As Virus Resurges, GOP Suddenly EmbrDeaths aces Covid Vaccine; DOJ Launches New Initiative to Curb Surging Gun Violence; Cases RDeaths ising Among Unvaccinated in Hot Spots Across U.S.; Parents Concerned About Schools Reopening Without Mask Mandates. Aired 3:30-4p ET
Aired July 22, 2021 – 15:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[15:30:00]
VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: New CNN reporting out today, almost 1/2 of House Republicans nonetheless will no longer say publicly if they’re vaccinated. By CNN’s matter, ninety seven GOP lawmakers may not share their fame. Some say that they do not have a duty to version conduct to their elements.
Now we recognize that a few Congressional Republicans are doing an about face and publicly encouraging vaccines. Some of them held a news conference to give an explanation for why they’re vaccinated, and Minority Whip Steve Scalise is considered one of them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, question for Rep. Scalise, you had Deaths been lately vaccinated. You were given your first dose this weekend. Why did you wait so long? And have all the relaxation of you been vaccinated as well?
REP. STEVE SCALISE (R-LA): First of all, I had accomplished the antibody check months ago and tested tremendous for the antibodies. And so truly that offers you safety. But with the delta version, I felt I wanted that greater stage of safety. And in the long run, if absolutely everyone in America, I could encourage people to get the vaccine. I actually have high self belief in it. I got it myself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN HOST: With us now, we’ve got “Washington Post” columnist Max Boot and Carl Cameron. He’s the previous chief political correspondent at Fox News and the cofounder of Front Page Live. Great to peer each of you. Gentlemen, Carl, I need to begin with you.
And earlier than we get to what’s going on on Capitol Hill, I simply want to get your tackle what is happening at Fox. Because Sean Hannity stated some thing on Monday night time that were given all of our attention. After he have been skeptical of COVID, he’d known as it a hoax months ago, on Monday night he gave what appeared like an enthusiastic endorsement of the vaccinations. So listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEAN HANNITY, FOX NEWS HOST: Please take COVID significantly. I can’t say it sufficient. Enough human beings have died. We do not want any more deaths. Research like loopy. Talk on your medical doctor.
I accept as true with inside the technology. I believe in the technological know-how of vaccination.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CAMEROTA: Carl, this is absolutely distinctive than the manner — the tact the primary took with COVID. And so, what do you watched is going on?
[15:35:00]
What modified this week that changed the attitude of some of the Fox hosts?
CARL CAMERON, CO-FOUNDER, FRONT PAGE LIVE: I think the data of the spikes which might be developing due to the delta version and the fact that there may be the real possibility of step forward infections for those who have already been vaccinated. We’ve heard of this within the final week that both the Speaker of the House’s workplace, someone there has had a step forward infection and on the White House.
So, I assume they’re understanding that it is time form of get on the proper facet of the technology instead of having been on the aspect of propaganda that puts their parts, their households and the overall population susceptible to loss of life.
CAMEROTA: I imply glaringly now not all the hosts experience that manner. Tucker Carlson has not gotten on board with anything this new mind-set is that we listen from a number of the hosts about the vaccinations. And so, do you suspect in component they simply did the mathematics and they realized that a number of the people maximum at threat are their own visitors in some of the reddest states also are the least vaccinated?
CAMERON: I think it is a bit bit of that. I additionally assume that they recognize that worldwide those who get vaccinated are higher off. And eventually their components, their followers, whether or not it’s social media, cable tv, it all, that it’s just truly incorrect and that the time has Deaths come to get vaccines. I assume that they recognize that it’s awful politics to position your voters in jeopardy. And that is what they have achieved. And particularly with the conservative media on cable, and that is Fox, the One America Network and Newsmax and such things as that, however also on social media.
And the problem with all of that is we have loose speech, and it would not entirely include mendacity. It’s a cliche, but we are saying you cannot scream hearth in a crowded film house due to the fact that’s demanding the peace. And that is a misdemeanor and you may get arrested for it.
