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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

200 Million Under Alerts As Deadly Winter Storm Heads Northeast; Crucial Weeks Ahead As Democrats Push To Pass $1.9 Trillion Rescue Bill; Myanmar Military Escalates Crackdown On Dissent After Coup. Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired February 16, 2021 - 05:30   ET

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

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[05:30:20]

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, this is EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

LAURA JARRETT, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Laura Jarrett, about 30 minutes past the hour here in New York.

And this morning, more than 200 million people are in the grip of historically cold and dangerous weather. More than a third of the country recording subzero temperatures since yesterday, icing roads, and leaving nearly five million people without power now.

More than 80 percent of the outages are in Texas. Among the millions affected, a freezing, pregnant mom, her husband, and their two kids just outside Dallas.

Schools in Dallas, Arlington, and Fort Worth are closed until Thursday because of power outages. The Houston School District, the largest in Texas, will be closed today.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's like a walk-in freezer. It's like 34 to 36 degrees, I would say. You know, me and my family, we've been getting inside our cars trying to warm up and all that stuff.

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ROMANS: Now, a reminder here -- it can be dangerous. Don't use the car or the oven to stay warm because they can build up carbon monoxide.

Police in Schulenburg, Texas shared a dashcam video from the weekend. Officers there responding to one accident had to run when another car hit an icy spot and began rolling down an embankment.

And a surreal sight here. That's not sand on the beautiful beaches of Galveston, Texas. That is snow on the beach.

JARRETT: Just incredible.

But the danger extends well beyond Texas, of course. In Illinois, a state trooper was hurt when his squad car was hit while he was assisting with an accident there. Chicago public schools canceling in- person classes today.

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MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT (D), CHICAGO: And at some points during today, it looked like a scene out of "Doctor Zhivago." This is an all-hands- on-deck moment and we are ready to make sure that our city continues to function even in this extreme weather circumstance.

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JARRETT: Meteorologist Tyler Mauldin is live in the CNN weather center. Tyler, we know the storm is headed north. Is it expected to taper off at all?

TYLER MAULDIN, AMS METEOROLOGIST: So, it is going to taper off a little bit but the cold air is going to linger. And on the heels of this one storm system is yet another one, as you can see right behind me. A lot going on here.

So right in the middle, we've got the arctic air coming down from the depths of the arctic. And then, riding right along the base of the jet stream, which is bringing in that arctic air, are these little storm systems.

The first storm system is currently up here across the northeast. You can see it's producing some heavy snowfall across the Great Lakes and portions of New England. Then a mixed bag once you get into Massachusetts, all the way down into New York and Philadelphia.

This is where we had winter weather alerts in effect. Winter storm warnings from Chicago all the way to northern Maine. Ice storm warnings along the Appalachians, too.

This storm system has a history of producing severe weather. We had reports of tornadoes in North Carolina and also portions of north Florida and south Georgia as well.

The severe threat is beginning to diminish but the cold air is lingering. The temperatures are going to be 30, 40, 50 degrees below average not just for today but pretty much the rest of the week. And unfortunately, we are going to see more cold record temperatures broken -- possibly more than 150 over the next 48 hours.

We also have 70 percent of the country with snow cover at the moment. We're going to add to those totals because of the areas of low pressure.

The second storm systems -- the second storm system I was telling you about just a second ago, those are pushing east and those are going to roll over Oklahoma and Texas later on today. They're going to pick up snow and ice starting later on this evening and that is going to push up to the northeast as well.

JARRETT: All right, Tyler. We know you are staying on top of it all day. Appreciate it.

ROMANS: So, the heart of America's oil refining is in that deep freeze. The largest oil refinery in the United States, in Port Arthur, Texas, shut down. The bitter cold means people need more fuel to heat their homes and power their generators at the very same time the cold threatens oil and gas output there in Texas. That's driving up oil prices.

CNN's John Defterios has the latest for us from Abu Dhabi. And oil prices were already on the rise because of hopes for a recovering global economy. Add in this storm, that's a powerful combination.

JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNN EMERGING MARKETS EDITOR: Yes, it is a powerful combination, Christine -- that's for sure. And this massive cold snap is keeping the flame burning if you will on the rally that you're talking about here.

If you look at the futures prices we're at the highest level since January 2020, around $63 for the international benchmark, North Sea Brent, and hovering around $60 for the U.S. benchmark, WTI.

I talked about this being the fourth leg of the rally. The other things that you talked about -- the vaccines are rolling out. A long way to go but it's restoring confidence. Record stimulus if Joe Biden gets $1.9 trillion onto the table and passed. We're going to have $5 trillion overall.

