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Growing Concerns Over New COVID-19 Variant; European Union Authorizes Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine; Truck Drivers Stuck in Dover, England as Borders Close; U.S. Congress Passes $900 Billion COVID Relief Bill; Millions in America Facing Food Insecurity; Giroir: We've Known About Virus Variant for Months; Taiwan Reports First Local Cass in 250+ Days. Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired December 22, 2020 - 04:00   ET

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

[04:00:00]

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us in the United States and all around the world. You are watching CNN NEWSROOM, and I'm Rosemary Church.

Just ahead, drug giants are testing their vaccines on a new COVID variant first reported in the U.K. Why experts say it could already be late.

A $900 billion stimulus bill is on its way to President Trump's desk to be signed into law. We will tell how Congress finally compromised and when you could see economic relief.

And a CNN exclusive, Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny tricks a Kremlin agent into revealing how he was poisoning. That incredible phone conversation ahead this hour.

Good to have you with us, and we begin with the latest on the new variant of the coronavirus spreading rapidly across the U.K., and several other countries. Pfizer and Moderna say their companies are now testing their vaccines to see if they work against the new mutated version that has captured global headlines.

Meantime, a growing number of countries have halted travel from the U.K. where the new variant was first reported. The U.S. has not done so. But sources say the Trump administration is considering requiring travelers from the U.K. to present proof of a negative coronavirus test before arriving in the states.

America's top infectious disease expert meantime says he wouldn't be surprised if the new variant is already here.

CNN's Salma Abdelaziz is at the port of Dover in England where many truck drivers are now stuck due to travel restrictions. And out Fred Pleitgen is live in Moscow. Good to see you both. Fred let's start with you. What is the latest on plans to start the vaccinations at the Pfizer BioNTech across Europe?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, logistics for that, Rosemary, are already underway. There's a BioNTech press conference that may have just ended, might still be going on. There they said that essentially what they're doing is they're getting ready to roll out those doses throughout Europe. That's probably going to happen at some point during the day. They say they have to test each of these boxes to make sure everything is OK with all of those doses of vaccine, and of course especially that the temperature there is OK as well.

One of the things that we have been talking about is fact that this vaccine needs to be stored and shipped at minus 70 degrees Celsius, that's of course around minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The other really interesting thing that we gleaned from that press conference from BioNTech is the fact that the head, the CEO of BioNTech said that he believes it's highly likely that their vaccine will also be effective against that new COVID-19 variant. He says he believes that their vaccines attack the virus in so many different ways, it should still be effective against it. And he said there's other mutations of the virus that have been already been around that they tested it against as well, and there it showed that the efficacy was not reduced.

Another really interesting thing that we just learned from that press conference is that they say, however, that if the virus through this new variant has become more efficient in infecting people, it could take longer to reach herd immunity in countries where vaccinations are taking place. He said normally people speak of around 60 or 70 percent of the population needing to be vaccinated to achieve that herd immunity. He says if the virus becomes more efficient, that number might have to be higher as well of people who actually get the vaccine in order to get that herd immunity -- Rosemary.

CHURCH: All right, very important details there. And of course all medical experts saying wear a mask, do all of the things we're being told to do, wash our hands, and keep that social distancing practice in place. Our Fred Pleitgen joining us there from Moscow.

Salma let's go to you now in Dover. This new variant of course putting the U.K. under incredible pressure, now of course with these travel bans. And you've been there talking to some of the truck drivers who've been held up. What are you finding there?

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: Rosemary, many of them have spent the second night sleeping in their vehicles. I'm just going to pan our camera here a little bit so you can just take a look. Truck after truck, row after row of drivers who are stranded. They're not supposed to be here. This is just one street. It's a public street. It is not the only place that these drivers are parked. They are parking anywhere they can. And they're sleeping in their cars. They have no access to food, or bathrooms or accommodations.

[04:05:00]

And they have no idea when they're going to go home. Some of them concerned they're not even going to make it back for Christmas. So what's the solution? Well, the French government had put in a 48

hour border closure. That is set to expire today. The French authorities say they want to resolve this as soon as possible. The British authorities say they wants to resolve this as soon as possible. But something has to be put into place. The French government wants to see a health protocol, a safety protocol. We heard this hour that the U.K. government is speaking about testing with the French authorities, coronavirus testing with the French authorities to allow these drivers and to allow anyone back into Europe.

But I just want you for a moment to imagine the logistical nightmare that would occur. This is just one street here. I'm just looking around. I can see dozens of trucks lined up and this is just one street. We know further up the way part of the highway is closed. 900 drivers there in their vehicles. And then further up to Kent. That city also dozens of drivers stranded.

