Return to Transcripts main page

The Situation Room

FDA Authorization of Moderna Vaccine could Come at Any Time; Pence, McConnell, Pelosi Receive COVID-19 Vaccine; Feds Tell Some States to Expect Fewer Pfizer Vaccine Doses Next Week; Alaska Reports Third Case Of Allergic Reaction To Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine; New Jersey To Open Six "Vaccine Mega-Sites" In January; How To Celebrate Christmas Safely. Aired 5-6p ET

Aired December 18, 2020 - 17:00   ET

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

[17:00:34]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer in the THE SITUATION ROOM. We are following breaking news.

The United States is now on the verge of another historic milestone in the coronavirus pandemic. At any moment now, the full FDA is expected to authorize Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. The second vaccine to join the fight against the virus.

This as top government officials including Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell all received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

But the overwhelming majority of Americans are still vulnerable to this deadly virus which is killing at unprecedented rate right now as hospitalizations are also shattering records.

And there's deep concern up on Capitol Hill tonight that stalled negotiations over desperately needed relief package could lead to a government shutdown at midnight tonight.

Let's begin our coverage with CNN's Sara Murray. She's covering the coronavirus pandemic for us. Sara, we could seal another vaccine, join the rollout at any moment now. What's the latest?

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf. We saw yesterday, the FDA's advisory committee recommended to the FDA that it authorize this Moderna vaccine. Now we are waiting on the final word from the FDA at a time when more supplies of these vaccines are badly needed across the country.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MURRAY (voice-over): The U.S. awaiting a green light from the Food and Drug Administration for Moderna's coronavirus vaccine.

NOUBAR AFEYAN, CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN, MODERNA: We look forward to working with the FDA to take the necessary steps to be in a position to hopefully receive the emergency use authorization.

MURRAY: This as more Americans at long-term care facilities get access to lifesaving vaccines.

JEANNE PETERS, PATIENT, RESERVOIR NURSING FACILITY: I feel fine. I feel good. The shot was no problem. And I think everyone can and should get a shot of the virus, definitely, no matter what age. I'm 95.

MURRAY: Both CVS and Walgreens are beginning to inoculate residents and staff at long-term care facilities in Ohio and Connecticut today.

DR. RICH FEIFER, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, GENESIS HEALTHCARE: Our residents have suffered greatly, and our staff have felt the strain and the stress in caring for residents. But these vials of hope have arrived. Today is a historic day.

MURRAY: While some nursing home residents and staff begin to get some protection, for others, it will still be a wait.

States across the country are complaining that the federal government has informed them they will get smaller shipments of the Pfizer vaccine next week than previously expected. Still, Vice President Mike Pence applauded the vaccine rollout today.

MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We expect, later today, we will be in a position to ship 5.9 million doses of vaccines all across the country next week. In fact, under Operation Warp Speed, we are poised to have vaccine for 20 million Americans before the end of December.

MURRAY: Pence rolling up his sleeve for his own first dose today, joined by Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, who's aiming to set an example for minority communities that may still be skeptical.

DR. JEROME ADAMS, SURGEON GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES: As the U.S. surgeon general and a black man, I am equally aware of the symbolic significance of my vaccination today.

MURRAY: Also lining up for a shot today, CNN's own Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who is also a practicing neurosurgeon.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Is it in?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's done.

GUPTA: It's done. You are really good.

MURRAY: But the relief for some comes as the pandemic continues to take its toll in the U.S. The nation added more coronavirus cases in the past seven days than any single week since the pandemic began.

One in every 216 Americans became infected this week alone.

DR. CARL SCHULTZ, ORANGE COUNTY EMS DIRECTOR: The hospital system is still able to provide high-quality care, but it won't be able to do that forever.

MURRAY: California among the states in crisis after an unprecedented post-Thanksgiving surge.

MAYOR ERIC GARCETTI (D-CA), LOS ANGELES: One hospital administrator conveyed to me in a Zoom call that, if we see a similar spike after Christmas -- and these were his words -- "We will go under."

