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New Day Sunday
U.S. Reaches Biden's 200M Vaccine Goal, But More Work Still Ahead; Hundreds Of NYC Workers Protest Mayor's Planned Monday Office Return; Crowds, Stars Turn Out For 147th Kentucky Derby. Aired 6-7a ET
Aired May 02, 2021 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[06:00:23]
CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome to your NEW DAY on this Sunday. I'm Christi Paul.
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Boris Sanchez.
Splash down, the SpaceX Dragon crew returning to Earth under cover of darkness this morning following a history making mission.
PAUL: And President Biden is hitting the road this week to pitch his infrastructure plan directly to the American people. The question, can he get enough Republican lawmakers to buy in?
SANCHEZ: Plus, a tough crowd. Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney booed while speaking at the state GOP convention. Listen to his response to those in the room.
PAUL: Also, the COVID crisis in India is impacting families around the world. We're speaking to one woman managing her father's care from thousands of miles away.
Welcome to Sunday, May 2nd. We are always so grateful that you wake up with us.
SANCHEZ: Always great to see you, Christi. We start with some out of this world breaking news this morning. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I don't know if you can hear the applause but we have visual confirmation of the Crew 1 Resilience capsule.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- from Resilience this excellent news, we are splash down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: Welcome back to Earth. Four astronauts just making a safe return to the planet after a record breaking mission in space. The SpaceX crew splashing down safely in the Gulf of Mexico. You can see there, the capsule being pulled out of the water making its way to the recovery vessel.
PAUL: That's the commander of Crew 1 stepping on to Earth for the first time here. There he is. Since getting to the international space station. That was back in November. It's the longest time ever in space for a U.S. crew launched from an American built space craft, so absolutely, as Boris said, welcome home. And we cannot wait to hear more about that journey. I can imagine the transition from there back here is going to take a little bit.
SANCHEZ: Yes, congratulations, also, on a successful mission. Let's pivot now to the big story of the upcoming week. President Biden taking on the role of salesman in chief. He's pitching his view that big government is keeping the country in recovery and that new multitrillion dollar investments are needed to keep that recovery going and to compete with the rest of the world.
PAUL: Yes. With his first 100 days in the rear view mirror now, President Biden and other key White House voices are going to be on the road this week talking about what's next. The administration is vowing his two part $4 trillion economic agenda will overhaul infrastructure and create jobs.
The tour will be a test though of how he plans to sell the country on this, the cost, particularly. The impact on an economy that's already showing major signs of improvement whether bipartisanship on Capitol Hill is possible is what is at stake.
CNN White House reporter Jasmine Wright with us now live. Jasmine, good to see you this morning. Talk to us about what the president has ahead.
JASMINE WRIGHT, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, Boris and Christi, President Biden has a jam packed week. He will crisscross the country all in hopes to sell his massive multitrillion dollar infrastructure and jobs package. The idea is he wants to convince American voters across the country of why they need this bill, why it is necessary to invest in the future and then in turn they will convince their lawmakers in D.C. to cut a deal.
Now President Biden laid out this central argument in Philadelphia on Friday. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's going to provide jobs. It will also accommodate jobs and what this means is that towns and cities that have been in danger of being left out and left behind will be back in the game.
We have a huge opportunity here to provide fast, safe, reliable, clean transportation in this country. And transit is part of the infrastructure.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WRIGHT: So the travel starts on Monday. President Biden and the first lady will visit southern Virginia where they will go to schools, no doubt touting the education part of his plans. We know that he has proposed free pre-k, free community college tuition.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, we will see the vice president in Wisconsin and Rhode Island. And on Thursday, President Biden heads to Louisiana making two stops where we know that there is a Democratic governor and two Republican senators. Now, while Biden hits the road, they will be looking for compromise in Washington, D.C.
[06:05:03]
President Biden says that he wants Republican lawmakers to meet him halfway. Yes, moderate Democrats are a little bit skeptical, but he wants Republican lawmakers to meet him halfway. And so he has invited Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito to the White House. She offered that GOP counter proposal and that meeting could come as soon as this week -- Boris, Christi.
