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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Coronavirus Deaths Top 3,000 in a Single Day For the First Time; Pfizer Says Vaccine Appears to be Safe and 95 Percent Effective; Hunter Biden Facing Criminal Probe for Business Dealings in China; Big Ten Allows Ohio State to Play in Title Game. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired December 10, 2020 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:18]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world. This is EARLY START. We're so glad you could join us.

I'm Boris Sanchez, in for Christine Romans.

LAURA JARRETT, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Laura Jarrett. It's Thursday, December 10th, 5:00 a.m. in New York.

And on the very same day the U.S. could get the first coronavirus vaccine authorized, the failure to curb this pandemic has left an unprecedented number of families across America in mourning, 3,024 deaths were reported yesterday. These are not just numbers. These are friends and family members.

The scope of all this though could be numbing, because it's just so much. So, consider, almost every day since the start of the month, the death toll from the pandemic has rivaled even some of the most infamous days in American history, including wars, terrorist attacks and natural disaster.

SANCHEZ: Yeah, it's crazy when you think about it. More people died yesterday from COVID than passed during 9/11, and it looks like we're starting to see that post Thanksgiving surge that experts warned us about too.

Another 2,100 Americans hospitalized yesterday. Across the country, ICUs are struggling to keep up. In Oklahoma, only 3 percent of ICU beds are still available, and three counties in California's Central Valley are out of ICU beds entirely.

Meantime, San Francisco is expecting to run out of those beds in about two weeks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. GRANT COLFAX, SAN FRANCISCO DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH: To be blunt, we have one chance to turn this serious surge around, and that chance is right now. But our window is narrowing and closing fast. And I want to stress the significant impact that this surge will have on you, your neighbors and friends, and family and future generations if we do not bend the trajectory of this surge right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: All of this leaves Americans clinging to hope for a vaccine, and today, a key FDA committee is expected to vote for emergency authorization of the Pfizer vaccine, setting an unparalleled effort into motion.

But important questions still remain.

Here's our chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

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DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: We know today is going to be filled with about nine hours of meetings among this advisory committee for the FDA. At the end of which, they may be making a recommendation as to whether or not this vaccine should be authorized under emergency use.

While it's not a foregone conclusion, nobody is saying that, the FDA commissioner and others have telegraphed that there's obviously a lot of promise around this vaccine. Obviously, we've heard from the company and others. We're going to now hear it verified about just how effective, efficacious this vaccine is. We've heard, you know, 90 percent plus. We're going to hear about the safety profile, but also other questions.

For example, if you've had the infection already, should you still get a vaccine. Another question, if there are 40 million doses, should you just give 40 million people the first dose and then you manufacture the second dose because people may get some protection with the first dose. As important as it is to figure out who should get the first vaccine, another important question will be, who shouldn't get the vaccine. People under the age of 16, pregnant women, people who are immuno-compromised for some reason may be on the list.

If it is authorized today or even tomorrow, the projections are within the next few days, probably by early next week, we could for the first time in the United States see these vaccinations occurring outside of a clinical trial for the first time. So, we're keeping a close eye on it. I'll be monitoring it all day, Laura and Boris, and as details come to us, we'll certainly bring them to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thank you for that.

If the FDA does authorize Pfizer's vaccine today, it will set in motion a massive shipping chain that presents some daunting logistical challenges.

CNN's Fred Pleitgen is live outside BioNTech's headquarters in Germany.

And, Fred, we're getting some news this morning that hackers apparently tried to access some of the detailed information about this vaccine.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, Boris, and they actually did manage to access some of that detailed information. BioNTech put out a statement yesterday saying that during that hack that happened in the European Medicine's Agency, also reviewing the trial data of BioNTech and Pfizer to see if there's going to be an emergency use approval here in Europe, some of that data was apparently accessed during that breach.

Now, BioNTech and Pfizer say that their data, their own databases were not breached in all of this, and they don't have any indication that any sort of trial participant's data had been in the hands of those hackers.

[05:05:10]

But certainly, this is something that was very concerning for that company, and they have been quite straightforward about talking about. Of course, the folks here, Boris, at BioNTech right now, at the edge of their seats, waiting for that committee meeting in the U.S. today.

I spoke to the head of BioNTech a couple of days ago, and he was telling me he believes their trial data is so strong, that they could getting approval fairly quickly. So, they are confident in their product. And as they were saying, and you were saying, of course, all of that is going to set in motion that gigantic logistic thing, which quite frankly has been set in motion because a lot of the vaccine that has already been brought to the United States is currently being stockpiled in Kalamazoo, in Michigan, and that came from Belgium, from a Pfizer plant there, which is not far away from where I'm standing right now.

And, of course, the big logistical challenge, especially with the Pfizer, BioNTech vaccine is the fact that it needs to be stored and transported around minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit. And then when it goes out from Kalamazoo, Michigan, of course, they're going to have to keep that cooling chain in place. There's going to be trucks involved to bring it across the world. There's going to be thousands of lights involved as well.

