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New Day

Crack Found in Main Bridge on I-40; Biden and GOP Meet on Infrastructure; Debate over Mask Guidance; Tokyo Olympics To Start Amid Rising COVID Cases; Nepal Faces Oxygen Shortage; Yankees Clubhouse with Coronavirus; Video of an Officer being Attacked at the Capitol Insurrection is Released. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired May 13, 2021 - 06:30   ET

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

[06:30:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: It's crack during a routine inspection. They called 911 and immediately shut down the bridge. And this is part of that call.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just found a super critical finding that needs traffic shut down in both directions on the I-40 Mississippi River Bridge. WE need to get people off the bridge as soon as possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Wow.

All right, CNN's Nick Valencia live in Memphis.

Nick, infrastructure.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is a scary, scary site when you look at those pictures, John. And yesterday we heard that 911 call.

And let's make no mistake about it here and let's be very clear, this is a major artery for U.S. transportation. So it's not just a problem for Memphis. This could cause a disruption for the region and potentially transcontinental traffic here in the United States.

The crack was discovered by engineers during a routine inspection that happen every two years. That's a normal thing for bridges in the United States. But it's not clear how long that crack has been there.

I just got off the phone with the chief engineer here for the state of Tennessee. He say potentially it could have been there for weeks. And no one really knows what's caused it. The going speculation right now, though, is that potentially this was caused by fatigue.

I mentioned that this is a heavy trafficked route. Twenty to 30 percent of the vehicles that cross this bridge every day are big freight trucks. So that could have been a problem or that could have caused that. It's also potential that during the welding of this bridge when it was created back in the 1970s, that is also being looked into as a potential cause.

But this has caused a major, major disruption for transportation. Traffic has been gridlocked. Barge traffic in the river has also been shut down. And the timing of this, it's chief engineer here in the state, he says it's coincidental, but we should mention that this comes at a time when Republicans and Democrats in Washington are debating and they're still in gridlock over a major infrastructure bill.

And we should really mention also the rating here of the United States. A c-minus rating given by the Society of Engineers when it comes to infrastructure. Trillions of dollars potentially on the table here as -- as what it takes to fix bridges, like the one you see behind me. But a major catastrophic event potentially avoided here as they discovered that crack earlier this week.

John.

BERMAN: I'm glad they caught it. Really glad they caught it.

VALENCIA: Yes.

BERMAN: Nick Valencia, though, it tells a story, doesn't it?

Brianna.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: All right, John, today, President Biden is set to meet with six key Republicans, and they are going to be talking about infrastructure. Republican leaders say they've already informed the president that they are drawing a, quote, red line on certain tax hikes to fund the Biden infrastructure proposal.

We have CNN's White House correspondent Jeremy Diamond who is with us now.

First time seeing you in like a year and a half in person.

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes.

KEILAR: So it's wonderful that you are here to report on this.

There's already this red line. I mean how productive are these bipartisan talks going to be?

DIAMOND: Well, what I can tell you is that the White House, in many ways, views today's meeting as perhaps more important than yesterday's meeting with congressional leadership. And that's because these are the top Republicans on the key committee that are going to be dealing with this infrastructure proposal in whatever form it takes.

Senator Shelley Moore Capito, of the state of West Virginia, leading this delegation. And these are the folks who are actually going to get into the policy nitty-gritty with the president today, as well as a couple members of his cabinet. That doesn't mean that this erases what happened yesterday. Senator McConnell drawing that red line on these tax increases and also his comment previously that he will commit 100 percent of his effort to stopping the Biden agenda.

Listen to how the president responded to this just yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mitch McConnell said last week --

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He had 100 percent of Republican senators lined up against your infrastructure bill.

BIDEN: I understand that. That's -- but I think we can have a deal.

I'm not going to give up on a whole range of things that go to the question of productivity of increasing jobs and increasing employment, increasing revenues. I'm not willing to give up on that.