SANCHEZ: Yes. The idea here is that by going around directly to the American people, getting around lawmakers and presenting these ideas and the benefits of them, he can do a more effective job of selling it than he can here in D.C. Jasmine Wright, thank you so much.
We are seeing more signs of internal strain in the Republican Party, though. Check this out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MITT ROMNEY (R-UT): So what do you think of President Biden's first hundred days, huh?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL: Yes, fellow Republicans booing Utah Senator Mitt Romney there as he was introduced at the state's Republican Party convention. They were loud, those boos, heard throughout his remarks, including when he talked about his history of disagreeing with former President Trump.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROMNEY: I don't hide the fact that I wasn't a fan of our last president's character issues. And I'm also not a fan --
Aren't you embarrassed? And I'm also --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: Boy, that is awkward. CNN's Daniella Diaz joins us now. Daniella, a vote to censure Senator Romney last night failed. It's obvious though when you consider this and the difficulty that Liz Cheney is having on the House side just getting along with members of her own party. The GOP has some serious divisions.
DANIELLA DIAZ, CNN CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER: Boris, and this is only the latest chapter of infighting in the Republican Party. On one hand, of course, we have Senator Mitt Romney, you know, those clips that you just played where he was booed at the Utah GOP convention, especially when he said that he disagrees with former President Donald Trump. He's been a frequent critic of former President Donald Trump and he is -- and on the other hand you have former -- or current Congresswoman Liz Cheney, the number three House Republican who also is a frequent critic of former President Donald Trump, and has blasted her colleagues in the Senate for working to overturn the election results on January 6th. And she also elbow bumped President Joe Biden this week at his address to the joint Congress.
And she defended doing that. She said that even though they come from different political parties, they're still Americans, but this is part of a bigger problem that's happening with this divide in the party. You know, she said she disagrees strongly with Joe Biden, but it doesn't matter that they're still American and they are not sworn enemies on this issue.
But, look, this is all happening as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise continued to stand by former President Donald Trump, and even say that they still believe that he is the leader of the Republican Party.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. STEVE SCALISE (R-LA): I know the media likes making a lot out of some of the conversations when maybe Liz Cheney takes some, you know, direct swipes at President Trump. President Trump is still a very active part of our party and a vocal leader in our party.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: You know, this is an issue that really hasn't let up since former President Donald Trump left office. You know, the party is split between those members who believe that he continues to be the leader of the Republican Party, and then those members such as Cheney who believe that her disagreements with the former president are bigger than her. She believes that she's fighting for the soul of the Republican Party -- Boris, Christi.
PAUL: Daniella Diaz, thank you so much. We really appreciate it.
Republicans obviously need to fix those divides if they want to gain ground in next year's midterm elections. It's not clear, though, as Daniella pointed out, who is leading this party.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ROGER MARSHALL (R-KS): We have come a long way since Senator Romney was the presidential nominee. It is a different party today. It's much more progressive.
JEFF FLAKE (R), FORMER ARIZONA SENATOR: There is certainly a place for Republicans to do well in the midterms but we've got to shed, you know, this fringe element.
(END VIDEO CLIP) PAUL: OK. So CNN political analyst Toluse Olorunnipa is with us. He's a national political reporter for the "Washington Post." Toluse, so good to see you. Thank you for being here.
I want to get your reaction to some of what we just heard. Senator -- former Arizona Senator Flake there saying there's a place for Republicans to do well in the midterms but we've got to shed this fringe element.
[06:10:00]
Contrast that with what we heard from GOP Representative Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio regarding the leadership question in the context of tensions that are in the House with Cheney. He's what he told Axios.
"I think having diverse perspectives in leadership is important. It means we can have a bigger tent such that we aren't turning people away from the party who would otherwise be inclined to support us. Given that we are completely out of power, we need to be responsibly adding as many voices and voters as possible, not subtracting them."
