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Despite Warnings, Millions Are Flying During The Holidays; Congress Passes $900 Billion Economic Relief Package; Anxiety Rising At Pentagon Over What Trump Will Do Next; U.K. Border Remains Closed Over Variant Coronavirus Fears. Aired 12:30-1p ET

Aired December 22, 2020 - 12:30   ET

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

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DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES: -- Christmas, but you have to tone down plans, try to minimize travel and try to avoid large congregations of people indoors. You know, the dinners that have 20, 25 people, you know, we know how, how difficult it is, and in a wonderful season, like Christmas to tone down these kinds of things, but we really do need to hang in there.

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KATE BOLDUAN, CNN HOST: So how can you enjoy the holidays most safely? Joining me right now is Erin Bromage, a professor of Biology at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, and a CNN contributor. It's good to see you, Erin. So, as we heard from Pete Muntean, the reality is people are traveling at record levels right now. So what should people do to stay safe if they're going to be flying this week?

ERIN BROMAGE, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Yes. So it was really interesting listening to what's those people they interviewed said about, we're doing extra stuff to stay safe. We're not touching things, we're sanitizing our hands, we're wiping down our benches, that does not keep you safe. We know more than ever that infection is about the air that you share, you get infected by inhaling those tiny little droplets into your mouth, into your lungs.

And so, people are still getting it wrong. I mean, if you're going to jump in a big metal tube, an airplane with lots of people, so a million people every day flying right now, you're going to be sharing a lot of air. And washing your hands might help a little bit, but it's not going to help with the big side of things. People are still getting this wrong, even now. It's the air we share. So, any space that is indoors enclosed with lots of people is high risk for transmission. It's that simple.

BOLDUAN: It's -- I appreciate the way you put it, it is the airway share. We are learning more about how this is transmitted, and that is the main takeaway of how we are. Health officials are pleading with people to cancel holiday gatherings. What should people be thinking about when they are considering whether to visit friends, whether to visit family?

BROMAGE: Yes, I mean, it's the same rules as we just told there, the air we share. And one of the things that has really stuck out to me with my own research lately is just realizing how cool the air quality is inside our own homes. Inside commercial buildings, there's air brought from the outside, brought in, they're filtering it, they're taking care of the air quality in most of those spaces.

But inside our house, we've got them buttoned up really tight, they don't breathe. And so, when you bring in one person or another household, or multiple households in, all of you are sharing each other's a across a dining table, you know, enjoying a drink, enjoying a meal, and that's just where we're seeing infections just flourish. We really need to think about how we do this smarter. And that's why they're saying, make your group, your gathering as small as possible, because each new household that you bring in brings in the risk from their particular group, their associations over the last few weeks.

So we've got to keep it small, we've got to keep it preferably to your own household. But you also need to look at the ventilation, the filtration, the distance, I mean, cracking a window or two can have a big effect on improving safety. So we've just got to think about how we make it safer inside our homes.

BOLDUAN: And it also comes down to a time period as well. We've learned how long you're exposed to these droplets. And I've been thinking about this, Christmas is different than Thanksgiving, and that people are often getting together for a longer period of time, multiple days, multiple meals. If that is the case, how do you mitigate for that?

BROMAGE: Yes, you are exactly right. Duration is one of the things that people have forgotten about this. So haven't really connected. When you wear a mask, for example, you lower the amount of, you know, those little droplets coming out and also the ones that you come in, and it gives you longer time in that space before you can become infected. But we know during holidays, during family gatherings, we're not going to have masks, and so duration becomes one of the most important things in regards to infection.

So you really need to ensure that if you are going to get together and you are going to have multiple families there, keep it short, because as much as we'd love to say don't do it, don't do it, you know, we have chosen not to do it this Christmas. Our Christmas is virtual without families. But it's just -- you've got to keep it short, keep it distant, keep it well ventilated to keep it safe.

BOLDUAN: It is so hard because it is cold outside in so many places. This is why it becomes incrementally more problematic. Is there research that the colder, drier air of winter impact spread differently than say in the summer?

BROMAGE: Yes. So, way out of my field, but following the work of Linsey Marr, Shelly Miller, for example, those people have done some incredible work in regards to these aerosols and how they persist in the air. And what we know when it's colder, those droplets that you breathe out evaporate very quickly. They lose the water around them, which makes them lighter and they stay in the air for longer, whereas in more humid conditions, they don't evaporate as fast and they fall to the ground.

