Return to Transcripts main page

New Day

CDC: Double Masking Can Block 92 Percent Of Infectious Particles; Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) On Damning Videos Showing The Vice President And Lawmakers Narrowly Escaping Deadly Mob; Bernie Sanders Presses OMB Nominee Neera Tanden Over Attacks On Progressives. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired February 11, 2021 - 07:30   ET

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

[07:30:00]

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (via Cisco Webex): -- in part, common sense, right?

We can put up the numbers here and actually show you how much of an impact double-masking can have, but also simply making sure that you have a good fit around your mask as well.

A couple of things to keep in mind as you look at these numbers. One is that, in part, the masks work to protect people from you. We've known that for some time. And the masks -- you know, that's this idea that you will have a harder time transmitting the virus if you're wearing a mask.

The question for a long time is how much does it protect the wearer as well. So the double masking, you can see significant protection, actually (audio gap) and making sure you have a good fit. Even better, in terms of protection.

And I will add John, and I think the data is going to come out around this as well, is that the high filtration masks, the N95s -- the N95s that are authorized are going to be even better. If you're going to wear a mask to protect yourself and protect others, why not wear the best masks?

For a long time, we didn't have enough (audio gap). As they're ramping up production, I think those are going to be a good option, John.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: That is remarkable, Sanjay. You're coming in now but we want to keep going here.

Sanjay, I want you to address -- I got an e-mail from a viewer and the viewer said why do you guys always talk about what's happened with Walgreens and CVS? I live in a rural community in southern Illinois. We don't have a CVS or a Walgreens -- we have a Walmart.

What's happening -- and they haven't gotten word on when they're going to be able to get vaccines there. And so what's happening with the access in rural communities and what do you think the administration is doing to address the fact that they're in a desert? GUPTA: Yes, this is a really important question.

And we have, first of all, the pharmacies -- even the larger retail pharmacies -- the CVS, the Walgreens have really up until sort of the end of (audio gap) beginning of this month focused on long-term care facilities. I think you heard -- we heard together that the administration was going to start sending doses -- just a million doses initially -- to pharmacies to start spreading them out in communities.

But the question is a really important one. If it's just CVS and Walgreens and you don't have a CVS and Walgreens, what's that going to mean for you. We've asked the same question.

And first of all, I think for a period of time, there's this concern that it's going to exacerbate these disparities, which we've seen every step of the way. Disparities where black and brown Americans are more likely to be exposed, more likely to get sick, more likely to be hospitalized. And now, less likely to be vaccinated, in part, somewhat because of vaccine hesitancy but somewhat because of access.

What we're hearing is that these mobile vaccination centers should hopefully make a dent (audio gap) actually trying to reach out in certain communities. And we saw evidence of mom and pop pharmacies in West Virginia actually having an impact on distribution.

That -- we're still early days in terms of actually getting the vaccine into those pharmacies. But hopefully, that will make a difference in rural communities as well.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to keep trying to go on here, Sanjay. I know the connection is a little bit iffy.

GUPTA: Sorry.

BERMAN: The CDC also weighing in -- and I want you to explain this to us. The CDC talking about people who have been vaccinated -- received both doses of vaccines -- sort of new guidance on what they need to do and not do. What have they said?

GUPTA: Yes, this is fascinating, and I'll preface it by saying that we need more data to understand how the CDC is making these decisions. I mean, this is an important note for the CDC because I've been reporting on this for a year. If you're going to make policy recommendation changes, you can't just put them up on the Web site and have somebody by happenstance catch it. We need to understand why.

So what they're now saying -- and I don't know if we can show this -- the recommendation changes. They're saying if you have been vaccinated and it's been at least a couple of weeks since you received your second shot -- so you have your maximum antibodies -- if you're in that situation and you've had an exposure to someone with COVID, you no longer need to be quarantined, OK? That's the -- that's now the guidance from the CDC.

But what does that mean exactly? Why are they saying that? What they're basically saying is that if you have antibodies, whether from vaccination or from natural infection and immunity, you are unlikely to continue to spread this virus.

Remember how much we've talked about this. You've been vaccinated but you can still be infected and you can still transmit. What they're now saying is that that's true but it's less likely that you can spread and we think that the idea of quarantining is not necessary anymore. They still say you need to wear masks and still need to be protective.

But we need to understand why is that? How much of a decrease in infection and transmission is there after someone's been vaccinated? It's a question we're going to -- we're going to get the answer to and we'll bring it to you.