How much evidence do you see, Toluse, of Republicans who share those views of diverse perspectives in leadership or is Gonzalez -- is kind of solo on that thought?
TOLUSE OLORUNNIPA, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, I do think it's a matter of math. Republicans are completely out of power in Washington and if they want to get back into power they need to add to their numbers, which means that they unfortunately in the minds of someone like Senator Flake, they have to embrace some of this fringe element. The fringe element includes people who are booing the former Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney at the Utah convention. These are people who supported President Trump, supported parts of what happened on January 6th with the insurrection, including people who actually attended the insurrection.
Republicans feel that they need to have as many people on board as possible, and that means not necessarily condemning the fringe element, not condemning people who would boo a former Republican presidential nominee, and bringing more people on board, and having some people who believe in QAnon or who believe in other fringe theories as part of the Republican coalition if they want to get back in power. Just sort of the demographics of the country shows that, you know, Republicans do need to have a big tent and a wide approach to having what's possible in their tent.
And that unfortunately for people who see, you know, traditional Republicanism as the way to go, traditional conservatism, people like Mitt Romney, people like Jeff Flake, that is going to mean that their point of view is kind of pushed to the side, and someone like President Trump who's sort of willing to embrace fringe ideas is going to be the leader of the party going forward.
PAUL: All right. Let's talk about how President Biden is hitting the road right now to try to sell his infrastructure. There's a group of progressive organizations including Justice Democrats and the Sunrise Movement. They said this in a recent memo. I want to read this to you.
"President Biden has said time and again that he wishes his presidency to be a truly consequential one. We want that too, and the country needs it. The longer bipartisan political theater supplants substantive progress on the crises facing America, the worse off the country will be, and the likelier it is that voters sour on Democrats by the time next fall rolls around. The honeymoon is over. Let's go, Joe."
What is the impact of these calls from the progressive wing, Toluse, on President Trump's plan -- or President Biden's plans rather to sell his infrastructure bill, specifically to these communities that he's going to be traveling to this week?
OLORUNNIPA: Well, President Biden essentially does not agree with the Justice Democrats on this. He does not believe that bipartisanship is dead for all time, and he's going to give it a try. He's going to be inviting Republicans to the White House, having these conversations, entertaining some of the proposals coming over from Republicans. And at the end of the day, he has signaled an openness to tailoring his bill, shaping his bill to make it more amenable to Republicans.
It may mean making it less ambitious, making it smaller in scope, reducing some of the tax increases that he has proposed. And that is not going to make some of the progressives happy.
But President Biden campaigned on being a Senate, sort of someone who has been in the Senate for six terms, and had spent time working across the aisle, and has said that's what's he's going to do. So I think that he's more than willing to sort of discard some of the commentary from the far left or from the progressive wing of his party if it means being able to get something done on a bipartisan basis.
If we remember the $1.9 trillion coronavirus bill, he did it without any Republican votes. So he did win some plaudits from progressives because they did see that as a pretty strong progressive bill that included things that they would have long pushed for including, you know, checks going into the pockets of Americans.
So now he's looking to get a bipartisan win, and he can go into the midterm saying, yes, I have done a lot of really big and bold things, but I also worked across the aisle as I said I would. So at this point he is needing the support of some of the progressives, but he feels like he has gotten enough support from being able to push through $1.9 trillion in his first 50 days in office, and now he's trying to work across the aisle.
So I think he will pay much less attention to some of these comments and letters from the progressive wing as he tries to get his goal of getting a bipartisan infrastructure package through and bringing some Republicans on board. And, at some point, if it does appear that it's impossible to get Republicans on board, I think he is determined enough to push this through with only Democrats but he wants to be able to show the American people that he gave it his best shot at trying to get a bipartisan approach.
[06:15:05]
PAUL: Toluse Olorunnipa, always good to have you with us. Thank you -- Boris.
OLORUNNIPA: Thank you.