MURRAY: The state shattered its record high for daily coronavirus death Thursday, as the availability of ICU beds in Southern California falls to zero percent.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MURRAY (on camera): Now, Wolf, as these coronavirus vaccines go out, we are learning of a third health care worker in Alaska who had an anaphylactic reaction to the Pfizer vaccine.

[17:05:02]

You know we should not that this is going to happen as these new vaccines are rolled out. They are - it's pretty uncommon for this to happen. It's still relatively rare.

And I want to read to you one of the things the employees said, she wants to remain anonymous, but she said that it's treatable and it does not have long-term health implications like COVID. She said I would get the vaccine and I would recommend it to anyone.

BLITZER: All right. Very good, Sara. Thank you very much.

I want to get update now on what's going on over the White House. Our chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta is joining us.

Jim, the president is spreading misinformation on multiple fronts including on the election. What are you hearing from your sources?

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf. President Trump is back to playing games with the election and the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, the president is sending more signals that he supports a GOP effort to keep Mr. Trump in power by sabotaging the congressional ratification of the election results next month. Trump supporters are scratching their heads though over this with one source close to the White House telling me earlier this week that this effort is quote, "an exercise in futility."

As for the virus, president was tweeting out anti-science information just as Vice President Mike Pence was receiving his own COVID-19 vaccine. The White House though is not offering any new guidance, no new information about when Mr. Trump will be vaccinated himself.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ACOSTA (voice-over): Still scheming for a way to stay in power, President Trump is throwing his weight behind Senate Republicans willing to defy the will of the voters. Mr. Trump is tweeting his support for incoming Alabama GOP Senator Tommy Tuberville, who's hinting he may join a Republican effort in the House to block congressional ratification of the election results on January 6th.

TOMMY TUBERVILLE (R-AL), SENATOR-ELECT (via telephone): You'll see what's coming. You've been reading about it in the House. We're going to have to do it in the Senate.

ACOSTA: The plot which is doomed to fail as Democrats control the House could become another embarrassing spectacle.

Still, the president is pushing other senators to dive right in. Falsely tweeting, "Republican senators have to get tougher, or he won't have a Republican party anymore. We won the presidential election, by a lot. Fight for it. Don't let them take it away"

But even a source close to the White House said, "It's an exercise in futility and fealty to Trump."

CHRIS CHRISTIE (R), FORMER NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR: So, it's time for us to accept that defeat. Also, by the way, accept the many victories we had that night. We had a great night except that the top of the ticket. And so, we need to accept that. And we need to move on.

ACOSTA: But other White House allies want to keep fighting including former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn who was recently pardoned by the president and told Newsmax, Mr. Trump should consider declaring Martial Law and a new election. Though Flynn was careful to add, he is not specifically calling for that to happen.

MICHAEL FLYNN, FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: He could order the -- within the swing states if he wanted to, he could take military capabilities and he could place them in those states. And basically, rerun an election on each of those states. I mean, it's not unprecedented. These people out there talking about Martial Law. It's like it's something that we've never done. We've done -- Martial Law has been instituted 64 -- 64 times.

ACOSTA: The president is also playing games with the pandemic. Just as Vice President Mike Pence was receiving his vaccine.

MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I didn't feel a thing. Well done. And we appreciate your service to the country.

ACOSTA: The president was retweeting conservatives who questioned the effectiveness of wearing masks and contrast with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who both got the vaccine themselves. The White House isn't saying much about when Mr. Trump will be vaccinated. Earlier this year the president said he was ready to do his part.

If there is a coronavirus vaccine, will you get it? Will you take it?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Will I take it? I would absolutely, Jim. If there is a vaccine and they want me to be first in line, I'd be first in line or be last in line or would not take it at all. Whatever is best for the country. ACOSTA: The president is also laying low on the suspect Russian cyberattack on the U.S. government that lawmakers are still trying to understand.

