Return to Transcripts main page

Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

U.S. COVID Hospitalizations Hit New Record: 102,148; U.K. is First to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine in the West; NYT: White House Passed on Pfizer Offer to Supply More Vaccine; Biden to Introduce Health Team, Announce Pick for Defense Secretary. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired December 08, 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]

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world. This is EARLY START. I'm Boris Sanchez, in for Christine Romans.

LAURA JARRETT, CNN ANCHOR: Great to have you, Boris.

SANCHEZ: Thank you so much, Laura. Great to see you.

JARRETT: Great to see you.

I'm Laura Jarrett, it's Tuesday, December 8th. It's 5:00 a.m. in New York.

And while vaccine history is made overseas this morning, the U.S. remains gripped by a staggering number of people dying every single day.

This is Erika Becerra, a 38-year-old mom from Detroit by way of Los Angeles. She was eight months pregnant when she was diagnosed with coronavirus three weeks ago. She wasn't getting any better so doctors induced labor and on November 15th, she gave birth to Diego, a healthy baby boy, but Erika never got to hold him. She went on a ventilator moments after delivery and died last week, leaving behind Diego, her 1-year-old daughter and her husband.

Erika Becerra nearly one -- just one of 284,000 Americans who will not be home for the holidays this year. She didn't have any underlying health issues. She was just pregnant.

(BGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIGUEL AVILEZ, LOST HIS SISTER, ERIKA BECERRA, TO COVID-19: She followed every rule in the book, and you know, she's still -- she still ended up catching it, and it's sad, you know, like, you got a lot of people that don't understand what's going on. They all think it's a joke. They all think it's a joke until, you know, it happens to them or one of their family members, and --

(END VIDEO CLIP) SANCHEZ: Tragedy, and Erika is not alone, as Laura pointed out. The rate of Americans dying is now as high as it's been the entire pandemic, and more remain at risk. A hundred and two thousand Americans are in the hospital this morning, that's another new record, and that's before we fully feel the effects of holiday gatherings, and a surge that's expected in the coming weeks.

New York, California, Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, among the states reporting concerns over hospital capacity.

JARRETT: And breaking overnight, a landmark moment in the pandemic.

The United Kingdom becoming the first Western nation to vaccinate its citizens, less than a week after the U.K. approved the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine.

CNN's Phil Black is live at a hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Phil, the first patient, 90-year-old Margaret Keenan said she wasn't afraid at all, and, in fact, it was just fine.

PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, that's right. Margaret Keenan has spent much of the year separated from her family. She's a mother, a grandmother, and she was supremely grateful to receive this vaccination. She turns 91 next week, and she described it as a wonderful early birthday present. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARGARET KEENAN, FIRST PERSON TO RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINE: I say go for it, go for it because it's free, and it's the best thing that's ever happened. So, do, please go for it. That's all I say. If I can do it, so can you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACK: So if you look at the initial rollout here in the United Kingdom, the numbers are relatively small. But they are powerful in the hope they represent, I think, to people everywhere. Eight hundred thousand initial doses of this vaccine start to roll out from today. Millions more by the end of the year, we're told, and the focus initially will be on those who are deemed to be most at risk, the most vulnerable. So, front line, and care home staff, medical care staff, and care home staff, the care home residents.

It means that those who most need protection should in theory have it in the relatively near future. Deaths will be prevented almost from the get-go. But in the slightly longer term, a little further over the horizon, as this vaccine and others are rolled out, there lies the possibility for families, communities, whole cities really, to go back to living something like their normal lives.

But the message here from the very top down, from the prime minister down, is that although this is hugely significant and that promise of normalcy is the promise of this vaccination program, eventually, right now, we're not there yet. This is a hugely significant day. It is a turning point in dealing with the virus. It is potentially the beginning of the end, but we're not there just yet.

So the message is to use this hugely hopeful optimistic day to celebrate this achievement for medical science and focus that on being disciplined and not being complacent in the final stretch of grappling with this virus.

[05:05:04]

And just finally on this hugely significant day for Britain, the second patient to receive that vaccine was someone who shares a significant British name. He was William Shakespeare, someone who shares the name with the famous British playwright, Laura.

JARRETT: Yeah, great second name, I should say, for the patient there. We're not out of the woods yet but such an important, historic day.

Phil, thanks so much.

SANCHEZ: On the heels of this terrific news for the world, you have to ask, what is the American plan for the vaccines and for eradicating coronavirus. Dueling events today from President Trump and President- elect Joe Biden will offer a real-time contrast.

And with concerns growing about having enough vaccine, there's a new report that the White House passed on an opportunity to secure more supply to meet the predicted demand. For his part, President Trump is retreating to the ease of executive orders and leaning on what looks like an empty vow to make sure Americans get vaccinated first.