The logistical companies that I have been speaking to say, of course, that's a daunting challenge but they also say it is something that they have been preparing for, and it's something that they certainly are ready for as well. So, certainly, some very exciting times, but also a really big logistical challenge on its way to get the vaccine to people as fast as possible once that emergency use authorization is achieved, Boris.

SANCHEZ: Yeah, a lot of folks in the United States may not realize contributions from countries like Germany and Belgium and others. It's really a global effort to eradicate this virus.

Fred Pleitgen reporting from Germany, thanks so much.

JARRETT: Well, Hunter Biden has revealed that he is facing a federal criminal investigation for his business dealings in China. The investigation was kept under wraps in the months before the election, the usual practice under DOJ protocols. But now that the election is over, federal prosecutors are issuing subpoenas and seeking interviews.

The investigation began as early as 2018, and sources tell CNN President-elect Biden is not implicated in the matter. After CNN contacted the Biden transition team with our reporting, hunter issued a statement saying he learned of the investigation for the first time on Tuesday, adding quote: I take this matter very seriously, but I'm confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisers.

SANCHEZ: And now, sources tell CNN that investigators were examining whether Hunter Biden violated tax laws by failing to report for an income. Some of the transactions under scrutiny involve individuals that raised counterintelligence concerns with the FBI, something that a source says is a frequent issue when dealing with Chinese businesses.

The situation presents an immediate test of Biden's pledge to honor the independence of the Justice Department. President-elect is expected to announce his pick for his attorney general soon. You can expect Republicans to push that nominee for a commitment to not interfere with the investigation.

And you can almost certainly expect that, Laura, even without being implicated in this investigation, Republicans and acolytes of the president are going to feast on this. It's going to be fodder for accusations that any dealing that Biden has with Beijing is going to be seen as a potential conflict of interest.

So, it could lead to minds in the field of president-elect in his early days in office.

JARRETT: Of course, the president had tried to make this an issue. It was part of the issue that he was impeached over trying to take on Hunter Biden. Of course we remember that, and Republicans are calling for a special second counsel over this, even though they haven't explained why that's needed.

But no doubt about it, a huge test for the next attorney general. That will be squarely on his or her plate.

Well, now, more than ever, the world needs heroes. Join Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa for "CNN HEROES: AN ALL START TRIBUNE", Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. only on CNN.

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JARRETT: Welcome back.

In an age of rampant misinformation, one area of concern with the coronavirus vaccine is convincing people that it is safe once it's approved. Now, this will be particularly key in communities of color which have a long and painful history of mistrust when it comes to experimental medical treatments. Research shows that a growing acceptance of the vaccine, there is a growing acceptance of the vaccine generally, but less than half of black Americans say they're willing to be vaccinated. Now, health experts say around 75 percent of the population needs a vaccine to help us get back to normal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. JAMES HILDRETH, MEMBER, FDA VACCINE ADVISORY BOARD: I honestly believe that if enough information is provided regarding safety, how the vaccine has been produced, the science underpinning the vaccine, that people will make the right decision, and the right decision for minorities at this point is to get vaccinated because we are bearing the burden of the disease more than anyone else in the country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: Dr. Anthony Fauci says the influence of black scientists in the vaccine development process goes deeper than people realize. An African-American woman is one of two lead scientists working on Moderna's vaccine, which is expected to receive emergency authorization after Pfizer's.

SANCHEZ: Cities, states and the federal government are preparing for the rollout of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine.

CNN reporters have the pandemic covered from coast to coast.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Sara Murray in Washington where the FDA could authorize the coronavirus vaccine truly any day now.

And in a sign of how close that is getting, Operation Warp Speed is already beginning to send out some of the supplies you need to more than 600 locations across the United States.

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These are things like syringes, things like needles, things like alcohol wipes, things like masks, everything you need around an actual vaccine to make sure these get into Americans arms, everything except for the drug. For that, we still await FDA authorization.

ADRIENNE BROADDUS, CNN CORRESPONDNT: I'm Adrienne Broaddus in Chicago.

And public health officials say they expect to receive about 23,000 doses of the vaccine starting next week. Health care workers who work with COVID-19 patients and are most at risk for contracting the virus will receive the vaccine first.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot says let's be clear, widespread distribution of the vaccine is months away.

ERICA HILL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Erica Hill at the Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, which would receive a thousand doses of the Pfizer vaccine in a matter of days. Of course, that's all dependent on the FDA green lighting Pfizer's request for emergency use authorization. But the hospital is ready.

It already had in place one of those ultra low temperature freezers and anticipates the first shipment could vaccinate a quarter of its staff. First up, anyone who has direct interaction with COVID patients.

RYAN BROWNE, CNN PENTAGON REPORTER: I'm Ryan Browne in Washington.