And let's see if we can get an agreement and kick start this, and then fight over what's left. We'll see if I can get it done without Republicans if need be.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAMOND: That may well be the path here, right, working on a more narrow infrastructure bill and then dealing with the reset of these proposals the president wants on a partisan basis. But in order to get to that point, the president needs to first demonstrate that he's interested and serious in bipartisanship. That's because the Joe Manchins of the world won't go along with the partisan approach until this first part happens.

Brianna.

KEILAR: The theater is interesting, fascinating, frustrating to watch as well.

Jeremy, it's great to see you. Thank you.

Is a mask guidance about to change yet again? We have some new reporting that is just in to CNN.

BERMAN: Plus, what officials in Nepal are now requesting from Mount Everest climbers as the coronavirus crisis there worsens.

And growing concern about whether the Summer Olympics will go on as planned. One of the athletes who's gearing up to compete in Tokyo joins us next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:38:51]

BERMAN: This morning, we have new CNN reporting about an ongoing debate within the CDC over whether the agency needs to change its guidance on mask wearing, which has been criticized for being too restrictive as more people get vaccinated.

CNN's Elizabeth Cohen with me here in person -- great to see you -- with much more on that.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Great to see you. Great to see you.

You know, it's interesting, John, you know the CDC is a very conservative group that is known for being conservative, and we want them to be conservative. They're protecting us.

But some criticism, some concerns, even within the CDC's ranks, according to federal officials I've been talking to, that they're perhaps too conservative, that there's not a whole lot of science out there to tell vaccinated people, oh, it's OK if you don't wear a mask here or there, this inside place, that inside place. And so without having that science, the CDC has reverted to being too cautious.

Now, the CDC has said that they are cautious for a reason. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the CDC, spoke with Chris Cuomo on CNN last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY, DIRECTOR, CDC: We need to follow the science, which is emerging every single day, with regard to variants, with regard to transmissibility, with regard to protection.

[06:40:00]

So it is all of that involving science that is getting in -- going into our decisions about when to lift the mask mandates for vaccinated people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COHEN: Also concerns within the CDC that the guidance is too confusing. Take a look at the current guidance. It's a chart with lots of faces and lots of colors and lots of texts about lots of different situations. The hope is that when the CDC comes out with new guidance, that it will be less confusing.

And, John, they're expecting that guidance very soon. That's what Dr. Walensky told our colleague Chris last night, that very soon new guidance for indoor mask use for vaccinated people.

BERMAN: Let's see. And let's wait and see. We'll see if it's simpler because it would be, you know, if you can basically say, if you're vaccinated, you don't need to wear a mask most of the time, that's the kind of thing that I think people are waiting to hear.

COHEN: Yes, that's an incentive to get vaccinated for sure.

BERMAN: Great to see you in person.

COHEN: Great to see you. BERMAN: Brianna.

KEILAR: With the Olympic games fast approaching, the opening ceremony just ten weeks away now, questions remain over how Tokyo can hold a massive sporting event and keep volunteers, athletes, officials and the Japanese public safe from COVID-19. And this is a concern that has been amplified by Japan's battle with a fourth wave, a fourth wave of coronavirus, which has caused cases and deaths to spike. Just 1 percent, keep in mind, of Japan is vaccinated, and Tokyo itself is under a state of emergency through May.

Let's talk about this now with Sydney Pickrem, who really has a stake in this battle. She is a swimmer who will represent Canada in the upcoming games.

Sydney, I know this must be a very, you know, tough time for you as an athlete and as a member of the international community too. You know, ideally, you'd be preparing for and focusing on the biggest athletic competition of your life. Tell us, are you worried about coronavirus at the Olympics?

SYDNEY PICKREM, OLYMPIC SWIMMER FOR CANADA: I think it would be a disservice if I said I wasn't. I think we know what's at stake and being this will be my second Olympic games, I know it's going to be nothing like 2016.

So, yes, I think we are concerned and we really hope that it still goes forward and everything is looking promising. It kind of seems like a light at the end of the tunnel if we can get the games going safely. But, at the end of the day, we have to make sure everyone is in the best health/safety precautions as we can.

KEILAR: Right now, you know, looking at the vaccination numbers being so low in Japan, looking at the number of people that are going to be together, looking at the case numbers that are spiking, starting to go up in Japan, do you still think the games should proceed?