BLACKWELL: So, Max, you understand, it is lengthy past time for the fact on vaccines even though we’re seeing this approximately face from Fox hosts, we’re seeing it from Congressional Republicans. Is it too overdue? I mean has all this congealed for conservatives who’re anti-vax.
CAMERON: Well, I assume it is —
BLACKWELL: Let’s supply it to Max. MAX BOOT, COLUMNIST, THE WASHINGTON POST: I assume it’s too past due to persuade a whole lot of conservatives to take the vaccine. You’re absolutely seeing anti-vaccine sentiment is growing on the right notwithstanding the evidence showing that over ninety nine percent of COVID deaths are from unvaccinated human beings. Despite that there is lots of disinformation at the proper. For instance, there has been a brand new ballotthat came out that showed approximately a third of all Republicans assume that vaccines are getting used to implant microchips in people. I suggest that is simply crazy.
But this kind of madness is sadly being fed by Fox despite what Sean Hannity said, you have got Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham and have other hosts. You have foremost Republican leaders in Congress who’re all feeding this anti-vaccine disinformation.
And it really is why what I argued inside the “Washington Post” this week is prevent pleading with the right and start mandating vaccines for those who need to fly, who need to visit shops, who need to visit restaurants, who need to go to indoor spaces. If you need to simply live at domestic and be unvaccinated, that’s cool, it really is on you. But you don’t have a proper to hazard different humans by using going out in public unvaccinated. The hazard right now is just too high. We want to be the use of vaccine passports which Republicans hold complaining about however which we’re no longer truly using to the extent that we must be.
BLACKWELL: But Max, they’re doing more than complaining approximately them, the Republican governors are signing govt orders which can be banning
vaccine passports. You recognize that maximum Republican governors aren’t going to require a vaccine to get right Deaths into a restaurant or film theater. So how is that a viable plan moving forward to require them?
BOOT: Well, I suppose it’s going to nevertheless make a distinction if President Biden comes out in desire of vaccine passports for starters. Companies can mandate that proper now even in pink states. Wherever they’re they can mandate that if you want to save of their shop, in case you need to go to their office, you have to be vaccinated.
Also, President Biden and the FAA can order all airlines to demand evidence of vaccination or a negative COVID check earlier than permitting anyone to fly. Even in red states human beings want to get on airplanes, they want to move places. So, I suppose there is a lot that may be finished and I’m simply confused by why the Biden management is not getting at the back of vaccine passports that’s something that different international locations, France and different nations in Europe are going proper now and they may be overtaking us in the proportion of people who are vaccinated.
CAMEROTA: I think they have been trying to use the carrot in place of the stick. But we’ll see if that is going to paintings as the delta version rages.
Gentlemen, incredible to see you, Max Boot, Carl Cameron, thanks each for the perception.
BLACKWELL: Thank you, gents.
So, Attorney General Merrick Garland, he’s on his manner to Chicago to promote the Justice Department’s new anti-gun trafficking initiative. We’re going to take you there stay.
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CAMEROTA: Attorney General Merrick Garland is on his way to Chicago to push the Justice Department’s new anti-gun trafficking initiative. The Biden administration is facing increasing strain to cope with growing crime costs national.
BLACKWELL: CNN’s Omar Jimenez is in Chicago, one of the five towns the initiative will focus on. Omar, what doabout the A.G.’s plan?
OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Victor and Alisyn, that is a plan to disrupt gun trafficking networks. So essentially, we are going past the ones which are pulling the triggers of those guns and seeking to get to the assets of in which they may be getting them inside the first place.
So, as you mentioned that is going to target five towns in particular, it is Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. All towns that have visible widespread rises in violence as compared to pre-pandemic levels. And all known corridors in keeping with the Department of Justice for unlawful gun trafficking, and that is exactly what this initiative is aiming to disrupt.