SANCHEZ: Coming up, as the world watches the extent of India's suffering as it deals with an unprecedented surge of coronavirus, hear the story of one woman struggling to remotely help manage the care of her father who right now lies in critical condition. Hear from her next as she joins us live.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: Thousands of city employees in New York are expected to return to in-person work tomorrow. Good signs as the country begins to see a return to normalcy.
PAUL: Yes, it may feel like the U.S. is slowly making its way out of this pandemic. Officials say, though, there's still an ongoing race to vaccinate as many people as possible. So let's let you know where we stand. At this moment, more than 31 percent of the U.S. population is vaccinated, but experts believe 70 to 85 percent is needed to reach herd immunity.
[06:20:05]
SANCHEZ: We do have more good news. The number of new cases and deaths is declining. A two week trend shows that new cases are down more than 22 percent and deaths have dropped by more than 8 percent. CNN's Polo Sandoval has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The U.S. crossed an important milestone this week. Nearly one-third of the population, more than 100 million people are now fully vaccinated. Newly loosened restrictions on indoor and outdoor activities brought out those excited to get their pre-COVID life back.
Fans gathered at the 147th running of Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Mayor Greg Fischer says Louisville prepared to host up to 50,000 people at one of the first large events since the COVID crisis started. The derby normally draws up to 150,000 people.
MAYOR GREG FISCHER, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY: It's not kind of the pandemonium and craziness that it always is. But it's nice to feel things coming back with energy and people smiling.
SANDOVAL: The CDC continues advising those attending crowded outdoors events to wear masks even when fully vaccinated and released a list of both indoor and outdoor activities vaccinated people can participate in. COVID cases are down almost 28 percent over the last two weeks according to Johns Hopkins University. And deaths are at their lowest count in months. But one of the best ways to keep the death rate down is to increase vaccination efforts. DR. LEANA WEN, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: I think we should do just like people did the vaccine selfie. I think we need to have selfies of people now going to bars and restaurants with other vaccinated people to show what a return to 2019 pre-pandemic life could really look like.
SANDOVAL: However, vaccine hesitancy remains a big problem. Daily vaccinations administered dropped to only 2.6 million last week.
WEN: What I really worry about is that those people who are already on the fence don't get vaccinated. We don't reach herd immunity come the fall, and then with the winter because coronaviruses are winter respiratory viruses -- we have a big resurgence, maybe we have variants coming in from other countries.
SANDOVAL: The CDC now pushing teens to get their vaccine as the Pfizer shot is authorized for teens 16 and up. Vaccine makers Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are working to gain emergency authorizations for the use of vaccines in teens 12 and up by the summer.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This pandemic isn't over until it's over. What we're trying to do is to get as much of the population vaccinated as possible.
SANDOVAL: And while things are looking up in the states, India is in crisis. The number of daily cases surpassed 400,000, the highest for any nation during the pandemic.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANDOVAL: And precisely because of that heartbreaking number in India there will be travel restrictions that will be kicking into place the day after tomorrow for flights coming in from India. Reminder, this will not be a total ban. In fact, U.S. citizens and also residents of the United States will be exempt from that. They will, however, have to adhere to some of those guidelines that apply for all international travelers and actually have a negative COVID test before flying into the country. Boris and Christi, back to you.
SANCHEZ: Polo Sandoval, thank you so much for that. Even as we breathe a sigh of relief here in the United States, as Polo noted, we have to take into account the dire situation that is unfolding in India.
The country recording a record breaking 3,600 deaths in one day. And for the 11th consecutive day new reported cases well above 300,000.
Anuja Vakil lives in London but her family is in India. And for the past several days from across the globe she has helped manage her father's care as he battles COVID. Anuja joins me now to talk about it. Good morning, Anuja. Thank you so much for spending part of your weekend with us.
First I want to know how is your dad doing? I know that he's on oxygen. He's not able to speak. Have you been able to check with him today though? ANUJA VAKIL, ASSISTING WITH FATHER'S COVID-19 CARE FROM LONDON: Yes, Tuesday morning I called him and certainly -- every morning is critical. Every morning the first news I get is his oxygen has dropped. His oxygen has dropped.
