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New Day
Dr. Ali Khan is Interviewed about Mask Mandates; Storm Moves Across U.S.; Markets Look to Rebound after Big Losses; Van Jefferson is Interviewed about His Two Wins. Aired 8:30-9a ET
Aired February 18, 2022 - 08:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[08:30:00]
DR. ALI KHAN, FORMER DIRECTOR, CDC'S OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE: It's going to be most problematic for those who are unvaccinated or under vaccinated. They will likely have a rebound of disease within those communities.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Dr. Khan, first of all, you've been one of our favorite people to talk to over the last two years, for two reasons. One, the comic books behind you, which I love every time. But, number two, you know, at the end of every segment, you tell us, mask on and you put your mask on.
And one of the reasons we're excited to talk to you today is to figure out, as you started just talking about it right there, is when to take the masks off, as many states and cities are now doing. But you say, when we have these elevated levels of transmission, which is everywhere, I mean if you look at the map, it's all still red, it sounds like what you're saying is, even if you're boosted, the levels are too high for you to be comfortable with it.
KHAN: It depends on your -- correct, John. So, again, it depends on what your personal risk level is.
So, I'm out and about in my community all the time. I travel all the time. However, when I'm in a crowded, indoor space with people where I don't know their vaccination status, I'm still wearing a mask because I don't want to get infected at all because I don't want to get long Covid, I don't want to get the mental health complications we see in people who get Covid infections. So I'd rather stay away from that. Other people may not worry about a mild illness and say, OK, I'm willing to go out and about.
But, again, boosted. But those of you who are unvaccinated or under vaccinated still, this is not a disease you want. You can get severe disease. And we have 2,000 deaths a day. I mean that would make Covid, a vaccine preventable diseased, the leading cause of death in America if we stay at 2,000 to 2,500 deaths a day right now.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: When you say moderate levels, because that's kind of the tipping point, I think, for if you're considering taking off your mask in a smart way if you're boosted, what is that? Like, what is the moderate level per say 100,000 people? KHAN: So, CDC puts that at about 77 cases per 100,000 people, 49 cases
per week. So you can look on the CDC website. Somewhere around there, five to ten is where people would feel comfortable. Right now, nationally, I think, Brianna, we're about 35 cases per 100,000. So, about a third of that I think would be pretty good for moderate.
KEILAR: OK.
KHAN: So, we have to go from high to substantial to moderate.
KEILAR: So let me -- I want to ask you a question. This was something I came across just in my family.
I have a relative who is a teacher in California. And even ahead of this California recommendation, they're making masks optional in schools, which I think is something in this area that a lot of parents are going to be taking advantage of. And I was looking at the case count for this county, and it is, based on the seven-day average, 134 cases per 100,000, or 106 cases just based on yesterday's count per 100,000. That's, like, huge compared to what you're talking about as moderate.
KHAN: Yes, correct. But I'd like to remind parents that schools don't need to become ideological battlefields, right? They have the ability to protect their own kid by getting that child vaccinated. They have the ability to have that child wear a high quality mask to protect them.
This is not, you know, January of 2021. We have vaccines available for kids. We have free masks. So we have options for parents that were not available last year when they were worried about sending their kids to school.
BERMAN: Can I read the thought bubble that just went up over Brianna Keilar's head right there? When you said we have vaccines for kids, the thought bubble that went right up was, yes, but not for kids under five.
KEILAR: Uh-huh.
BERMAN: Not for kids under five. So, what do you do?
KHAN: I love that age for kids under five.
So, I think the data is pretty good on -- for kids under five, that if you surround them with people who are vaccinated, Brianna, they're -- the kids don't get infected. There was a nice report that came out, I think, two weeks ago from CDC. So the parents, grandparents, teachers are vaccinated around them, the kid does just fine.
So, there is ways to even protect those for whom vaccines are not available at this point, that small group of kids under five.
KEILAR: My child in particular is around other unvaccinated kids under five, but that's also -- like you said, you make the risk assessment. And for us, obviously, you know, the schooling is so important. BERMAN: Can I ask --
KEILAR: Go on. Yes.
BERMAN: Because the issue then becomes, Dr. Khan, the CDC -- towns and states are making this decision based on the risks that they want in their localities and parents are making their own decisions based on risks.
But the CDC still says no. At what point, if the CDC is telling people something that they know that people are ignoring, what's the point?
