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Don Lemon Tonight
Mitch McConnell Acknowledges Biden As President-Elect; Reality Sinks In To Some GOP Members; Trump Allies Refuse To Acknowledge Joe Biden's Win; Joe Biden Picks Energy And Transportation Cabinet Members; Bipartisan Package On Finishing Touches; Moderna Awaits EUA. Aired 10-11p ET
Aired December 15, 2020 - 22:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[22:00:00]
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN HOST: It is an important reminder. God bless and be well. That goes for all of us. We have to remember how to treat each other. We are addicted to the negative. And it's time to start calling out what works and what is right.
"CNN TONIGHT," the big show with the big man, D. Lemon right now.
DON LEMON, CNN HOST: I hope a lot of people are listening to you, because you are absolutely right with that. You have to, we are addicted to the negative, meaning we, the collective not just us. Everybody. Everyone is so, you did this, and you did that, you did that. But there's again, I'm going to say this, can't both sides, there's one side right now that's operating in reality, and there's another side that is not. They are coming around. Some of them coming around, finally.
Ish, OK, what if I say coming around ish, some of them.
CUOMO: Ish in a pandemic is not the best rate --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: It's not the best rate.
CUOMO: -- of coming around.
LEMON: You are right on.
CUOMO: I mean, you are holding up relief money because of corporate liability. I mean, look, I would understand that kind of battle no pandemic but holding it up not even talking for months.
LEMON: I don't even understand it no pandemic.
CUOMO: With a record number of hungry people?
LEMON: Right. Not only hungry -- not only hungry people --
CUOMO: Ish? LEMON: -- but people who are dying, when, when, you know, there is the
spot at the dinner table as I'm paraphrasing the vice president -- the president-elect, excuse me, when there's an empty chair at the dinner table, so many around us for the holidays. So many, and not just that folks have died, it's because this administration didn't take it seriously and we can't get together.
Because this administration politicized it, because this administration said, I can't see wearing a mask. Let people go back out, it's the flu. Because this president and the sycophants and the folks in the media, because they did that, this is why we are where we are right now. There's no other way of putting it. There's no other way around it.
I know people are going to say, Don, stop blaming. It's the truth. There's one side who said OK, we have a pandemic. People are dying. You should wear a mask. You should social distance. You should do all of these things and as your guests said before, the people who don't want to buy in to it, they want to blame the virus. They want to blame the people who are making the rules.
CUOMO: They've been told to.
LEMON: But they are wrong. They have the wrong enemy. The enemy is actually themselves and the person, the people who have been lying to you for all these months. That is who you should be mad at because that is why we are here right now.
CUOMO: But, and yet, you got that John Franco Puzino (Ph), obviously he's from Italy but now he's in Kansas, you know, the American dream, the guy has got to stop doing his job because the politicians won't follow the science. And you then you have McKinney who is still fighting to stay there, and she is being targeted for doing these things.
LEMON: Yes.
CUOMO: And what are the re-Trumplicans, McConnell and other ones, what do they do?
LEMON: Yes.
CUOMO: They set quiet.
LEMON: Yes.
CUOMO: And they let it happen. And now they are delaying relief 10 days from Christmas, Don.
LEMON: Yes.
CUOMO: Ten days from Christmas they're doing people dirty for their own leverage.
LEMON: I got to say, listen, we have similar things. I have been saying for the longest I just call them the Trumplican party, I don't need you need to put "re" in front of there, because they are not Republicans. They're not Republicans. They don't -- they're not conservative in the way -- in the traditional way that conservatives believe. They're not Republicans in the traditional way that Republicans --
(CROSSTALK)
CUOMO: Yes, I understand. That's why you have the same rational. We just have different --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: I know, but they are Trumplicans. And I guess he is taken --
(CROSSTALK)
CUOMO: Why do you say like that makes more sense, then Republican is the word? Republican --
LEMON: Because it's -- it takes too long.
CUOMO: -- now they are re-Trumplicans.
LEMON: Because they're Trumpilans, the first thing has nothing to do with re. The first thing they believe in is Trump, Trumplicans. That's who they are.
CUOMO: Well, the re in Republicans doesn't signify anything they believe in either, it's republic.