The Pentagon announcing today 44,000 doses of the vaccine will be provided to the Department of Defense in the coming days once it receives approval from the FDA.

Now, the Pentagon has prioritized who will receive the initial dose of the vaccine, saying that medical personnel and senior leaders will receive the vaccine first. Why senior leaders? Well, the vaccine is going to be voluntary. It's not going to be mandatory first because of its emergency use authorization, so the military needs to convince the rank-and-file that the vaccine is safe and effective.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the secretary of defense will be among the first to take the vaccine publicly, we're told.

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Jean Casarez in New York.

Governor Andrew Cuomo is announcing the CDC will not be requiring individual data to document citizenship in regard to the COVID-19 vaccine distribution here in New York. He says this is a big win because if the undocumented don't get vaccinated, it compromises their health but it also compromises the entire program. The vaccine program will only work, he says, if the critical masses are vaccinated.

Now, health officials say New York state could get the vaccine as early as next Tuesday, and the first who get vaccinated will be health care workers in those high risk environments.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JARRETT: Thanks to all of our correspondents for those updates.

According to "The Atlanta Journal Constitution", President Trump phoned the Georgia attorney general Tuesday, warning him not to rally other Republicans against a lawsuit from the Texas attorney general trying to overturn the election results.

Officials in Georgia have faced threats over the election results in that state, and the president has phoned officials in other states about their election process as well. But the importance of Georgia here cannot be overstated. Both parties are getting ready for two runoffs in January that will decide the balance of power in the Senate, and could shape the success or failure of the Biden agenda.

JARRETT: Now, Georgia Republicans have a historic number of volunteers ready for this runoff. Over 4,000 signed up to serve as poll watchers during the Senate runoff.

Early voting, of course, begins on Monday, and after cutting half of its early voting sites due to staffing shortages, Georgia's third largest county, Cobb County, is adding back two locations for the final week of early voting. That's a total of seven for 537,000 voters. The county borders Atlanta and it is emerging as a Democratic stronghold.

Ahead, sidelined because of COVID, it looks like Ohio State will get to play for a Big Ten title after all. Your "Bleacher Report" is next.

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[05:23:29]

SANCHEZ: A minor controversy in college football. Fourth ranked Ohio State will play for the Big Ten championship after all.

Andy Scholes has this morning's "Bleacher Report".

Andy, the Big Ten bending rules for the Buckeyes, it seems.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, but it's probably the right call, Boris, considering the Buckeyes 5-0. It looked like the best team in the conference so far this season.

Before all of the season got started, the conference said you need to play six games in order to play for the Big Ten championship and with the Wolverines cancelling on the Buckeyes this weekend, that was going to leave Ohio State a game short of being able to play in that game, but the conference yesterday making the decision to change that rule saying, you know, even if Ohio State launched Michigan, Buckeyes would have played in the title game.

So, the undefeated Buckeyes playing Northwestern a week from Saturday for the Big Ten title.

Defending national title, LSU, meanwhile, won't be playing in the bowl game this year. The school is self-imposing a one-year post season ban stemming from the NCAA's investigation into improper booster payments to its football players. You might remember, Odell Beckham Jr. blatantly giving out $100 handshakes on the field after he won the title back in January. The Tigers are 3-5, unlikely to receive a bowl invitation anyway.

All right. The NFL is defending its decision to go on with the Ravens- Cowboys game Tuesday night. Despite learning Ravens receiver Dez Bryant tested positive just 30 minutes prior to kickoff, the league's chief medical officer, Dr. Alan Sills, said that they were able to quickly do contact tracing after interviewing Bryant and reviewing data from his contact proximity tracker.

[05:25:09]

Now, the league determined there were no high risk contacts, despite Bryant having warmed up on the field, handshakes and hugs with some of his former teammates.

All right. Finally, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski says the NCAA should determine whether it's best to play college basketball right now, after Duke's loss on Tuesday to Illinois, Coach K said he thinks the season was poorly planned, and they're just trying to plow through games.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE KRZYZEWSKI, DUKE HEAD COACH: People saying that the next six weeks are going to be the worst, to me, it's already pretty bad. People say that by the end of the month, 20 million, you know, vaccine shots will be given, especially to our health care, the other people who need it, and by the end of January and February, another hundred million. Should we not reassess that? Just see what would be best.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Yeah, and Coach K also adding, Laura, that, you know, he's concerned about the mental wellness of his players, considering what they're having to play through right now, and the fact that many aren't going to be able to go home for the holidays. He says, you know, that's a break that most of the time his players need and enjoy.

JARRETT: Taking a toll on so many now. Listen to K, though, try to be safe.

Thanks, Andy. Appreciate it.

Well, a grim prediction (AUDIO GAP). More than 3,000 Americans reported dead from coronavirus yesterday. Clearly, it's getting worse before it gets better even as authorization for a vaccine is expected today.

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