KHAN: Well, John, the CDC is telling everybody to go out there and get boosted and the national boost rate is 28 percent. So, it's the same exact argument, right? If people got boosted, we'd be in a different place.
[08:35:01]
And we know that other countries that are releasing their mask recommendations and other social distancing recommendations in Europe, they're able to do it because their rates of vaccination are so much higher than the United States, which goes back to where we started with California.
Very appropriate for California to have this conversation. Their vaccination rate is higher than the rest of the United States. They're about to vaccinate kids, I believe, this fall, which will increase their vaccination rate even more. So, you have lots of latitude to drop masks, drop social distancing if you're willing to get vaccinated.
KEILAR: Dr. Khan, it is so great to talk to you. I think you always help us kind of balance all of these different things, because that's really what it is. It's about balancing priorities and safety and risk and you made a lot of sense. I appreciate it.
KHAN: Thank you. Always a pleasure. And you know my message, you know what it's going to be, get boosted!
KEILAR: Get boosted! That -- what, 72 percent, am I doing my math right? Get boosted, that 72 percent!
BERMAN: I love it.
KHAN: Yes.
KEILAR: Dr. Khan.
BERMAN: Dr. Khan, thank you so much.
KEILAR: Thank you.
Temperatures are crashing down. I mean, they are just sinking here. Millions are in the path of winter storms. So, what you can expect this weekend, next.
BERMAN: Markets looking to rebound after a rough day of losses. Why the escalating tension between Ukraine and Russia -- why the possibility of Russia invading Ukraine is worrying investors.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:40:25]
KEILAR: A massive winter storm wreaking havoc and moving across the country. Two tornadoes touched down Thursday in Alabama. And this has caused some damage and it's left thousands without power.
So, let's get now to Chad Myers for a look at what is ahead here.
Chad.
CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Much colder air. That's what's -- that's what's ahead. That cold front is moving offshore right now, off the East Coast, and cold air is on the way. Now, there were some spots where we got a foot of snow. But the major cities here were between six and maybe seven inches.
Temperatures have already gone down from where we were. You took the dog out at 6:00 this morning in New York. Well, now you've already dropped about another 10 degrees from where you are, where you were, and you're going to go down to 37 by this afternoon. So temperatures are not going up. There won't be a high of the day. It's already happened because of this cold front.
The cold front's moving offshore, taking in the colder air behind it. Still some sinter weather advisories here across parts of upstate New York and into New England, but they'll gradually go away today. The next storm is already coming in to the Dakotas with a snow event for the UP of Michigan, Michigan into parts of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec. That's where the heaviest snow will be as it moves offshore.
Now, there will be some bands of two to four inches, but notice where the purples are, well up to the north of the border. Temperatures for the next couple of days, though, going in the wrong direction in my opinion, down to 37 for a high, which means probably temperatures with these windchills down into the teens or below in some spots across the northeast.
Brianna.
KEILAR: Yes, dropping here in D.C. I'll tell you, I got up at 3:00 a.m. And I am probably the only -- one of the only people I know -- I'm looking at the other ones -- who got to experience the high temperature here today. So that is the upside of that.
MYERS: Yes.
KEILAR: Chad, thank you so much.
MYERS: You're welcome. BERMAN: All right, stock futures dropping again following a brutal day
on Wall Street. The possibility of a Russian invasion of Ukraine rattling investors.
CNN business correspondent Alison Kosik has the details.
Alison.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, John.
The Dow coming off its biggest sell-off of the year after what happened yesterday. That's as investors hang on every headline involving Russia and Ukraine. Stocks closed lower across the board Thursday.
The main plot here for Wall Street is the possible invasion of Ukraine. The subplot is red hot inflation. And both are inextricably linked. They're interconnected because of oil.
There's a broader, economic spillover if Russia invades Ukraine. If it does, it could cause inflation to rise even more. More than where it's currently stuck at 7.5 percent. That's the highest level in 40 years. If Russia invades Ukraine, inflation could spike to 10 percent. That's because the price of oil would rise to well over $100 a barrel. And it's not far off at the moment. U.S. crude prices are already about $90 a barrel.
Russia is the second biggest exporter of oil and natural gas. And if it's supply lines get disrupted, that could drive up the already high cost of living in the U.S. Energy prices are a huge contributor to red hot inflation, making it more expensive to fill up a tank of gas. The average price per gallon is already more than $3.50. That's up 20 cents in the past month. It will also cost more to heat your home. It will make it more expensive to fly Costs for businesses would move higher and that would get passed down to consumers.