LEMON: It's revised the republican. And they have that --
(CROSSTALK)
CUOMO: But you just like your own idea better, that's fine.
LEMON: No, they had nothing to do with the republic. They don't want to say the republics. They don't believe in the republic so I wouldn't even give them that. It's just Trumplicans.
CUOMO: It's just closer to the word re-Trumplicans, that's why I -- Republican re-Trumplicans. That's all. But we're making the same viewpoint.
LEMON: You say re-Trumplicans, I say Trumplican.
CUOMO: You didn't even make it right. Forget it.
LEMON: You say tomato, I say tomato.
CUOMO: Please ask me to leave.
LEMON: Get out.
CUOMO: I love you, Don Lemon. LEMON: I love you too, but listen I think you're right on, though.
You're right on. We have to be nicer. But you have to live in reality to get to that niceness. Thank you, brother. I love you. I'll see you soon.
CUOMO: We got a fight to be better if we want to be better.
LEMON: Yes, sir. I'll see you soon.
CUOMO: I'll see you, brother.
LEMON: So, we're going to talk about that in a way. How are you doing today, doing OK? I know, I know, I know, close, hang on. Help is on the way.
This is CNN TONIGHT. I'm Don Lemon. Thank you for joining.
Breaking news from the floor of the U.S. Senate, that breaking news is the sky is blue. Two plus two equals four. Donald Trump lost. Yes.
[22:04:57]
That's pretty much what Majority Leader Mitch McConnell admitted today when he finally six weeks after election day, finally for the first time acknowledge that Joe Biden won and is president-elect.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY), SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: The Electoral College has spoken. So today I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden. The president-elect is no stranger to the Senate, he has devoted himself to public service for many years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON (on camera): It's actually the people who spoke. And it was six weeks ago. But thanks for catching up, anyways. Biden, of course, as usual, taking the high road today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES: I had a good conversation with Mitch McConnell today. We talked -- I called him to thank him for the congratulations. Told him that although we disagree on a lot of things, there's things we can work together on. We've always been straight with one another and we agreed we'd get together sooner than later.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON (on camera): Well, it's definitely later since it took the Republicans all this time. Wasted time, he wasted a whole lot of time, haven't we? Just over nonsense.
More than 71,000 Americans have died of the coronavirus since election day while we wasted time with nonsense. It has been so long that Biden has most of his cabinet already selected, adding Pete Buttigieg and the former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm as transportation and energy secretaries just today.
But I want you to listen to Senator Mitt Romney, this is Mitt Romney telling CNN that what the other Republicans are saying today doesn't go nearly far enough.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MITT ROMNEY (R-UT): I think you'll see more and more people indicate that Biden -- Joe Biden is the president-elect. I think a different question and important question is how many Republicans will say that what the president is saying is simply wrong and dangerous? That the continued attack on our election system and the calls that suggest that it's been fraudulent or stolen, that these things are not accurate, they are not true.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON (on camera): Listen, I'm glad he said it. He should just say that these things are lies. And they are crazy. And someone needs to tell the president all of those people that, and they need to say it as well. The president is lying, and what he is doing is crazy.
And Senator Lamar Alexander who is retiring so he gets to, you know, actually drop the emperor's new clothes routine, he says it's time for the current president to put the country first.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. LAMAR ALEXANDER (R-TN): Now, I think for the good of the country, the president should put the country first, take pride in his accomplishments. Congratulate the president-elect and help him get off to a good start. I mean that's how we do things in our country and that's the way we try to show the rest of the world we operate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON (on camera): So there's just one problem with that, you want to guess? The problem is that President Trump almost never put the country first. Never done it and it's pretty clear that he is now so delusional the chances of that happening, zero. For the rest of the Republicans -- you can say it is too little, too late and you would be right.
But thanks to all of the damage that they have done to our democracy, denying the truth that was staring them all in the face. America needs to hear them admit the truth just as often as the country heard them dodging and obfuscating.
We are counting and at this point, 21 Republicans have called Joe Biden president-elect had. Twenty-one. Or acknowledged that he has -- senators, excuse me, have acknowledged that, that he won the election. Called him the president-elect.
