emergency department taking care of patients in whatever spaces we could find because there are no in-patient beds to be had right now.
We have not just patients who are sick with COVID-19, but patients who are sick with all the other regular things, with infections and heart attacks and strokes. And I'll tell you, a lot of the patients I took care of had caught it because they'd been out and about and a lot of them had spent Thanksgiving with their families.
So, I'm looking forward and seeing that we are going to face a surge of infections over the next couple of weeks and I'm worried that we're not going to be able to adequately take care of the patients who come through our doors.
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN HOST: And so, Doctor, I hear your concern obviously and you've spelled out why you're so worried. We're now five days after Thanksgiving.
[07:35:00]
Is this -- is this what we're seeing? I mean, there was already obviously an incline before Thanksgiving and that's why health experts were warning everybody to stay at home, but do you think that what you're seeing with no beds available, can you link that to the holiday?
RANNEY: No, not yet Alisyn. It is too early to see that surge from the holiday. We know from July 4 and Memorial Day that where we started to see the surge in hospitalizations was two or three or even four weeks later, once those initials infections got bad enough to need to be hospitalized and once those initial infections got past on again and again.
So, what we're seeing today is just what was happening in Rhode Island already. What I'm scared about is what we're going to see in two or three weeks and that's why opening the field hospitals now makes sense.
It lets us get a few patients out of the hospital now, they're not being fully utilized yet, but they're there and we will be ready and we'll be used to staffing them so that when that worse surge comes in two or three weeks we'll be fully at capacity in at training to make the best use of the field hospitals.
BERMAN: If we could put up that hospitalization chart again, the one that showed the two peeks, one early in the spring and one right now, so people can get a sense of what you're talking about here. People can see that hospitalizations now in Rhode Island are at or higher than they were and Rhode Island got hit pretty hard at the beginning of this.
And you're telling me that in three weeks it could be that much worse again? Now, I understand you're opening two field hospitals, but where on earth are all the people going to go and what happens if there aren't beds?
RANNEY: John, that is the question. You know, I'm thankful to be in a state where the governor looked ahead and built the field hospitals. I am thankful to be part of a group where we are able to take three doctors out of our rotation for an entire week.
We have one E.R. doc who's working the day shift, one who's working the evening shift and one who's working the overnight for seven days straight in that field hospital. We have pharmacists and techs, but at some point if and when we get sick and when the patients keep going, you know, I'm just as worried about staffing as I am about beds, because a bed is useless if you don't have a doctor, a nurse or a tech to take care of the patient in that bed.
I hope that Rhode Islanders follow the pause that our governor has put in place, that they do stay home, avoid indoor restaurants. Our bars are closed, our gyms are closed, I hope that we protect our schools and our healthcare workers, but man, I -- I am worried.
BERMAN: I think we all are and we appreciate you being with us this morning sounding the alarm, because the next three weeks and we're heading up into Christmas now, when people may very well do the same things they did at Thanksgiving, so it could be sometime before this trend reverses. Thanks for being with us and thanks for what you do.
CAMEROTA: Thanks, Dr. Ranney.
BERMAN: We want to remember some of the more than 268,000 Americans lost to coronavirus.
Only 16-years-old, Isai Morocho is thought to be the youngest person in Wisconsin to die of the virus. His family says the high school junior was so excited about life it made you want to see what he would do with it.
Tom Keene served decades as a firefighter then fire chief in his hometown in Maine. He was diabetic, he lost both legs, they both had been amputated, but his wife tells our affiliate there that never stopped him. She said, today he'd be out here snow blowing the driveway. He was 66-years-old.
Joel Luna decided to document his struggle with the virus on social media, although he was a professional comedian, he said this COVID stuff is no joke. And just two days later he died of it.
Luna performed as Joe El Cholo in big clubs like the Hollywood Improv and the Icehouse in Pacadena, he was just 38-years-old.
We'll be right back.
