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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Much Of Europe Pulls AstraZeneca Vaccine Over Side Effect Worries; White House Races To Prevent Potential Coronavirus Surge; Biden Cabinet Officials In Japan To Set The Tone On China. Aired 5:30- 6a ET

Aired March 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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[05:30:53]

LAURA JARRETT, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone. This is EARLY START. I'm Laura Jarrett.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Christine Romans. It is 30 minutes past the hour this Tuesday morning.

And we begin in Europe where more than half of Europe now pausing use of the vaccine that was supposed to solve its problems. Some countries halting AstraZeneca use in just the last hour after a small number of patients experienced blood clots. It's yet another setback for the E.U.'s stumbling vaccine rollout.

JARRETT: A third surge of infections now sweeping across Europe and forcing renewed restrictions all over again. Italians back under lockdown, hospitalizations on the rise in France, and Germany also seeing a spike in cases.

CNN's Fred Pleitgen is live for us this morning in Berlin. Fred, so, blood clots seem to be the issue that officials are pulling this out of an abundance of caution. So how is the company going to build back trust after this?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think it's going to be very difficult and I think it's going to be a key issue.

And one of the things AstraZeneca is doing is they're saying that look, blood clots really don't seem to be an issue, they say, with their vaccine. They say the amount of blood clotting that happens after people get AstraZeneca's vaccine is not any larger than regular blood clotting in people. Obviously, it is something that folks can tend to get even in a normal environment.

The U.K. is also saying they believe that the vaccine is safe.

But as you guys said, more and more European countries are taking a different route here -- absolutely correct. Just this morning, Sweden, Cypress, and Latvia become among the countries that have stopped using the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The others -- all of Europe's big countries now. Italy has stopped using a certain batch. France and Germany -- of course, the European heavyweights -- doing exactly the same thing.

And one of the things that we can't overstate is how important this vaccine was and still is to Europe's vaccine rollout. It's been sputtering. It's been going slow.

But, for instance, here in Germany, they were going to start administering AstraZeneca in general practitioners' offices around the entire country very soon. Now, of course, that's been halted as well, when here in Germany, of the 1.6 million doses that have so far been administered with this vaccine, 70 people reported blood clotting after that happened. So there are some people here in Germany who think it goes a step too far. Nevertheless, a lot of European countries have now halted this vaccine.

And what's going to happen now in this process is that the European Medicines Agency is going to take a look at this. They will probably come out with new information on Thursday, and that's when some of these European countries, of course, will take a new look at whether or not they're going to start administering that vaccine again.

But it's really very hard to overstate just how big a wrench all of this puts in Europe's vaccine rollout. One German expert said just a couple of minutes ago -- I was just looking at it. He said there's absolutely nothing that could replace AstraZeneca in Europe's vaccine rollout --

JARRETT: Oh, wow.

PLEITGEN: -- at least until (audio gap).

JARRETT: Wow -- and not just Europe. I mean, so many developing nations were depending on this one being cheaper and easier to use.

Fred in Berlin for us this morning. Thank you.

ROMANS: For the first time, plans are being drawn up by the White House to flood emerging U.S. hotspots with vaccines.

Jasmine Wright is live at the White House for us. And this is sort of remarkable, trying to look at the data and figure out where there could be a fourth surge. Preparing for the worst, really, here and figuring out how you can use federal resources to talk to governors and get the vaccine -- to surge the vaccine where you need it. Tell us about it.

JASMINE WRIGHT, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Christine, I think that the White House referred to this as a whole of government approach, right. They don't want to see a fourth potential surge so they're investing ahead of time.

They're investing $1 billion to make sure that this doesn't happen. And one of the ways that they're doing so is planning to send a surge of vaccine to those emerging hotspots, as you said, that they identified through data.

Now, this is a break from the past administration that would often respond to these surges and these high cases after it was already happening. This Biden White House is trying not to do this.

Now, this comes, as well, as we know that they feel that things are going in the right place. We heard President Biden last week identify July Fourth as a date where some normalcy can come back and they want to continue on this path.

[05:35:01]

But one of the ways that we will get to that normalcy, they say, is by everyone getting this vaccine -- and that includes Trump supporters and hesitant Republicans. And instead of turning to President Trump to put his hand down to try to influence those folks to get vaccines, President Biden, instead, is turning to those community leaders -- those preachers and those local doctors -- to do the work to make sure that those folks come out to get those shots in these arms. He said that yesterday in remarks.

