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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Biden Announces Order for 200 Million More Doses of Vaccine; Most Republicans Back Claim Trump Impeachment is Unconstitutional; Cities and States Pushing to Vaccinate More People Faster; Europe Threatens Vaccine Export Controls As Delays Emerge. Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired January 27, 2021 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[05:00:25]
LAURA JARRETT, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world. This is EARLY START. I'm Laura Jarrett.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Laura. And good morning to all of you. I'm Christine Romans. It's Wednesday, January 27th. It is 5:00 a.m. exactly in New York.
President Biden trying to boost American morale and rush vaccines to cities, states, and health facilities across the country running out.
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JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And we believe that we'll soon be able to confirm the purchase of additional 100 million doses for each of the two FDA-authorized vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna. That's 100 million more doses of Pfizer. And 100 million more doses of Moderna, 200 million doses than the federal government had previously secured. Not on hand yet, but ordered.
To a nation awaiting action, let me be clearest on this point, help is on the way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: And the need is immediate. January is now the deadliest month of the pandemic. Tuesday was one of the deadliest reported days, 3,990 lives lost.
JARRETT: Now, these new doses would bring the total from Moderna and Pfizer to 600 million, theoretically, enough to vaccinate the entire country. Biden's announcement was a bold and politically risky response from criticism from his plan lacking ambition.
In fact, Mr. Biden has started a countdown on a return to some semblance of normal life.
Chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins has the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Laura and Christine. Yeah, these big announcements coming from President Biden yesterday, talking about how many doses they have secured commitments from the two companies that are now making the vaccines that you've already seen going out in the country. And with the new numbers, President Biden said they should have enough doses to vaccinate every adult in the United States by end of summer or early fall.
Of course, that would be a massive development but it is not without its challenges because just because you have the doses on hand does not mean there are still not concerns about developing the infrastructure to actually get those vaccines administered, and also addressing vaccine hesitancy. And that's something that we heard from Biden's chief of staff Ron Klain as they were talking about achievements of getting the doses secured. These commitments from companies. They're not on hand yet they still have to be produced so they don't expect them for several more months.
But what we could see in the immediate future, according to President Biden, is he said they're now going to start giving states about a three-week forecast for what they expect for their vaccine allocation. We have heard complaints from state leaders over the last months they don't know how much vaccine they're getting or when and president Biden will provide them with a heads-up and it comes after his COVID coordinator Jeff Zients told distributors they're getting 16 percent more supply, than currently are. To streamline how that will look.
One thing we're expected to do today, get the first of course briefing from the team. You've seen so many of those back in the Trump office, now we're expecting this one. We're told those are virtual. We're waiting to see what that actually looks like.
President Biden is leaving the questions, he says, to the experts so they should be answering some of those today about the stockpile and how many vaccines are on hand right now. It comes as we hear from President Biden later today. This is going to be focused on climate. Of course, he says that's one of the big parts of his agenda while he's in office.
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ROMANS: All right. Kaitlan, thank you so much for that.
Critical new information for schools and parents. The CDC says students can go back to classroom safely if the right precautions are in place. Experts underscore the importance of getting kids back to in-person learning both for their development and access to essential services so their parents can get back to work full time.
To make that happen safely, the Centers for Disease Control recommend schools require masks and social distancing. Keep students in limited groups, so-called pods. Increase classroom air ventilation and test frequently for coronavirus.
JARRETT: And despite all the concern over the current high rates of COVID infection, hospitalization and deaths across the country, President Biden is still pledging to open most k through 12 schools within 100 days.
Here's the chief of staff.
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ERIN BURNETT, CNN HOST: Why do you think so many public schools across this country are still closed in places that the private schools are open?
RON KLAIN, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: Yeah, I'll give you a word -- money. That's why the president of the United States sent a plan to Congress even before he took office, to make the investments you need to make the schools safe.
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JARRETT: Now, this White House push to reopen comes over the objection of some teachers unions across the country that say they fear for their members' health. Teachers in Chicago and Montclair, New Jersey, just the latest to refuse to go back in person right now.
Meantime, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says he wants every kid back in school by March 1st.
ROMANS: Yeah, biggest story last night. No question, everyone talking when they can get kids back in school. So important for everyone.
He's not in the White House anymore, but Republicans are showing once again loyalty to Donald Trump remains the cornerstone of their party. All but five Republican senators backed the vote to stop the trial Tuesday before it even gets started, even though Trump started that insurrection that put their very lives at risk. If 45 Republicans think the trial is even constitutional, it's a pretty good sign there's not enough to convict Trump.
One of those 45, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell who said this just a week ago.
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SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people.
