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New Day
24 States Report Increase In New Coronavirus Cases, Deaths Up In 13 States; Georgia-Based Companies Face Boycott Next Week Over Voting Bill; Capitol Police Watchdog Slams Failures Ahead Of Insurrection. Aired 7:30-8a ET
Aired April 02, 2021 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[07:32:36]
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DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH: We need to hold out just a bit longer and give vaccines a chance to really get the upper hand in this.
And I'll guarantee as we get into the late spring and the early summer you're going to see a turn -- a return to a gradual degree of normality that everyone is hoping for. But we don't want to do it prematurely. We don't want to pull back on all the measures when we see a very high plateau of daily infections.
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ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: That's Dr. Anthony Fauci urging Americans not to let our guard down as the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase. There were nearly 80,000 new infections yesterday alone. New York, Michigan, and Florida becoming hotspots now.
Joining us now is Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo. She's the director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Marrazzo, great to have you here. Always nice to see you.
So throughout March -- I mean, we monitor this every morning and the new cases were hovering at about 50,000 to 55,000 every morning. We have plateaued at a very high number. Then this morning it's 80,000, OK? So that is an undeniable spike and we're going in the wrong direction. And what do you think is next?
DR. JEANNE MARRAZZO, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE, UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM: Yes, good morning, Alisyn. Always good to be here.
I think it's very worrisome and I would emphasize a couple of things. You know, first of all, this is happening in the face of us generally
testing less frequently. We've diverted a lot of our resources from testing to appropriately ramping up vaccination. And really, the vaccination ramp-up is our only hope against the virus's relentless ability to mutate.
What we're probably seeing is the effect of the virus, again, mutating in order to infect us more efficiently. The strains that we're seeing now coming across the United States -- especially in Michigan where their problem is very, very large, but also in other places -- are clearly more infectious. The good thing about that is the vaccines work against those strains.
So if we can just continue to exercise some of the cautions that we have been so good at for the last year, plus continue to ramp up immunization, we really should get ahead of this by the summer. But we're seeing that we are still on a razor's edge with this thing.
[07:35:02]
JOHN AVLON, CNN ANCHOR: You're saying we're in a race between the new variants and the vaccines, but here we are heading into a big weekend and Dr. Fauci and others warning and worried that people are going to be getting together in large groups.
You live in Alabama, say, where the governor is resisting mask mandates despite pleas (ph) from the president and everybody else. What are you telling your friends and neighbors about how they should handle themselves this weekend?
MARRAZZO: Yes, so just a comment on the mask mandate. You know, the mask mandate is really important and I think it made people take this much more seriously and it's what clearly made a huge difference. Lots of data now from the last year showing that places with mask mandates got things under control more quickly.
Just because there's no mask mandate doesn't mean we can't exercise personal responsibility, and Gov. Ivey actually talked about that. She basically said I'm not going to make businesses do this but I still expect people to exercise their individual responsibility.
You want individual freedom? Exercise it and use it responsibly to protect everybody. That's my take on mask mandates.
I think in terms of the vaccination question -- yes, we are behind the curve and we've got to continue. We're doing about three million people a day but we had a setback last week with the production facility problem in Baltimore. And that kind of thing is hurting us not just because it takes a chunk of vaccine away -- because it also gives people reason not to trust the process and we're already struggling with trust.
So really important for people to recognize that we have their best interest at heart here and the vaccines are going to be OK to get. We've got our eye on the quality production and it will continue, I think, to be OK to get vaccinated. It's safe to get vaccinated. CAMEROTA: Great message.
AVLON: Important.
CAMEROTA: Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo --
AVLON: Thank you.
CAMEROTA: -- thank you very much.
MARRAZZO: My pleasure.
CAMEROTA: We want to take a moment now to remember some of the more than 553,000 Americans lost to coronavirus.
Karl Baker, Jr. was a retired businessman and public servant in Desert Hot Springs, California. He served on the City Council from 2007 to 2011. The mayor remembers him as a big supporter of the LGBT community and passionate about city finances. He was 79 years old.
