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Indonesian Earthquake: Rescuers Race Against Time To Find Survivors; Trump's Final Days, Hunkered Down In The White House; Coronavirus USA Numbers For First Two Weeks Of 2021; U.S. Braces For Extremist Violence Over The Next Week; Biden Unveils Massive Plan for Vaccinations, Economic Help; Trump Leaves Major Foreign Policy Headaches for Biden; London Hotel Takes COVID Patients to Ease Pressure on NHS; Turkey Launches Mass COVID Vaccination Plan; North Korea Unveils Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile; Replacing Trump in "Home Alone 2". Aired 1-2a ET
Aired January 15, 2021 - 01:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[01:00:00]
JOHN VAUSE, ANCHOR, CNN NEWSROOM: Hello, again. Welcome to our viewers joining us from around the world, I'm John Vause. Coming up this hour on CNN NEWSROOM.
The rush to save survivors trapped under debris after a deadly earthquake rattles Indonesia.
The soaring death toll from the coronavirus pandemic. In Los Angeles County, the epicenter of this outbreak, every six minutes COVID takes a life.
And North Korea claims to develop the world's most powerful weapon. A new submarine launched ballistic missile on parade for all to see.
With just five days until Joe Biden takes the oath of office, the U.S. capital is ramping up security and scaling back Wednesday's inauguration amid fears of domestic terrorism.
And the man who incited many of those would-be insurgents remains hunkered down inside the White House, apparently consumed by an unraveling presidency, an unprecedented second impeachment.
His trial in the senate is unlikely to happen before he leaves office but unlike his first impeachment, many Republicans have broken ranks publicly stating Trump committed high crimes and misdemeanors.
One source tells CNN there's no love lost between Senate Republicans and Donald Trump.
Still, conviction and a ban from public office will need support from 17 Senate Republicans.
Meantime, the FBI says domestic terrorists are feeling emboldened after last week's attack on the Capitol. And growing security concerns mean the National Mall will be closed to the public for Biden's inauguration.
And officials are reportedly considering raising the terrorism threat level. 20,000 National Guard troops have been deployed around Washington, almost three times the numbers of U.S. troops combined in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq combined.
Investigators have now arrested more than 100 people from last week's attack on the Capitol, another 200 suspects have been identified.
We have the very latest now on the investigation, as well as preparations for the inauguration from CNN's Brian Todd.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Striking images of the nation's capital on high alert and on edge.
National Guardsman in tight formations everywhere, automatic weapons at the ready. Armored carriers rolling down the streets, high metal fences across streets and sidewalks, checkpoints at many corners. Tightly restricted movements for millions of people.
Federal law enforcement agencies calling for reinforcements warning that following the siege of the capital domestic extremists will carry out more attacks in the days ahead.
CHRISTOPHER WRAY, FBI DIRECTOR: We are seeing an extensive amount of concerning online chatter -- that's the best way I would describe it -- about a number of events surrounding the inauguration.
And together with our partners, we evaluate those threats and what kind of resources to deploy against them. Right now we're tracking calls for potential armed protests.
DARYL JOHNSON, FORMER SNR. DOMESTIC TERRORISM ANALYST, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY: We've seen these people become emboldened from this Capitol attack last week.
These people believe that they're patriots, that they're on the side of history and that they're making history. And that this was a positive accomplishment.
So people are watching, other extremists are watching this occur, and they're taking cues from these people last week.
TODD: Over 20,000 National Guard troops are expected to be in Washington for the inauguration, more than three times the number of active duty U.S. troops now in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria combined.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Have you ever seen this much help coming in for a large event?
ROBERT J. CONTEE, III, WASHINGTON D.C. POLICE CHIEF: : Not at this level, no.
TODD: The National Mall will be completely closed to the public on inauguration day.
The investigation and manhunt is quickly expanding after the riot out at the Capitol.
WRAY: We and our partners have already arrested more than 100 individuals for their criminal activities in last week's siege at the Capitol and continue to pursue countless other related investigations.
TODD: A federal law enforcement official tells CNN evidence uncovered suggests a level of planning for the January 6th assault in the Capitol which leads investigators to believe it was not a spur of the moment putsch.
This official says the FBI is looking at indications that some participants in the Trump rally at the Ellipse before the Capitol siege left that event early, possibly to retrieve items for the Capitol assault.
JOHNSON: Well, they must have had either human sources in the crowd or they could have been looking at surveillance footage out in the open on street posts and other places.
[01:05:00]
So it does point to a level of sophistication and planning.
TODD: Could part of that planning have included gathering intelligence inside the Capitol before the siege?
One Democratic congresswoman accused unnamed lawmakers of bringing some rioters into the Capitol one day before the assault.
REP. MIKIE SHERRILL, (D-N.J.): Those members of congress who had groups coming through the Capitol that I saw on January 5th -- a reconnaissance for the next day -- I'm going to see that they're held accountable. And if necessary, ensure that they don't serve in congress.
TODD: CNN has not verified the allegation.
Under arrest tonight, a retired Pennsylvania firefighter accused of throwing a fire extinguisher, striking a police officer on his helmet.
Also in custody, a Delaware man, Kevin Seefried, seen carrying a large confederate battle flag inside the Capitol.
