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Omicron Cases Dip in U.S. as COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rise; Motions Being Heard for Defendants in Ahmaud Arbery Case; Actor, Comedian Louie Anderson Dead at Age 68; Grammy-Winning Singer Meat Loaf Dead at Age 74; New Orleans on High Alert Over String of Deadly Interstate Shootings. Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired January 21, 2022 - 10:30   ET

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

[10:30:01]

BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN ANCHOR: New COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have dipped in recent days, which may be a promising sign that the Omicron wave is starting to subside. But it comes as hospitalizations and deaths are still rising, and experts warned many parts of the country have not yet reached the Omicron peak.

Here to discuss is director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr. Paul Offit. He's also a member of the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee.

Dr. Offit, always great to have you on the show. So give us a sort of state of play, where things are in the country in terms of Omicron and are we starting to see in other parts of the country what we've seen the past few weeks and days in the northeast, and that is that cases are starting to go down?

DR. PAUL OFFIT, DIRECTOR, VACCINE EDUCATION CENTER AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA: Yes. I think we are starting to see that. I think it's still going to be a rough few weeks. I mean, even if you look last year when we didn't have much of the way of population immunity from vaccination or natural infection, you did start to see a decline in hospitalizations and deaths by mid-February. I would expect we would also see that this year, but also again, as you said, it's going to involve different areas of the country at different times and to some extent also depending on the percentage of vaccinated people in those different states and different counties.

GOLODRYGA: What are you seeing in terms of how hospitals are handling the surge in patients right now? We have been covering the fact that many doctors and nurses have been calling out sick, and there have been a lot of concern about the hospitals being short staffed and inundated with patients. Where is that standing right now?

OFFIT: Well, with Philadelphia, actually things are getting better. The number of cases are clearly coming down in our hospital. I mean, the percentage of children who were admitted to the hospital for whatever reason who were COVID positive is clearly coming down. I think the problem with Omicron is that it's slightly off target for vaccine-induced immunity in terms of protection against mild disease. So even if you've been vaccinated, even if arguably you've been

vaccinated and boosted, you can still possibly get a mild infection, which means at least in our hospital that you're not going to be coming in until you're asymptomatic and then, you know, and only then can you come in. So it's been a hit on the hospitals. Plus, after two years of this, I mean, I can tell you the hospital staff is a little demoralized at this point for the main reason being most of the patients who we take care of if not all the patients we take care of in the ICU are unvaccinated, which is really frustrating.

GOLODRYGA: And unfortunately, the only community and part of the community that is unvaccinated for no fault of their own are those that you deal with on a daily basis, and that's young children, 5 and under. We did get some promising news this week that perhaps, perhaps we could start seeing them vaccinated within the next month. How optimistic are you that that could play out?

OFFIT: We'll see. I mean, I haven't seen any of the data. I've just kind of read the tea leaves like everybody else. It looks like there was some problem in figuring out the right dose and right dosing interval and number of doses for children less than 5 years of age. So we'll see the data. But I can promise this as a member of the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee, we are not going to approve that vaccine unless it is clear that there is a robust data profile for safety and a robust profile for efficacy. Then and only then will we approve that vaccine for children less than 5. Safety is most important.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. Of course. And Dr. Fauci making that suggestion that perhaps we could see a vaccine and that perhaps it could be three doses rather than two, given that two proved not to be enough from Pfizer earlier last year. You know, you, I know, have been inundated with having to combat all of these falsehoods and conspiracy theories and misnomers, right, about what these vaccines can do.

And one of them that I've heard quite frankly from people that I know is that they're concerned about what it would do for reproductive issues, right, whether women would be able to bear children if they are vaccinated. There is new research that definitively sort of shuts the door on that theory.

OFFIT: For sure. You know, the notion was raised actually a while ago by two researchers who wrote a letter to the European Medicines Agency, which is like the equivalent of the FDA, claiming that if you made an antibody response to the SARS COV-2 spike protein which you do when you get a vaccine, you also are inadvertently making an antibody response to a protein that sits on the surface of placental cells that then could affect fertility. But that's not true. That's been shown not to be true over and again.

And also if you're arguing that that's true, you know, that if you're making any response to the SARS COV-2 spike protein, that also happens when you're naturally infected. We've had more than 100 million people probably who have been naturally infected in this country over the last couple years so what's happened to the birthrate? It stayed about the same. So there's no evidence that supports the notion that this either the vaccine or natural infection really affects fertility. GOLODRYGA: Yes. In fact it seemed to suggest otherwise, that those

that haven't been vaccinated and have succumbed to COVID actually may have seen an increase in the chance of losing a child than in infertility.