Imagine having to bring all these drivers together, test them for coronavirus. Who's going to pay for it? How will it be conducted? How will the results come out? If you have to isolate because you've testing positive, who's going to pay for the isolation of those drivers, and where will they isolate? So many details to work out, Rosemary.

And of course, meanwhile, the clock is ticking. It's not just about these drivers, it's about what's in their cars, the cargo, the goods that are needed in this country. Otherwise you could be looking at food shortages, medicine shortages, a lot of logistics here. In the middle of this of course, Brexit. Will they solve it in time, Rosemary, or will this country be looking at actual shortages because it's essentially being sealed off from the world.

CHURCH: Yes, it is a real concern. Salma Abdelaziz joining us there. Appreciate your reporting.

Well, help is coming for millions of Americans struggling under the COVID crisis. This after Congress finally overcame a partisan deadlock to pass a relief deal. The far reaching deal provides $900 billion for vaccine distribution, aid to small businesses and the unemployed as well as direct payment to Americans. And CNN's Manu Raju has the details now from Washington.

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MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): After weeks and months of partisan divisions, stalemate, and talks breaking down, starting again and breaking down all over again, finally, a bill is on its way to the president's desk to deal with the significant problems facing the United States and the aftermath during the coronavirus pandemic. All the fallout caused by that in the public health crisis leading to an economic crisis.

This bill, $900 billion significant in its scale and its scope, affecting virtually all sectors of the American economy including individuals will get $600 of direct payments. If you make up to 75,000 dollars a year, $300 dollars in jobless benefits. Those will start kick on December 27th will last for 11 weeks.

More than $80 billion for schools. More than $280 billion for small businesses. Money that will be helpful for venues live performance art venues that have been closed during this pandemic, money for the farm sector as well.

Lots of billions more for vaccine distribution. This proposal is significant, and it came after both sides essentially agreed to drop some of the big sticking points. Democrats came down significantly from what they were asking for in terms of the overall price tag.

Republicans increased the amount that they were asking for and ultimately this compromise was reached. Now it was tied together also with $1.4 trillion plan to keep the government funded from essentially now until September. And this package, altogether was about $2.3 trillion. It's more than 5,500 pages in its size. And it was dropped on Congress' desk, unveiled for the first time on Monday afternoon. Just hours before the House voted on it and hours before the Senate voted for it. And gave its final passes. Now it's on the president's desk.

It's going to take a couple of days for that to happen. They have agreed to pass a weeklong stopgap resolution to keep the government open and give some time for the actual paperwork to come together. Then there once the paperwork is done, they'll send it to the president's desk. And that's when Americans can start to see some relief after it takes a few weeks to kick in and get into the system.

Already, Democrats are saying, this is not enough, they need to come back when Joe Biden is president and deal with more. But at the moment, a significant accomplishment for the 116th Congress after so much fighting and bickering, now some relief to the American public.

Manu Raju, CNN, Capitol Hill.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: U.S. President-elect Joe Biden is praising the new COVID relief package and he's calling on lawmakers to support his plan to fight the virus in the new year. To all the Americans struggling right now, Biden writes help is on the way.

[04:10:00]

Well the need is real, and it is urgent, and we want to bring you some statistics now to show just how dire the economic situation is in the U.S. There are more than 12 million Americans who are not up to date on their rent or mortgage payments. That's according to the census bureau. And when it comes to food insecurity, the numbers are even more staggering. More than 54 million people could soon face food insecurity. That's according to Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization. Plus, the organization says that of those 54 million people, 40 percent have never had to ask for food assistance before. CNN's Rosa Flores has more.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE) ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Before dawn, people waited at a South Florida mall on the weekend before Christmas.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was sleeping.

FLORES: But they are not here for holiday shopping. They are in line for free food.

DEBORA HIGHTOWER, WAITING IN FOOD LINE: Always been hesitant about coming because -- I'm sorry. I would hate for the first -- me to get the last of something and the person behind me being in a worse position than I am.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Melon. Can I have two melons here, please?

FLORES: It's a scene replayed across the country, from Los Angeles, where one food bank says distribution of groceries has doubled since the pandemic began, to the suburbs of Atlanta where 500 cars waited for an hour and a half before distribution started.

MICHAEL THURMOND, DEKALB COUNTY GEORGIA, CEO: This is another indication of the pain and the suffering that's being felt all across our nation.

FLORES: Since the pandemic began in March, hunger in the United States has skyrocketed. Feeding America, the nation's largest food bank network, reports a 60 percent increase in the demand over last year.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Merry Christmas. God bless you guys.