And that could cause the Federal Reserve to aggressively raise rates to try to cool off inflation faster. And that could quickly raise borrowing costs on everything from mortgages, to car loans, to credit cards, not to mention rattling your investment portfolios.
I'd say the last thing consumers want or need, investors too, John, is more inflation pressure, you know, pushing the cost of goods even higher.
John.
BERMAN: True that.
Alison Kosik, thank you very much.
He went from Super Bowl champion to new dad in a matter of moments. L.A. Rams receiver Van Jefferson joins us to tell us about his crazy adventure on Sunday.
KEILAR: First, though, this President's Day weekend, CNN is premiering a new original series focused on the life and presidency of Lyndon Baines Johnson. He passed major legislation like the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, but his decision to escalate the war in Vietnam overshadowed his legacy. See how his presidency was as complicated as the times he served -- in which he served when "LBJ: Triumph and Tragedy" premieres Sunday at 9:00 p.m. on CNN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: LBJ was intensely aware that he came into the office under the cloak of tragedy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It drove him to try to do things no one else had ever achieved.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He said to his aides, what the hell's the presidency for? If you're not going to do something bold, why be here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think Lyndon Johnson would be seen today as one of our greatest presidents because of all that he did, but he made one, bad mistake.
[08:45:10]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Vietnam really pulled him apart. He couldn't make a win out of this, no matter how hard he tried.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: LBJ said, I wish they knew that I want peace as much as they do.
LYNDON JOHNSON, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: It's important to reflect and look back and see what has been done, because there's no better way to judge the future than by the past.
ANNOUNCER: "LBJ: Triumph and Tragedy," premieres Sunday night at 9:00 on CNN.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BERMAN: All right, Valentine's Day has passed. But if you need something from the NBA's all-star weekend to celebrate love, how about a basketball from Tiffany? Take a look. This is artist Daniel Arsham was commissioned to create the limited edition ball. It features Tiffany and Wilson logos. You can see it here, along with the Caviler's C insignia.
[08:50:01]
It goes on sale today in downtown Cleveland, where the game is being held.
It is a light blue ball, I can tell you. I've been looking for jewels on it. I do not see any jewels on it. And I will say, it may be a terrific gift. If you're counting on this to seal the deal on Valentine's Day, you might have some other issues, all right? KEILAR: Yes.
BERMAN: You can catch all of the action all-star weekend over on TNT. The game is Sunday starting at 8:00 p.m.
KEILAR: It's pretty. I wouldn't want to use it, I'll say that.
BERMAN: It's light blue, just like those boxes, which I know are often very popular.
KEILAR: It's a pretty blue.
BERMAN: It is.
KEILAR: It is.
BERMAN: So after the Rams won the Super Bowl, one of the players went home with two wins.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VAN JEFFERSON, L.A. RAMS WIDE RECEIVER: Can I get a hug? Oh, my goodness, I haven't gotten a --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Van, Van, your wife's giving birth right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Daddy. Daddy.
JEFFERSON: Oh my gosh.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
JEFFERSON: (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where you going?
JEFFERSON: Mommy's going to have a baby. We've got to go.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Daddy?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE), baby.
JEFFERSON: Yes, Mommy's going to have your brother.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
JEFFERSON: Mommy's going to have your brother. We got to get to the hospital. You ready?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE).
JEFFERSON: We got to go quick.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: So joining us now is Super Bowl Champ L.A. Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson, who now has a brand-new son.
Congratulations, times two, to you, Van. Thank you so much for being with us.
I want to know everything that went on in your head between when that person whispered to you and you said, oh, my gosh.
VAN JEFFERSON, L.A. RAMS WIDE RECEIVER: Yes, I was just -- I didn't know what to do at that moment. I was just, you know, overcome with so much joy. I mean from just winning the Super Bowl, to finding out your wife is going to have, you know -- you know, is going to have our son. So I was just, like, thrilled. Like, what do I have to do? Where do I need to go?
And so, in that moment, like, all my emotions just started coming out and I didn't know what to do. But, you know, ultimately, you know, I ended up getting in the car and, you know, heading to see my wife.
KEILAR: Did you make it in time?
JEFFERSON: No, I did not. I was not able to make it in time. I ended up, you know, seeing the birth over Facetime. But I got there, though. I got there, though. And, you know, we had a special moment when I got there, and, you know, it was great.