As I stated, the general goal, however, is to higher coordinate federal, kingdom and nearby law enforcement organizations. Now here in Chicago in conversations I’ve had with the mayor, she informed me that these multijurisdictional strike forces are exactly what she’s requested for from President Biden and what she’s heard other mayors have requested for as properly.
Ahead of his go to, Attorney General Merrick Garland has stated that a whole lot of instances in those conditions, in those shootings, the guns located come from masses or even over a thousand miles away. And so that is the dynamic they’re seeking to goal in this. And when you observe the stakes of route the numbers were growing on account that 2019, as I stated, however especially here in Chicago notwithstanding some upgrades murder continues to be up, compares forty eight percentage in comparison to pre- pandemic levels. And just closing night time we had 3 separate mass shootings. So, the stakes are high with a variety of paintings to be executed.
BLACKWELL: Absolutely, Omar Jimenez for us there in Chicago. Thank you, Omar.
CAMEROTA: So, faculty is beginning in only weeks in a few states. And many parents are going through a tough desire. And that’s whether to send their kids again to high school in places that aren’t mandating masks and in which kids cannot be vaccinated yet. What do you do?
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[15:forty five:00] CAMEROTA: Schools are scrambling to give you COVID protection protocols as they put together to reopen. Today the Atlanta Public School District simply announced it will require all students and personnel to wear mask.
BLACKWELL: Now we recognize a few states have banned masks mandates, and dad and mom across the u . s . don’t know if it’s secure to send their kids into school rooms. Kami Galvani is one of these parents, she changed into prepared to send her three children lower back to highschool in Phoenix, however now she’s reconsidering because there may be no mask mandate in Arizona.
[15:50:00
Kami, thanks for being with us. Not most effective is there no mask mandate, but the governor signed a regulation that bans masks mandates for faculties. You’ve were given a fourth grader quickly to be and soon-to-be twin sons going to the primary grade. How are you feeling approximately that?
KAMI GALVANI, MOTHER OF THREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN: Very fearful and disenchanted.
CAMEROTA: So, what’s making you nervous? I suggest are mask elective at your faculty? Could you ship your youngsters to high school masked although the alternative children are not?
GALVANI: Definitely, sure, mask are elective, so, I imply, I bet it is one positive aspect. There isn’t a ban on masks, however, you understand, based totally on what I recognise about people within the network I’m pretty worried that my kids might be within the minority in the school that they’re going to be attending. And so, , you recognize what is absolutely disappointing is that, you recognize, we stored our youngsters domestic from school and did on line education all last year and I’ve watched the numbers carefully and watched what turned into occurring in the colleges.
And, you understand, the faculties did a pretty good task of placing safety measures into location and masks have been a huge part of that, and we have been really comforted to see that that regarded to paintings, so we were definitely — we were set. We have been all geared up to head back to highschool, the kids were excited. And then the mask went away. And, you already know, from what I recognize that changed into — this is the most important motive that colleges didn’t have outbreaks, and now — and now they’re gone. And so, you already know, I’m just fearful, that you recognise, we worked so tough to maintain our kids secure all last year and now we’re faced with some other difficult desire, and, , frankly I actually have — I have decision fatigue, you realize.
BLACKWELL: Yes.
GALVANI: Yes. It’s laborious.
BLACKWELL: Yes, I understand that you may send your youngsters to high school with mask but of path, what we know ordinarily approximately the masks that it keeps a person who has the virus from spreading it, so it’s the opposite child doubtlessly with it that want to wear the masks. So, what is the plan from the school to shield your kids if vaccines are not required and your youngsters aren’t even antique sufficient to get a vaccine and there is no masks mandate, what’s the plan?
GALVANI: I think there is not one. I imply, I suppose they’re going to do hand washing which, you recognize, we understand is a chunk of hygiene theater at this factor, but, you understand, there’s nothing they could do. I imply, in our school district there are 25 to 30 youngsters in a room so six feet of distance this is now not an option, you already know, and no mask mandate.