CNN's Kaitlan Collins reports from the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Boris and Laura.

There's a summit happening on vaccines here today at the White House where the president is expected to sign an executive order aimed at making sure the Americans get the coronavirus vaccines first, though. When White House officials were pushed yesterday on what exactly the specifics of that are going to look like, they did not offer a lot of details, because, of course, we're waiting on approvals to happen at the FDA, for the companies making the vaccines, and that means that Pfizer and Moderna, two of those companies, are not going to be present at this event today at the White House like they were initially planning to be so.

And White House officials explain that by saying because their vaccines are before review in front of the FDA currently, they did not think it was a good idea to have them appear both at this event at the White House where they're going to be talking about vaccine distribution, and what that's going to look like. And it also comes after "The New York Times" reported that Pfizer offered to sell the White House more doses of its vaccine over the summer but that the White House passed on that offer. A White House official denied the story yesterday, and said they do

feel confident there are going to be enough doses of the vaccine to go around to all Americans that want them, starting once they are approved by the FDA, and they start getting shots into the arms of people.

But, of course, one big question, and one thing you should be looking for today is there are not going to be any Biden administration people at this event. That comes after there had been so criticism and some back-and-forth between the two parties where President-elect Biden said he had not laid eyes on a distribution plan for the vaccine, from the White House, not a detailed one at least, and you saw several officials push back. There is one, they are expecting to meet with the transition team later this week. Though they're still waiting to see exactly when that could happen.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JARRETT: That. Well, for now, President-elect Biden can only stand by and watch as a crisis that he will have to confront deepens. Mr. Biden will introduce top health officials later today. He's also expected to announce his pick for secretary of defense.

CNN's Jeff Zeleny is in Wilmington covering the Biden transition.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Laura, and Boris. President-elect Biden is poised to introduce his new health team we have been talking about for the last several days. Of course, front and center, Xavier Becerra, the California attorney general, long time member of Congress, he'll be nominated to lead the Health and Human Services Department, four several members of the health team as well, many of whom have become household names during this pandemic.

But we also learned late last evening that Mr. Biden has settled on his defense secretary. He's going to nominate, we are told, Lloyd Austin, a retired army general. He retired in 2016. He led the central demand during the Obama administration, a 40-year veteran of the Army. If confirmed by the Senate, he would indeed become the first African- American man to lead the Defense Department. Of course, this would be the latest in a series of barrier breaking nominations that Mr. Biden has named to his cabinet.

He would also, though, need a waiver from Congress because civilians are to run the Department of Defense. He retired from the army just four years ago, and there is a seven-year waiting period. But it is likely he would certainly get that waiver, but clearly another barrier breaking move.

But also his defense contracting time over his retirement over the last four years is gaining some scrutiny. But no question, certainly would be one more first that Mr. Biden appointed to his cabinet. So, a busy week here in Wilmington, more economic posts expected later this week -- Laura and Boris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: And Jeff Zeleny reporting from Delaware, thanks so much.

Michigan secretary of state the latest to face personal threats over the election. Hear what she says about the situation in Michigan and beyond, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:14:09]

SANCHEZ: Mount Sinai Health System in New York is looking for extra help. They are reaching out to pharmacy and nursing interns and medical students to get as many health care workers vaccinated as possible once vaccines get emergency authorization. New York state is moving to expand hospital capacity preparing for a long, arduous winter.

CNN has the pandemic covered from coast to coast.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Jean Casarez in New York.

Governor Andrew Cuomo is ordering the state's hospitals to increase their bed capacity by 25 percent. This after the state's positivity rate went up to 4.79 percent on Monday.

It is all part of the state's new surge and flex strategy. And if these actions are taken, there will be about 75,000 hospital beds all together, 58,000 of them for COVID patients.

And the governor says if ultimately more beds are needed than that, they can always open field hospitals.

[05:15:06]

NICK WATT, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Nick Watt in Los Angeles.

Now on Thursday, the CA Notify App goes live. Here's how it works, if you test positive, you type a code into that app, and it then notifies anybody who has been within 6 feet of you for more than 15 minutes. Apparently it is all anonymous. It uses Bluetooth technology, and the idea is the sooner you know you're infected, the more chance you have of not infecting anybody else.

LUCY KAFANOV, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Lucy Kafanov.

With COVID-19 cases skyrocketing, Arizona says only 8 percent of adult ICU beds remain open to patients. The state reporting more than 1,500 new coronavirus cases Monday. 92 percent of ICU beds are currently occupied. Nearly half are filled with COVID-19 patients.

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: I'm Pete Muntean in Washington.

Pilots will have to wait for an extra layer of scrutiny for a coronavirus vaccine before they can get vaccinated. The FAA says it must evaluate each coronavirus vaccine candidate. This is another step beyond FDA emergency authorization.