[05:35:03]

And let's not forget back in May of 2020 at the height of the pandemic, the OPEC players here in the Middle East and with Russia as well cut back production because they saw prices go negative in April for 24 hours. That's a process that's still underway.

But the most important factor right now -- and it's very unusual -- it's clobbering the oil and gas production in the United States. In west Texas, around the Permian Basin, they're having problems getting that production out. Massive producers there. They've been struggling because of the downturn of the last 12 months because of the pandemic.

And then you go to east Texas around Port Arthur. This is the refining belt of America. Motiva is the largest refiner, owned by Saudi Arabia. They say that they're shut temporarily.

And the final factor here, Christina (sic), is that -- I'll tell you, there is a lot of money floating around and investors on Wall Street and the other financial capitals are piling money into commodities, so it's making this accentuate the rally that we see today. And many think we have a way to go depending on how the winter weather is, but also how demand recovers in the United States and elsewhere in terms of the economy globally. ROMANS: And a reminder for U.S. consumers. That means higher gas prices at the pumps and higher inputs if you are running a business that depends on oil.

John Defterios, thank you so much for that.

JARRETT: All right.

Huge consequences for millions of Americans are on the line as Democrats race to pass their $1.9 trillion rescue bill before unemployment benefits end.

President Biden is taking his vision on the road tonight with a CNN town hall in Wisconsin where voters had a chance to weigh in.

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CAROLINE QUINLAN, WISCONSIN VOTER: You know, I think he's just a very nice man. I think he's very good. One of the last politicians, I think, to go across the aisle and meet with people. And I think that's something -- that's a bit plus.

NATASHA LOOS, OWNER, CEDARBURG TOY COMPANY: Just the tone down of the rhetoric. The not having to be glued to the T.V. or social media to find out what the latest is going on has been very refreshing.

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JARRETT: CNN's Jasmine Wright is live at the White House for us this morning. Jasmine, some of these people voted for Biden, some did not, but they all seem to want him to succeed.

JASMINE WRIGHT, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, that's right. I think that's what we can really get from those sound bites. But listen, those qualities that those voters talked about -- the last politician to really work across that aisle -- that is going to be something that we're going to see from President Biden as he works to get support on both sides for this bill. Whether or not it comes is an open question.

But again, tonight on CNN, Biden is going to make the case of why this bill needs to be passed and why it needs to be passed quickly. Again, he's going to work for that bipartisan support, but his argument is that people are suffering now and that they need relief now.

So now, we know that bill is going through the House, being marked up in those committees. They hope to get it into the Senate, and then they hope to get it to Biden's desk by March.

But again, this really accelerated process if they're not going to get that Republican support for this $1.9 trillion bill, which at this point it is an open question because the Republicans really don't want to pass something of this size, that means that Democrats are going to have to go it alone. They're going to have to stay united because of their slim majority to get this thing passed.

So really, this is a lurch to the end to get some type of relief to Americans and it is going to be a journey to see if the White House can pull it off -- Laura.

JARRETT: All right, Jasmine Wright. Thanks so much.

ROMANS: Across the country, rank and file workers who helped ensure a free and fair election are still facing abuse and death threats. Workers in Fulton County, Georgia have endured racist taunts, threatening e-mails. Maricopa County, Arizona officials, they received death threats after certifying the results there.

And in Philadelphia, the city's lone Republican commissioner tells CNN that Trump incited supporters to threaten to quote "kill my children and put their heads on spikes."

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AL SCHMIDT (R), PHILADELPHIA CITY COMMISSIONER: I know it sounds like a cliche but words are important and words can cause people to take actions.

I've seen it with my own friends who all believe that the election was stolen. And I'm saying to them look, if the election was stolen in Philadelphia, I would have been the one stealing it. And they respond oh, no -- not you, not you. You would never do that.

But still, they want to -- they want to somehow believe it. They crave that belief and it's really disturbing.

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ROMANS: Republican lawmakers are still trying to limit voting. More than 100 bills in 28 states are moving through State Legislatures, some aimed to restrict mail-in voting while others would require voters to have photo I.D.

JARRETT: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo defending his decision to delay a release in data on coronavirus deaths at nursing homes. Cuomo denies claims by political opponents that he was hiding the information, but he now says the state paused state lawmakers' requests for the data because of a related inquiry from the Justice Department.

[05:40:07]

Just a few days ago, the governor's top aide admitted they quote "froze" because they weren't sure if the Trump White House would use the numbers against them. Cuomo now says he should have released the information sooner but maintains the numbers are accurate.