Even Senator Ron Johnson acknowledging today that Joe Biden is the president-elect. When the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel asked him if the election is legitimate? The senator answered this way. He said, I haven't seen anything that would convince me that the results, the overall national results would be overturned.
Come on, man, really? Where are these people's backbones? Where are their brains, really? Which kind of makes you wonder, why is he still planning to hold a so-called election fraud hearing tomorrow? Why is he doing it? With Ken Starr no less in attendance or maybe, you know, we all know exactly why he is doing that. For an audience of one, still, I don't know why, for an audience of one why? One, who for the next 36 days anyway is holed up at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
[22:15:00]
Even one of the current president's most loyal supporters, and that's Florida Governor Ron DeSantis seems to be backing down, as said, ish, right? Asked if he accepted Biden's win. Didn't exactly do that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. RON DESANTIS (R-FL): It's not for me to do. Well, here's what I would say. You know, obviously we did our thing in Florida. The college voted. You know, what's going to happen is going to happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON (on camera): But -- yes, that happened. I don't know what that was. Why is it not for you to do? Why? Is Florida not one of the United States of America that will have a President Joe Biden? Of course, it is for you to do. But you won't. You can't. I guess too afraid of getting the same mean tweet treatment that Governor Kemp is getting and it's sad. And let me show you a portrait in cowardice tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Now that Joe Biden won the election and he's president-elect --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That was the House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Couldn't even manage to acknowledge Manu Raju's question about the reality that Joe Biden is the president-elect. He also signed on to that lawsuit that was struck down by the Supreme Court last week, the one that would have thrown out the votes of millions of Americans in Michigan, in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, and Georgia.
The president-elect had something to say about that in Atlanta today. Slamming Republican Senators David Purdue, and Kelly Loeffler, for trying to disenfranchise their own voters.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIDEN: Two Republican senators fully embraced what Texas was telling the Supreme Court. They fully embraced nullifying nearly five million Georgia votes. You might want to remember that come January 5th. I'll try to be generous here in the spirit of the season. Maybe your senators were just confused. Maybe they think they represent Texas.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON (on camera): And then, there's how do I describe this, carnival of lies that is the White House. While the current president is still hunkered down behind closed doors nursing his wounded pride, his press secretary is acting like the election didn't even happen. Acting like she is not about to be out of a job.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNKNOWN: Does the president acknowledge that Joe Biden is the president-elect, does he have any plans to invite him here to the White House.
KAYLEIGH MCENANY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president is still involved in ongoing litigation related to the election, yesterday's vote was one step in the constitutional process. So, I will leave that to him and refer to the campaign for more on that litigation.
The president again is pursuing ongoing litigation. We'd refer you to the campaign for further.
Still pursuing ongoing litigation at the moment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON (on camera): Did you know she also worked for -- girl, bye. I mean, there's no other. Girl, bye. Ba-bye. So much disinformation coming from the podium. It's like every day, it's like, comes out, reads propaganda, talks about what the media is doing, criticizes the media, this what you should be covering.
I think we got this, you used to sit here on the set with us. I think we got it. When you sat here with us, you thought we had it. You were happy to be here but now we don't know what we are doing. Girl, bye.
The president and his allies have lost at least 50 court cases. So much losing. So why do they do it? Why are they acting like they are living in in an alternate reality and universe? You know what they say, follow the money. The Trump campaign has sent at least 494 fundraising e-mails and 168 texts to supporters since election day.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. DENVER RIGGLEMAN (R-VA): What you are saying right now, that is rhetoric for fundraising. That's a grift, and I call it the griftocracy (Ph). This is just a continuing fundraising pitch from certain individual who is want to stay in the grift.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON (on camera): He is a Republican. Listen to the man he knows what he is talking about. And while all of this is going on, the current president isn't actually being president at all. Not doing his job. He is fighting so hard to hang on to. Why would you fight so hard to hang on to a job that you are not even doing?
[22:15:01]
In the six weeks since election day this president has spent more than half of the time with no public events. Not a single intel briefing listed on the daily guidance since October 2nd. He has done nothing about the suspected Russian hack of multiple federal agencies from homeland security, to agriculture and commerce.