Medications can ground a pilot making them unfit to fly, but the FAA has not said if it has ever grounded a pilot for a vaccination.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JARRETT: Thanks to all of our correspondents for those updates.

Well, Michigan secretary of state refusing to be bullied after she says dozens of armed protesters gathered outside her home shouting into bull horns about voter fraud. Jocelyn Benson says her 4-year-old son was just sitting down to watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on Saturday night when the mob showed up. The protesters made what she called unambiguous, loud and threatening demands to overturn the state's election results, a fury that the president has stoked among his supporters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOCELYN BENSON (D), MICHIGAN SECRETARY OF STATE: We're calling on all citizens to join us in defending the voice of the people, defending our democracy, and ensuring that we all can push back against this onslaught of misinformation, that is combining with hateful rhetoric that we've seen in the state for months now, to lead to incidents like we saw Saturday night, not just targeting me, not just targeting our voters, but also affecting elected officials on both sides of the aisle all across our state.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: This behavior not just in Michigan where an alleged plot to kidnap the governor was foiled over the summer, election officials in other states including Georgia and Pennsylvania have also reported being targeted with death threats over the election.

SANCHEZ: The perfect season for the Pittsburgh Steelers coming to a crashing halt. Washington football team for the win taking the upset. Details next in your "Bleacher Report".

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:22:23]

SANCHEZ: And then there were none, Steelers run as the NFL's only unbeaten team is over.

Andy Scholes has this morning's "Bleacher Report".

And, Andy, I could just hear those 1972 Miami Dolphins, Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris, those guys, popping champagne last night. ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Popping the champagne this

morning, too, Boris, yeah, because there will be no undefeated team again this NFL season. You know, the Steelers looked like they were well on their way to 12-0. But they ended up blowing the largest home lead in franchise history. The Steelers were up 14 right before half- time, but Alex Smith, leading Washington back. Smith here going deep for Cam Sims, watch the incredible one handed catch, and that was good from 29 yards. That grab would set up Washington's go ahead and field goal in the 4th.

The Steelers did have a chance to retake the lead with two minutes remaining in the game, but Ben Roethlisberger here is going to have this pass tipped in the line of scrimmage, intercepted by former Steelers line backer, Jon Bostic. Washington goes on to win, 23-17, their first victory against the Steelers since 1991.

All right. The 49ers hosting the Bills and their home away from home in Arizona, due to coronavirus protocols in Santa Clara County. But there's no home field advantage for the 9ers in this one. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen dominating, four touchdown passes. The Bills get the rare primetime win, 34-24. First victory on Monday night football for Buffalo since 1999.

All right. The Baltimore Ravens, meanwhile, will have starting quarterback Lamar Jackson back in the lineup against the Cowboys tonight. The reigning NFL MVP activated from COVID-19 list after missing last week's game. Jackson was one of nearly two dozen Ravens to test positive in the NFL's biggest outbreak the virus so far.

All right. Reed Williams won't be on the sidelines for the winless Jets on Sunday. The team firing the defensive coordinator yesterday, a day after his controversial play call led to a last second loss against the Raiders. Instead of guarding the goal line with five seconds left, Williams called for an all out blitz and one on one coverage that allowed Las Vegas to easily score that winning touchdown. That dropped the Jets to 0 and 12, and now Williams is out of a job.

All right. Finally, break dancing now going to be an Olympic sport. Breaking as the sport is called is going to make its debut at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. The International Olympic Committee approved it yesterday, becoming the first dance sport to join the Summer Olympics.

[05:25:04]

It made its debut two years ago at the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina.

So, Laura, you know, break out your old CDs, get that boom box out, you know, who knows? See there in 2024.

JARRETT: Hey, I still have CDs, OK? Don't age me unnecessarily.

SCHOLES: Oh, we all do.

JARRETT: But I do -- I do want to see your moves. Maybe there's hope for you in the Olympics still.

SCHOLES: Oh, I don't know about me.

JARRETT: All right. Andy, thank you so much. I appreciate it.

SCHOLES: Well, some sad news for you this morning. Actress Natalie Desselle Reid, best known for her roles in "B.A.P.S." and "Cinderella", has died?

The actor's family says she died after a battle with colon cancer. Her "B.A.P.S." co-star Halle Berry says she's completely broken -- heartbroken that Natalie showed us it was okay to be goofy and funny, while still being sincere and extraordinarily kind. She represented actual black women, not what black women are perceived to be.

Desselle-Reid is survived by her husband and three children. She was 53 years old.

Well, now, more than ever, the world needs heroes. Join Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa for "CNN HEROES: AN ALL STAR TRIBUTE", Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, only on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)