PICKREM: I do think that it's possible to have a successful games. I think we can take a lot of precautions. And I think a lot of sports around the world have shown ways that we can kind of put on an event through the pandemic. And, obviously, I think this is to a lot more extreme. But I think that there is possible ways and I'm really hoping that by that time when it comes to actually racing, the world has progressed a bit more in vaccinations and in healthier way of living. And so I hope we can.

KEILAR: Have you been told anything about a contingency plan for a possible additional delay to the Olympics?

PICKREM: I think, at the end of the day, they want to put it on this summer. I think the one-year delay was as long as they wanted to do. And I think that this year --

KEILAR: But let -- just to -- just to be clear, you're -- you're prepping for this to happen here in ten weeks. There hasn't been any guidance to you or your teammates about, you know, it getting pushed off again?

PICKREM: No. As of right now, the biggest delay for us is our Olympic trials. This is our third delay. And so that has been the biggest adjustment to our training. But we still have that ten-week frame in our mind for a while

KEILAR: I know this is really tough because this is what you do, you compete. But how do you balance that, the health, not just of yourself, but of, you know, tens of thousands of people who are going to be competing, volunteering, and then, obviously, the community, the Japanese community, in which you would be competing, when you have even a majority of them who are -- do not want the games to proceed in Tokyo? How do you balance that?

PICKREM: It's hard. You know, I think this year especially has been really hard and we've kind of looked at the Olympics as something that everyone supports and everyone gets excited. And the thing about the Olympics is the camaraderie between countries and just wanting to represent your country. And so it's an interesting situation for some people to view it in not the most positive way. But I think we have to separate it in a way of, this is what I do and this is my job and I'm going to do everything that I can to best preparate (ph) myself for the Olympics and for Team Canada.

[06:45:02]

And so I think we have to almost separate them, but understand the adaptability and how -- I think it's understanding another point of view, but respecting it and having your own at the same time. And I think in order to come -- to separate those and have that mind-set is kind of how I've had to look at it through training these past couple of months.

KEILAR: Well, Sydney, we wish you the best of luck. Thank you for being with us this morning.

PICKREM: Thank you so much.

KEILAR: Next, we are going to speak with the lawmaker who got into a shouting match with Donald Trump's former Pentagon chief who was in charge when the insurrection happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's a very recent reversal of your -- of your testimony.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely not. That's ridiculous.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're ridiculous.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: Developing overnight, Nepal facing a critical shortage of oxygen is asking organizers of Mt. Everest expeditions to return empty oxygen canisters to help coronavirus patients. This comes as Nepal experiences a massive spike in cases.

And CNN's Anna Coren has this reporting.

ANNA COREN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Brianna, the horror we're witnessing in India is now being repeated across the border in Nepal but on an even larger scale with Human Rights Watch warning of a catastrophe. The impoverished country of 30 million people has a positivity rate of nearly 50 percent, one the highest in the world.

Hospitals are at breaking point with a lack of beds, medical supplies, and an acute shortage of oxygen. The country is on lockdown.

[06:50:01]

International flights are being suspended and up to 3,000 foreign nationals are stranded in Nepal.

Focus has turned to the climbing industry and its use of oxygen. The government is calling on climates to return unused oxygen cylinders from Mt. Everest and the surrounding peaks. Climbers we've spoken to say the government has misled the world about the COVID situation at Everest base camp. They say there has been an outbreak with more than 100 people who have contracted the virus and have had to be evacuated. The government denies there have been any COVID cases on the mountain. It issued a record of 400 plus permits this season, a major windfall for the government. The climbers we spoke to believe the Nepal government is playing with people's lives, putting financial gain ahead of public health.

Back to you.

BERMAN: Yes, this is a climbing season we will watch very closely for even new reasons this year.

So, a coronavirus outbreak in the Yankees clubhouse. Now, everyone infected had been vaccinated. The latest in the "Bleacher Report."

KEILAR: American panic buying isn't letting up. When will drivers get relief from the gas shortage?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:55:25]

KEILAR: The New York Yankees are dealing with a coronavirus outbreak in their clubhouse and everyone infected had been vaccinated.