Actually he's on BiPAP so which is -- which comes one step before the ventilator. And Tuesday morning I got a very sad news that his oxygen levels have dropped to 64. We are trying our best, and the hopes are high.
SANCHEZ: And, Anuja, I read that you try to lift his spirits hoping that that will will him to better health. What do you tell him?
VAKIL: I tell him daily -- two gossips about what we used to do, what we used to nag about, what we used to go out and do, some mischief. Because he's a jovial person. His personality when he enters any room of friends or any clubs, he is the one -- he's the charmer. So he is very motivation person otherwise. My marketing skills, whatever, I am right now it is just because my confidence in everything is due to him.
SANCHEZ: I'm curious, what kind of treatment is he receiving? You said that he's close to being put on a ventilator.
[06:25:00]
VAKIL: He's on BiPAP, so first he has been given 11 -- eight injections of remdesivir. And after that, it was told to us to find out injection called tocilizumab and itolizumab, which was rarely available. But by after 500 to 600 calls, like I have my brother and sister both in India in Ahmedabad so they are taking good care of my dad, and they are managing everything.
So finally with the circle's help -- my friend circle and everybody help me find out one injection which costed like 500 calls to me. And finally I found it, and they are selling in like lakhs of rupees, one injection.
Now he's on steroids. Yes. Now he's on steroids. And I'm hoping that daily all the treatment -- line of treatment is good, so it's recovery of lungs now, because 51 percent lungs are damaged. So you can see the white patches in the x-ray, which definitely takes a long recovery, at least three months.
SANCHEZ: Yes, so you mentioned your brother and sister are in India helping him. What are they telling you about the situation, not only with your dad but across the country and what they're seeing?
VAKIL: So we have a common group of my brother and sister. We have formed a group on WhatsApp. So every morning, 3:30 -- U.K. 3:30 morning, 3:30 a.m. there, doctors and staffs calling, so we all discuss in the group that what needs to be done. And probably my brother is running around like anything for small medicines or anything, and my sister both are working really hard to take the best care of them, best doctors are appointed for him. We are very lucky to have this treatment. So, yes, well communicated. SANCHEZ: Yes. I really hope your father starts doing better. I'm curious in terms of the big picture, you know, a few weeks ago, officials in India thought that they had turned the corner and this was under control. Why do you think things spiked the way they did in India?
VAKIL: Yes, it could have been under control if they could have announced lock down initially, but this kind of system has been -- like this kind of failure has been in U.K. as well in U.S. as well. To be honest, I was in COVID last year and even after calling two times ambulance I was not allowed in hospital. They say that you better quarantine at home. There are no beds in hospitals.
So I won't comment anything about it because I'm concerned about my father and his care has been taken really well by the doctor and the staff. Because there are staffs getting COVID, the doctors are getting COVID. So, yes, it could have been managed well, but honestly I'm not there so I can't comment much. But, yes, I'm missing my dad and struggling each day to catch a flight there.
SANCHEZ: I understand. Anuja, thank you so much for sharing your story with us. We really hope that your dad improves, and if there's anything that we can do to try to help or facilitate or get a message across, please don't hesitate to reach out.
VAKIL: I pray for him and God bless him. Give him the power to struggle this COVID fight.
SANCHEZ: Anuja Vakil, thank you so much.
PAUL: So President Biden's first 100 days in office will focus largely on coronavirus, getting people vaccinated. Now, members of the administration are talking about what happened before, during and after the transition.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:30:00]
PAUL: 32 minutes past the hour, and President Biden's first 100 days are on the books now. He's had achieved quite a few goals within that time frame particularly getting 100 million vaccine doses distributed. He hit that mark early actually, and was able to raise the number to 200 million.