And he also added that he is getting further and further along to achieving some of those large goals that he set even before he took office.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Over the next 10 days, we will reach two goals -- two giant goals. The first is 100 million shots in people's arms will have been completed within the next 10 days. And 100 million checks in people's pockets.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WRIGHT: Now, President Biden makes his debut today on that "Help is Here" tour that the administration has set up. He will go to Chestnut, Pennsylvania where he will visit a small business to talk largely about what they will individually benefit from the American Rescue Plan and what small businesses around the country will benefit from this American Rescue Plan.

And we will see Vice President Harris in Denver -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right, Jasmine. Nice to see you this morning. Thank you so much -- Laura.

JARRETT: All right.

The head of the CDC says the COVID variant first identified in the U.K. -- well, it will be dominant in the U.S. in just a few weeks. That, of course, is another reason to hope the AstraZeneca vaccine we've been discussing all morning is confirmed safe.

Meanwhile, vaccinations overall keep climbing. The seven-day average just hit a record high of more than 2.4 million doses per day. The amount of vaccine and distribution has almost doubled since President Biden took office. U.S. officials now expect a total of 240 million shots in arms by the end of March.

ROMANS: And even more expected by summer, especially as Johnson & Johnson ramps up production of its single-dose vaccine.

And people are responding by leaving the house more. Friday, the New York City subway system recorded its highest daily ridership since the beginning of the pandemic, although that's still down about 60 percent from before.

JARRETT: Now, a second state offering vaccinations to anyone 16 and older starting today. CNN has the pandemic covered coast-to-coast.

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RYAN YOUNG, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Ryan Young.

And the state of Mississippi has made a huge decision when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone over the age of 16 is now eligible to get a shot. That's a shot in the arm that so many people hope that will help them get back to normal. People have to register online first, but then they can get that shot.

Almost about 11 percent of the people in Mississippi have gotten their shot so far. The governor also tweeted, "Get your shot friends and let's get back to normal."

ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Alex Marquardt in Washington, D.C. where the mayor of the nation's capital said that a number of COVID-related restrictions would be lifted as the city's cases decrease.

For example, starting next week, 50 people will be allowed to gather together outside. And for the opening day of the Washington Nationals baseball team, around 5,000 are expected to fill the stands.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Alison Kosik.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf says he will ease restrictions on businesses and restaurants and increase limits on large gatherings beginning April fourth. The move comes as COVID-19 cases declined in the state and more residents get vaccinated.

According to a press release, capacity at restaurants, gyms, and entertainment facilities like malls, casinos, and theaters will be raised to 75 percent capacity. Masks and social distancing will still be required.

ADRIENNE BROADDUS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Adrienne Broaddus in Chicago.

The city's mayor and the state comptroller announced a plan that would relax some of the rules surrounding the automatic collection of unpaid parking and traffic fines. It's a move to help eliminate pressure on low-income to moderate-income families during the pandemic. Here is how it works. For the 2020 tax year, the relief applies to

families of four earning less than $57,000 a year. And for singles, it applies to those families earning $16,000 or less.

JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH REPORTER (on camera): I'm Jacqueline Howard in Atlanta.

Nearly half of parents say their teen's mental health is worse since the pandemic began. Nearly 1,000 parents of 13 to 18-year-olds were surveyed through C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Michigan.

In that survey, almost half of parents say they've noticed a new or worsening mental health condition for their teen. And a little more than half say they've tried relaxing family rules to give their teens more time with friends. Among the parents who did that, 81 percent said it helped.

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[05:40:05]

ROMANS: All right.

It was a busy weekend for airports -- the most travelers of the pandemic, so far. And the industry says it is finally seeing demand from travelers. Executives from American Airlines, United, Delta, and JetBlue all report strong bookings during spring break. Several are even selling big now for the summer.

American's CEO Doug Parker called the last three weeks the best since the pandemic hit, noting bookings are very close now to 2019 levels. The news gave airlines stocks, like United and American, a boost on Monday.

The pandemic, of course, hit airlines hard. Travel restrictions and fear of infection essentially halted travel. U.S. airlines carried 60 percent fewer passengers in 2020, the lowest level since the mid- 1980s, losing about $35 billion.

Now, the CDC still advises against non-essential travel. But with vaccinations rolling out, Americans are traveling again. Over the past four days, 5.2 million travelers were screened at airports, the largest number since March of 2020.