But right now, for people who are watching, if you have antibodies, either because you've been infected or because you've been vaccinated, you no longer need to quarantine even if you've been exposed to someone with COVID.

[07:35:09]

BERMAN: This is important new information with important questions remaining.

Sanjay, thanks for being with us. Really appreciate it.

GUPTA: Yes.

BERMAN: So what are senators saying behind the scenes after the dramatic new video of the Capitol insurrection? We're going to ask a senator, next.

But first, join us for a new CNN original series that chronicles the life of Abraham Lincoln. See his struggles, his true character, and the compromises he made to save the Union. "LINCOLN: DIVIDED WE STAND" premieres Sunday night at 10:00 on CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

Clip from CNN's "LINCOLN: DIVIDED WE STAND."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:40:52]

CAMEROTA: House managers provided never-before-seen evidence in their case that Donald Trump incited the January sixth riot, but is it enough?

John Avlon has our reality check. Hi, John.

JOHN AVLON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Never before in human history has a violent attack been so digitally documented. We don't have to guess what motivated the mob. We can see how incitement led to this insurrection.

We all saw Donald Trump spread the big lie, but now we can see how his followers internalized and amplified his message, turning patriotism into pure hate. And this was not well-hidden. Calls to violence were evident for weeks on the forums the Trump White House closely monitored.

One meme posted on "The Donald" promoted the January sixth rally by saying "The Capitol is our goal. Every corrupt member of Congress locked in one room and surrounded by real Americans is an opportunity that will never present itself again."

Another post said, "If Congress illegally certifies Biden, Trump would have absolutely no choice but to demand us to storm Congress and kill/beat them up for it."

While a threat on a message board said "Congress needs to hear glass breaking, doors being kicked in. Stop calling this a march, or a rally, or a protest. Go there ready for war. We get our president or we die."

Now that was cited in an internal FBI report which issued an explicit warning that extremists were preparing to travel to Washington and commit violence and war. And that is contrary to Trump administration claims they had no indication that this rally could turn violent.

But there were public reports as well warning that online forums were erupting with violent threats. It turns out that Trump's hardcore supporters took him seriously and literally because many of them showed up at the rally wearing tactical gear, ready to storm the Capitol.

Some even had murder on their mind. Multiple indictments now detail possible intent to kill Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Alleged calls to "shoot her in the friggin' brain" from one Pennsylvania woman. While a lawyer from Georgia posted about his incursion into her office, writing "Crazy Nancy probably would have been torn into little pieces."

But perhaps the clearest cause and effect was directed at Trump's loyal vice president, Mike Pence. So where did they get this idea that he was a traitor? Well, Trump mentioned Pence 11 times in his rally speech, telling them to be strong and break the law.

But once rioters broke into the Capitol, with Pence and his family pulled off the floor by Secret Service, Trump tweeted again, essentially calling Pence a coward for doing his constitutional duty. Trump's tweet was then read aloud by a rioter outside.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPITOL RIOTER: Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

AVLON: And calls of "Hang Mike Pence" started cascading through the crowd.

Now, if the mob could turn on Mike Pence, why would any Republican senator think they would be spared? Golem always turns on its creator.

More than a dozen rioters now say Trump incited them to insurrection, with one suspect's lawyer calling Trump a cult leader.

Republicans could learn from this belated revelation because if they can't find moral clarity in the evidence that's been presented, they will be tying their legacies to this disgraced former president, his attack on the election, and the attack on the Capitol.

And that's your reality check.

BERMAN: Thanks so much, John, for that.

Joining me now, Democratic Sen. Jon Tester from Montana. Senator, thanks so much for being with us this morning.

I'm wondering what it was like for you yesterday to watch that video that no one had ever seen before -- the security video, in particular -- and to learn how close that the insurrectionists came to you and your colleagues.

SEN. JON TESTER (D-MT): Well, I mean, it was scary. It was eye- opening. It was incredibly informing.

And it's something that -- you know, I knew that we were in harm's way but nothing to the extent that I saw yesterday. So we've gotten new information from the prosecution as to what happened on January sixth and it was far worse than I thought, for sure.

BERMAN: What video -- what did you see that had the biggest impact on you?

TESTER: Well, I think it was -- there was a couple of them.

[07:45:00]

I think it was the video of Mitt Romney with the police officer saying, obviously, you've got to go a different direction than he did. I think it was the video of Chuck Schumer heading down the hallway and then seeing him sprinting back a few seconds later.

And I just think it was the overall descriptions that were made on how close they were to the chamber and to where the senators were, I think were very eye-opening and very informative.