SEN. ANGUS KING (I-ME): What if this attack was on the gas pipeline system or on the electrical grid or on the air traffic control system? This just underlines how critically important the issue of cyber is and how we really aren't there yet in terms of preparation.

ACOSTA: White House officials insisted Mr. Trump is working hard on the issue.

BRIAN MORGENSTERN, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN: At this point, administration continues to work very hard behind the scenes and to the extent we have to speak publicly we do that but the work is being done whether or not he is coming in front of cameras.

ACOSTA: But sources tell CNN, Mr. Trump is on the verge of granting new pardons. One potential pardon recipient, long-time Personal Attorney Rudy Giuliani paid a visit to the West Wing in the afternoon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ACOSTA (on camera): As for talks up on Capitol Hill aimed at reaching a deal on a coronavirus stimulus package, a sorely needed one. White House officials say they are hopeful that Congress can make that happen by the end of the weekend. But, Wolf, this is another area where the president's leadership is sorely needed at this point and it is just missing in action tonight. Wolf?

BLITZER: He certainly is. All right, Jim Acosta, stay with us. I also want to bring in our senior Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny and the former Ohio Governor John Kasich, he's now a CNN senior commentator.

Governor Kasich, the country is facing, as we just heard in Jim's report, multiple, multiple crisis. Where is the president of the United States?

[17:10:05]

JOHN KASICH, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I don't understand what he is doing tweeting these things out, Jim - Wolf. Because there are some things that he ought to be doing. First of all, on the aid package which is desperately needed in this country. For those who are unemployed, for those who are facing evictions. What he needs to do, what most presidents would do to be call the parties into the Oval Office and hammer this out to get this aid package done. It's vital. That is where he should be.

Secondly, Wolf, this cyberattack is very serious. This was, obviously, launched by the Russians, that they have - they have been able to enter into some of the places in our country many government agencies, including many of the private sector operations, some biggest companies, they are in there. We don't quite know if they still have a presence in there to try to get them out. What is the response? How do you pull cyber together so that you have one place where we can operate this?

I mean, these things, this is critical. And as was mentioned in your report, this could affect everything that affects Americans if the cyber continues. And he ought to be out in front on this. This should be something where he should be in front of the cameras and warning that Russians that there is going to be penalties for this because they entered illegally.

We think they may have been driven out but we're not sure and they may still have tools inside of our government agencies and inside of companies, private sector companies that we haven't been able to determine yet. And they are just gathering information that could be devastating to us.

And maybe in some respects, maybe, Wolf, that this is a wake-up call because when you think about the air traffic control system, when you think about the ATM system that we have in this country. When we think about the grid that we have in this country.

I mean, this is a really, really serious thing. We saw cyber coming. And there needs to be a warning right now and the president should be out in front of that. At the same time, he is negotiating this aid package and getting it out the door and getting it signed.

And what is he doing? I don't know. He is tweeting some stuff out about fraud in the election. Hard to believe.

BLITZER: It is hard to believe. Jim, what are the people around the president, you're working your sources, saying about his work ethic right now during this lame duck period when he has got 33 days to go until Biden becomes president?

ACOSTA: Wolf, what I'm hearing from my sources, that president is doing more wining than working. It's not like we are playing a game of where is Waldo, where is POTUS at this point. He is in the White House behind me. But he is choosing instead of working on these issues that the governor just talked about, cybersecurity, coronavirus relief and so on.

He is choosing to air these grievances and going beyond that and still, you know, maintaining this idea that he could scam his way into another term in office when that is just not going to happen. As one source told me, this is an exercise in futility.

And, Wolf, I think the president is really missing an opportunity to rewrite what would have been the history of the end of his presidency. He could have been leading the charge on people getting the coronavirus vaccine. He could have been leading the charge and warning the Russians about cyber security, leading the charge in getting a relief bill passed through Congress.

You know, if he has any hopes of running again in 2024, he could have used this period to set the table for that. And instead, he is just chasing ghosts and these ideas that he can win another term, another consecutive term in office.

BLITZER: He could have left gracefully but clearly, he is not.