[07:39:10]
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[07:43:30]
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BRAD RAFFENSPERGER (R), GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE: There are those who are exploiting the emotions of many Trump supporters with fantastic claims, half truths, misinformation and frankly they are misleading the president as well apparently.
GABRIEL STERLING, GEORGIA'S VOTING IMPLEMENTATION MANAGER: The ridiculous things claimed in some of these lawsuits are just that, they are insanity, it's fever dream, made up. (END VIDEO CLIP)
CAMEROTA: Republican election officials in Georgia rejecting bogus claims of voter fraud by President Trump and his legal team. The president also tweeting attacks on the Republican governors of Georgia and Arizona for refusing to overturn the results of the election.
Joining us now is Georgia's Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan. Good morning Lieutenant Governor.
LT. GOV. GEOFF DUNCAN (R-GA): Good morning Alisyn.
CAMEROTA: Of all this misinformation I know you're super concerned about it, I've heard you talk about it, and your Governor Brian Kemp was so concerned this his office put out this statement yesterday, Georgia law prohibits the governor from interfering in elections. The Secretary of State, who is an elected constitutional officer, has oversight over elections that cannot be overridden by executive order.
It sounds like Governor Kemp's statement there is saying that President Trump is trying to get Governor Kemp to interfere in the election. Is that your take on it?
DUNCAN: Well, it's an honor to go to work everyday with Governor Kemp, certainly over the first two years of both of our term, we've had a lot of challenges, right? We've had hurricanes, we've had pandemics, social unrest, we've had an economy hit by the pandemic and he's certainly been a steadfast conservative leader through it all, really looking through the lens of a small business owner.
And Secretary Raffensperger also, you know, we served together in the House and his conservative track record in the House has definitely is what led him to be able to serve as our Secretary of State and both are working hard.
[07:45:00]
Alisyn, I've told this to you before, just because the person we voted for, us three, didn't win the election here in Georgia doesn't change our job description.
CAMEROTA: Well, President Trump doesn't see it that way. He thinks that there's some sort of corruption that, I don't know, maybe all of you are engaged in. Here's what he said this weekend on TV.
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DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They had judges making deals and they had electoral officials making deals, like this character in Georgia, who's a disaster and the Governor's done nothing, he's done absolutely nothing. I'm ashamed that I endorsed him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CAMEROTA: I think when he says this character in Georgia he's talking about Brad Raffensperger. Were there backroom deals being made in Georgia like the president is suggesting?
DUNCAN: No, certainly not. And you know what Alisyn, what is alarming is the amount of misinformation that continues to flow. It's alarming to me. It is certainly disheartening to watch folks willing to kind of put their character and their morals out there just so that they can -- they can spread a half truth or a lie in the efforts to maybe flip an election. And certainly, that -- that's not what democracy's all about.
You know, I think -- I would urge the president, I would urge Republicans to redirect their post-election approach here. We both have short-term and long-term challenges if we don't.
I think short-term we run the risk of -- of alienating voters for our -- our Senate that -- that is coming upon us for Senator Loeffler and Senator Perdue and we need them. As a Republican I want them in that -- in that Senate. +
And long-term, I think we hurt the brand of our Republican Party, which is certainly bigger than one person long-term. And we've got an opportunity to learn from some important lessons here.
I think as a Republican I've learned that an outsider and change agent can be effective in D.C., but I've also learned that communicating is important. I think we want to see as Americans, we need to see leaders that inspire us and not talk down. I think that's a lesson as Republicans we can learn.
I think we can also learn to tackle some of the big issues like immigration, like healthcare and not just talk about the things we don't like, but really put some big plans on the table moving forward, lessons to be learned.
CAMEROTA: Yes, I hear you, but Lieutenant Governor, does President Trump bear some responsibility for the misinformation out there?
DUNCAN: Look, I'm not a fan of any of this misinformation. You know, look, I'm -- I'm concerned that -- that highly educated folks that I know, very successful people are sending me screenshots of Twitter posts or Facebook, you know, posts of misinformation that can be debunked in 30 seconds or less by anybody. It's disheartening, it's not American.