Fifty-eight-year-old Luis Hernandez was a correctional officer in east Texas for more than 12 years. State prison officials say he took great pride in his job and was well-respected among the staff. He is survived by a wife and three children.
Mary Laurenzano was a math teacher at Bennett Middle School in Fruitland, Maryland from 2004 until she taught her class remotely on the day she died. Colleagues remember her as unbelievably devoted to her students. A parent wrote on Facebook she made every student feel special and encouraged them to do their best with humor, infinite patience, and wisdom.
We'll be right back.
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[07:42:14]
AVLON: Georgia state Rep. Park Cannon speaking out for the first time since her controversial arrest at the Georgia State Capitol.
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PARK CANNON (D), GEORGIA STATE REPRESENTATIVE: And I happened to be elected to the district that Dr. King's birth home is in -- Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Carter Center, the King Center, and even the state capitol building.
I was afraid, just like many Americans are when they come into contact with law enforcement, that there would be a need for me to protect myself. But instead, I was able to just continue to think about the world was watching, people could see, and it was so very terrifying.
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AVLON: Joining me now is Bishop Reginald Jackson who oversees more than 500 AME churches in Georgia. He's among those vocal opponents in Georgia's new election law which limits access to the ballot box. Mr. Jackson, it's great to have you here on NEW DAY.
I want to start with the boycott because a week ago, you announced a boycott going forward against these corporate giants rooted in Georgia -- Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Delta -- because they didn't speak out more firmly against the bill before it passed. And since then they've started to speak out against it.
Now, you spoke to the CEO of Coke earlier this week. Are they doing enough or is this too little, too late?
BISHOP REGINALD JACKSON, AME CHURCH, SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT (via Skype): Well, it's a combination of all. It is a little too late but it's not entirely too late. And, in fact, we're glad that they have begun to speak out. And because Delta and Coca-Cola have spoken out we now see in other states -- for example, Texas, where American Airlines is beginning to speak out.
So while it has been late we believe that we can still overcome this situation and, in fact, hold back some of this legislation in other states.
AVLON: I will say Atlanta's mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, has spoken out against the boycott. The issue of the All-Star Game is being raised to the fore.
Are you being persuaded by any of those local voices or do you think this still needs to go forward -- the boycott -- in your eyes?
JACKSON: Well, as far as the faith leaders are concerned, our focus is on corporate responsibility and boycotting these corporate companies.
As it relates to the All-Star Game and entertainment and all of that, those who want to pursue that, that's fine. That's on their side. We're focusing on the corporate boycott.
AVLON: Sure.
Well look, what you're asking for is to help reverse a law that's been passed. And Georgia's passed their law but as you well know this is something that's going on nationwide right now. And to get these legislatures -- to convince these legislatures, you're going to have to find a way to reach across the aisle.
[07:45:02]
And I want to show you some statistics from a new Pew poll that came out earlier this month because I think it speaks to the division you've got to deal with here.
Eighty-five percent of Democrats say everything possible should be done to make it easier to vote, but just 28 percent of Republicans. And I want to contrast that on the Republican side to the number just two years ago in 2018. It was nearly half of Republicans said everything should be done to make it early -- or easier to vote.
But it seems like the big lie has had a big effect and that's motivating these state legislatures.
What's your strategy to try to reach out to Republicans to heal this divide?
JACKSON: Well, the first thing I think we have to do is be honest and face the truth, and that is that we are coming to a very dangerous point in this country where we no longer have two political parties. You have the Democratic Party and you have a cult, and this cult has their policies based on a lie. And so how much sense does it make if you pass legislation which is based on a lie?
And I think the Republicans have to decide. Are they going to deal with truth or are they going to continue to fantasize over lies?
And those of us who are opposed to what they're trying to do and believe that everybody ought to have a right to vote, then we have to stand on truth and principle and eventually, I think we'll win.
AVLON: Speaking of truth and principle, I want to talk to you about faith because for so long, religion has been polarized in American politics. But now it seems to be Georgia has elected a reverend, Raphael Warnock, Democrat, to the Senate -- the first time in a long time. Joe Biden is evidently a man of great faith.