And tracked down in Virginia, the man who is wearing a Camp Auschwitz sweatshirt through the halls of the U.S. Capitol.
Experts say sophisticated techniques are being used to round up more suspects.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Canvassing social media, interviewing all those individuals that were there, canvassing the CCTV.
TODD (On Camera): And there are serious concerns about law enforcement officers from around the country who allegedly took part on the assault on the Capitol.
Two off-duty officers from a small Virginia town have been charged on multiple counts including violent entry. And an active officer from Houston could face federal charges for participating in the riot.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Donald Trump's first and only term as president can now be counted down in days and minutes.
While the president is now hunkered down inside the White House and according to one source has lashed out at any suggestion he resign. Like another disgraced president, Richard Nixon.
More now from CNN's Jim Acosta.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CROWD: USA. USA.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Now facing a second impeachment trial, this time for his incitement of the violence at the Capitol, the president's attorneys are planning to warn that any effort to punish Trump for his speech on January 6th would violate his First Amendment rights.
A source familiar with Trump's impeachment defense said the soon-to- be-ex president's legal team is expected to argue that the remarks fall into the category of protected speech.
Trump's attorneys may also question the legality of a senate impeachment trial that takes place after he leaves office.
A tough case to make after the president's rally sparked an insurrection.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We fight like hell and if we don't fight like hell, you're not go to have a country anymore.
ACOSTA: Aides to the president urged Trump to release a video condemning violence, tellingly him he would be responsible for further bloodshed.
TRUMP: Mob violence goes against everything I believe in and everything our movement stands for. No true supporter of mine could ever endorse political violence.
ACOSTA: But a source close to the White House told CNN that video, quote, "should have been done a week ago."
Trump's former acting homeland security secretary says the president bears some responsibility for what happened.
CHAD WOLF, FORMER ACTING U.S. HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: I think as we look back at the events of last week, I think certainly the president's words matter. And I think I've said that publicly on several occasions now.
Trump defenders like Senator Lindsey Graham complain it's the bipartisan push for a second impeachment that will cause more violence, not the president.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-S.C.): These actions if they continue will incite more violence. Every time you ask President Trump to calm his people down, to reject violence, to move on, he has done it.
ACOSTA: While White House trade advisor Peter Navarro is still clinging to Trump's election lies.
PETER NAVARRO, WHITE HOUSE TRADE ADVISER: What happened yesterday was a travesty, that was -- the Democratic Party did violence to this country by attacking a president who I believe was legally elected on November 3rd.
ACOSTA: What's left of the Trump inner circle is in disarray as CNN has confirmed the president has talked about stiffing his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani on his legal fees. That's after Giuliani stoked unrest too.
RUDY GIULIANI, ATTORNEY TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: So let's have trial by combat.
CROWD: (Noise)
ACOSTA: Some Trump advisers have had enough. With one ally telling CNN --
"He will be the cautionary tale parents tell their kids. Don't end up like Trump because of your lies."
CROWD: Stop the steal, stop the steal.
ACOSTA: But there are growing demands for accountability for GOP members of Congress who also called for violence.
REP. MO BROOKS, (R-MISS): Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.
REP. MADISON CAWTHORN, (R-N.C.): Call your congressman and feel free -- you can lightly threaten him and say you know what, if you don't start supporting election integrity, I'm coming after you.
ACOSTA: One former administration cybersecurity official says there should be consequences.
CHRIS KREBS, FORMER CISA DIRECTOR: You don't get a mulligan on insurrection, you don't get a one-time pass. We have to be forceful and clearly communicate to the world that this is unacceptable and there will be consequences.
ACOSTA: In these final days, signs Trump officials are heading for the exits, from the moving trucks to staffers removing items from the West Wing --
[01:10:00]
-- to the Biden inauguration bunting in full view of the White House.
ACOSTA (On Camera): CNN has obtained a memo from the director of the secret service, James Murray, to the agency's thousands of employees that notes that they may be exposed to an extensive amount of hyper- partisan content heading into the Joe Biden inauguration.
But the memo stresses that agency personnel must push that to the side, adding quote -- "when carrying out your duties and representing the agency, we are expected to behave in a non-partisan manner."
Jim Acosta, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Larry Sabato is the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia and he joins me now from Charlottesville.
Larry, thanks for coming back for round two for another hour. Good to see you.
LARRY SABATO, DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR POLITICS, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA: Nice to see you, John.
VAUSE: OK. Joe Biden, he comes into office, he takes the oath of office facing an out of control pandemic, an economic crisis, widespread demands for racial and social justice, a climate emergency and a country more divided than ever -- thank you, Donald Trump.
By way of comparison, it kind of seems like reconstruction after the Civil War meets the New Deal but only Mitch McConnell waiting in the senate to sort of gum up the works to make sure nothing gets done?
SABATO: You wonder why Joe Biden wanted this job so much.
VAUSE: That's a good question.
SABATO: Of course, you get in the habit (ph); this is the third time he's run and third time was the charm for him.
But the problems also give him great opportunities to make a difference. And it's not easy, he's got very thin margins of control, Democratic control in both the House and in the Senate.
But these crises demand the kind of experience that Biden has. And so far, I think he has struck the right notes.