SANCHEZ: Yes, but his top priority eradicating COVID and convincing every eligible adult to get the vaccine still remains unfinished. CNN's Gloria Borger has a look back on President Biden's first 100 days.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF ZIENTS, COORDINATOR, WHITE HOUSE COVID-19 RESPONSE: From day one, it's been about urgency, overwhelmed the problem, we're at war with the virus GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: For the last 100 days, how to get vaccines into the arms of hundreds of millions of Americans and convinced the hesitant to get a shot has been an immense historic undertaking, and also personal for those on the front lines.
ZIENTS: I'm worried that people have lost loved ones, people continue to lose loved ones, people's lives have been upturned. You know, this is hard. And people are tired, which means that there's a tendency to let down our guard, which we can't do.
LEANA WEN, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: If you had told us 100 days into President Biden's tenure that it would be open season for every adult American that wants a vaccine to be able to get one, I think we would have all said that's really incredible.
BORGER: A country with the highest number of confirmed deaths worldwide now vaccinating at a speed more than four times faster than the world average.
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The progress we've made has been stunning.
BORGER: Donald Trump's operation warp speed developed the vaccine.
PAUL MANGO, FORMER SENIOR OFFICIAL, HHS: It turned out to be the most significant medical discovery and manufacturing achievement in American history.
BORGER: Nothing short of a miracle.
ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: Do you realize what a dire situation we would be in if we did those vaccine trials and oh my god, they were 20 percent effective instead of 90 plus percent effective?
DONALD TRUMP, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Operation Warp Speed.
BORGER: But in the beginning, the transition did not move at warp speed.
TRUMP: You know, we won Georgia --
BORGER: President Trump was preoccupied with finding votes, not shots,
FAUCI: there was much more of a concentration of the President on real election and a dissociation from the fact that we were having an epidemic.
[06:35:04]
GOV. LARRY HOGAN (R-MD): I was somewhat critical --
BORGER: And governors were left wondering who would be running the show. HOGAN: I raised the issue to Mike Pence several times about, hey, you know, regardless of whatever stuff the president is saying, we got this vaccine thing that we've got to make sure that these guys know what's going on as soon as they get up. He assured me that that was going to be the case.
BORGER: And then --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was no plan to get shots into arms.
BORGER: No plan?
ZIENTS: There was no plan. It was early doses of Moderna and Pfizer were being dropped shipped to states and they were just not enough places for people to get faster vaccine.
BORGER: They say that you were using their playbook on vaccine distribution.
ZIENTS: I just think that's just not true.
MANGO: I have to say it's frustrating when they spend all their time disparaging what we did. They say we didn't have a plan.
BORGER: Yes.
MANGO: We had 65 plans.
BORGER: Localized, not centralized.
MANGO: We have the fundamental belief that local leaders understood their counties, their townships, their states, their islands, at a greater level of detail than we ever could.
FAUCI: It's complicated. There was not really a well-articulated long- range playbook to get the vast majority of the people vaccinated. That's where I think the full-court press of the Biden administration really, really stepped up to the plate and did it well.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Congratulations, Mr. President.
BORGER: The new president inherited a surging pandemic, more than 3000 deaths a day, only about 15 million vaccinated.
HOGAN: The very beginning, the frustration was huge demand and no supply. And so, the anger and frustration everywhere across the country was why can I get an appointment for a vaccine.
BORGER: Biden became the national vaccine pitchman setting target.
ZIENTS: He ultimately decides.
BORGER: And announcing every milestone himself, eager to show any momentum starting with what looked like an attainable goal.
BIDEN: 100 million shots in the first 100 days. HOGAN: We were already doing more than a million a day at that point,
so if he did absolutely nothing, we would have done 100 million in the first 100 days even if he didn't show up.
BORGER: But he did show up repeatedly.
BIDEN: 100 million more Madonna, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, vaccine supply for every American adult by the end of May. By my 100th day in office, I have administered 200 million shots
BORGER: I heard early on, the President was very impatient.
FAUCI: He is. He is, you know, and that that's the truth. He's impatient like, OK, is this the best we can do? He asked specific questions. Well, what about this and why aren't we doing this? And are we doing the best in that?