JARRETT: A historic vote in the Senate to confirm President Biden's choice for Interior secretary. Deb Haaland will become the first Native American cabinet secretary. Four Republicans joined all Senate Democrats in voting for her.

Back in 2018, Haaland was one of the first two Native Americans elected to Congress.

ROMANS: Georgia advocacy groups are lobbying big corporations over voting rights. New roadside billboards in Atlanta urge Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Delta, and other Georgia-based companies to oppose voting restrictions proposed by Republican lawmakers. One of the billboards says, "Hey, Coco-Cola! The freedom to vote

tastes good to all Georgians."

Coca-Cola and Home Depot say their companies are aligned with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce against those measures, but it's not clear what action those companies will take.

JARRETT: Last week, Republicans advanced a sweeping bill in the State Senate that would repeal no-excuse absentee voting for many Georgians. One point three million Georgians voted absentee in last November's election.

And now, Republicans in Texas, already home to some of the most restrictive election laws in the country, are introducing bills that would make it even harder to vote. The effort appears focused on Harris County, home to Democratic-leaning Houston, which saw a big turnout last year after allowing 24-hour drive-thru voting sites during the pandemic.

ROMANS: All right, one quick correction. We just said the U.S. expects 240 million doses in arms by the end of March. It's actually 240 million doses manufactured. Actual vaccinations, of course, will take some time.

We'll be right back.

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[05:46:46]

ROMANS: Right now, the Secretaries of State and Defense beginning a trip to Asia with stops in Japan and South Korea. Their top priority, countering China's threats to stability in the region and beyond.

CNN's Blake Essig live in Tokyo. Blake, Tony Blinken and Lloyd Austin spoke just a few minutes ago. What did they say?

BLAKE ESSIG, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Christine, they talked about the goal of this first cabinet-level overseas trip, which is to promote peace, security, and reinforce to the entire world that the U.S. is back. And the fact that they did it here in Tokyo really speaks to the importance of the Japan-U.S. relationship as one of the most important alliances in the world to those two countries.

Now, throughout the day, they talked about a number of topics, including a free and open Indo-Pacific denuclearization of a nuclear North Korea and an increasingly aggressive China. Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin said this during that presser.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LLOYD AUSTIN, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: For the last two decades we've been focused on -- necessarily focused on issues in the Middle East. And while we were focused on issues in the Middle East, China has modernized its military. In addition to that, it has engaged in aggressive and, in some cases, coercive behavior. And some of that behavior has been directed against our allies in the region.

And so, our goal is to make sure that we maintain a competitive edge over China or anyone else that would want to threaten us or our alliance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ESSIG: Now, China's foreign ministry was asked about the U.S. and Japan meeting today and they said this. "The U.S.-Japan cooperation should be conducive to unity and cooperation among countries in the region, as well as peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region." This spokesperson went on to say that "It should not target or undermine the interests of any third party."

The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense now head to Seoul for meetings with their counterparts there before heading to Anchorage, Alaska where they will meet with Chinese officials -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right, Blake Essig for us this morning in Tokyo. Thank you so much for that -- Laura.

JARRETT: All right.

The defense in Derek Chauvin's trial claims the jury pool has been tainted because the city of Minneapolis agreed to pay $27 million to the family of George Floyd. Now, the judge says that it's concerning but it has not ruled on the request for a delay and change of venue. So far, nine jurors have been seated for the Chauvin trial.

ROMANS: All right, let's take a look at markets around the world right now. Asian shares are closed for their Tuesday trading session and closed higher. Europe has opened higher. And on Wall Street, stock index futures barely mixed here.

Look, the Dow and the S&P both hit record highs on Monday. You've got vaccine progress. You've got hopes for eventual reopenings. And investors are optimistic Americans will be able to spend money and travel again.

In fact, airline stocks rose Monday after executives from several major airlines all reported strong bookings during spring break.

[05:50:01]

A bright spot for the struggling hotel industry is going private. Two investment firms bought Extended Stay America for $6 billion. With small kitchens and affordable monthly rates, this was popular with medical professionals and other essential workers.

In fact, the company boasted a 74 percent occupancy rate last year compared with the industry average of 44 percent. The last year was the worst on record for U.S. hotels and not expected to fully recover until 2023. That global computer chip shortage means some GM truck owners --

you're going to pay more at the pump. GM will produce some 2021 pick- ups without a fuel management module, giving drivers one less mile per gallon.

The chip shortage has caused big problems for automakers, who cut back on orders when the pandemic hit.