For one thing he doesn't talk about himself very much -- what a contrast with the current president.
VAUSE: Yes. Striking in many ways. There are the obvious problems that Trump has caused, the attempt to delegitimize Biden's election and there's also the fact that Trump is refusing to say he's a loser. What about the stuff that doesn't make the headlines, the last-minute changes to rules and regulations, the attempts to gum up the works?
SABATO: A lot of that is going on, it has been going on for some time. But again, that's where experience comes in.
It's not just that Biden has been around a long time, it's that many of the people that he's chosen to surround himself with in the cabinet, personal staff, they've been around for a long time and they know how to get around these things and repeal them.
Some can be done easily through new executive orders and others will have to be done legislatively but knowing how to do it is half the battle. And they can go right to work on it.
VAUSE: Yes. Because it's been delayed for so long already. But we heard repeatedly from Biden though is that there will be no pardon for Donald Trump.
But I'd like you to listen to the former FBI director, James Comey, with another take. Here he is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES COMEY, FORMER FBI DIRECTOR: Now I don't know whether Donald Trump is not a genius but he might figure out that if he accepts a pardon, that's an admission of guilt, the United States supreme court has said. So I don't know that he would accept a pardon.
But as part of healing the country and getting us to a place where we can focus on things that are going to matter over the next four years, I think Joe Biden's going to have to at least think about that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: There is a logic to the argument, but seems almost a total non-starter for Democrats, right?
SABATO: Well, it seems that way to me. That is actually the logic that Gerald Ford used in 1974, September of '74, to pardon his predecessor, Richard Nixon, who had resigned in early August of 1974. But, of course, they were both Republicans. Within the Republican Party, it was if not popular then certainly not unpopular.
If Joe Biden pardoned Donald Trump, there would be an explosion among Democrats. That's the last thing he needs. I understand why Director Comey suggested that but I think it's very unwise in Biden's case.
VAUSE: Speaking of Nixon resigning, Trump is determined not to go down Nixon style.
CNN is reporting he told one adviser during an expletive-laden conversation recently --
"never to bring up the ex-president ever again. During the passing mention of resigning this week -- "Trump told people he couldn't count on Vice President Mike Pence to pardon him the way Gerald Ford did for Nixon, anyway." Quote, unquote.
The interesting thing is -- clearly, he can't trust Pence because of the way he's treated Pence. But the way Trump sort of ends his presidency, how does that play into what he does after his presidency in terms of having a microphone or a megaphone to continue to rally his supporters? What's the relationship here?
SABATO: Well, he's been hurt. The riot alone -- inciting that riot at Capitol Hill has damaged him forever, as far as I'm concerned. I think would be very unlikely he would get the Republican nomination for president again if he ran.
But it's much more than that. This has damaged him in history. There's no way to get around this. He may not like the Nixon comparison but -- I hate to tell him this -- in the long run, historians are going to rate Nixon a whole lot better than they rate Trump.
[01:15:00]
For one thing, Nixon was very smart on policy. And while he certainly made some very serious mistakes in the White House, he also did some good things.
And in Trump's case, the longer we look at what he did and the more that comes out -- can you imagine what hasn't come out yet and what we'll find out when he's no longer in the White House?
When you put all that together, it's going to be very difficult to rate Trump higher than the absolute bottom of the barrel.
VAUSE: Well (ph), a whole new category maybe. Larry, thank you. Good to see you, Larry.
SABATO: Thank you, John.
VAUSE: Always good to see you, man. Thank you.
Survivors trapped under the rubble. Just ahead, the race to find them after a deadly earthquake in Indonesia.
Also, health experts warning as hospitals are being pushed to the brink amid surging admissions for COVID-19.
(CNN HIGHLIGHT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: Indonesia has been rattled by a powerful deadly earthquake causing widespread damage and at last report killing at least eight people. Authorities say hundreds have been hurt.
Rescue efforts are underway to free survivors trapped beneath debris. Many buildings have been damaged including one hospital. Electricity is out in many places. Thousands fled when the magnitude 6.2 tremor struck just north of Majene in West Sulawesi province. CNN's Will Ripley live in Hong Kong following developments for us.
So last time we left, that death toll had just ticked up. Where are we heading with that now, what's the latest on those rescue efforts?
WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, they're really urgently trying to find people who were trapped inside these crumbling buildings, John.
Because in addition to those two strong quakes, the 5.7 on Thursday and then the 6.2 in the very early morning hours on Friday when a lot of people were asleep in their homes -- well, it's daytime and the hours of daylight are running out and that means rescuers have to get to these people as quickly as possible because , as you know, in these situations every minute does count.
And they're facing a lot of obstacles right now. Because there have been more than two dozen aftershocks and geologists in Indonesia are warning that there could be even stronger aftershocks in the coming hours and days.
Additionally, roads have been shattered, there are water main breaks that are making travel impossible in some places. And then you don't even know, necessarily, the conditions of people who might have been asleep in hotels which have collapsed -- you don't know how many guests were staying inside.
So communication continues to be disrupted because of those widespread power outages. So you have a very devastating situation.
The one piece of good news is this quake is that there was not a tsunami warning triggered, there were no large waves crashing ashore. As the island of Sulawesi has seen before, back in 2018, for example -- when scores more people were killed and they have at least eight confirmed dead so far.