He has done nothing about the stimulus deal. Millions of Americans desperately need just to keep their heads above water in a pandemic. As this pandemic just ravages our economy. So, what, what is he doing? What is he doing? The president who clearly needs some attention -- can somebody give him attention? Somebody in the White House who knows him? Or someone?
He is holding what promises to be a dear leader style cabinet tomorrow. Rolling back efficiency standards for showerheads because that's what's important, that is what this president cares about.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Showerheads, you take a shower, the water doesn't come out. You want to wash your hands the water doesn't come out. So, what do you do? You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer? Because my hair, I don't know about you, but it has to be perfect.
You turn on the shower, if you are like me, you can't wash your beautiful hair properly.
(APPLAUSE)
TRUMP: You waste 20 minutes longer, please, come out, the water, it drips. Right? A lot of people come up, thank you, sir, they had sinks that didn't give water. They had showers that didn't give water. The whole thing. And it's been a great thing. It's been very popular.
So now we can actually have water pouring out of our showerheads. OK? So, a lot of good things. We have done a lot of things that nobody talks about, that nobody writes about, but it's about quality of life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON (on camera): From the man, who will you know, and then tell you that it's raining. Hang on, people. Hang on. Just a little bit longer. Thirty-six days until inauguration day until the end of this president's term and he cares about showerheads? That he is fighting a battle that he's already lost? Is he just going to keep living in his alternate reality?
Plus, we have some breaking news from Capitol Hill. Do they have a stimulus deal? We're checking.
[22:20:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON (on camera): So, I told you we have some breaking news. Let's get right to Capitol Hill now where we'll find Manu Raju. The breaking news about Republican leaders saying that this hour that they are close to a COVID stimulus deal. What is the latest on this relief package, Manu? Good evening.
RAJU: Good evening, Don. Really optimistic messages coming from the top Republicans in Congress after months of fighting with Democrats over how to move forward on a COVID relief package. After meeting all evening long with Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, along with Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader into having meetings among themselves.
The two Republican leaders, Kevin McCarthy of the House, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell told reporters just moments ago that they both believe that they are close to a deal. And in the words of Mitch McConnell, he said, moments ago, when I asked him about this, he said that there's been significant progress, he said I'm optimistic that we're going to be able to complete an understanding sometime soon.
Now I asked him what's going to be in the deal, is it going to be less than a trillion dollars, the way the talks have been going? He said, I'm not going to get into the details but we are getting closer. Now this came just moments after Kevin McCarthy and him met for about 90 minutes in their office.
And McCarthy said that, are you getting a deal tonight? And he said, I think we are getting, we are close. he says it's going really well. He said, I think we have built a lot of trust, I think we are moving in the right direction and there's a possibility of getting it finalizes -- finalized and getting it done as soon as possible.
He said that they are exchanging last minute proposals. Now, the question still is, what is in this deal the Republicans are talking so is favorably about. They have had the outlines of the deal, have been pretty clear for several days and almost certainly they are talking extension of jobless benefits, and particularly the ones that are expiring by the end of this year.
There have been discussion of about $300 a week in jobless benefits. There have been discussion about $300 billion for emergency loan for small businesses, as well as money for vaccine distribution and money for schools as well. Other issues also important extending the federal eviction in moratorium, as well as deferring student loan payments. Those are some of the main issues.
The big sticking points have been whether to provide money for state and local governments for, that have aid for some of these cash strapped local governments, Democrats are demanded that, Republicans had resisted. Republicans have pushed for lawsuit protections for businesses and others that opened during the pandemic. Democrats had resisted what the Republicans are asking for. We expect those two provisions have essentially been set aside. We
have not gotten the final word on that yet, but all signs are suggesting that essentially has been dropped and they are settling around a much narrow package, potentially under a trillion dollars maybe even a little less than that.
So, we'll see ultimately what the details are, but very positive signs coming out of Washington right now, from Republicans after this closed-door meeting, we'll wait to hear what the Democrats say at the moment.
But the time is ticking, Don, because Friday there's a deadline that they need to extend funding to keep the government open, and they want to tie this COVID relief package onto this must pass funding bill by Friday. Can they do it? It's possible, they are going to need a lot of cooperation and of course, we are going have to see the details here, Don.