BERMAN: It's so great that you did get there. And I just love you speaking to your other children. They're on the field celebrating a Super Bowl win. You're like, no, no, no, no, no, done with this celebration, we got to get out of here. We got something bigger going on.
Heading into the game, did you have any concerns or how much was it weighing on you as you went into the game?
JEFFERSON: No, I didn't have any concerns because, you know, my wife was communicating to me and telling me that, you know, everything is fine. You know, I'm fine, you know. And I, you know, called the doctor. I'm like, is everything OK? And the doctor is telling me everything was OK.
So, I went to the game with no worries, you know. I didn't even think we were -- I was going to have the baby that day. You know, I thought the baby was going to come like a couple of days later.
But, you know, she kept it under wraps and she didn't want to tell me so I could focus on the game and so I could be, you know, locked into the game. So, she's a trooper for that and I appreciate that. And, you know -- you know, she came to the game and, you know, she stayed for as long as she could and, you know, until she couldn't anymore.
KEILAR: OK, what she kept under wraps, Van, appears to be that she was in labor when -- when she went to the Super Bowl to watch you play.
JEFFERSON: Yes.
KEILAR: Am I right? JEFFERSON: Yes, she did. So, I was like, you know, she's a real woman
for that. So, you know, the whole time, like I said, I didn't know. I didn't know that she was, you know, contracting or even in labor. So -- but, you know, she said she didn't want to tell me for those reasons. And, you know -- you know, I appreciate that.
BERMAN: Do you think it would have -- do you think it would have been in your head during the game?
JEFFERSON: Oh, yes, definitely, for sure. I think, you know, if she would have told me, I would have been worried about her, making sure she's OK. She's in the stands. You know, she has to walk and things. I was going to -- making sure where she is. You know, is she in an ambulance, you know, And then I found out she was on a stretcher. So like, you know, that kind of would have, like, threw me off, like, oh my God, my wife is on a stretcher, what's going on?
So, you know, she knows that it's best not to tell me, you know, those things and -- because, you know, me as being a husband and, you know, being a dad and, you know, I would have been like going crazy, like, OK, where is she, is she OK? So, you know, she told me not for those reasons.
KEILAR: So -- and I don't know -- I assume you're probably the only person to have had this happen to you, but what is it like to win the Super Bowl and to have a new baby all in the span of, like, a couple hours?
JEFFERSON: Yes, it's crazy. I mean, you know, you just come off a fresh win, to win the Super Bowl. You know, you're getting ready to celebrate on the field. And now, all of a sudden, someone comes and tells you your wife is, you know, going into labor. So, like, I mean, my night went from great to just fantastic. I mean, I didn't have any -- I was on cloud nine -- I'm still on cloud nine right now, you know. Just from all (INAUDIBLE) --
BERMAN: I think if there's a cloud 10, you're on -- you're on cloud 10. I mean, I --
JEFFERSON: Yes, cloud 10. Yes, definitely. So -- exactly. So this --
BERMAN: Van, have you -- have you decided on a name yet?
JEFFERSON: Oh, go ahead. I'm sorry.
BERMAN: Have you decided on a name yet?
JEFFERSON: No, we have not. We have not decided on a name yet. So -- but we're deciding actually today. So, you know, we'll make sure, you know, to tell everyone what the name is.
[08:55:01]
And, you know, we're excited and, you know, he's just so cute and so handsome. So, you know.
BERMAN: I heard Wynn, w-y-n-n, was in the running.
JEFFERSON: Yes, sir. Yes, sir, it was.
BERMAN: Oh, you're good. I see a political career for you.
JEFFERSON: Yes. Yes, sir.
BERMAN: You're not -- you're not going to tell us anything.
Van Jefferson, congratulations to you. I just couldn't be happier for you and your family.
JEFFERSON: Thank you so much. I really appreciate you having me.
BERMAN: And give our regard to the MVP.
JEFFERSON: I will. Yes, sir.
BERMAN: All right, that's awesome.
KEILAR: Oh, yes, she is the MVP. He posted that on social media. I loved it.
BERMAN: Yes, I mean, and you can just tell how happy he is. I mean it's just -- it's just infectious. It really, really is.
KEILAR: Yes. And sweet that he will share it with us. Congratulations to his family.
BERMAN: All right, a lot going on this morning. CNN's coverage continues right after this quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