But you still have a massive amount of people who are displaced, you're talking about 15,000, you have well over 600 people injured. That number continues to tick up.
So it really is minute by minute as they try to get to these people, John.
[01:20:00]
VAUSE: What do we know about just access of getting help to this part of Indonesia, how difficult has it been? And clearly you thought harder now than it would've been yesterday.
RIPLEY: If you look at this video of the extent of the damage -- I'm someone, I lived in Japan for more than four years where all of the buildings are built up to code.
So if you have a 6.2 quake in Tokyo, you're going to feel it but it's not going to be even a frightening situation for the average citizen.
Compare that to Indonesia, a nation that sits on the Ring of Fire, they have at least one small earthquake almost every day -- small meaning under 5.0. And yet you have buildings that, when you have a larger scale quake, they crumble.
And these were buildings that were damaged, perhaps, on Thursday and then they collapsed on Friday.
You have to wonder why has this country and this government not done more to keep people protected, particularly in these areas that are so prone to earthquakes?
And so, in this case you have huge damage to the roads. Obviously in any earthquake situation, that is going to happen.
But just the fact that these people are living in structures that are so ill equipped considering the frequency of earthquakes is really surprising.
There are actually roads that have been split open and then you have water mains gushing water underneath. This is going to be an impassable situation. They're going to rely on getting helicopters in there when they can.
A lot of people are no longer even sleeping in their homes, they're staying in tents outside because it's so terrifying every time there's another aftershock, they wonder if the building is going to come down around them.
VAUSE: Shallow earthquakes, some very badly, poorly constructed homes and buildings and a lot of people all crowded together. Not a good recipe.
Thanks, Will. We appreciate the update. Will Ripley live in Hong Kong.
VAUSE: Just two weeks into this year, 42,000 dead in the U.S. from COVID-19. Nearly 4,000 died on Thursday alone.
And the total number of confirmed infections nationwide is staggering, more than 23 million. None of this helped by much slower than expected vaccine rollout.
We have more now from CNN's Erica Hill.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ERICA HILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The surge is getting worse.
DR. JONATHAN REINER, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: Until we see hospitalizations drop and until we start to see a sustained drop in daily cases, we're going to see this terrible toll.
HILL: That terrible toll growing by the thousands on a daily basis. JOE GERALD, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, PUBLIC HEALTHY POLICY & MANAGEMENT,
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA: Four to six weeks from now, we could be seeing twice as many deaths or maybe as much as four times as many deaths a day.
HILL: Hospitalizations hovering around 130,000. Daily new cases now averaging more than 245,000, that's up 10 percent in the last week.
In Los Angeles County, one in three residents has been infected since the pandemic began. And now, officials warn, outbreaks are growing.
One metric moving in the right direction, testing. Up nearly 20 percent in the last week. Though as sites like Dodger Stadium shift to vaccinations, there's concern testing may take a hit.
More Americans are now eligible for the vaccine, 6.6 million in California alone.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I decided to get here early.
HILL: But finding that first dose isn't easy.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: They all said no.
HILL: Especially as the pool grows.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Pharmacies, we called hospitals, we called health departments, doctor's offices. They all just said that they don't have it.
HILL: Major league stadiums across the country stepping up to the plate as mass vaccination sites.
New York opening its first drive-through facility Thursday morning.
MICHAEL KOPY, DIRECTOR, NEW YORK STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: We're only held back at this point by the number of vaccines.
HILL: Distribution still a major hurdle.
MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT, CHICAGO: At the rate we've been on, Chicago won't be fully vaccinated for another year-and-a-half and that is completely and totally unacceptable.
HILL: Mississippi has already exhausted its supply. As issues mount, more states questioning President Elect Biden's pledge to get 100 million shots in arms in his first 100 days.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: They're going to need resources.
HILL: A third vaccine is on the horizon. Johnson & Johnson could apply for emergency use authorization by the end of the month.
REINER: This vaccine would really, I think, open up any bottlenecks that we have in vaccine distribution.
HILL: It's not only easier to store. Early data from J&J's initial trials also shows immunity with a single shot.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Having a single dose vaccine will be a game- changer.
HILL (On Camera): Of the 30.6 million doses distributed in the U.S., just over 11 million are now in arms.
One state, though, that is bucking the trend, West Virginia. The governor tells CNN every single dose it received has either been administered or is assigned. So why is it working so well there?
He says they took a more practical approach not worrying about a federal program and said focusing on older residents, also partnering with local pharmacies and quite simply just meeting the need.
In New York, I'm Erica Hill, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[01:25:00]
VAUSE: CNN's medical analyst and viral specialist, Dr. Jorge Rodriguez joins us now from live from Los Angeles.
Dr. Rodriguez, it's good to have you with us. It's been a while.
DR. JORGE RODRIGUEZ, INTERNAL MEDICINE AND VIRAL SPECIALIST: Likewise, good being here.
VAUSE: I'd like to focus on some positive news, just for a change because always there's so much negative.
But the positive news would be the Johnson & Johnson candidate for vaccine. (Inaudible) is saying after the second stage of human trials, more than 90 percent of participants made immune proteins called neutralizing antibodies within 29 days after receiving the shot and all participants formed the antibodies within 57 days. The immune response lasted for the full 71 days of the trial.