Jeff, the president-elect is trying to reassure the country, but this is a real balancing act right now during this transition, isn't it?

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, there is one president at a time. And of course, President-elect Joe Biden does not dispute that. But his job in some respects, you know, is made easy by the fact that he is the president waiting and he is the most visible - one of the most visible leaders that America has.

He will be getting the coronavirus vaccine on Monday. He and his wife Dr. Jill Biden will be. He has put out a statement on the cybersecurity attack. You know really not mentioning Russia by name which was by design because this government has not so. He does not want to get ahead of that but clearly engaged in all of these things.

His national economic adviser weighed in today on the relief bill on Capitol Hill. So, he is forming his cabinet. He is, you know, certainly getting up-to-speed on all of these issues but there are limitations to what he can do.

So, the balancing act actually is not as complicated as if President Trump was engaged. I mean, President-elect Biden basically has the field to himself here and he is using it to the limits in which he can.

One interesting thing that is happening as all this is going on in the White House and President Trump is not saying much at all. There is more obstruction happening that we are hearing from across government agencies at the Pentagon specifically. The acting defense director stopped these transition discussions that were happening with the Biden transition and said they were going to take a two-week break for the holiday.

[17:15:03]

Initially today said it was agreed upon with the Biden campaign. But in the Biden transition said this was not agreed upon at all. There are serious matters that need to be worked out here, serious business that the Biden transition team needs to be read in on. So, even as the president is doing very little, others in his government, his political appointees are still working to obstruct the Biden administration.

But Wolf, like it or not, Joe Biden is taking office on January 20th here. We're almost at the Christmas holidays. That is just right around the corner.

BLITZER: You're absolutely right. Governor Kasich, how worried are you that as time goes on, President Trump appears to be ramping up his campaign to try to actually overturn the results of the election which were formally officially approved by the Electoral College?

KASICH: Well, it's a joke. It isn't going to happen. There's zero chance that is going to happen.

Wolf, but what I can't understand is who is he playing to now? I mean the fact that we have this rollout, which is good news, which he wants to take some credit for, for Operation Warp Speed, the quick -- quick discovery and execution and hopefully delivery of this vaccine, he should take credit for that. He deserves some credit for that. To be in the middle of the A-package, negotiations and say let's just wrap this up, folks, this is just crazy. Let's get help out to people. That is a good thing.

I don't know where the downside on that is politically and to pound his chest and talk about the cyberattack, something that can be potentially devastating today and even worse tomorrow, this is another area where he can show leadership. I don't know who he is trying to appeal to. It doesn't make any sense to me. It doesn't add up. Maybe he is just disgusted and doesn't want to participate but, you know, who knows. But these are things that are winners for him that he should be doing because they are right for the country.

BLITZER: He can't stomach the fact that he lost the election that he is a loser and he is also using this moment, this opportunity these days to raise a ton of money that he is going to be able to use in the days and weeks and months and years ahead. He has already raised more than $200 million in political campaign contributions. Maybe $250 million he's going to probably raise another $100 million. He'll have that money to use for various purposes in the next few years.

Everybody, stand by.

(CROSSTALK)

KASICH: Wolf -

BLITZER: Hold on. Hold on. Very quickly.

KASICH: One other thing I want to tell you. This continued drama makes us look bad in the eyes of the world. They have always wanted to be like America and today they say we don't want all that chaos. We need to clean this up because the world is watching America and we are the leader and we are falling behind right now. It's got to stop.

BLITZER: And the world is having a tough time saying to themselves, understanding what is going on in the United States right now? A lot of folks can't believe what is going on.

All right. Everybody, stand by. Up next we will have more on the looming government shutdown as negotiations over a desperately needed coronavirus relief floundered in Congress.

And later, I'll speak with the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the unprecedented cyberattack on U.S. government agencies.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:22:21] BLITZER: We are following multiple breaks stories right now. The U.S. government may run out of money tonight and completely shut down. And negotiators still haven't worked out a deal on a desperately needed coronavirus relief package.