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JARRETT: What a difference a week makes. Despite blaming Trump for the riot there and all of the reporting we've seen about the desire to banish Trump from the Republican Party forever, McConnell still sided with those who argue it was unconstitutional to impeach a former president. Many legal scholars say otherwise but it's not been tested in the Supreme Court, because in reality, impeachment, of course, is a political process, not a legal one. Meantime, sources tell CNN House impeachment managers are preparing
their case to show how president Trump's words and actions pushed rioters to breach the capitol. They haven't decided whether to call witnesses yet.
Senator Lindsey Graham says if Democrats do call witnesses, Republicans will want witnesses as well and the trial will go on for months.
ROMANS: All right. Six minutes past the hour.
Warning from the International Monetary Fund, the IMF: new coronavirus variants could slam the brakes on global economic growth on the recovery. The group now expects the global economy to grow by 5.5 percent this year. Looking ahead, the IMF expects growth to slow in 2022. And the upgrade reflects mask vaccination programs, speaking up around the world, and additional stimulus in some of the largest economies but the group warns surging infections, logistical problems with vaccine distribution and lockdowns could slow growth, adding that the pandemic is causing exceptional uncertainty.
Some countries will recover quicker than others. China, the only major economy to grow last year, is estimated to grow more than 8 percent this year. The IMF expects the U.S. to grow just over 5 percent, the U.K. to rebound 4.5 percent.
The IMF's chief economist said the growth now depends on the outcome of the race between a mutating virus and vaccines to end this pandemic. And on policies that will provide support for people on the economies until that happens.
JARRETT: Still ahead, a vaccine that was supposed to save Europe, cheaper, easier to store and deliver. What is going so wrong with the AstraZeneca rollout? CNN is live in Paris, up next.
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JARRETT: Citizen states across the U.S. doing everything they can right now to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible. CNN has reporters coast to coast with the latest developments.
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NICK WATT, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Nick Watt in Los Angeles.
Now, California's vaccine distribution system has been called slow and inefficient. So, starting February 1st, anybody who's eligible for a vaccine will be able to sign up for an appointment on a standardized statewide site. They're trying to simplify and streamline the whole process and also make it equitable and efficient.
There's also a site called My Turn where you can find out when it's your turn. NICQUEL TERRY ELLIS, CNN SENIOR WRITER, RACE AND EQUALITY: I'm
Nicquel Terry Ellis in Atlanta. An analysis of data from 14 states shows that vaccine coverage is twice as high among white Americans than it is among black and Latino Americans. This disparity is a major concern given that black and Latino Americans are still dying from COVID-19 at three times the rate of white people. Health advocates blame the federal government in hospitals, saying neither has prioritized equal access nor had they ensure that people of color know where and how to get this vaccine.
ERICA HILL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Erica Hill in New York where Mayor Bill de Blasio is warning once again the city is nearly out of vaccine. On Tuesday, noting there's almost no supply to create new appointments. More than 20,000 appointments were cancelled last week due to supply issues. The mayor is expecting a shipment of 100,000 doses this week, but says, really, the city is still hundred of thousands of doses short for the week.
JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH REPORTER: I'm Jacqueline Howard in Atlanta. Starting next month, CVS says some of its local pharmacies will offer COVID-19 vaccinations onsite. Overall, more than 200 retail locations in 11 states will offer the vaccinations to people who are eligible. CVS says it already completed first round doses for people and staff and the long-term care facilities it's partnering with, and soon, CVS will begin vaccinating other eligible people.
SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Sara Murray in Washington, D.C. In nearby Maryland, the governor announced their setting up six mass vaccination sites. These are sites going to be located in places like M&T stadium, the home of the Baltimore Ravens. And also, the six flags theme park. All of this so they can be prepared to ramp up their vaccination efforts.
More than 2 million Marylanders are eligible to get the vaccine. The governor says the state doesn't have anywhere near the supply they need from the federal government in order to vaccinate everybody who is eligible.
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And that's even with the new supplies that the Biden administration says are soon to be coming. And this is what we are seeing in states all over the place, setting up these sites in the hopes when they get the influx of vaccines, they'd be ready to go.
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ROMANS: All right. Thanks to our reporters for all of those reports.
Now, vaccine delays in Europe as well. Europe threatening to restrict vaccine exports after AstraZeneca and Pfizer announced production delays. It's getting particularly ugly with AstraZeneca. That vaccine was supposed to make a difference because it's cheaper and easier to store.
CNN's Cyril Vanier live in Paris. Cyril, this could slow the pandemic recovery across Europe.
CYRIL VANIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, slow the pandemic recovery, and therefore cost lives, Christine. It is really messy between the E.U. and AstraZeneca at the moment.