BORGER: Biden could not control the delays due to winter storms or governors who eased restrictions. And he abided by the decision from the FDA and CDC to temporarily pause the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, a move that some saw as overcautious and confusing.
BIDEN: These checks are providing a heck of a lot of needed relief.
BORGER: The President did jumpstart a substantial federal response, a $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan
BIDEN: America's coming back.
BORGER: Deployment of active duty military and FEMA, a federal pharmacy program, a network of community health centers to increase vaccine access and equity.
MARCELLA NUNEZ-SMITH, CHAIR, BIDEN COVID-10 HEALTH EQUITY TASK FORCE: We have to always start with access, making sure that people can get vaccinated in places where they are comfortable, and where they trust the people who are vaccinating them.
BORGER: Many in communities of color are skeptical.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What about the side effects?
BORGER: Vaccinations of younger people and those in rural areas are lagging. And with the number of overall daily vaccinations wavering, appealing to the hesitant is crucial.
NUNEZ-SMITH: We always meet people where they are. We always have to make sure that messages are tailored. So, that's about saying what are your particular concerns?
AMERICAN CROWD: We want to be free.
BORGER: And politics as always comes into play.
50 percent of Republican men say they are not likely to take the vaccine. What would you say to them? HOGAN: I would say, that's absolutely crazy. Because, you know, the
people that say, you know, hey, we want to get rid of these masks, we want to open up all the businesses -- the only way we ever get life back to normal is if we get enough people to get that vaccine.
BORGER: So, why not explain the rewards of vaccination earlier?
WEN: If what we're saying to them is get vaccinated, it's great, this is such a safe and effective vaccine. But by the way, you can't really change much of your daily activities. I don't think that people understand what's in it for them.
BORGER: And why not open schools sooner?
WEN: I think this was a major mistake at the very beginning was to not prioritize teachers for vaccination.
BORGER: The administration's answer has always been the same. Let the science lead.
ZIENTS: It is another example of where we follow the science. The CDC put out guidance as to how to make sure to open schools safely and keep them open safely.
BORGER: Now, a new phase in the effort, an immense get out to vax P.R. campaign, a TV Blitz.
[06:40:05]
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Vaccines we can trust.
BORGER: Celebrities getting jabs.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine.
FAUCI: It really is kind of a race between getting vaccinated and the virus trying to essentially surge up again. Every day that goes by, you get closer and closer to that virus really not being able to do anything because when you get an overwhelming majority of the population vaccinated, the virus has no place to go.
BORGER: The country is at a tipping point. With Coronavirus variants on the rise, the next 100 days and beyond will still be a tough race with the final finish line not yet in sight. Gloria Borger, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: Thanks to Gloria for that report. Coming up, authorities investigating a deadly shooting that broke out at a casino in Wisconsin. Details ahead.
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[06:45:00] PAUL: 45 minutes past the hour right now, and here are the top stories that we're following for you. First of all, two people are dead and another is seriously injured after a man started shooting at a Wisconsin casino -- Wisconsin casino.
A police did shoot and kill that gunman, but investigators believe the suspect targeted a casino employee. That person was not there at the time. The suspect shot the intended target's coworkers though. Witnesses say that those who were trying to escape, it just looked like it was crazy. Take a look.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm pretty thankful we could get out of there and all of us are safe. It was chaos all over. People are scattering in all directions. It's crazy, just crazy.
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PAUL: And in New York yesterday, hundreds of city workers were at the steps of City Hall to protest Mayor Bill de Blasio's plans for them to return to work on Monday. Now, the mayor has promise a COVID safe working environment. Workers worry the old buildings have poor ventilation, though, that they're still not safe.
Despite this, Mayor De Blasio says all workers should be vaccinated and he's not backing down. The mayor is still pushing his goal of having the city fully reopened by July 1st.
SANCHEZ: Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis has passed away at the age of 89. Dukakis had a long -- had decade's long stage career. She won an Academy Award for her role in Moonstruck alongside Cher. She was the cousin of former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Michael Dukakis. And now, her family says that after many months of failing health, she's finally at peace with her husband Louis.