BERMAN: Fifty-eight steps away is what House manager Eric Swalwell said, and I think that landed with you and some of your colleagues.

So, Bruce Castor, who is one of the former president's defense attorneys, says quote "I'm waiting for them -- the House managers -- to connect this -- all the violence -- up to the president."

He suggests they haven't done that yet. What's your response to that?

TESTER: He wasn't in the same impeachment trial that I was in yesterday.

What I heard from the defense was the president started in the spring of 2020 and repeated the same operative words throughout the summer, including the speech that was given on the sixth of January. And, quite frankly, we heard from people who were -- the insurrectionists -- the domestic terrorists that they were, indeed, there because Trump had invited them.

So I don't know what the attorney was listening to during the impeachment trial but it was a different trial than I heard, that's for sure.

Now, I will also tell you that I look forward to hearing what the defense has to say because I do think the prosecution has laid down a very compelling case.

BERMAN: Well, what the defense already does say, and what some of your Republican Senate colleagues say, is we didn't hear the former president say out loud go swing bats at the U.S. Capitol. We did not hear the former president say go invade the Capitol and violently take it over because he didn't use those explicit words, they say -- although he did say the word fight like at least 20 times. They say it wasn't incitement.

TESTER: Well look, if -- and like I said, we'll wait and see what the defense says. But if you're looking for a loophole, I guess you could find loopholes. The fact is I think the intent was there and it was made pretty obvious by the prosecution.

BERMAN: We're getting reports from pool reporters who were inside the Senate chamber that Sen. Josh Hawley, Republican from Missouri, was up in the gallery at one point with his feet up over another chair. And we heard over the last few days that some of your Republican Senate colleagues were doodling, like Rand Paul, or reading other things.

I wonder how that sits with you.

TESTER: Well, I think we've got a solemn obligation to do what the Constitution says and I think paying attention is a big part of it, whether it's an impeachment trial or otherwise. I will make no judgments on those folks, but the truth is that this is a very somber and important event and we need to treat it as such.

I'm certainly not writing it off either direction. I want to hear both sides and then I'll make a decision. And I think that's where -- you know, we're all jurors. There's 100 of us who are all jurors. We should be -- we should be approaching it from that point of view, I believe.

BERMAN: What evidence have you seen, if any, or what conversations have you had, if any, with any of your Republican colleagues that indicates that they might be moved, so far, by these arguments? TESTER: So, I haven't tried to influence or talk to anybody on this with the exception of maybe Chris Coons, my seatmate in the Senate who I visit with a little bit while the trial is going on, but very, very little. And so I haven't -- I haven't talked to any of the folks on the other side of the aisle to see what their feelings are.

I know how it's impacted me and like I said, I'll be looking forward to seeing what the defense says and how they react to the case that was put down by the prosecution.

BERMAN: I want to ask you a question on another matter now.

I heard you talking about the fact that you just went to visit -- were inside the Oval Office for the first time. President Biden had you over for a meeting inside the Oval Office. We're looking at this picture right now.

You've been in the Senate now for 14 years, right --

TESTER: That's correct.

BERMAN: -- and this was your first time in the Oval Office? That just struck me as telling in a lot of ways about this president, but also maybe about the past administrations. How could this be?

TESTER: Well look, I've been in the White House many times but never in the Oval Office. I have peered in and looked in the Oval Office but I had never been in there and actually viewed it for what it is, which is a magnificent room, I might add.

And so, I'm honored and flattered that President Biden would have the chairs over and talk in the Oval Office and have a good discussion. It's a fantastic room and it's one of those memories that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

BERMAN: What does it tell you, though, about the level of engagement that this president has maybe reaching out to you -- a guy who is seen largely -- you know, maybe more in the middle than some of your Democratic colleagues?

TESTER: Look, I served with Joe. Joe is a good guy. He's straight up. And it doesn't surprise me at all that one of the first things Joe Biden would do is have senators from both parties come over and discuss important policy. That's Joe Biden.

[07:50:10]

BERMAN: Senator Jon Tester from Montana. I understand it was minus-36 degrees at your farm in Montana so you're probably the happiest guy to be sitting through this Senate trial right now in the warmth of the Capitol.

TESTER: You know, you've got to have a little bit of cold to kill the bugs, so it's good.

BERMAN: Senator Tester, we appreciate you being with us. We'll take your word for it. Thank you.

TESTER: You bet.