I’m sure there won’t be a vaccine requirement and so I don’t think that they’re going to do whatever. I think the governor has determined that all of this is a private choice and, you already know, I understand that a whole lot of parents are going to say, exquisite, I’m going to have my kid now not wear a masks. And my largest subject is that mother and father who fall into that camp are the identical dad and mom who themselves don’t need to get a vaccine and so, you already know, they’re going to be uncovered and they can expose their youngsters who can then come to high school and divulge all and sundry else.
And so, sure, I can ship my youngsters to highschool masked however as you stated, you know, that does a better task of protecting different human beings in place of the masks-wearer, and so, yes, it’s a honestly tough desire.
CAMEROTA: It is a without a doubt hard preference because we also realize the studies that kids have felt remoted who were home this past yr and it has taken a intellectual health toll on them, and so I’m certain that you’re, you understand, thinking about all of that, too. We most effective have a few seconds left.
GALVANI: Sure.
CAMEROTA: But have you decided that this is on stability it is safer to have them at domestic?
GALVANI: We have no longer decided. We still have not determined. School starts offevolved inweeks.
CAMEROTA: Wow. Well, Kami, we experience for you. We experience for you, and I’m now not positive there’s a right answer right here or a playbook to observe however we are taking into consideration you, and thanks for sharing your own family’s catch 22 situation moving forward with us. You’re no longer alone.
GALVANI: Thank you.
CAMEROTA: There are loads of households in your boat. So, Kami Galvani, we truely appreciate it slow.
BLACKWELL: Thank you, Kami.
So, the CDC director warns that the U.S. is at some other pivotal factor in the coronavirus pandemic. The modern day from the hot spots across the country. We have that for you next.
CAMEROTA: But, first, a short programming observe. Be sure to catch the all new “JERUSALEM, CITY OF FAITH AND FURY.” Learn how the town’s humans pay the final rate whilst three empires collide. That’s Sunday night time at 10:00 p.m. japanese handiest on CNN.
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BLACKWELL: All right. So, you can upload quick shorts now and cardboard beds to the list of Olympic controversies.
CAMEROTA: Listen to this, Welsh sprinter and double Paralympic global champion Olivia Breen changed into sporting — and can you notice them right here — opposition briefs at an occasion last weekend when a girl authentic stated her briefs had been, quote, too short and inappropriate.
BLACKWELL: Meantime Norway’s seaside handball crew changed into fined after its women’s crew wore shorts as opposed to bikini bottoms at a championship in shape in Bulgaria.
CAMEROTA: OK, so which one is it, so one got in trouble for sporting bikini bottoms and now not shorts and the others were given in problem for carrying shorts and no longer bikini bottoms.
BLACKWELL: Keep the main aspect the main component. We’re here to play volleyball and what’s the other recreation?
CAMEROTA: I do not know, I’ve without a doubt forgotten. What turned into the lengthy soar?
BLACKWELL: Let’s attention, handball. Yes.
CAMEROTA: Women’s handball and the lengthy soar.
BLACKWELL: I do not care in case you wear sweatpants and Birkenstocks, simply play.
CAMEROTA: Well, kind of, I imply I feel when you have our bodies like theirs, the much less clothes the higher.
BLACKWELL: Yes.
CAMEROTA: That’s my feeling.
BLACKWELL: All right.
CAMEROTA: OK, then there are the beds for the Olympic athletes. They are made from cardboard. 2016 U.S. Olympic Medalist Paul Chelimo posted his concept.
This as aimed toward warding off intimacy amongst athletes.
Social media went berserk.
BLACKWELL: So, that is what I love about after I changed into analyzing this, the concept — and reading this from our reporting — that the beds with cardboard frames could be for anti-sex purposes and could disintegrate below the load of extra was quick debunked with the aid of an athlete. I flipped like, how did they do it? She jumped at the bed.
(LAUGHTER)
CAMEROTA: She was leaping at the mattress. I see wherein you mind went, Victor.
BLACKWELL:Sorry, guys. “The Lead’ with Pamela Brown, who’s in for Jake Tapper, starts offevolved proper now.