Right now, the House of Representatives is voting on a two-day stopgap spending bill to try keep the government running past midnight tonight. The Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is checking to see if any Republican senator would object to that.

Let's get an update on where things stand from Democratic Senator Menendez of New Jersey. He's on the Finance Committee. He's also the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Senator, thanks so much for joining us. How real is the risk right now that the federal government shuts down without a deal to help the millions of Americans who are on the brink of losing their benefits?

SEN. BOB MENENDEZ (D-NJ): Well, there is no reason for that crisis to happen and we are more than willing to pass the House's two-day measure to finalize the negotiations. The only individuals that we hear may object to the two-day continuing resolution to keep the government open for the next two days are some Republican colleagues. I hope they will come to their senses. It's never good under any set of circumstances to have a government shutdown.

BLITZER: You're absolutely right. Congress had months and months, as you well know, Senator, to do this. So, why does it always seem to be coming down to the very last second? Why is there this hold out?

MENENDEZ: Well, it's always a difficult negotiation. You know? We could have agreed a long time ago, but we would not have had direct payments to individuals as presently negotiated, which we think is incredibly important to help families be able to get to the rest of the pandemic challenges. We would not have the money for unemployment insurance which we think is critical as well.

So, we have had to hold out in order to try to ensure that the real essence of helping people is realized. I'm going to support the package that I thought was already finally negotiated even though it doesn't have aid to state and local governments which I think is critical. We are looking at maybe 6 million public sector employees will be laid off. And that is going to have a real pain to middle class families and to the economies of state.

But for the moment I'm willing to vote for the package that did all of these other things but at the 11th hour our Republican colleagues are bringing in new items that are crippling in terms of the government's ability to continue to help families in the days ahead. There is no reason to do that in exchange for the essential elements of what our families need right now.

[17:25:04]

BLITZER: The Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer now supports including a one-time $1,200 stimulus checks to a lot of Americans out there. Should a bill pass that does include at least $1,200 this one- time stimulus payment to a lot of Americans. Would you still support it?

MENENDEZ: Well, my hope is we will have the $1,200 payment and families need that. That's what kept a lot of families out of going into the poverty levels. We have seen a great number of Americans now go into poverty. We see a great number of Americans including in my home state of New Jersey people standing in line for the first time in their lives at a food pantry and never did this before in their lives.

So, that is the reality for many Americans. So, my hope is that we will reach that number. But at the end of the day, what we cannot have is the Republican insistence of closing down the very levers of government that are necessary to help the very people who need the help now and will need it next year as well. I have no doubt that there will still be a continuing need to some degree. And we need to have every door open available to us to make sure the economy can respond, and that people can be held whole.

BLITZER: Millions of Americans have now gone into poverty and only last week, what, nearly 900,000 Americans lost their jobs and applied for first-time unemployment benefits. It's a horrendous situation right now. Hopefully you guys up on the Hill will get this thing done.

Let me ask you before I let you go, Senator, about this truly unprecedented cyberattack on various U.S. government agencies. The White House says President Trump is, quote, "working very hard on this" but he doesn't want to tip off adversaries. That is what they say. How do you respond to that?

MENENDEZ: Well, there is no substitute but a firm and rapid and public response. Once you're clear about who the enemy was and every indication from all of the sophistication and the elements of what was done would suggest Russia but once you have the clear ability to attribute you must do it publicly, you must name, and then there must be consequences.

I'm really appreciative that President-elect Biden has said that he will not tolerate such attacks and there will be consequences, because unless, if it is Russia, which I believe it is, if it is Russia, unless there are consequences, they will continue to do this, undermine our national security, undermine our private sector, undermine our ability to restore our economy.

All of these things are affected with the type of attacks that are going on now. And nine months of not knowing it is really an intelligence failure.

BLITZER: Yes. And so far, I haven't seen any severe consequences as far as the Russians are concerned. Senator Menendez, thanks so much for joining us. Appreciate it.