We are better than this, Alisyn, bipartisan we are better than this. And certainly, you know, I'm one of those that think our better -- we've got better days in front of us. This is America.
On January 20th when President-elect Biden is sworn in, this is going to still be America, this is still going to be a great place to raise your family and run your business. And certainly I'm going to fight hard for my conservative Republican policies over the next four years. That's what the Constitution affords me and -- and my party to do.
CAMEROTA: Do you worry that the seeds of doubt that President Trump is publically -- or publically planting, do you think that that will depress the vote for the Senate runoff races in January in Georgia? DUNCAN: I'm hoping not. I'm -- I'm working hard to make sure that both Senator Loeffler and Senator Perdue get to represent our values here in Georgia and -- and obviously because of the scenario represent Republican values for our country in the Senate.
So, hopefully it doesn't and I'm going to work hard. I would encourage both of the Senators to stay focused on the task at hand, winning the election, not getting wrapped up in any sort of election fraud or -- or any of that. Their election is way too important for this country.
CAMEROTA: Behind the scenes when you -- when a tweet like this happens from the president or he goes on TV and suggests that there is some sort of corruption in Georgia, is there talk, I mean with you and the Governor? Is there tension? What's the reaction when something like this happens?
DUNCAN: Look, our -- our job doesn't change. Our job is to make sure we -- we finalize the election process here, the final recount, which was requested by the president, should be completed tomorrow by midnight.
All accounts are that we're on track to certify the same results and continue to investigate any sort of issues of fraud or -- but -- but Alisyn, I think it's important to note, that, you know, we're almost a month into this and we have yet to see any sort of systemic fraud, any sort of organized effort around fraud.
And you know what, I'm proud of that. As a Georgian, as the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia I'm proud to not sit here and have to report that -- that the election was -- was -- was full of fraud. I'm proud of that and certainly the person I voted for didn't win, but that -- that doesn't -- that doesn't disrupt my job description.
CAMEROTA: And very quickly, will you or the governor be there when President Trump comes down to help campaign?
DUNCAN: I've got a full day on Saturday. I'm not even sure if the president's travel descriptions, but I wish him the best of luck down here and certainly hope he's able to get voters to turn out for Senator Loeffler and Senator Perdue.
CAMEROTA: Do you know if the Governor will be there?
DUNCAN: I'm not certain of the Governor's travel schedule.
CAMEROTA: Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan we really appreciate your time. Thank you very much for sharing all your thoughts on this.
DUNCAN: Absolutely.
[07:50:00]
CAMEROTA: We have a quick programming note, you can watch the debate between Senator Kelly Loeffler and Reverend Raphael Warnock this Sunday at 7:00 pm Eastern right here on CNN. BERMAN: I've got to say, there was a lot there in that interview right there. First of all, that he has a lot to do on Saturday and can't campaign with the president, that tells you something.
Number two, he said Joe Biden will be sworn in on January 20, that tells you something. And the third thing, while he would not directly criticize President Trump by name, when he said this party is bigger than any one person, he's talking about the president there. The Georgia Republican Party is pissed right now at the President of the United States.
CAMEROTA: Of course. Why wouldn't they be? I mean, they're on the receiving end of all of this and they're trying to stick to the facts. They've done more than one count of the votes.
Meanwhile, those darn Ivy League elites, that's what all those Republicans say about Joe Biden and his incoming cabinet. Just wait until you hear, you find out where all of those Republicans who really don't like those elites, where did they go to college. It's a must see reality check, John.
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[07:55:15]
BERMAN: So this morning one of the things you're interestingly hearing from some Republicans is criticizing Scranton born Joe Biden and his incoming cabinet as Ivy League elites.
The question is, where did they, those Republicans go to college?
John Avlon here with a reality check.
JOHN AVLON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: So President-elect Joe Biden is just naming his cabinet, but already the Republican attacks are coming. Check out this dis from Senator Marco Rubo on the incoming national security team, quote, Biden's cabinet picks went to Ivy League schools, have strong resumes and will be polite and orderly caretakers of America's decline. I support American greatness.