Do you think there are the seeds to help heal this political divide over faith in America?
JACKSON: Yes, there is. And, in fact, you mention Rev. Warnock, my good friend. In fact, I worked on Joe Biden's first campaign in '72.
But the fact of the matter is the Black church has always been the conscience of the nation. And even on this matter again you see the Black church and Black faith leaders rising to call the nation to task and to its conscience. And, in fact, I remind you nothing with the advancement of Blacks in this country has occurred without the leadership of the Black church.
AVLON: A pointed reminder at this particular season. I want to thank you, Bishop Jackson, for joining us here on NEW DAY. We've got to find a way to heal on these fundamental issues.
CAMEROTA: OK, John, now to this story.
The U.S. Capitol Police inspector general issuing a scathing report about what led up to the deadly insurrection. It finds that the Capitol Police Department failed to act on the intelligence in the days before the siege.
And CNN's Whitney Wild is live in Washington with more. What does it say, Whitney?
WHITNEY WILD, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Alisyn, there are really three major places where the U.S. Capitol Police Department failed that are pointed out in this inspector general's report. A source telling us that one of the major issues here was they didn't have a plan. They did not have a detailed plan that would apply department-wide.
Here's the quote from this I.G. report. This is, again, according to an official source familiar with this official report. "The USCP did not prepare a comprehensive department-wide plan for demonstrations planned for January 6, 2021."
Additionally, they didn't send out this really crucial intelligence throughout the department properly. One of the things we've been talking about a lot since this happened was this very crucial FBI memo generated out of their Norfolk office. And what is said was that there would be a war at the Capitol. Even still, that piece of intelligence never made it to the top ranks.
And then finally, even the information that they did have -- the intelligence they were working from, Alisyn, was conflicting.
The USCP, for their part, says we know we have challenges. They tried to fix it. They know that they had some major, major issues that day and they've course-corrected since then.
However, Alisyn, they are still saying despite all of these criticisms there is nothing they could have done because the credible intelligence they felt they were working from indicated there would be a protest, indicated there would be a rally, but never indicated that there would be a battle -- Alisyn.
CAMEROTA: Whitney, that's really helpful. It sounds like we need more answers still and more information. Thank you for bringing us that I.G. report.
Now to this. Police officers in Florida going beyond the call of duty to make a 5-year-old boy with cancer the new sheriff in town. That's next.
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CAMEROTA: A 5-year-old cancer patient is sworn in as a deputy by Florida police officers to help him live out his dream. CNN's Randi Kaye tells us how the officers went beyond the call of duty.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's a real badge and you are now a real deputy, all right? Congratulations.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Manatee County, Florida there's a new sheriff in town. Actually, a new sheriff's deputy. His name is Jeremiah Valera.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We got this flag for you, buddy. So now you're an official member of our K-9 unit, too. KAYE (voice-over): Jeremiah is just five years old but he was
recently given his own badge and deputized by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office after they learned he has a rare form of childhood cancer. The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation alerted them and deputies jumped into action, inviting Jeremiah to spend a day with them.
SGT. STEPHEN CHENARD, MANATEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: I have a son myself, 11 years old -- a little older than Jeremiah. But to see him and his strength and what he's going through was amazing to see. To put a smile on his face for that day was worth it.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How's that, bud?
JEREMIAH VALERA, 5-YEAR-OLD CANCER PATIENT: Good.
KAYE (voice-over): Jeremiah got to meet a canine dog and check out a high-tech SWAT vehicle. He even radioed for backup.
VALERA: I need backup! I need backup!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You got the backup. We've got plenty of backup, buddy.
KAYE (on camera): So to see him that day, did that just -- how much did that warn your heart?
DANIELA ISAZA, JEREMIAH'S MOTHER: Oh, that meant the world for us to finally have some happiness and a little break from what became our normal routine.
KAYE (voice-over): These days their normal routine of treatment and doctors' visits is taking a toll on Jeremiah.