MENENDEZ: Thank you, Wolf.

BLITZER: Coming up, CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta joins us live. We will discuss his decision to get that first coronavirus shot today. And we will also check with the experts on how to celebrate Christmas safely. Information you need to know.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:33:13]

BLITZER: Right now, we're awaiting official word from the FDA which is expected to grant final Emergency Use Authorization for the Moderna coronavirus vaccine. CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta was inoculated with the Pfizer vaccine earlier today. We saw it live here on CNN. He's joining us right now. Sanjay, I want to show our viewers some video from this morning when you were in New Day and you got the coronavirus vaccine. Tell us about your experience, how you're feeling now.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, Wolf, I feel fine now. I mean, in some ways, it was sort of a collision of my worlds. First of all, I, you know, practicing neurosurgery at the hospital there. So they're inoculating healthcare workers, as you know, so they, you know, it's my turn. So I went ahead and got the vaccine. But it was really interesting, Wolf, just to, as a reporter who has, you know, been reporting on COVID for the last year and saw the initial vaccine development, talked to vaccine makers, interviewed, you know, officials at the FDA. looked at the science, I felt like I had a really informed sort of point of view on this.

You know, a lot of people have a good sense that something is safe and effective. But I've had such a granular look at the whole process through this year. That it was interesting, knowing all the science that went into that little vial and then in the end, it was a pretty mundane sort of thing, just a shot that we've all gone through before. It didn't really hurt at all and you know, I -- my arms -- I mean, I feel fine. I wouldn't know right now that I didn't had anything done. So in some ways, it was a very remarkable back story for a pretty, you know, trivial act in the end, just getting that shot.

BLITZER: Because when you get the flu shot, which I get every year, your arm might be sore a little bit for a few hours, maybe even a day. Do you have any soreness in your arm?

GUPTA: No, I would say, you know, I was trying to compare it to the flu shot and I think this is less. I -- maybe just a little bit of soreness, I think it's pretty much gone now.

[17:35:07]

I have heard that the second shot, which I'm going to get in three weeks on January 8th, they give you a card to remind you and all these, sometimes the side effects there may be a little bit more significant, more soreness of the arm, little bit of fatigue, I've heard. I've talked to lots of people who went through the trial and have had both shots. That's what you often hear, it's that boost shot that may be slightly more. But for me right now, Wolf, I -- it really honestly, I wouldn't even know at this point that I'd had a shot. I accept that, you know, obviously I went through the process this morning. I have no symptoms from it at all. BLITZER: Yes. And that's, fortunately, what we're hearing from the vast, vast majority of people. And a lot of people have already received this vaccine. But we just did hear, Sanjay, and you have as well about a third person in Alaska who experienced what appeared to be an anaphylactic reaction after receiving the Pfizer vaccine. Is that simply a coincidence? Are these reactions causing any concern, serious concern?

GUPTA: No, I don't think they're causing serious concern, but I think they are certainly something that needs to be investigated and people are keeping tabs on. Three now reactions, as you pointed out in Alaska, two, I believe were in Juneau and now one in Fairbanks. Curious that they've all been in Alaska, and that may be one thing that, you know, the people who are looking at these adverse events will focus on. You remember same sort of thing happened in the U.K., two people from same institution developed allergic reaction there.

I don't know that there's anything to that. What we do know is that if you look at vaccines, in general, there's a certain rate of allergic reaction that people have in the background, about one in a million. So if you start thinking about this vaccine, and ultimately, hundreds of millions of people in the United States, you know, being immunized, you probably would see hundreds of these allergic reactions. In all these cases, and I think we can show you some of the symptoms that people have had, but in all these cases, the symptoms did resolve and they were -- people were given epinephrine to make that happen, but it was a short-term thing.

BLITZER: All right. Well, that's good to know. Sanjay, thank you so much. You're going to be coming back later, so don't go too far away.