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So, it does change things over winter, just in regards to the relative humidity. And we also know that cold does allow it to survive for longer in the environment. Part of the reason why we sort of move very efficiently in meatpacking facilities that are like big cold rooms that you're working in, it allowed the virus to actually stay viable, infectious in the air or on surfaces potentially for much, much longer.

BOLDUAN: This is important. Really appreciate it. Thanks, Erin.

BROMAGE: You're welcome. Have a great --

BOLDUAN: Coming up -- thank you, you too.

Coming up for us, Congress passes a $900 billion coronavirus relief package. And it is -- it includes more money going directly to millions of Americans. Who will be getting this long-awaited relief and when?

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BOLDUAN: Congress finally pushed through a new COVID relief package. Here is what is in it. The $900 billion deal provides direct payments of $600 for some adults and their children. The plan also pays out an extra $300 per week and unemployment benefits. $284 billion is earmarked for small businesses. And there is also more money for vaccine distribution, and an extension albeit brief on the eviction moratorium. So now the question is, when and how will people actually see this help.

CNN's Cristina Alesci is joining me now. She's been digging into this. So Cristina, what do people need to know first and foremost about actually getting this $600 payments?

CRISTINA ALESCI, CNN POLITICS AND BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's a critical question, Kate. And just before we get into the details, I just want to say that this is welcome news for many Americans around the country, but it's simply not enough for the millions that are facing food insecurity and housing insecurity. Now on those details, specifically, people who -- this should happen automatically for people who have filed for their 2019 tax returns, if they are receiving Social Security, they should get these payments automatically. Also, if they registered for the first round of payments with the -- through the IRS portal, they should be getting those automatically.

A word of caution here, the first time that these payments were done, that the IRS did missed 12 million people. So, there's going to be some friction in finding people for sure. Direct deposit is going to be the quickest way to get your money. So if your bank account is on file with the IRS, those payments will probably hit first, followed by paper checks. And, you know, prepaid debit cards.

And Secretary Mnuchin was on air yesterday talking about the facts that -- the fact that checks should go out before the end of the year. But as we discovered the last time around, it'll be weeks before, you know, most people will see those checks, and you have to be eligible for this benefit. Anyone making under $75,000 will be eligible, it's double for couples. And it starts phasing out after reaching that $75,000 income level. At 99,000, the benefit completely phases out and those people will not be eligible.

BOLDUAN: This deal also includes $25 billion in rental assistance. Who gets that benefit?

ALESCI: So just to be clear, this money is going to be funneled through state programs. But the federal government did set some conditions on this. Among them, you have to make 80 percent of the average income in your area. One or more members of your household has to be experiencing some kind of financial hardship or unemployment because of the pandemic. And one of -- one or more members of your household have to be facing risk of eviction or homelessness, Kate.

So this is a very dire circumstance for many people in this country. And there's no doubt about the fact that the Biden administration is probably going to want to do more when it comes in after January 20, Kate.

BOLDUAN: Yes, but a lot of details that people need to know as you're going through it. Cristina, thank you very much.

Coming up next, there's a new report. Senior military officials are worried about what could come next from the White House. Why some are so concerned about President Trump's final days in office.

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BOLDUAN: There is growing concern from inside the administration over President Trump's obsession with overturning the election in his last month in office. And now CNN's Barbara Starr is reporting that anxiety is also being felt among senior ranks of the military. Almost a dozen current military officers describe concerns from senior commanders about actions the President might take. One officer at the Pentagon saying simply, we don't know what he might do.

CNN is also reporting some senior military leaders are avoiding the White House at this point in the hopes that they won't be drawn into the President's orbit and what he's focused on. Joining me right now is Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, CNN Military Analyst and former Commanding General for Europe and The Seventh Army. It's good to see you again. What is your level of concern about what the next 30 days could mean, after what you have seen playing out? LT. GENERAL MARK HERTLING, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: It's good to see you too, Kate. What I'd say is, right now during any transition, and that's what we're in right now, the military commanders across the board are very concerned about preparing for the new commanders in chief because President-elect Biden is going to have quite a few questions for him. At the same time, they're concerned about, as you said, being pulled into the further lunacy of what's going on within the Trump administration because they have seen it happen already many instances. The border wall, the transgender issue, some of the changing of budgetary requirements, the -- bringing people who are in court martials off the line.

So all of these things have concerned the military, and they're hearing the kinds of things coming out of the White House. They're being reported by you and others. And certainly that concerns them because they don't want to be drawn into this chaos.

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And so they are preparing for the next president, and at the same time hoping they don't get pulled into the morass, which is the current administration and what they're doing regarding elections.