LEMON: Let's hope they can do it, a lot of folks are hurting and counting on this. Thank you, Manu Raju, in Washington on Capitol Hill with the latest. We'll check back if we get more information within the hours that we're on the air.
I want to turn now to Mitch McConnell. Finally acknowledging, finally that Joe Biden is the president-elect, saying the Electoral College has spoken and congratulating Biden on his win. Now, if only President Trump would do that and put the good of the country ahead of himself.
[22:25:05]
Let's discuss with CNN's Senior Political Analysts, John Avlon and Kirsten Powers. Good evening. I'm probably asking too much, I'm sure. Good to see both of you.
JOHN AVLON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST & ANCHOR: Good to see you.
LEMON: John, we are just 36 days until Biden is inaugurated as the next President of the United States. Is the rest of the country moving on, and leaving President Trump in his alternative -- his alternate reality? I mean, there might even be some business getting done as Manu just reported.
AVLON: How about that? Shake the magic eight ball, signs point to yes. I mean, look, it is great news that Republicans and Democrats are actually dealing or trying to come up with a deal on COVID. It's great news that Mitch McConnell acknowledged reality six weeks after the election.
But, but just a reality check, you know how long it took Mitch McConnell to call Donald Trump president-elect? One day. You know, how long it took President Obama to invite President-elect trump to the White House? Two days. And that was an election that he lost the popular vote by almost three million.
So, yes, Republicans are beginning to fall in line with reality. But you still have a hard-core group that's going to believe Donald Trump's lie because they are invested in it. Financially, they are afraid of the base. They want his blessing. They are afraid of a tweet. Until that fever breaks, you're not going to see anything resembling functioning in Washington.
LEMON: That is what you just described is a definition of entitled. Obviously, Barack Obama didn't feel that he was entitled to be president forever or to actually win an election that he lost. But somehow Donald Trump and the Republicans feel they are entitled to the office and to winning.
I wonder what that is, Kirsten, think about that one.
KIRSTEN POWERS, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes.
LEMON: So, Kirsten, President-elect Biden slammed Georgia's Republican Senators David Purdue and Kelly Loeffler for siding with Trump and trying to undo the election results there. That Georgia election there it's going to make all the difference here. Will Biden be working with a Majority Leader Schumer or a Majority Leader McConnell?
POWERS: Yes, I mean, it will literally make all the difference in the world as to whether or not there will be, you know, any kind of functioning Congress for the President Biden when he is president to be working with. So, it's very, very critical for him.
And I think that the question is, how is going to play -- how is what Trump is doing right now, how is that going to play out the Republicans have been concerned that it could hurt their chances in Georgia. And so it will be interesting to see whether his, you know, his ploy which is completely self-serving and it's completely meant to retain his position as sort of king maker in the party and also, as it's been discussed, he is making a lots of money off the grift that he is running.
And I saw he just -- Politico just reported that he sent out a fundraising letter that appeared to be raising money for the races in Georgia and in fact, it's going to his PAC.
AVLON: Of course.
LEMON: I mean, of course it is. Right?
POWERS: Yes.
LEMON: So, listen, yes. So, listen, all of this, as we said, an alternate reality and there are still some folks who are living in. And then real life where Joe Biden he's picked most of his cabinet are making some announcements today.
I'm going to take a break. We're going to come back and talk about that, guys on the other side. We'll be right back.
[22:30:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON (on camera): So back with me now, CNN Senior Political Analysts, John Avlon and Kirsten Powers. OK, welcome back.
Let's talk about Joe Biden and what he, the president-elect, excuse me, Joe Biden, planning to nominate former Governor Jennifer Granholm to lead energy, Pete Buttigieg, Mayor Pete Buttigieg to be his transportation secretary. Buttigieg would be the first Senate confirmed LGBTQ cabinet secretary. Trump previously appointed Rick Grenell who is say as acting DNI. Is Biden's cabinet living up to his diversity promise, Kirsten?