[10:35:04]

So once again proving the case that these vaccines are healthy and they're a must for society to move on past COVID.

Dr. Paul Offit, thank you as always for joining us. Have a great weekend.

OFFIT: You too.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GOLODRYGA: Well, right now a Georgia judge is considering what evidence will be allowed at a federal hate crimes trial for the three white men sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery.

[10:40:04]

The lawyers for Travis and George McMichael, as well as Roddie Bryan are back in court.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: In December, Bryan's attorney filed mentions to keep several example of Bryan's alleged hostility towards black people out of the evidence. That includes text messages and a disapproval of his adoptive daughter dating an African-American man.

We're joined now by criminal defense attorney Sara Azari.

I think a lot of folks have forgotten, even though they've already been charged and sentenced, there's now this federal trial coming up here. Tell us the impact of this particular evidence on those federal charges.

SARA AZARI, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Good to be with you, Jim. Yes. This is a critical motion because it's going to determine essentially whether the prosecution can prove its case. You know, the Georgia trial barely touched on the issue of race, and the federal trial is all about race. So, you know, hate is the centerpiece of the prosecution's case. And so the idea that, you know, absent a confession, hey, I killed Arbery because of the color of his skin or our ability to crack open their heads to see what they're thinking, their attitudes, their racist beliefs, this is exactly the type of evidence that it takes for the prosecution to prove racial motive here.

So if this motion gets granted, the prosecution is going to have a very difficult time proving its case. And if it's denied, as it should be, because this information is relevant, then they'll be able to, you know, more readily prove their case. And, you know, the court is going to assess the relevance, obviously it's highly relevant, and then it's going to balance the prejudice against the probative value.

And so, you know, this is Bryan's motion essentially. Bryan is arguing, hey, you know, I'm not affiliated with, you know, an organization that's anti-black. I've never expressed a harming a black man or a desire to harm a black man. You don't need that sort of narrow view. It just takes relevance, and you don't need these sort of formal affiliations to be able to get that evidence in.

GOLODRYGA: Well, Sara, from a principle and from a moral standpoint, this case is clearly justifiable, right, for the nation to see. But given that these three men already face life in prison, legally, what is the significance of it?

AZARI: Yes, Bianna, so the significance varies, right. The McMichaels have already been sentenced to life in prison, and depending on who you ask, we only have one life, so for them it's not going to have a big impact if they're found guilty. But for Bryan, Bryan was eligible for parole, you know, life with the possibility of parole. There is no parole on the federal side. And so if he's found guilty, he's got a life sentence that perhaps he wouldn't otherwise have in Georgia and could potentially parole early.

SCIUTTO: OK. Proving hate crimes, right, different standard. Tell us what that standard is and do you see the evidence here to meet it?

AZARI: Yes. So the standard is the prosecution has to prove that there are -- that the crimes these men committed, the attempted kidnapping, the civil rights violations, and, for example, in count two, are racially motivated. So any evidence of racist attitudes, racist beliefs, is relevant to their case to prove their case. And so, I think what's going to matter here, Jim, is that, you know, you've got a bunch of text messages, but then you also have a Facebook post from 2016, and I believe Bryan's defense lawyer is going to argue, you know, 2016 posted something on social media, so what, right.

But you know, once a racist, always a racist. And so the court is going to determine the relevance and then of course the probative value, which I believe this motion will be denied.

SCIUTTO: Sara Azari, we'll be following closely. Thanks very much.

AZARI: Thanks, you guys.

SCIUTTO: Coming up next, they were shot dead just driving down the interstate. A CNN investigative report looks at what is happening now in New Orleans where there has been a series of fatal shootings in just three days.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:48:49]

SCIUTTO: Breaking News. CNN has now confirmed that the Emmy Award- winning actor and comedian so well-known, Louie Anderson, has died at the age of 68.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. Really sad news here. CNN's Chloe Melas joins us now.

And Chloe, Anderson was recently hospitalized for blood cancer treatment in Las Vegas, though this is obviously a surprise for so many of his fans.

CHLOE MELAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: I know. 2022 off to such a sad start. We're losing so many of our favorite stars. Louie Anderson, he made us all laugh. He brought so much joy to all of us for so many decades. CNN's Lisa France just confirmed the news to CNN. She spoke to his publicist. He passed away of cancer.