FLORES: In South Florida, one in five people need food assistance and a quarter of children go to bed hungry, according to Feeding South Florida.

Deborah Hightower is an accountant.

HIGHTOWER: So, this is hard for me to be here.

FLORES: The mother of three teenagers was recently hospitalized and says she has lost her job twice since the pandemic started.

HIGHTOWER: I'm very independent and do not like to ask for help. But sometimes, you just have to do what God's helps with you.

FLORES: Some people like Larry Battisti waited for hours not to get food for himself but for three members of his church who are unemployed or can't leave their homes due to COVID concerns.

LARRY BATTISTI, WAITING IN FOOD LINE: You certainly get a lot of smiles and you can't hug them anymore.

FLORES: Leonard and Julie Thompson delivered the food they received to seven neighbors and friends.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Appreciate you sharing with me, as usual.

FLORES: As the pandemic surges, demand for food --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Merry Christmas!

FLORES: -- is expected to grow.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'll see you soon.

FLORES (on camera): Feeding South Florida has distributed more than 150 million pounds of food since the pandemic began. That is double the demand compared to last year. And people from this food bank say that they're only expecting for the need to grow.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

CHURCH: And you can help those in need right now. To learn how, just go to CNN.com/impact. Every bit of help makes a big difference, and while you're on our site, just check out our breakdown of the COVID stimulus bill. We've got all the details on when most people can expect to get their new stimulus checks and other relief.

Well the United Kingdom is being increasingly cut off from the world, after discovering a new variant of COVID-19. Ahead, how the crisis is drawing travel and trade into a nightmare just before Christmas.

[04:15:00]

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CHURCH: As concerns mount over a new coronavirus variant, Pfizer and Moderna say their companies are now testing their vaccines to see if they work against the new mutated version found in the U.K. and other countries.

COVID-19 has mutated before, of course, and both companies say their vaccines work against other variations of the virus, and the expectation is that their vaccines will protect against this new variant as well. Scientists across the world meantime are scrambling to do their own research. CNN's Martin Savidge has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Coronavirus chaos, Britain increasingly cut off from Europe and elsewhere after discovering a new variant of coronavirus, the crisis throwing travel and trade into a nightmare before Christmas.

Supermarkets warn of shortages of perishable goods in coming days, the prime minister urging calm.

BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: The government has been preparing for a long time for exactly this kind of event.

SAVIDGE: Despite travel bans by other countries, so far, the U.S. is not joining them. The assistant secretary of Health and Human Services says the variant has actually been known about for months. ADM. BRETT GIROIR, U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: The variant that's being discussed was first identified in September. So, it's not something that just arose in the last week.

SAVIDGE: At an Operation Warp Speed briefing today, scientists downplaying alarm.

MONCEF SLAOUI, CHIEF SCIENTIFIC ADVISER, OPERATION WARP SPEED: I think scientifically to date, there is no hard evidence that this virus is actually more transmissible.

SAVIDGE: And scientists are already said to be studying the new variant to see if it could evade current vaccines.

Meanwhile, a second vaccine from Moderna began joining the fight today.

ARLENE RAMIREZ, DIRECTOR, PATIENT CARE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, NORTHWELL HEALTH: This vaccine is hope. It's hope that we will cease this pandemic. It's hope that we will live a better life.

SAVIDGE: Meanwhile, vaccine advisers for the CDC are recommending who should get the potential lifesaving injections next. Phase 1-B includes adults 75 and older and frontline essential workers. Phase 1- C, adults 65 to 75 and people ages 16 to 64 with high-risk medical conditions, as well as more essential workers.

[04:20:00]

The vaccine help is desperately needed, with the U.S. on the brink of surpassing 18 million COVID-19 cases. In just seven days, the country added over 1.5 million new infections, meaning one in every 217 people across the U.S. tested positive in the last week. In Tennessee, the governor's message was grim.

GOV. BILL LEE (R-TN): We are in a war.

SAVIDGE (on camera): At Emory University Hospital here in Atlanta and at medical facilities all across the country, they are trying to vaccinate as many frontline health care workers as possible because they know they face a very grim holiday period.

Martin Savidge, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Joining me now is Dr. Larry Brilliant, a CNN medical analyst and epidemiologist. Thank you, doctor, for all that you do and for talking with us.

LARRY BRILLIANT, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: Thank you, Rosemary, it's nice to be with you again.

CHURCH: Good to have you. So, we don't know a lot about this new variant of the coronavirus that's been detected in the U.K. But Admiral Giroir says there is nothing to suggest the current vaccines won't be effective against this variant. And it's worth saying that the Pfizer and Moderna companies are now looking into that to see whether their vaccines are able to fight this new variant.