POWERS: You know, I feel like he is doing OK. I feel like the roll-out of the cabinet wasn't handled very well. Because I think he was initially rolling out the initial -- you know, the people that he rolled out wasn't as diverse as it could have been. I think in these, you know, two people that you just mentioned obviously are great picks.
We love Jennifer Granholm here at CNN and she is brilliant, and Pete Buttigieg is an interesting person for transportation. Because, you know, transportation isn't the sexiest of the cabinet positions, and so to choose, but it's important.
AVLON: Yes.
POWERS: And so, to choose somebody who is a real rising star in the Democratic Party, I think shows that that's going to be an area that's going to be taken very seriously, which I think is really important for the country.
LEMON: Why are you yessing that, John?
AVLON: Because it is incredibly important. Because one of the things Biden can get done and should get done working with Republicans is an infrastructure bill. And that's going to need to be worked in disproportionately by a transportation secretary who can carry that message.
LEMON: And it's got to be bipartisan. I mean --
(CROSSTALK)
AVLON: Absolutely.
LEMON: And one wonder --
AVLON: And it should be.
LEMON: The first thing I wondered is when I saw that I said, if he gets a bipartisan bill on infrastructure and actually the budget to do it, he's fine. But if Mitch McConnell blocks him --
AVLON: I mean, that's something that Republicans, I mean --
LEMON: -- it's done.
AVLON: -- if they are blocking that, then just everybody should just go home. LEMON: Because how many infrastructure days have we had?
AVLON: Right. Exactly. But it's been infrastructure week finally, Don.
LEMON: Infrastructure -- it's been infrastructure years. So, anyway, I just I want to say to you guys, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulating Biden on his victory before the White House actually did it. So, there you go.
AVLON: Yes, how about that?
LEMON: Yes. Catch me outside, how about that. Thank you both. I'll see you. Folks at home get it. Thank you. That's what should be happening.
[22:35:02]
Chicago beginning to roll out coronavirus vaccines, including at a hospital in hard hit -- in a hard-hit black communities. One of the first healthcare workers to get the vaccine there says, it was her duty to get it. And she is going to join me next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: COVID-19 vaccinations beginning this morning at hospital -- at a hospital in Chicago's west side, that served one of its hardest hit communities. Barbara Shields Johnson, the director of nursing services at Loretto Hospital was one of the very first people to be vaccinated in Chicago.
Loretto Hospital serves a predominantly black neighborhood with one of the highest COVID-19 death rates in the city. According to data from Chicago's Department of Public Health.
[22:39:55]
Throughout the country, communities of color have borne the brunt of this pandemic. And according to CDC data, black people were 3.7 times more likely to be hospitalized and 2.8 more likely to die from COVID compared to white people.
So, joining me now is Barbara Shields Johnson who you just saw getting vaccinated just a moment ago. Barbara, thank you so much for joining. You received your first dose of the coronavirus vaccine just this morning. So, how are you feeling?
BARBARA SHIELDS JOHNSON, RECEIVED ONE OF FIRST COVID VACCINE DOSES IN CHICAGO: Well, actually, I feel good. There has been, I haven't had any soreness or pain at the injection site. And no fatigue or body aches. So, I feel good.
LEMON: Yes, why is it so important for you to get this vaccine so quickly and do it publicly, do it in public?
JOHNSON: Well, for two reasons, one of the first reason is, I had family members who have been affected by the vaccine so of course, seeing how it affect firsthand-- LEMON: By the virus you meant?
JOHNSON: Yes. The virus first hand. But also, because I work in healthcare and I want to protect, to receive the vaccine for my own personal safety. And the safety of my family and the community.
LEMON: Yes.
JOHNSON: Because we just want to prevent the vaccine from spreading to others so that was my main goal in getting it. So that I do not contract it myself and or spread it to others.
LEMON: Yes, and I've been doing the same thing saying vaccine, when I should be saying virus, and virus when I'm saying vaccine. So, I know, right? I know how you feel doing it. But I think it's also important. Is it important for people of color to see someone like you getting the vaccine?
JOHNSON: Yes, because I understand how -- how people of color have viewed and have been received the negativity in the media and from past histories. And I understand why there's a mistrust with scientists and new innovative procedures and vaccines that are coming out.