And important note to our viewers, later tonight on CNN, Dr. Anthony Fauci and Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams join Don Lemon and Sanjay Gupta for a new town hall, The Color of COVID, The Vaccines. Be sure to tune in later tonight 10:00 p.m. Eastern. And tomorrow morning, The Sesame Street crew is back on CNN for a new family town hall about COVID-19 and staying safe this holiday season. Watch the ABCs of COVID-19 tomorrow morning 10:00 a.m. Eastern only here on CNN.

As we await final word on the FDA giving Emergency Use Authorization to the Moderna coronavirus vaccine, we'll talk with the New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy about the plans to get the vaccine into people's arms. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:42:41]

BLITZER: New Jersey health officials just announced the state will set up six vaccine mega sites next month. But the state's Health Commissioner is warning demand for the vaccine will outpace the supply. Let's discuss with the Governor of New Jersey Democrat Phil Murphy. Governor, thank you so much for joining us. As you take these steps to distribute vaccines more widely, we're seeing some very troubling coronavirus trends nationwide. How concerned are you about what lies ahead? GOV. PHIL MURPHY (D-NJ): Good to be with your, Wolf. And, by the way, a big week, we started vaccinating people Tuesday morning and there's a real glimmer of hope. However, to your question, I'm very concerned. I think the near term is going to get worse before it gets better. We've seen our numbers go up in cases hospitalizations, we're not yet threatening to overrun our hospitals, which we cannot allow to happen. But I think we're in the combination of cold-weather, holidays, fatigue, private setting transmission, lack of a national strategy that's all conspiring and coming together right now.

BLITZER: So said. We reported, Governor, many states are getting fewer and fewer doses of the vaccine than originally anticipated. Is that true in your state of New Jersey?

MURPHY: It is true, and we have not yet gotten a satisfactory answer. And so, we will continue to turn over every single stone to get the doses we need. But that's right. I'm -- I believe it's happening to every American state. And, again, we've not been given an answer that is satisfactory.

BLITZER: Let's hope once the Moderna vaccine is approved, and we expect that to be approved within a few hours, maybe as early as tonight together with a Pfizer vaccine. There'll be more available. These are desperately needed, as you correctly point out. Give us an update, Governor, on vaccine distribution in New Jersey. I know it's an incredibly complex process, but how is it going given the vaccines that you currently have?

MURPHY: Yes, it's going really well, Wolf. I have to say, I've visited three of our big hospitals Monday morning assuming Moderna gets their EUA. Tonight, I'm going to be witnessing our first Moderna vaccinations right here in the capital city of Trenton. It's going really well.

Now the numbers are much smaller relative to the requirement. We want to get to 70 percent, 70 percent of our adults, which is why as you suggested that we're setting up for early to mid-January mega sites. We're then going to be adding several 100 other sites.

[17:45:10]

But so far so good, but the supply demand imbalance is real. And we have to address that as a nation sooner than later.

BLITZER: Yes, it's a critically important issue. When you and I spoke earlier in the month, Governor, I asked you, if you have enough funding to carry out your vaccine distribution plans, your answer was an emphatic, no. I wonder if you're confident the federal government is going to provide enough support for vaccine distribution when Congress finally passes what so desperately needed a relief bill?

MURPHY: Yes, I mean, I sure hope so. This is incredibly frustrating. I feel like we need Moe Howard or The Three Stooges to bank some heads together and get something out of there. It's frustrating at two levels as well. It's not big enough remotely. Well, I'll take it, but it's a fraction of what we need. I think this is a $3 trillion to $4 trillion moment. It has to include state and local aid. There are too many front-line workers lives and livelihoods at risk in the services they deliver at our hour of need. And I don't think history is going to be unkind to us if we overshoot. If I'm wrong, and it's not as big a moment as we think, although I don't think I am wrong, I think we'll be OK. But we will not be OK if we undershoot this moment and that's what I fear right now.

BLITZER: It's not 3 million or 4 trillion, it's not even 1 trillion, it's maybe 900 billion, which is a lot of money, but it's not going to include apparently any state and local aid which you guys I know desperately, desperately needed. Good luck, Governor Murphy, we'll stay in touch.