But do you agree with that assessment by the admiral? And what more are you learning about this new variant?

BRILLIANT: Well, first of all, COVID-19 is a coronavirus. It's an RNA virus, which means it's only got one strand. And it's not a stable as a DNA virus, which is two strands, one acts as a spell checker on the other.

So, I expect this virus to mutate. In fact, I think it's kind of mutated less than we might have expected, once or twice or three times a month in its short one year history. We've had about three of those mutations that cause some concern. Of course, the one in Amsterdam and Denmark and Minsk that seemed to have the virus go back and forth between humans and animals, that's a big concern.

And a mutation happened there in half a dozen farmers were infected by something which we are really worried about. Another one we've got in South Africa, that's a concern to us. We had one earlier that occurred in northern Europe, before it came to the United States.

And now we have this one, which seems to be a different classification of mutation. It has 17 different spot mutations, which is an awful lot. Enough that people are thinking of this as an independent clade, and a clade is a funny word which kind of means a little bit like species to virologists, not exactly the same thing. But this has 17 different mutations. So, we should be concerned about it. What should we do? We should wear masks. We should practice social distancing. We should wash our hands. We should do testing, tracing, and isolation.

We should do that whether it's in the U.K. or whether it's in the United States, and we should do it more vigorously because we are still seeing the effect of Thanksgiving in the United States. We are about to see the effect of Christmas in all countries and we are in a world of hurt irrespective of the mutation, and when you add that on it's all more reason to be more careful.

CHURCH: So, we need to keep doing exactly what we're doing, wearing the mask, we shouldn't be concerned. But what is your sense when it comes to the vaccine, we've got available to us now, the Moderna and Pfizer that have been authorized for use here in the United States? Will they be able to fight this variant?

BRILLIANT: I think so. I don't see anything to cause concern. The mRNA vaccines are quite a bit different than the older vaccines. They're heat killed or attenuated vaccines. It remains to be seen whether any variant will affect the mRNA vaccine.

CHURCH: Dr. Larry Brilliant, thank you so much. I appreciate it.

BRILLIANT: Thanks for having me, Rosemary. Merry Christmas.

CHURCH: Merry Christmas to you. Well parts of the Asia Pacific region are seeing a dramatic jump in COVID-19 cases as we near the end of December. In Japan, doctors and nurses on the frontlines are urging more action from their government to contain the latest outbreak. The country added more that than 1,800 new cases on Monday, pushing its total past 200,000.

South Korea is imposing tighter COVID restrictions for Christmas and New Year's, calling it a special quarantine period to try and control its surge. Meantime, Australia and Taiwan say they will not impose new travel restrictions on flights from the U.K. claiming they already have enough measures in place. Australia has detected four cases of the new virus variant but insist there is no cause for concern.

[04:25:00]

Well, Taiwan is reporting its first local COVID-19 case in more than 250 days. The health ministry says a woman in they are 30s was infected after she came into contact with another positive case, a foreign pilot.

Steven Jiang joins us with the latest on this. Good to see you Steven. So what more are you learning about this, and what measures are being put in place to prevent this happening again?

STEVEN JIANG, CNN SENIOR PRODUCER: Well, Rosemary, this one local case is getting global attention because as you mentioned, this is Taiwan's first locally transmitted case in more than eight months. And health officials in the island are revealing information about this woman and the pilot from New Zealand who supposedly gave her the virus.

They say the two had close contact between December 8th and 12th after this pilot flew to the U.S. in late November and then returned to the island in early December. Now, this pilot is now actually facing a potential fine of over 10,000 U.S. dollars because the authorities say he failed to report his activities during the contact tracing investigation. And now health officials say they have also tracked down over 160 close contacts of this woman with over a dozen of them being placed under a home quarantine while her workplace, and other public areas have been disinfected.

They also said this pilot had visited multiple public places without disclosing such information to the investigators. So now the general public has been advised to monitor their health, if they've been to the same locations, and seek medical attention if symptoms do appear.

Now remember, before this new local case on Tuesday, Taiwan had been hailed as a success story in this fight against the pandemic with this island of 23 million people reporting just over 700 cases, without having to impose strict lock downs or other draconian measures we have seen in places like China. The government there attributed their success to early screenings, mass testing, and effective and quick contact tracing. But this latest case certainly shows that nobody can afford to get complacent in this fight against COVID-19 -- Rosemary.

CHURCH: All right, Steven Jiang joining us there from Beijing. Many thanks. And still to come here on CNN NEWSROOM. Money from the COVID relief bill will soon be dispersed to Americans. But critics says it's nowhere near enough to help most people, and we will have more reaction next.

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