But I want to rest assured to those that there's a great need for us to receive the vaccine, so that we are included. And we are not excluded for the research and that data that we need to be included and part of it.
LEMON: So, I'm glad you said it. Let's talk about, I'm going put up this poll and talk about the trust in the vaccine, right. It's critical. This is what the new study found that about one-third of black people asked say that they probably or definitely won't get it. I mean, that's an improvement from where it was, but it's still high.
How do we build confidence in the black community that this vaccine is safe? I'm sure, folks like you getting it helps. But how do we do it as someone who is in this profession?
JOHNSON: Through education. And making it affordable and available to the community that cannot afford it. So, yes, being out there, having the education that our community that can see that we need to be participate in research so we can be more inclusive in that.
So, currently, at our hospital, we are participating in several research programs so that for patients who have the virus, they can participate, and they'll get free healthcare for two years as a, while they are in the study group.
LEMON: Interesting. Well, let's talk a little bit more about it. For black people, for black people who are skeptical about getting the vaccine, Barbara, some of the reasons are concerns over side effects. You talk about a little of that. The newness of the vaccine, lack of trust that the government has made sure that it is safe, or just a lack of trust for vaccines in general. I want to know what you say to people out there, who may have some of those concerns, Barbara? JOHNSON: One of the things I would say to them is, get the facts
straight. Look into the research yourself. Go on to CDC web site to review the material for yourself and always partner with your primary care physician if you have any questions regarding receiving a vaccine to see if maybe that you are not a good candidate for it. I would have those conversations and look at, I think we, as a people as a whole have to look at eradicating that vaccine.
LEMON: Well, Barbara, you say you are doing great, you look great, you feel great, and we are happy that you are.
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[22:44:59]
JOHNSON: I said the virus.
LEMON: I'm sorry, say again?
JOHNSON: I said the virus, I said vaccine again. Sorry.
LEMON: As I said is, I told people, because I do the same thing. Vaccine, virus, everyone gets it and they know what you are talking about. I just want to be clear with that, and you know, everyone is human, and I say the wrong thing. So, don't even worry about it.
I'm so happy that you are here, that you're helping people out, especially you are helping people of color understand that it's important for them to take part in the studies and also to get vaccinated and also to keep socially distanced and keep wearing masks until this is under control.
Barbara Shields Johnson, the director of nursing at Loretto Hospital in Chicago, thank you so much for joining. We appreciate it.
JOHNSON: Thank you.
LEMON: Thank you.
So, make sure you join me with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Friday night, it's at 10 p.m. for a new town hall, the color of COVID, the vaccines. We're going to speak with Dr. Anthony Fauci and the surgeon general, Jerome Adams about vaccine skepticism in communities of color and how to boost confidence. It is really important that we do so. So, make sure you join us at 10 p.m. on Friday.
Emergency use authorization for a second vaccine could be just days away. The drug maker says this one could do more than just prevent the disease. It's coming at a time when we need all the help that we can get. The Washington National Cathedral today ringing its bell 300 times to mark the more than 300,000 Americans who have died from this virus.
[22:50:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) LEMON: So, here's the truth, another huge day for COVID vaccinations in the U.S. with inoculations for healthcare workers beginning at another 425 sites across the country. And there's good news from drug maker Moderna about its vaccine, on track for an emergency use authorization in the coming days. Moderna says its coronavirus shots don't just prevent symptomatic disease, but can potentially prevent infection in the first place. That's good news on the vaccine front.
But tonight, we are also seeing another troubling new record in this pandemic. More than 112,000 COVID hospitalizations across this country. Today is the 10th straight day of record hospitalizations.
Here to discuss, Biden COVID-19 advisory board member, Rick Bright. Thank you for joining us, Rick. It's good to see you. We haven't seen you in a while.
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RICK BRIGHT, MEMBER, BIDEN COVID-19 ADVISORY BOARD: Thanks for having me, Don. Good to see you.
LEMON: Yes. And congratulations on being an adviser.
BRIGHT: Still here.
LEMON: Amen, right? Amen. So, listen, the -- let's talk about the Moderna vaccine, it's just shy of 95 percent effective but Moderna says it is also, it also potentially prevents infection. Do we know how?