MURPHY: Thanks, Wolf. Good to see you.

BLITZER: Thank you.

Coming up, the safest way to celebrate Christmas this year is at home. We have details when we come.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:51:48]

BLITZER: As the United States suffers through the worst wave of the pandemic yet, health officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci are urging Americans to celebrate Christmas at home this year. Brian Todd is on the story for us. So, Brian, if you do decide to travel, experts say, there are steps you should take to make your holiday gathering a little bit safer. Tell our viewers what you're learning.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, we have new information tonight, important advice from experts on how to travel, how to hold indoor gatherings, and how to navigate shopping malls.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TODD (voice-over): America's top voice on the pandemic warns Christmas this year could cause an even more catastrophic spread of coronavirus than Thanksgiving did.

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: With Christmas, it's thought several days before it goes through Christmas, the week after Christmas into New Year's and the New Year's holiday.

TODD (voice-over): As America is in the midst of an especially dangerous period of hospitalizations and deaths, Dr. Anthony Fauci says this year, it'll be just him and his wife together for Christmas.

FAUCI: And for the first time in more than 30 years, I'm not spending the Christmas holidays with my daughters.

TODD (voice-over): Tonight, Dr. Fauci, the CDC and other experts have warnings and safety tips as the holiday season peaks. They warn Americans not to travel, but if you have to travel, try to get tested and quarantine before you leave. Then quarantine again when you get there. Try to drive to your destination.

DR. MEGAN RANNEY, EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN, BROWN UNIVERSITY: If you have to fly, the shorter the flight, the better. Make sure you wear a mask. Make sure you wash your hands and try to avoid eating or drinking while traveling.

TODD (voice-over): Any gatherings with people outside your immediate family are discouraged. But Dr. Leana Wen, former Baltimore Health Commissioner, suggests if you do host a gathering, try to make it outdoors wherever possible.

DR. LEANA WEN, FORMER BALTIMORE HEALTH COMMISSIONER: Outdoors, those infectious particles are more likely to get dispersed before others can breathe them in.

TODD (voice-over): But Dr. Wen also has advice for people who don't live in warm weather areas.

WEN: For many people, it's probably going to be cold. Ask us to bundle up, a fire pit or a heat lamp could also help.

TODD (voice-over): She suggests seating families 6 feet apart, and the host sets out individual servings of food and drink. For gatherings indoors, experts say, spread people out as much as possible.

DR. ANNE RIMOIN, PROFESSOR OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, UCLA FIELDING SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE DIVISION: Open as many windows as you can, provide as much circulation as you possibly can.

TODD (voice-over): If people are eating at a gathering in a home, epidemiologist Anne Rimoin says, have them eat in pods of their own family members in different parts of the residence and --

RIMOIN: Don't have loud music. Do everything you can turn music way down so that people do not have to speak loudly.

TODD (voice-over): Many shopping malls are still crowded this holiday season, and experts say that's dangerous. If you can't order gifts online, what do you do?

RANNEY: Try to pre order and to pick up at the curb side or just walk in, get the gift pay and leave again. Try not to linger in the mall for long periods of time. And if you can go at off hours when there's not a lot of people there, that too is going to decrease your risk of getting infected.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: Dr. Megan Ranney and other experts are also very concerned about the mental and emotional health of people this holiday season, acknowledging that it could be lonelier and more desperate for more people this year.

[17:55:06] They really encourage people who are dealing with that to contact organizations like the crisis text line and Samaritans USA or pick up the phone or get on Zoom and contact relatives, Wolf. That is a big, big concern among the experts we spoke to.

BLITZER: Very important information you just provided, Brian. We're grateful to you. Thank you very much.

Coming up, we're following late breaking developments up on Capitol Hill. We're in negotiations to keep the federal government open and pass the coronavirus desperately needed relief bill are running out of time. Stay with us, we'll update you. You're in The Situation Room.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)