The Kentucky Derby brought out the biggest crowds at a sporting event since the start of the pandemic, and those horses put on a show ending with a record-setting performance, one of the sport's most legendary names. An update on the Kentucky Derby next.
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SANCHEZ: Fans in the stands on a beautiful May day and a lot of colorful hats, plus, one heck of a finish. The Kentucky Derby did not disappoint.
PAUL: Did you get your Mint Julep then by the way?
SANCHEZ: I did, Christi, I did. And it was delicious and refreshing.
PAUL: It was worth it.
SANCHEZ: It was totally worth it.
PAUL: Well, Kelly Manno is with us. I know that there were a lot of stars among the masses there too. What did you see?
CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely. I'm glad that you guys got your juleps. That's a staple on this Saturday. There's no such thing as a safe bet in horse racing, but Bob Baffert, I mean, he's disproving that theory somewhat. It was such a great day.
And it was a real sense of normalcy too for fans that they haven't seen on the sports calendar in really 14 months. You look at the attendance at the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, just under 52,000. 51,000 people, 838, that's the biggest sporting event since the pandemic began.
It's an annual trip or seven times Super Bowl champ Tom Brady and perhaps soon to be former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers who is at Churchill Downs with his fiance, actress Shailene Woodley, and they got to watch a real show, like you said, Boris, a very tight race throughout.
Hot Rod Charlie Mandaloun, Medina Spirit battling down the stretch, the favorite going up as a central quality. He was on the far outside and it was Medina Spirit winning by just a half-length, 12-1 underdog, taking home the Roses and a $1.86 million prize. The 430 win for Hall of Fame Jockey John Velazquez and for legendary trainer Bob Baffert, a record-setting seven victory at Churchill Downs.
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BOB BAFFERT, HORSE TRAINER: This little horse coming in here, you know, he's always shown that he's been an overachiever. His heart is bigger than his body. The way he ran, I didn't know if he had that in him. And Johnny Velazquez, he unbelievable. He is so cool. He told me last night, don't underestimate this horse. He's better than you think, Bob.
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MANNO: And the sweetest moment of the NFL Draft coming on Saturday night, guys. Cheifs fan Toby Costner chosen to announce the team's final pick at the day. Then he turn to his girlfriend and he said this. Take a listen.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Also, Briana, in the words of our favorite superhero Wade Wilson, you're the jigsaw piece whose curvy edges complete my life. Will you marry me?
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MANNO: How about this, guys? Talk about pressure? She said yes, by the way, if you couldn't tell. But not only do you have to draft your team's offensive lineman, you have to execute a proposal as well. I say job well done, Christ and Boris. PAUL: That was a kiss that lasted for, you know, just a little bit. I'm telling the joke. So, congratulations to them. That's awesome. Thanks, Carolyn.
SANCHEZ: Carolyn, thanks.
MANNO: Sure.
PAUL: So, listen tonight, we hope that you can join our friend W. Kamau Bell for a new season in his show "UNITED SHADES OF AMERICA." Take a look.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Interactions with law enforcement, even if it doesn't lead to arrest, can lead to higher likelihood of suspensions and expulsions. But also what you don't hear about is what it -- what it does, how it feels.
W. KAMAU BELL, CNN HOST: If you're in a place where you're always surrounded by law enforcement, it takes away your ability to -- especially in school, to be a kid.
[06:55:01]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right.
BELL: Do something wrong.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right. That's right.
BELL: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's right. And kids, I think their innocence gets stolen here.
BELL: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We spend I think $16,000 per student in our school system. But last year, right here in this county, we spent $490,000 a year per youth to keep a kid in detention. So, basically, half a million dollars.
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PAUL: "UNITED SHADES OF AMERICA" with W. Kamau Bell kicks off tonight at 10:00 p.m. right here on CNN.
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SANCHEZ: Good morning and welcome to your NEW DAY. I'm Boris Sanchez.
PAUL: And I'm Christi Paul. All right, take a look here.
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