BOLDUAN: And when you hear these Oval Office meetings with this conspiracy theorist, attorney and Michael Flynn being in there, well, specifically on Michael Flynn, the former retired general, former national security adviser, former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, what do you make of the fact that he's floating this idea of sending the military into battleground states to rerun the election?

HERTLING: Yes, Kate. I'll be careful in commenting on General Flynn because he was a colleague when we both served together. But all I will say is, he's a very bitter man right now and he's been given a platform to voices bitterness. And that's unfortunate. There's something wrong with this individual that he's suggesting things that all of us in the military know, violate constitutional norms and regulations and laws.

So, I think he, again, he's in a position where he's influencing the President. And it's unfortunate that you have an individual like this doing just that. The thing, I'd remind everyone that I think we got a pretty good indication of who General Flynn was when last July 4th, he stood up and swore an oath the QAnon. That was the final straw to me.

And as much as I'd like to say that, yes, he did rise to the highest ranks in the military and there are people questioning right now and painting the military with a broad brush, because he was allowed to rise to those ranks, something has happened to that individual, and it's unfortunate.

BOLDUAN: Well, while this is happening, I wanted to get your thought on the fact that the President is threatening to veto the annual bill that sets defense spending priorities. Look, that can sound maybe boring and mundane, but it is a -- it's hugely important. What is the impact of that? HERTLING: Yes. I'm telling you from a former theater commander perspective, when I commanded in Europe, we were waiting desperately for the Congress to sign the budget and get it to us. We have now delayed this probably every year for the last 10 years, there has never been a budget given on time. So from the operational perspective, it influences negatively the kinds of things we're doing in the military.

But let's take it down to a personal level, because that budget wasn't signed, the NDAA wasn't signed before the 15th of the month, soldiers and sailors and marines and airmen across the board did not get their mid-month pay. There are some financial institutions that are saying they will cover soldiers during that period of time because they didn't get a mid-month paycheck, and that's unfortunate. But truthfully, Kate, what I'd say too, it's not just the President. This is the Congress's fault. It is their primary responsibility to pass a budget, and they haven't done it for a long time.

I would hope that our elected officials could be a lot better. All those who say they support the military, I'd prefer to see actions rather than words.

BOLDUAN: Thank you so much for coming in as always.

HERTLING: Merry Christmas, Kate.

BOLDUAN: Coming much next -- thank you, you too. Thousands of trucks stranded at ports and airports in the U.K. as the country remains cut off from Europe and over fears of this new variant of the coronavirus. We're going to get the very latest from the U.K. next.

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BOLDUAN: The White House is considering plans to require travelers from the United Kingdom present proof of a negative COVID test before coming in. This as at least 40 countries are already taking action and holding travel from the U.K., and that's at least for now. U.K. itself also just imposed new emergency measures inside the country.

CNN's Nima Elbagir is in London outside 10 Downing Street with more on this. Nima, what's the latest that you're hearing on this?

NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we have just heard from one of the U.K.'s largest supermarket chains, Tesco, and they're taking the extraordinary step of placing purchasing limits on some essential products. They are so concerned about shortages in the lead up to Christmas, that they're going to try and put a cap on what customers can purchase. And the worry is that that still won't be enough, Kate, that whatever happens unless there is a resolution to this ban, unless a deal is reached around potential testing for all truck drivers coming into the U.K., which is an extraordinary number.

There are 3,000 of them stuck down in the ports in Downing as we speak, unless there is a way to meaningfully test them that we could be seeing food shortages after Christmas. And this is, of course, in a GA economy. It really beggars (ph) belief for so many people that we've come to this place, Kate.

BOLDUAN: Yes, these images are really striking that we're showing of what you're talking about, just how things are lined up and stuck and clogged. Dr. Anthony Fauci, he's also called the travel bans from other countries a draconian measure. Is there any sense there that this is an overreaction?

ELBAGIR: Unfortunately, the sense here is that -- the reaction wasn't strong enough. For months, medical experts have been calling on the government to put in place stronger measures. And even a few days ago, we were still talking about the potential of households to mix for Christmas. That, of course, now the government has backpedaled on, but the sense has been throughout that the government have not listened to the data. Because whatever the scientists are saying about this being a strain that has higher transmissibility that this is a strain that is more difficult to deal with. It is still reliant on human behavior to spread it, Kate.

BOLDUAN: It's a good point. Nima, it's wonderful to see you. Thank you very much.

And thank you all so much for joining us. Bianna Golodryga picks up our coverage right now.

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