And I guess the reason why that is especially good news is because this would be -- I think it's a one shot and done vaccine.
RODRIGUEZ: Exactly.
VAUSE: I hate to say this term but they say it's going to be a game- changer -- for real, this time.
RODRIGUEZ: Well, there are a lot of things that are very appealing about this vaccine. One, it doesn't have any of the strict temperature regulations as the other ones. It is one, just one vaccination, just one shot.
Now some of the data's a little bit conflicting because some of it shows that it's only 70 percent effective, some of it shows 90. Regardless, 70 percent effective is still excellent for a vaccine.
So it is less expensive, it is easier to keep and it is just a one shot. So it really could be a game-changer.
VAUSE: Well, it's interesting. Because unlike the current vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, is it correct to say Johnson & Johnson is old school, it uses the weakened version of the common cold virus carrying-- "genetic material from the virus into the body" -- and that prompts -- "human cells to produce pieces of the virus which are then recognized by the immune system."
The other problem, though, if there is a problem, is that they're behind in production. But because it's old school, is that an easier fix because it's a traditional vaccine?
RODRIGUEZ: Well, let's call it classic. It's a classic way of making a vaccine. Which actually may encourage people to take it because some of the hesitation that I hear from people is that the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccine is DNA -- which it is not, it is messenger RNA -- but it is a new way of making a vaccine which makes some people skeptical.
The Johnson way of making the vaccine is tried and true and it's classic. So some people should have less fear in taking that vaccine.
VAUSE: Yes. It's in classic code, I guess. People prefer that.
I want to play a clip -- just something light here. The talk show host, Ellen, spoke about her experience with COVID-19.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "The ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW:" I was in hair and makeup and getting my face powdered and my extensions put in and then my assistant, Craig, walks in said you tested positive for COVID. And then everyone around me ran away.
It's funny, people just really get scared. I'm not saying if you have back pain, you have COVID but it is a symptom.
It's the only symptom I had. I didn't have a headache, I didn't have fever, I didn't lose my sense of taste although I did wear crocks with socks for a day. So you be the judge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: OK. So the reason why I played that is because the official number diagnosed with COVID-19 or the coronavirus is around 23 million in the U.S., but many were asymptomatic or they had mild symptoms like Ellen described there or they went undiagnosed.
So the real number of those who have been infected could be -- I think some say -- around 20 percent of the population. So if those vaccine levels can get up to 50 percent or maybe better -- and that's not that impossible -- we're talking about some kind of herd immunity.
Is that sort of broad brushstrokes where we're heading and, if so, what would be the timeframe?
RODRIGUEZ: Well, it is the broad brushstrokes. But the truth is that we don't know exactly how many people have been infected.
If there are more people that have been infected and have antibodies, obviously that would help us reach herd immunity sooner.
Listen, I think the most conservative estimate of reaching herd immunity is still four, five, six months away especially at the rate that people are going to get this vaccination.
So it's a factor of the efficacy of the vaccine and how many people get it.
So we need to get at least 70 percent of the population to take the vaccine and if the vaccine is 90 percent or 70 percent effective we're almost there. And at the pace were going, it's going to take months.
VAUSE: Yes. That's the thing. So the faster we can get -- obviously, this is the issue, the distribution of the vaccine. And that's why the slowdown and the disorganization among the states has been a major concern.
Listening to Joe Biden and his plan, the detailed plan for vaccinations, 100 million shots in 100 days, are you more hopeful that there will be a speed up here, a significant speed up in distribution?
RODRIGUEZ: Well, first of all, I just have to say that it's great that we have somebody that comes out and actually has a plan.
And the next step is actually to put that plan into effect. It's all right now pie in the sky but at least there's going to be money allotted or at least congress should approve it.
So that we have more vaccination centers, so that we have mobile vaccine vans that could go to people that can't get it.
[01:29:39]
Increased testing, 100,000 more public health workers is part of what he's promising. So there is a plan to improve it, but again, I think that we do need federal leadership. And I think every state is not West Virginia that can do it.
So I think once you give people the template, each state will do better. I'm just hope that this does go through, and right now that it's not just pie in the sky in words.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: Leadership matters. Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, thank you for being with us. We appreciate it.
DR. RODRIGUEZ: Thank you, sir.
VAUSE: Well, more on Joe Biden's plans to end this pandemic, when we come back. Hours ago, he announced that $2 trillion for the American rescue plan. A closer look after the break.
Also, the roadblocks Biden will soon face when he tries to fix U.S. foreign policy. That is next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: Welcome back, everybody. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm John Vause.
Well, we have the latest now on the incoming Biden administration and just hours ago, the president elect announced nearly $2 trillion to try and end the pandemic and restart a battered economy.
Along with the national vaccinations program, Biden has promised stimulus checks of $1,400 for most Americans.
CNN's Jeff Zeleny has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT (on camera): President-elect Joe Biden offering the most detailed plan yet for how he plans to fight the coronavirus pandemic and boost the U.S. economy. Offering a $1.9 trillion plan on Thursday night here in Wilmington.