It all started about a year ago when Jeremiah was diagnosed with stage-four neuroblastoma. His mom says doctors think the cancer started in his spine, then spread. He's had chemotherapy, bone marrow biopsies, and stem cell transplants, and now gets 14 shots a month for immunotherapy.
It's a lot for a 5-year-old to handle, so being deputized really lifted his spirits.
ISAZA: When grandpa comes to visit him he loves to pull him over.
KAYE (voice-over): All of it has inspired Jeremiah to get better and one day become a police officer. He already has the uniform and takes a picture with every officer he meets.
KAYE (on camera): What do you like about police officers?
VALERA: They protect kids.
KAYE (on camera): The protect kids -- they sure do. That's smart. And you want to be a police officer?
VALERA: Yes.
KAYE (voice-over): And now, when Jeremiah returns to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, his new friends couldn't be happier to see him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can I have a high five? Good boy.
VALERA: Thanks.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you for coming, buddy.
KAYE (voice-over): Hugs and high fives for a little boy when he needs them most.
Randi Kaye, CNN, Bradenton, Florida.
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AVLON: What a beautiful story. We send our love to him and his family.
Even as coronavirus vaccines are being distributed, cases are surging in some parts of the country. In Michigan, new cases have risen rapidly in recent weeks. And CNN's reporters covering the pandemic from coast-to-coast.
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MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Miguel Marquez in Detroit, Michigan. It's a state that is dealing with another surge of the coronavirus. This is a state that has seen a large number of cases of the B117 or the U.K. variant of the coronavirus.
Hospitals around the state saying that they are seeing an increased number of patients. Outbreaks in schools, as well, causing concern for parents and students.
The governor asking the president to surge vaccine into the state. The president denied that request. But next week, all Michiganders who want a vaccine will be able to get one.
ATHENA JONES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Athena Jones.
Like much of the nation, Ohio is now seeing increased COVID-19 activity and more hospitalizations. Cases of variants are also on the rise going from 92 on March 12th to 620 Thursday, according to the state's chief medical officer.
Beginning next week, Ohio will start working to vaccinate all college students who want the vaccine -- part of an effort to increase the vaccination rate. ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Alexandra Field
in New York.
The state is taking its next steps toward reopening, allowing arts, entertainment, and event venues to reopen at 33 percent capacity. In cases where everyone in attendance can show proof of a negative COVID test, slightly larger crowds can gather, but the state says that masks and social distancing practices will still be required.
PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Pete Muntean in Washington.
Air travel continues to break records of the pandemic even though the CDC is still warning against it. The TSA screened more than 38 million people at airports across the country in the month of March, the busiest month of the pandemic. More than a million people flew each day during the month of March, all but five days.
It is welcome news for major airlines. United Airlines just announced it is hiring pilots for the first time in more than a year.
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AVLON: All right. NEW DAY continues right now.
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OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The moments when paramedics arrived and George Floyd appeared unresponsive in May 2020 are coming into clear focus.
DEREK CHAUVIN, CHARGED WITH MURDERING GEORGE FLOYD: We just had to hold the guy down. He was going crazy.
SETH BRAVINDER, PARAMEDIC: In lay terms, I thought he was dead.
RETIRED SGT. DAVID PLOEGER, MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT: When Mr. Floyd was no longer offering up any resistance to the officers they could have ended their restraint.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Prosecutors are looking into a relationship with a woman that began when she was just 17.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sex trafficking from a relationship with one minor is a serious offense in and of itself. But to facilitate that sort of activity -- God, it just makes it a hundred times worse.
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ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Alisyn Camerota and John Berman.
CAMEROTA: And good morning, everyone. Welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world. This is NEW DAY.
John Avlon is in, once again, for John Berman. Great to have you.
AVLON: Good morning. Happy Friday.
CAMEROTA: Happy Friday to you as well.
It's been an emotional week of testimony in the Derek Chauvin murder trial. In court Thursday, jurors got to hear Chauvin, himself, explain his version of what happened.