There's going to be a third round of talking between representatives of the drugmaker. The first two were not fruitful, with the E.U. saying we want to know how many doses we're getting and when. The problem goes back to Friday when AstraZeneca announced would be delivering to the 27 member states of the European Union. Far fewer doses than originally scheduled between now and end of March.
The E.U., as you said, is waiting for this with bated breath. Because the vaccines they have so far, Pfizer and Moderna, are hard to roll out. It's been slow vaccination rollout broadly across Europe.
AstraZeneca, a lot easier to roll out. E.U. was likely to approve it this week and they were hoping to hit the ground running. Now, that's not going to happen. Countries like France they say they're getting a third of the dosage expected by March. Belgium says less than half.
So the E.U. is furious. They're threatening to monitor the exports of vaccines that are manufactured here in Europe. But what good is that going to do, Christine? Because AstraZeneca is saying it has a problem with one of its manufacturing sites in Europe. Supply chains aren't quite there for this scale and delivery and production.
So I don't see -- and as we find out more from AstraZeneca, how much political pressure is really going to change their supply chain problems, Christine.
ROMANS: Yeah, plenty of frustration. Not a lot of vaccine yet.
All right. Cyril, thank you so much for that. Keep us posted.
JARRETT: All right. The U.S. government is urging Americans not to travel abroad as new restriction went in effect on Tuesday. All air passengers coming into the U.S. must now show a negative coronavirus test taken within the last three days. All you need to show proof of recovery in the last 90 days.
Officials say if you can't find the test or you test positive for the virus, you might be stuck overseas a lot longer than you planned. Authorities say they're committed to helping U.S. citizens in extraordinary situations. But that assistance is likely to be limited.
ROMANS: All right. Dumb luck that more people didn't die. Capitol police admit they knew lawmakers could be in trouble, could be in danger, and they failed before and during the terror attack at the Capitol.
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[05:22:32] ROMANS: All right, caught on tape and blaming President Trump. A growing number of people arrested for the insurrection at the Capitol are blaming the president directly for their actions that day. At least 150 people have now been charged by the Justice Department, thousands seen on video. So, these numbers will rise. Federal authorities have identified over 400 suspects and expect to bring sedition charges against some of them.
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MIKE SHERWIN, ACTING U.S. ATTORNEY: You're talking 20-year felonies, with enhancements, you're looking at significant time in federal prison. Yes, we are working on those cases. And I think the results will wear fruit very soon.
STEVEN D'ANTUONO, FBI WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN CHARGE: We're committed to seeing this through. No matter how many people it takes, how many days it takes us. The resources we'll get to, need to get it done. We'll get to the bottom of this, the American people in this country deserve no less.
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JARRETT: The acting chief of the capitol police admitting that the department failed to respond properly to the riots. In a closed-door briefing with Congress, members were left stunned by this one telling CNN it was dumb luck more people didn't die.
Jessica Schneider has more now from Washington.
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JESSICA SCHNEIDER, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Laura and Christine, the acting chief for capitol police admitting to lawmakers that there were major missteps and that the department was not prepared for what they knew was coming.
Yogananda Pittman was recently elevated to acting police chief, but on January 6, she was actually operational chief and she now admits that the lockdown of the capitol may not have been implemented properly. Also, that radio communication was hard to hear and the P.A. system to alert members of Congress about what was happening also may not have been clear enough.
So, Pittman gave a statement to the appropriations committee and she spelled out that they knew about this threat in advance, saying this: We knew that militia groups and white supremacist organizations would be attending. We also new that some of these participants were intending to bring firearms to the event. We knew that there was a strong potential for violence and that Congress was the target.
The department prepared in order to meet these challenges, but we did not do enough.
And this really speaks to what previously reported, that many officers with capitol police felt abandoned and betrayed by the department's leadership. The acting chief, of course, now admitting there were many failures.
But we've also learned that capitol police officers are discussing holding a no confidence vote, targeting Pittman and four additional chiefs who were on duty that day.
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In fact, one source telling us, Pittman never took control of the radio or even instructed officers how to respond in any form. The union president says no vote is currently under way butt that officers are pushing for one -- Laura and Christine.
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JARRETT: Jessica Schneider, thank you so much for that report.
A quick programming note here for you, a new global town hall, "The Race to Vaccinate America". Top doctors from President Biden's team join Anderson Cooper and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, "CORONAVIRUS: FACTS AND FEARS", live tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, only on CNN.
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ROMANS: Good morning. This is EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.
JARRETT: And I'm Laura Jarrett. Almost 30 minutes past the hour here in New York.
And this morning, the White House is ramping up coronavirus vaccines across the country.
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BIDEN: And we believe that we'll soon be able to confirm the purchase of an additional 100 million doses for.