(voice over): And of course, next week, is his inaugural address in Washington. But the address he gave certainly offers the nuts and bolts outline of his agenda. And it is indeed a sweeping and ambitious plan.
He calls it an achievable one. He said it is a moral obligation to act in all of these respects. First and foremost it is to help tame the coronavirus pandemic that is just crushing the U.S. economy, and of course rising death tolls day by day.
Now, he is going to offer a vaccination distribution plan that is entirely different than the one the Trump administration has been using for the last several months. He called that plan a "dismal failure".
JOE BIDEN, U.S. PRESIDENT-ELECT: This is one of the most challenging operational efforts we have ever undertaken as a nation. We'll have to move heaven and earth to get more people vaccinated, to create more places for them to get vaccinated. To mobilize more medical teams to get shots in people's arms. To increase vaccine supply and to get it out the door as fast as possible.
[01:34:59]
ZELENY: And he is also calling on Congress, members of both parties to come together to pass an economic relief bill as well. A $15 minimum wage plan, which of course, Republicans have been opposed to. So this certainly sets the framework for his presidency.
One thing he did not mention, impeachment. That, of course, is something he'll be inheriting as well. It will be happening at the very time he's trying to push this agenda through the Congress.
(on camera): It's an open question how he can do both.
Jeff Zeleny, CNN -- Wilmington, Delaware.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Live to CNN's John Defterios in Dubai for more on this.
So, you know, What was interesting about this statement, about this plan, you know, there's almost $2 trillion, it's a monster. But it's a lot more it seems than just about, you know, dealing with this pandemic.
It's got a lot progressive policies in there and, you know, it's one of those things where you don't let a crisis go to waste, I think is the correct statement or the correct term.
JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNN EMERGING MARKETS EDITOR: Yes, it's a different tone and a different emphasis, John, I think the Trump administration, particularly the Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin was always tilting towards big business and the financial markets.
That is not what we have in this package here. But it is ambitious at $1.9 trillion and this 100 million vaccines in 100 days, the same. To put it into perspective, they had the first bailout in March 2020 when this vaccine pandemic was actually hitting everybody worldwide. The pandemic itself, and then the vaccine promised that was going to come later.
This is just shy of that. Now, we're talking about $5 trillion included in that package in December 2020.
Here's Joe Biden on the urgency of why he put something so big on the table.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIDEN: And It is not hard to see that we are in the middle of a once- in-several-generations economic crisis, with a once-in-several- generations public health crisis. The crisis of deep human suffering is in plain sight. And there is no time to waste. We have to act and we have to act now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DEFTERIOS: Bold statements here by Joe Biden. And I think this is, as you were suggesting, John -- pretty comprehensive. At $15 billion in grants to small businesses. They're going to be targeting the one million, most suffering small businesses. And that's going to be hard to identify.
$35 billion to state and local government. This is something that Senate Republicans were fighting against but now that he has both chambers, he can move forward with that.
And also, a lot in terms of affordable care. This is interesting, those payments are going to be going to 100 million of the most suffering workers in the United States. And those who are facing the real pandemic head on right now. But 100 million jobs, the workforce is 160 million. A lot of people aren't talking about that subtle difference here in the package. It is wide-reaching, and far left of center. Let's put it that way.
VAUSE: Yes. Yes, there will be certainly many on the progressive side of the Democrat Party which will be pleased, you would imagine.
One thing about this though it's all spending. There is no talk of revenue, no tax increases, no offset cuts to pay for it. So with that in mind, what it's all just put on the national credit card? Print some more money? Go to the national debt? What is the reaction from the business groups to all that?
DEFTERIOS: Well, this is also quite interesting that you bring it up, John. I'm glad you noted it because we had an immediate response from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce which is the largest trade association in Washington. They said they look forward to working with the Biden ministration, happy he focused on small business and happy he focused on families.
The day before, the Business Roundtable, more elite collection of CEOs, also endorsed Biden of this package by saying they really look forward to having a moderate voice in the White House. So this is a huge shift.
Now, if you look at the market reaction, we've had a good 3 percent gain in the S&P 500 over last week since the Georgia elections, and the power that the Democrats have in both chambers.
So we have U.S. futures trading down about a third to half a percent. And if you look at Asian markets, we have Hong Kong and Shanghai with just kind of minimal losses here. The South Korean index in Seoul is down, what, nearly 2 percent. But it was up 30 percent last year.
The debt is a problem, and that is why we're having second doubts on Wall Street after the big rallies we've seen since the start of the year, and all the violence not rattling investors so far.
VAUSE: Yes, Wall Street loves a potential stimulus package certainly, the money going into stocks and companies, the asset (ph) bubbles.
John Defterios in Dubai, thank you.
DEFTERIOS: Yes.
VAUSE: Well, along with the pandemic, a struggling economy, the climate crisis, demands for social justice, Joe Biden will face some daunting foreign policy problems as well.
Here's CNN's Nic Robertson.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice over): As President Donald Trump's loyalists storm Congress, America's global standing sagged. And President-Elect Joe Biden's job to unify at home and rally overseas allies got harder.
[01:39:57]
BIDEN: Let me be very clear, the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect a true America.
ROBERTSON: In the days since, Trump has worsened Biden's overseas woes. From the Caribbean to the Mideast to the Far East, Trump is miring Biden in foreign policy problems.