BERMAN: This morning, investigators piecing together new evidence in the death of U.S. Capitol Police Office Brian Sicknick. New reporting on what officials believe happened. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAMEROTA: Sharp questions for President Biden's nominee to head up the White House Budget Office. Senators pressed Neera Tanden to answer for her harsh comments that she's made in the past aimed not only at Republicans but some progressive Democrats.

[07:55:02]

CNN's Jessica Dean has more of this contentious confirmation hearing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NEERA TANDEN, NOMINEE, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET: I'm humbled and honored by the trust you've placed in me.

JESSICA DEAN, CNN WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Joe Biden's choice to lead the Office of Management and Budget, Neera Tanden, faced tough questions and some awkward moments during her Senate confirmation hearings this week.

TANDEN: I know there have been some concerns about some of my past language on social media, and I regret that language.

DEAN (voice-over): Tanden, the former CEO and president of the left- leaning Center for American Progress, is considered one of Biden's more controversial nominees.

SEN. ROB PORTMAN (R-OH): You wrote that Susan Collins is quote "the worst." That Tom Cotton is a fraud. That vampires have more heart than Ted Cruz. You called Leader McConnell "Moscow Mitch" and "Voldemort," and on and on.

DEAN (voice-over): During her hearings, Tanden acknowledged her history of posting comments critical of both Republicans and Democrats, including the chairman of one of the committees, Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ran against Tanden's ally, Hillary Clinton, in the 2016 Democratic primary.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT): Your attacks were not just made against Republicans, there were vicious attacks made against progressives, people who I have worked with, and me personally.

TANDEN: I recognize that my language and my expressions on social media caused hurt to people and I feel badly about that.

DEAN (voice-over): According to two officials, Tanden and Sanders met behind the scenes prior to the hearing for what was described as a lengthy one-on-one opportunity to discuss years of public clashes, as well as private interactions.

SANDERS: So can we assume that as the director of the OMB we're going to see a different approach if you are appointed than you have taken at CAP?

TANDEN: Absolutely, and I would say social media does lead to too many personal comments and my approach will be radically different.

DEAN (voice-over): Still, Republicans on the committee had a number of questions about her previous posts.

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY (R-LA): And I don't mind disagreements in policy -- I think that's great. I love the dialectic. But the comments were personal. I mean, you called Sen. Sanders everything but an ignorant slut.

DEAN (voice-over): Senator John Kennedy making what his office described as a quote "well-known cultural illusion to both "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" and "THE OFFICE."

KENNEDY: Did you mean them when you said them?

TANDEN: Senator, I must have meant them but I really regret them.

KENNEDY: I want the record to reflect that I did not call Sen. Sanders an ignorant slut, OK?

SANDERS: Thank you. I don't know how I should take that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DEAN (on camera): So now, Neera Tanden would need to be voted out of committees before she can go to the full Senate vote for her nomination. And, of course, Alisyn, that's not happening in the immediate future because impeachment has to be done with first before they can get to that business.

CAMEROTA: That was a doozy of a hearing, Jessica. You were right about that. Thank you very much.

And NEW DAY continues right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In never-before-seen Capitol surveillance videos, the managers demonstrated just how close the rioters came to many of the senators in the room.

REP. ERIC SWALWELL (D-CA): You were just 58 steps away from where the mob was.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Showing that tape over and over again, it's continuing to open wounds.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If they have blood running through their veins they have to have been moved. But that's a very different question than whether or not they are going to break with their political realities that keep them in power.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everyone was engaged watching and I just hope it changes some of their minds and some of their hearts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Alisyn Camerota and John Berman.

BERMAN: Welcome to our views in the United States and all around the world. This is NEW DAY.

I'm angry, I'm disturbed, I'm sad. That is what Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski says this morning about the stunning presentation by the House impeachment managers. She says I wasn't fully aware of everything else that was happening in the building. Jon Tester, of Montana, just told us the same thing.

Now, the question is what will senators do about it.

Democrats have already revealed -- Democratic managers have already revealed a series of never-before-seen video showing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's staff running to hide from the mob moments before the insurrectionists tried to break down their door. The video of Mitt Romney and Chuck Schumer caught on surveillance video narrowly escaping the mob.

CAMEROTA: They also captured the moment Vice President Pence and his family were hurried out of the Senate chamber moments before it was breached.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEL. STACEY PLASKETT (D), REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS' AT-LARGE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, HOUSE IMPEACHMENT MANAGER: As the rioters reached the top of the stairs they were within 100 feet of where the vice president was sheltering with his family.

(END VIDEO CLIP)