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GOV. ANDREW CUOMO (D), NEW YORK: COVID did not get into the nursing homes by people coming from hospitals. COVID got into the nursing homes by staff walking into the nursing home when we didn't even know we had COVID.

The void we created by not providing information was filled with skepticism, and cynicism, and conspiracy theories which furthered the confusion.

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ROMANS: New York health officials have come under scrutiny for separating data on the number of people who died at nursing homes from nursing home residents who later died in hospitals.

Now, Democratic state lawmakers are considering a repeal of Gov. Cuomo's emergency powers.

We'll be right back.

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[05:45:19]

ROMANS: Overnight, the fewest reported COVID cases in four months. Reporting, of course, lower on a holiday but it is undeniably a positive trend.

Elementary schools in Los Angeles County will be allowed to reopen for in-person learning today as the number of new coronavirus cases in that region continues to fall. The CDC says teacher vaccinations are not a prerequisite for opening -- reopening classrooms.

Key here is the rate of COVID transmission in the community. A CNN analysis shows that's a huge problem on its own.

CNN has reporters covering the pandemic from coast to coast.

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ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Elizabeth Cohen.

A CNN analysis of data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 89 percent of U.S. schoolchildren live in what the CDC calls red zones. Those are zones with especially high community transmission of COVID-19.

For middle and high schools in red zones, they should be in virtual mode unless they can strictly adhere to mitigation measures such as masking and social distancing, and have few COVID-19 cases. For elementary schools, they can be in hybrid mode but they should make sure that they have physical distancing in their schools of six feet or more between people.

NICK WATT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Nick Watt in Los Angeles.

Good news out of California. The average new case counts, the number of people in the hospital -- those numbers are lower than they have been in months. Also today, two new mass vaccination sites open -- one here in Los Angeles, another up in Oakland. That's the good news.

The bad news, vaccine supply. Dodger Stadium being closed for days because of lack of supplies. San Francisco -- they are pausing at a number of sites -- same reason.

LUCY KAFANOV, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Lucy Kafanov.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has announced that he is rolling back COVID- 19 restrictions set in November that limited casino capacity to 25 percent. As of Monday, casino gaming floors, houses of worship, and fitness studios were allowed to jump to 35 percent capacity. Meanwhile, libraries, museums, art galleries, and zoos moved to 50 percent capacity.

Capacity is set to jump again mid-March if coronavirus cases continue to go down.

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Jean Casarez in Manhattan.

New York City is one step closer to getting back to normal. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, along with the Metropolitan Transit Authority, is announcing that as of February 22nd, the overnight subway closure which has been in effect since the pandemic began, will now only be two hours, 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. Deep cleaning and disinfecting will still take place.

And they say that this allows the enhanced service to help the customer as the city cautiously reopens.

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

Jumping overseas now, the U.S. authorizing the departure of non- emergency personnel from the embassy in Myanmar after the military coup there.

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Myanmar's security forces firing at protesters.

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JARRETT: Myanmar's security forces firing at protesters who have taken to the streets for the past 10 days to denounce the military takeover.

CNN's Paula Hancocks joins us live with the very latest. Paula, China has blocked the U.N.'s condemnation of this coup. Why?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Laura, hello.

China has significant business interests in Myanmar is the long and short of it. They have been dealing in the past with both the military and the civilian government. But at this point it does appear, according to most experts, that is standing in the way of them committing and criticizing the way that we have seen the rest of the international community criticizing. You have heard from the U.N., from the U.S., from many international leaders telling the military the world is watching. There will be grave consequences if you are using force, and calling on them to stop using force against protesters. And we have been seeing that over recent days -- the escalation in the level of force that the security forces are willing to use against tens -- hundreds of thousands of protesters on the streets around the country.

Now, we also heard from the military -- their first so-called press conference today. And within that, they said that what had happened two weeks ago was not a coup. They say that they believe it was constitutional. And they also say that, in fact, it is protesters who are attacking police. Now, clearly, this is not the way that the rest of the world sees it.

But they did also mention the former leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and President Win Myint, saying that they are both healthy. And, of course, tomorrow is the first court hearing for Aung San Suu Kyi via videoconference, though we don't know if we'll see her -- Laura.

[05:50:09]

JARRETT: All right, Paula. We know you will be tracking it. Thank you so much.

ROMANS: All right, let's get a check on CNN Business this Tuesday morning.

Looking at markets around the world, markets in Shanghai were closed for the Lunar New Year, but gains elsewhere in the region. European markets have opened narrowly mixed here.