January 9th, lifting self-imposed restrictions regarding Taiwan.
January 10th, saying it will designate Yemen's Houthis a terrorist organization.
January 11th, designating Cuba a state sponsor of terror.
And January 12th, adding yet another complicating twist to year of escalating tensions with Iran with this claim.
MIKE POMPEO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: Al-Qaeda has a new home base. It is the Islamic Republic of Iran.
ROBERTSON: With days left in office, Trump's administration appears to be further limiting Biden's diplomatic options. The president-elect hoped for international backing to bring Tehran back into compliance with the Obama-era multinational nuclear deal that Trump unilaterally exited.
BIDEN: The only way out of this crisis is through diplomacy -- clear- eyed, hard-nosed diplomacy.
ROBERTSON: Tehran's position now as Trump heads for the exit, Biden is isolated.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's going to take so many years for world countries to trust the U.S. and that was a major loss.
ROBERTSON: Tensions with China have also been kept bubbling by Trump. Last Saturday lifting restrictions limiting diplomats and other officials' travel to Taiwan, a red line for China.
ZHAO LIJIAN, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN (through translator): Any actions that harms China's core interests will receive a resolute counter strike from China and won't succeed.
ROBERTSON: In Yemen the following day, Trump's plan to designate the Iranian-backed Houthis, who control much of the country as a terrorist organization, condemned by aid agencies for limiting aid and stunting Biden's already limited ability to help end the war.
Next day in Cuba, more of Biden's diplomatic reach curbed. Trump designating Cuba a state sponsor of terror. Normalization could cost Biden political capital.
On the border with Mexico a day later, Trump's taunt to Biden, "my legacy will live on".
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The 25th amendment is of zero risk to me, but will come back to haunt Joe Biden and the Biden administration. Be careful what you wish for.
ROBERTSON: Biden's challenge at home and overseas: repair Trump's damage. And unlike the outgoing president, Biden has the diplomatic experience to at least put some of the pieces back together.
Nic Robertson, CNN -- London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Coming up on CNN NEWSROOM, British hospitals are beyond overwhelmed with coronavirus patients. But they're getting a possible reprieve from an unusual source. That's next.
[01:43:17]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: The latest now on the pandemic in the U.K. and the rest of Europe.
Germany just passed two million recorded cases. On Thursday, reporting more than 1,200 deaths -- a record for one day. The chief infectious disease expert says intensive care units nationwide are exhausted.
The Vatican spokesman says Pope Francis has received the first of two coronavirus vaccine doses. Former Pope Benedict also got his first shot.
U.K. is continuing its vaccination push as cases surge. The country just implemented a ban on travelers from over a dozen Latin American countries because of evidence of a new coronavirus variant which was detected in Brazil.
The latest coronavirus case surge is putting enormous strain on the U.K. National Health Service. Hospitals, and health care workers are struggling to cope with the crushing demand. One hotel is stepping up to try and relieve some of the pressure.
Salma Abdelaziz shows us how.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER (on camera): This would normally be packed with families or business travelers but now, it's basically converted into a recovery wards for coronavirus patients.
It is the first hotel in the U.K. to do this, but it could soon be a model to save precious hospital capacity.
This is the back entrance --
ALEX PALAGHIU, AREA MANAGER, LONDON HOTEL GROUP: They will come by ambulance with COVID taxis. This will be the back entrance, where we will wait for them.
ABDELAZIZ: Of course, we're not allowed to see the patients ourselves, so we're just getting a look at what an example room would be like.
PALAGHIU: The purpose of this exercise is for self-isolation. So once the already (ph) discharged patient is transferred to our hotel, and they will strictly be advised to stay in the room.
We are very proud to be part of this -- it is a very good feeling to be part of something. We have full PPE, and all our staff are properly trained. And we have actually NHS visiting one of our properties. And we did videos for staff training purpose.
ABDELAZIZ: Did any of your staff members feel scared to have coronavirus patients?
PALAGHIU: They are not scared. They're feeling is that actually we are proud to enter this partnership with NHS trust.
ABDELAZIZ: There are three patients recovering from coronavirus just behind me here. Now, there are no medical workers at the hotel, so that means, they have to call if they need any help and meals are delivered contactless three times a day.
(on camera): But hotel management? They want to see more coronavirus patients sent here. They want to fill up all these empty rooms. And with hospitals teetering on the edge, health officials might soon have to take them up on that offer.
Salma Abdelaziz, CNN -- London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Well, in Turkey more than 250,000 people have received the first doze of the Sinovac vaccine. The Chinese-made vaccination was given the green light just on Wednesday. But there are questions over the vaccine's efficacy.
CNN's Arwa Damon has more inside a hospital in Istanbul.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Turkey's coronavirus rollout has begun in hospitals like this one and clinics across the country. They received an initial three million doses of China's Sinovac vaccine.
First in line for the jab are health workers. And you get your appointment through an app. You come in, and you get your shot.
One of the doctors here, a general surgeon is about to get his first shot.
"There is no problem. There is no pain. We are psychologically ready. There is no problem.
Everyone, the entire population, should be doing this."
This is one of those things where everyone really does need to stand together.