OK first, no matter what party you belong to, everyone supports American greatness, but it's the Ivy League elites hit that really doesn't stick.
Not only will University of Delaware alum Joe Biden be the first president to not attend any Ivy League school since Ronald Reagan, but the Trump cabinet's crowded with Ivy Leaguers, starting with Trump himself.
In fact, most of Trump's current cabinet went to Harvard or Yale with A.G. Bill Barr being the outlier from Columbia. So, when Trump says this --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TRUMP: I love the poorly educated.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AVLON: It doesn't mean he actually wants those folks around his house. Conservative populism requires the rhetoric of defending the white working class against elites, even and especially if it's a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Take a look at Senator Josh Hawley, who had a Trumpy trifecta by calling Team Biden a group of corporatists and war enthusiasts and big tech sellouts. Hawley, who raised more than $1 million from the finance and real estate industries, is a great example of the Ivy League populists who want to rise in Trump's wake.
He went to Stanford, the home of big tech, and Yale Law, fancy.
Or how about Senator Tom Cotton, who's also competing for the conservative populist crown, he's double Harvard, undergrad and law school. Secretary of State Pompeo hadn't been secret about his presidential ambitions, and yep, he's Harvard Law as well.
His fellow Kansan Kris Kobach, and anti-immigration hardliner who briefly helped Trump's failed voter fraud panel is a real fire breathing conservative populist, but get this, he went to Harvard, Yale Law and Oxford University.
And of course, Senator Ted Cruz loves slamming elites, but he often overlooks the fact that he went to Princeton and Harvard Law.
Look, the problem is not getting a great education, that's something we should celebrate. Even though where you went to college or even if you went to college isn't necessarily a predictor of success or smarts. Heck, Harry Truman never got a college degree; neither did Abraham Lincoln, it worked out for both of them.
The problem is the phony pose of it all, attacking elites for political gain when by any definition these conservative populist senators are elites and they have all sorts of other elites on speed dial for fundraising calls, which brings me to another populist myth.
Ted Cruz recently tweeted that today's Dems are the Party of the rich. GOP is and should be the Party of the working class. Now Trump is, of course, a self-styled billionaire. His tax cuts were bonanza for the super rich, but it was Biden who won voters making under $100,000, while Trump won voters making over $100,000.
It was Biden who won counties suffering from higher unemployment during the pandemic despite also carrying counties that contained 70 percent of the U.S. economy. So, don't believe this elites hype, especially from Ivy League populists.
And that's your reality check.
BERMAN: Ted Cruz no doubt discussed this in his Princeton debate club. (LAUGHTER)
BERMAN: It definitely came up.
AVLON: It's very important.
BERMAN: Yes, very important, John. Perfect. Thank you.
New Day continues right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is New Day with Alisyn Camerota and John Berman.
CAMEROTA: All right, we want to welcome our viewers in the United States and all around the world. This is New Day. And this morning the head of the FDA has been summoned to the White House to explain why he has not moved faster on vaccine approval.
Commissioner Stephen Hahn insists that science will be the agency's guide.
Also this morning a CDC panel meets to decide which Americans will be the first to receive a coronavirus vaccine. Two vaccines are now waiting for emergency use authorization by the FDA, which could happen within weeks. More than 96,000 people are hospitalized this morning, that is a record.
Twenty-three states are seeing record hospitalizations.
BERMAN: President-elect Joe Biden is making coronavirus his first priority. CNN has already the agenda for his first 100 days, it includes an all-out push for a new stimulus and a flurry of executive actions. The President-elect today will formally introduce his economic team.
As for the outgoing president, he is lashing out at the Republican governors of Arizona and Georgia for not helping him overturn the election, the election that he lost.
And overnight there's new reporting as to why he's keeping up this -- he says -- he says -- or he -- it is no doubt all about money, a lot of it that will.