BRIGHT: Well, we just think right now that the vaccine is highly effective and from the data they've collected in the clinical trial, 95 percent effective after that second dose. What Moderna did was they actually collect some additional specimens from the subjects in the trial before they receive that second dose of vaccine. And they noticed that more people who were in the placebo group got infected between that person's second dose than the people who received the active vaccine.
So, there's a possibility that the vaccine might be, you know, really robust and preventing infection which is really important. And more important probably just to preventing severe illness.
LEMON: That's really great news. Let's hope that is indeed the case, Rick. So key differences between the already in-use Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. For example, Moderna does not need to be stored at super low temperatures. What other differences do they have and how will they affect the roll-out?
BRIGHT: Well, Don, largely they are pretty similar vaccine to the person receiving the vaccine. They are both messenger RNA-based vaccine. A technology that has been in development for over 10 years. It's a great week for science actually. Ten years of investment to make these platforms do exactly what they were planned to do. Rapid response for an emerging outbreak such as the coronavirus. So, similar that they are very efficacious, and similar that they are
very safe. Now you bring up a good point. Their differences are, what complicates the downstream logistics of delivering these vaccines. One of these vaccines is delivered in 10 doses in a vial and the other in five doses in a vial.
The Pfizer vaccine in five doses in a vial has to be diluted once it is received, and remember that vaccine from Pfizer has kept at super cold frozen temperatures.
LEMON: Yes.
BRIGHT: And Moderna vaccine is not quite as cold, still frozen. The Moderna vaccine is a four-week interval between dose one and dose two. And the Pfizer is at three-week interval between dose one and dose two. So, they sound like small changes but what I'm trying to convey is how complicated the downstream logistics get very quickly when you have more than one vaccine in the mix.
We're glad to have more vaccines for supply challenges that we already know exist, but we haven't yet trained all of the downstream health care providers about how to handle these two vaccines at different temperatures and different doses and different intervals.
So, there's lot of work that has to do to make sure that people get the right vaccine between dose one and dose two.
LEMON: That's really important. You can have all the vaccine you want but if they don't know how to administer it or can administer, then, I mean, what good is it? You know, you've been here and talking to us for a long time and as some of our viewers may know, you resigned from the NIH because you were upset about how the Trump administration was handling this virus.
[22:55:07]
You filed a whistleblower complaint last spring when you were at HHS, but it looks like that they scored a big success with Operation Warp Speeded in the form of these vaccines, do you agree with that?
BRIGHT: Well, Don, I would say the scientists at the health agencies, BARDA at the Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH and the FDA have been working on these vaccines for about 10 years scored a great success. And I would say the scientists in the companies, let's not forget the companies here the hardworking scientists that put aside many other things in their life for the last year to make the vaccines building upon 10 years of hard research.
I would say the success goes to the scientists and for the investment in this rapid response capability. And that is why we have a vaccine today.
LEMON: Yes. And people forget this is, I think, I would think and correct me if I'm wrong, the building blocks from this came initially from the original SARS disease? Right? The original SARS that happened back around 2000, 2001 and 2002? BRIGHT: I think some original work was done with the messenger RNC
backbone vaccines starting in early 2000s. And it has been developed as Zika vaccine candidate and influenza vaccine candidate and a number of other disease targets have been evaluated in the same backbone so we can get comfortable with the backbone and have clinical trial experience.
So, it's not really the first time this vaccine is going into people when we are responding to the COVID. I have a lot of confidence in this vaccine technology. I invested in it years ago in BARDA for this very purpose, and I've tracked it very closely. I'm very comfortable and very excited, actually, about the data that we are getting from the clinical trials. I would certainly take the vaccine and recommend it to anyone to take this vaccine.
LEMON: Very well put, the people who deserve it are the scientists and all the people who worked on it and even the people who took part in the trials. Thank you so much, Rick. It's good to see you. Be well.
BRIGHT: Absolutely.
LEMON: Thank you.
BRIGHT: Don, good to see you. Thank you.
LEMON: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledging Joe Biden's victory, finally. More Republicans acknowledging reality, finally. While the current president still lives in a fantasy world.
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