Now, Sinovac has the advantage that unlike some of the other vaccines that are out there, the logistics are a bit easier in the sense that it does not require the same extreme cold temperatures for its storage.
But, there is a bit of confusion when it comes to its actual efficacy. Turkey's trials, phase 2, at the very least, showed it to be 91.25 percent effective. That would sound great, but trials carried out in Indonesia, for example, put that efficacy at 70 percent; Brazil, down to 50 percent.
[01:50:00]
DAMON: Now, the company itself says that it does have faith in the vaccine's efficacy, but we really don't know a lot at this stage. And it has not made public any of its own data and findings.
Either way for those here in this country that has been so hard hit by the pandemic like so many others, there is a sense of relief that just maybe this could be the beginning of what has been extraordinarily difficult period.
Arwa Damon, CNN -- Istanbul.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: North Korea loves a parade. And the latest display of military might has some surprising new developments. According to state media, Pyongyang unveiled a submarine launched ballistic missile on Thursday, calling it the world's strongest weapon.
The North Koreans have test-fired several of the missiles from underwater. Analysts say it's developing a nuclear-powered submarine as well.
Kim Jong-Un was on hand, decked out in a leather coat, fur hats, big smile.
CNN's Paula Hancocks live from Seoul.
You know, I guess the question is, how much can we take the North Korean at their word? Because I guess, in the past, when they say they are going to or they have done something, quite often they're telling the truth?
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, John. I mean they do show off the weapons that they have been working on. And they often then test those weapons that they have been working on.
Now, as you say, the submarine-launched ballistic missile they have already tested. This is believed to be an updated version of that. But a few times over the past few years, we have seen North Korea testing that. That's certainly, one of the capabilities that they want to nail down.
Now, this military parade, in the middle of the night, really ended the Party Congress, the 8th Party Congress -- a very important meeting of the political elite. The last one was back in 2016.
And during that congress, the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Un spoke about the upgraded weaponry, and nuclear weapons that he was looking at.
And he did talk about this nuclear-powered submarine although many analysts expect that that is a long time in the future. Having just completed the research on that at this point.
This parade also, they showed short range ballistic missiles that using solid fuel, it's believed. Now, that is key, because solid fuel rather than liquid fuel, means that they can be fired very quickly, with very little preparation time which would obviously be an asset for North Korea.
Also speaking about tactical nuclear weapons. Really this topped off the party congress, which gave us an insight into the foreign policy that the military, the economic goals of North Korea and the most details we had by far was when it came to the military and exactly what North Korea is going to be working on going forward, John.
VAUSE: Another one for Joe Biden's to-do list, I imagine.
Paula Hancocks in Seoul, thank you.
Stay with us. We'll be right back after a short break. You're watching CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: Less than a week now, President-Elect Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. Well, this year's inauguration, will look vastly different, the largely virtual event will still feature celebrity performances. Lady Gaga, who campaigned for Biden will sing the national anthem. And there will be a mutual performance by Jennifer Lopez.
There's also, a primetime TV special later that evening.
[01:54:57]
VAUSE: Right now, Donald Trump might be feeling despondent, and all alone holed up in the White House. But there is also a growing push to erase him from another one of his achievements, the 1992 film "Home Alone".
Here is Jeanne Moos.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Now that President Trump will soon be heading home, his "Home Alone 2" cameo has been getting the heave-ho online.
MACAULAY CULKIN, ACTOR: Excuse me, where is the lobby?
TRUMP: Down the hall and to the left.
CULKIN: Thanks.
MOOS: Trump is being replaced with everyone from Jabba the Hutt to Dolly Parton. But when someone suggested replacing Trump with 40-year- old Macaulay Culkin which did happen, Culkin himself responded, "Sold".
And when someone else took the liberty of making Trump invisible --
CULKIN: Excuse me, where's the lobby?
MOOS: Poof.
CULKIN: Thanks.
MOOS: Macaulay Culkin tweeted "Bravo". There is even a joke petition on change.org to replace Trump in the movie with Biden. The cameo was shot in The Plaza Hotel back when it was owned by Trump.
The director told "Business Insider" of Trump bullying his way into the film. "The only way you can use The Plaza is if I'm in the movie".
The president has spoken fondly of it being an honor to be included in one of the biggest Christmas hits.
TRUMP: I was a little bit younger, to put it mildly.
MOOS: While online jokers are busy swapping the president with everyone from a drag race contestant to the video game character "The Heavy".
Some aren't laughing. "Very Stalinesque" was a common theme, referring to the way Stalin's regime airbrushed out those who had fallen out of favor.
But some are in favor of dumping more Trump cameos. Boo. Take him out of "Six and the City" next.
SARAH JESSICA PARKTER, ACTRESS: Samantha, a cosmopolitan and Donald Trump. You just don't get more New York than that.
MOOS: Now that he moved, you just don't get more Florida than that. The "Home Alone 2" movie maybe title "Lost in New York", but with the addition of the rioter decked out in that Viking getup with horns, it is "Lost in the Capitol".
Jeanne Moos, CNN --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Down the hall and to the left.
MOOS: -- New York. (END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM.
I'm John Vause.
Please stay with us. Kim Brunhuber will be back with more news at the top of the break.
I will see you next week.
[01:57:27]
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