And Tesla has fared better than most over the past year. And look at this -- tucked in an SEC filing Monday, two lines. CEO Elon Musk disclosed he now has a second title, techno king of Tesla. And its CFO is the master of coin. Both will also, Laura, keep their standard titles.

Laura, queen of the flash cam.

JARRETT: OK.

UConn earns the top seed in the women's NCAA tournament but they'll have to play without their head coach.

Coy Wire has this morning's Bleacher Report. Hey, Coy.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Laura.

Geno Auriemma isolating away from his number-one seed Huskies. He's tested positive for COVID-19. UConn says the 66-year-old Hall of Fame coach received a second vaccine shot last Wednesday. He's currently not experiencing any symptoms. He will miss the first and second rounds of this tournament in San Antonio.

Auriemma has won 11 national titles. That's more than any other women's or men's college basketball coach.

Stanford will be your number-one overall seed. NC State, South Carolina are the other top seeds. The first round tips off on Sunday.

Meantime, six officials have been sent home ahead of the men's tournament due to COVID-19 protocols. One of the referees tested positive; the others ruled out due to close contact. The NCAA putting everyone involved in March Madness through rigorous COVID testing protocols upon arrival in Indianapolis.

Now, Loyola Chicago, they're back in the tournament for the first time since the Ramblers improbably Final Four run in 2018.

And you remember their biggest fan, Sister Jean. She wants to be there, too. The 101-year-old team chaplain wants a blessing from the NCAA to watch her team in person in Indianapolis. She's been fully vaccinated but restrictions have left her on the outside looking in. So far, Sister Jean says she promises not to storm the court if Loyola wins.

And the defending champs looking to run it back. Buccaneers star tight end Rob Gronkowski re-signing with the team on a one-year deal with a reported $10 million. Gronk earned his fourth Super Bowl ring in his first season with Tampa.

But Super Bowl-winning MVP quarterback Tom Brady is going to have his phone ringing off the hook this week. He gave out his cell phone number on social media yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM BRADY, QUARTERBACK, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: So, listen. Rule number one, before we get into any of this, no texting on game days. Sometimes it gets hard to sort through the "you suck, Brady" in the comments. I know there's quite a few of those over the years. It's usually from the Jet fans. But to be clear, if you do text me "you suck" -- yes, I'll see it and I may or may not respond.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: Laura, I haven't texted yet but maybe he'll just send you a text letting you know when he's eating some ice cream -- avocado ice cream.

JARRETT: They're blowing up his phone all night.

WIRE: Yes, all night.

JARRETT: Oh, man -- OK. He may come to regret that one.

Thanks so much, Coy.

WIRE: Yes.

JARRETT: Appreciate it.

So, they say heavy is the head that wears the crown unless, of course, you're accused of stealing it. A Florida mother and her teenage daughter were arrested for allegedly hacking into student accounts to -- get this -- rig the contest for high school homecoming queen.

Police say Laura Rose Carroll, an elementary school assistant principal, was able to access student accounts so that she and her daughter could cast hundreds of fake votes. The daughter was named homecoming queen in October.

Christine, do you even remember who your homecoming queen was because I don't. It suggests to me nothing is worth going to jail for like this.

ROMANS: I was my homecoming queen --

JARRETT: Oh!

ROMANS: -- and I guarantee it was not rigged.

JARRETT: I should have known.

ROMANS: I can't believe it. All right, the cheer mom story is my other, like, cringeworthy story. JARRETT: I'm calling for a full investigation now.

ROMANS: Thanks for joining us. I'm Christine Romans.

JARRETT: I'm Laura Jarrett, not homecoming queen. "NEW DAY" is next.

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[05:59:19]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The first day of spring break so we're going to L.A. to have fun.

DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY, DIRECTOR, CDC: I'm pleading with you for the sake of our nation's health. These should be warning signs for all of us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Italy, France, Spain, and Germany temporarily suspended use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

SOUMYA SWAMINATHAN, CHIEF SCIENTIST, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: There is no documented death that's been linked to a COVID vaccine. We do not want people to panic.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two suspects worked together to assault U.S. Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These men are facing nine counts.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is a huge development. They actually have photographs showing one of the two defendants holding what is believed to be a chemical substance.

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

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world. This is NEW DAY. It's Tuesday, March 16th. It's 6:00 here in New York.

Alisyn is off. Erica Hill with me again this morning. Great to see you.

ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: Always a pleasure.