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

Good morning.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Brianna.

So the Yankees now have seven confirmed COVID-19 cases in their clubhouse, three of them being coaches. And the team says all seven of them were fully vaccinated, which means these appear to be breakthrough cases.

Now, Yankees Manager Aaron Boone says six of the seven people are asymptomatic. All seven had received the single shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Now, short stop Gleyber Torres, who tested positive for COVID in December, he was held out of the lineup for last night's game against the Rays out of an abundance of caution. The Yankees one of several teams to exceed the 85 percent vaccination threshold of their tier one personnel, which had let them ease COVID health and safety protocols. They did end up beating the Rays 1-0 last night behind a great game with Gerrit Cole.

All right, the NFL releasing its schedule last night. Tom Brady and the Super Bowl champ Buccaneers are going to get things started with a prime time kickoff against the Cowboys. That's going to be on Thursday, September 9th in Tampa.

But mark your calendars for October 3rd. That's when Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and the Bucs are going to go up to New England for the much anticipated matchup between Brady and Bill Belichick for the first time. The Patriots, the only team that Brady has not beaten in his career.

And, John, as a huge Patriots fan, I imagine you're looking more forward to this game than the actual Super Bowl.

BERMAN: I mean this is great. I can't lose in this game. It's only winning. It's just, you know, it would be three and a half hours of pure joy on the screen.

SCHOLES: Who do you got, Brady or Belichick's defense in that one? Who you got?

BERMAN: I -- you know, I think there's something poetic about Brady beating every team in the NFL, but I would never root against -- I would never root against the Patriots. It's going to be -- it's going to be a good game. And, by the way, I'm predicting two Super Bowl winners next year.

KEILAR: That is where I will come in then.

SCHOLES: (INAUDIBLE).

BERMAN: The Patriots and the Bucs will both win the Super Bowl next year.

SCHOLES: Oh, OK. Well, I'll wait and see if that can play out somehow.

BERMAN: Sorry, Brianna, I didn't mean to interrupt you with my Brady fixations.

KEILAR: It's cool. I'll take -- I can -- I'll take sides against the Pats then and all take all the incoming that comes along with that.

BERMAN: What? What are you talk -- what is it with this madness? KEILAR: You know, Berman --

BERMAN: You can't do that.

KEILAR: It's part of -- it's an important tension that must exist here, I think.

BERMAN: All right, Andy, I'm sorry you had to hear this, but thank you for that report.

SCHOLES: All right. Have a good one.

BERMAN: NEW DAY continues right now.

KEILAR: I'm Brianna Keilar, alongside John Berman on this NEW DAY.

And there is exclusive video of the attack on a D.C. Police officer as a pro-Trump mob closed in on the Capitol.

BERMAN: A crippling cyberattack leading to gasoline shortages across the southeast. We'll speak live with the energy secretary as a crucial pipeline gets back online.

KEILAR: And more than 100 prominent Republicans announcing a breakaway movement from the existing GOP. One member of this potential third party will join us in a moment.

BERMAN: So a big cat is still missing in Houston. A tiger on the lam. What should you do if you find it?

KEILAR: Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. It is Thursday, May 13th. And we are beginning with a CNN exclusive.

Newly obtained body camera footage from the Capitol riot showing the moment that D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone was attacked by a pro-Trump mob while defending the Capitol. This is hard to watch. Fanone can be heard pleading for his life, telling the insurrectionists, quote, I have kids.

BERMAN: This harrowing video is another stark reminder. It is proof, proof of what we already know of what really happened on January 6th. But some Republican lawmakers who were running for their lives at the time are now spinning their own alternate reality. They spent hours denying basic facts about the insurrection at a hearing inside the very billing that came under attack.

KEILAR: CNN's Whitney Wild is here with more on this.

I mean this is -- this video is so hard to watch. We already knew what happened, but this really does just sort of paint the picture even more clearly for us at the same time that you have lawmakers who are completely lying about what happened that day.

[07:00:04] WHITNEY WILD, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRESPONDENT: Well, yesterday, in a hearing, there was debate about whether or not there even was an insurrection.