Pauly Shore actually tweeted that he went to go say good-bye to him at the hospital in Las Vegas and as those tributes pour in, you guys, we just want to take us back to remind you guys about this incredible career that he had on screen. So he broke through as a comedian in 1984 on the "Tonight Show" starring Johnny Carson. If you guys have never seen that, I suggest you go on YouTube and watch some of those clips.

[10:50:01]

He has been in so many iconic movies from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" to "Coming to America." He reprised that "Coming to America" role in the sequel to "Coming to America" just recently. And also, you know, a show that I loved growing up was "Life with Louie" back in the '90s. And it was about his experiences growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, in a large family of 11 kids.

Man, that show just brings me back to my childhood. And then also, you know, he hosted one of the iterations of "Family Feud." Right? So I mean, like, who can forget that? I mean, he was incredible. This is such a shock for so many people this morning who are waking up to such, such sad news today. And he is survived by his two sisters who we know he was very close with. And I'm sure more details about his death and, you know, funeral arrangements will come out, but again, man, 2022 off to a rocky start.

SCIUTTO: It is for sure. I mean, Louie was in so much great comedy for decades, really. Just such a familiar face and voice.

Chloe Melas, thanks so much.

Of course the other loss we've been talking about these last two hours, rock music legend, Grammy Award-winning singer Meat Loaf, he passed away at the age of 74.

(MUSIC VIDEO CLIP OF "DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE")

SCIUTTO: The singer's 1977 record, "Bat Out of Hell." One of -- both of our favorites, one of the best-selling albums of all time, Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: I'm so engrossed in this video. I don't think -- I don't know if people watch music videos anymore, but whenever his came on, they were long, they were elaborate, and as we talked about in the last hour just so much effort and heart went into these performances and the storytelling behind the music. SCIUTTO: According to his Facebook page, he passed away with his wife,

Debra, two daughters, and close friends at his side. The singer's agent confirmed his death to CNN. No cause of death yet announced.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. And a career that spanned six decades. Meat Loaf sold over 100 million albums and appeared in more than 65 movies including the rocky horror picture show, "Fight Club" and "Wayne's World."

Our best of course, our thoughts are with his wife and his two daughters and all of those fans who are mourning his loss today.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:57:21]

GOLODRYGA: A new CNN investigative report on a series of fatal highway shootings in New Orleans over three days. A 34-year-old woman was killed in the most recent incident. Police are not saying whether these are random or targeted.

SCIUTTO: It's just so frightening. Records from 2021 show about 20 interstate shootings took place in the city.

CNN's Nick Valencia reports on an epidemic of gunfire on New Orleans highways.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): New Orleans on alert as the city has been experiencing a steady uptick in highway shootings. 34-year-old Whitney Watts was fatally shot in Louisiana on Wednesday while driving down I-10 in New Orleans according to police and family members. One of her children was in the car when the shooting occurred. Police say Watts was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family is devastated.

WILLIAM WILSON, WHITNEY WATTS' FATHER: I'm going to play with her son and her daughter and my son's daughter. And I get a call on the phone saying my daughter is dead, my daughter got shot. You don't bury your children. You don't bury your children.

VALENCIA: Last weekend another shooting happened on Interstate 10, this time killing a 52-year-old man and injuring a 45-year-old woman according to police. Police were investigating a nearby incident when they heard gunshots just after 3:00 a.m. on Sunday. Responding officers found the two victims in the car.

The New Orleans Police Department is asking the public to come forward with any and all information. No suspects or motives have been identified in either shooting.

Since January 2021, there have been over 30 interstate shootings in Louisiana according to the New Orleans Police Department. Interstate highway shootings have been on a steady incline in New Orleans since 2019, and they come with some distinct challenges for law enforcement. MIKE CAHN, FORMER COMMANDER, NEW ORLEANS POLICE: By the time someone

calls 911, it goes through a dispatcher. That dispatcher then goes to the police. The police get the call, get up on the expressway, and look for that, that vehicle is gone.

VALENCIA: Like many cities nationwide, New Orleans is seeing an uptick in homicides. Carjackings are up 200 percent year to date and homicide incidents involving firearms are up 150 percent.

OLIVER THOMAS, NEW ORLEANS CITY COUNCIL: What are we going to do yesterday to come up with a plan to attack this violent crime so that no one who's hurting, robbing, raping, carjacking ever falls through the crack again?

VALENCIA (on-camera): The spate of highway shootings in New Orleans represents just a small percentage of overall gun violence, but as you saw in that report, it's on an uptick at an alarming pace.

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