And on Wall Street, futures also just slightly higher here. The Dow above 31,600. Major averages are near record highs.

House committees are working on finalizing the president's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan this week.

General Motors' next big thing comes in a smaller size -- the new Chevrolet Bolt EUV, or electric utility vehicle. It's effectively the same size as its all-electric hatchback and smaller than other SUVs on the market.

Electric a priority for GM. Last month, GM said it will start phasing out its gas-powered cars and trucks and sell only zero-emission cars by the year 2035.

The Bolt's rollout could be hurt by a global shortage of computer chips. GM has temporarily halted production at several of its plants for at least one month while it waits for chips.

JARRETT: Serena Williams winning in straight sets this morning at the Australian Open. She's now on to the semifinals.

Andy Scholes has more in this morning's Bleacher Report. Hey, Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Laura.

So, Serena Williams hasn't won a Grand Slam title since winning the Aussie Open back in 2017. She's still looking for that elusive 24th Grand Slam.

But looking good right now at the Australian Open. This morning in the quarter-finals, Serena taking on Simona Halep, having no problem beating her in straight sets.

So next up now for Serena is a semifinal showdown against Naomi Osaka. The 23-year-old cruising to her 19th victory in a row this morning. Osaka's winning streak includes a U.S. Open title in September for her third Grand Slam championship.

Osaka and Serena, they've met four times. Osaka won the first two matchups, including the 2018 U.S. Open championship match. Serena's won the last two matchups.

These two are going to square off tomorrow night at 7:00 eastern with a spot in the title match on the line.

All right. Authorities in Florida, meanwhile, are investigating the death of former NFL star receiver Vincent Jackson. His body was found in a hotel room in Brandon, near Tampa. The cause of death is under investigation and deputies say there were no signs of trauma.

Jackson made three pro bowls in his 12 seasons with the Chargers and the Bucs. He retired in 2018. Vincent Jackson was just 38 years old.

All right, some encouraging news about the 5-year-old girl who was hurt in a crash involving former Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid. She is now awake from a coma, according to the girl's aunt. The girl was hospitalized in critical condition with a brain injury, the Kansas City police said earlier this month.

Reid told a responding officer that he had consumed two to three drinks before the crash, according to a search warrant. Reid is under investigation but has not been charged with any crime.

A GoFundMe campaign created by the girl's aunt on behalf of her mother has raised more than $486,000.

All right. Michael Jordan, meanwhile, continuing to get back to his state -- home state of North Carolina. The Hornets owner donating $10 million to open two new health clinics near his hometown of Wilmington. The Novant Health clinics are set to open early next year.

Back in 2017, Jordan gave $7 million to open Michael Jordan Family Clinics in Charlotte. And, Laura, those clinics have since seen 4,500 patients --

JARRETT: Wow.

SCHOLES: -- and have given out nearly 1,000 COVID-19 vaccines. So, Michael Jordan just continuing to do good in his home state there.

JARRETT: Yes. I saw he said rural communities need help, too, so it's great to see.

All right, thanks, Andy.

SCHOLES: Yes.

JARRETT: Appreciate it.

SCHOLES: All right.

JARRETT: All right.

Finally this morning, medicine through music from a mariachi band in a Southern California parking lot.

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Mariachi band playing for a coronavirus patient who had been placed on a ventilator.

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JARRETT: Patricia Trejo had the band serenade her husband Joseph who is in that hospital with COVID, fighting for his life on a ventilator.

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PATRICIA TREJO, HUSBAND FIGHTING COVID-19: Yes, he would have done it for me and I beat him to it. And I know he loves me. Every year -- I started to pray even harder and then he opened his eyes again. So I know he heard me and I know he heard the music.

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JARRETT: The virus hit the family particularly hard -- everyone had it. Patricia's father died recently. But on Monday, she was finally allowed at her husband's bedside after nearly a month apart.

And, you know, Christine, I think those are the kind of scenes we saw so early in this pandemic -- you know, people getting so creative, finding ways to reach their loved ones. It's just amazing. This is still going on.

ROMANS: I know. I'm so glad she's able to now be by his bedside. We certainly wish their family the very best and all the families who are suffering with COVID -- the many thousands and thousands of them.

[05:55:08]

Thanks for joining us. I'm Christine Romans.

JARRETT: I'm Laura Jarrett. "NEW DAY" is next.

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Mariachi band playing for a coronavirus patient who had been placed on a ventilator.

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KAITLAN COLLINS, CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Biden returned to the White House with one item at the top of his list, getting his COVID relief bill through Congress.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's urgent that we get it. A lot of the current.