Transcripts For FOXNEWSW Your World With Neil Cavuto 20201119

Make of these spikes in cases and what we might be hearing out of the Coronavirus Task force and later on what we might be hearing out of the president elect and how he plans to address it and what if any cooperation between the two we are seeing right now in terms of exchanging information and the like. Let gospels first to Kristin Fisher at the white house. When we might be getting out of the task force and who will be in on that . Kristin . Hey, neil, well, this is a big deal. This is the first time that the white houses Coronavirus Task force has briefed the public in about four months. And it comes this really critical time in the nations response to this pandemic as the death toll here in the United States passes that 250,000 mark. Really hard to believe. Now we are still not entirely sure who all is going to be doing this briefing. But, the announcement was put out by the Vice President s office so there is a very good chance the Vice President mike pence is going to be there. And in terms of topics, you can expect the recent news the recent good news about these vaccines to be front and center. In fact the vp tweeted about it just yesterday saying that President Donald Trump promised the American People a safe and effective vaccine by the end of 2020 and he delivered because of his leadership in operation warp speed. Pfizer completed its trial with the vaccine that is 95 effective on patients, including seniors. Now, dr. Anthony fauci agrees that this vaccine news is very encouraging but at the same time he is also urging all americans to not get complacent with that good news especially when you are heading into the holidays. So, we dont want there to be a signal to the community that we have a vaccine so let down your guard. No, it should actually be an incentive to double down until we get everybody vaccinated. Now another member of the Task Force Admiral says we are approaching the worse part of the pandemic. Hospitals filling up. Bringing back restrictions and schools are closed in new york city. Cdc recommending against traveling over the thanksgiving holiday. Now as woe watch this live shot from inside the Briefing Room, you think about President Trump and you have to wonder if he is going to be there. As of now, there are no plans for him to be in that room but, as you know, neil, he can always pop into the Briefing Room at a moments notice if he chooses to do. So neil . Neil all right, kristin, thank you very, very much. I want to go to dr. What he thinks of all these promising vaccines third one out there working its way through the system and potentially a fourth. The doctor Tulane University school of medicine pulmonary and Critical Care specialist. Doctor, thank you for taking 9 time. I do brexit it. I do appreciate it. Sure thi. Neil i understand testing and all of that but it seems to be happening in place where there were restrictions as well as places where there werent restricts. And in europe, countries that are done their darndest to be ahead of this curve that are right now being sucked into it. Whats going on . You know, its tough to really give a single answer. I dont think there is one, right . Its multifactorial. There is multiple things going on. Part of this could be the Colder Weather starting out. People spending more time inside. A lot of it complacency we are all guilty of this in some aspects where we have let our guard down in some aspects. All it does take one example of that and one person gets it and spreads it to five or ten more. And i think that, along with some of the weather is what im worried about maybe doing. This i agree we dont have a Silver Bullet or exact explanation for it. Neil you know, doctor, besides the good news we got with pfizer and moderna that working on very promising vaccines that could be out for emergency use within a matter of weeks. We learned right now that as that zeneca, working in conjunction with oxford had something that could be readily available as well and that johnson and johnson isnt that far behind with its own treatment. How does that enter into the mix and should americans be optimistic whatever is going on with these spikes should be short lived. As others have said putting our guard up heading higher into the holiday break into cold weather around the world actually. We shouldnt be letting our guard down and taking extra precautions although these vaccines are really exciting for many reasons, safety is a big reason. So many patients. So many people receive them and we dont seem to have any major bad outcome so far. And at least in among a few hundred patients so far it, seems like they are quite effective. We still need to see the data. This is all from press release. Assuming its reliable i think there is reason to be excited about it and hopeful. Now is the time with this spike in cases to really not let our guard down and really hunker down and try to live this out just like we would any other pandemic. Neil doctor, you in that camp had said the smaller thanksgiving celebrations some states are advocating fewer than 10 Family Members or friends be gathered in a single household. Are you for it . Do you think that is a good idea . Oh, absolutely. You know, and the numbers that are thrown around, 6 feet, 10 people, whatever that is arbitrary numbers that someone is essentially making up. Now hopefully its a good opinion. But, smaller number of people is definitely the way to go. Admission that is outside that is the way to go. With the cold weather again does limit you. Any sort of increased ventilation that you can, maskwearing and avoiding travel and honestly avoid getting together if you can tolerate it. Its just adding up your risk and benefit ratio is whatever you are doing worth the risk of getting the disease and either spreading it to someone who could get really sick from it or you yourself. Neil got it. Doctor, thank you very much. I do appreciate you taking the time, sir. I want to go to dr. Congressman combines congressman buddy carter the beautiful state of georgia. Only a few things going on there, huh . Anyway he is with the g. O. P. s doctors caucus pfizer Clinical Trial participant as well. I appreciate everything that you have been going through dealing that you could take the time. What do you make of these vaccines that are out there, youre part of that pfizer Clinical Trial. There are at least three other biomedical drug concerns that are working on treatments of their own. Are you optimistic . Im very optimistic. I think the news that he would getting is tremendous. And, you know, i cannot say enough to the administration. To operation warp speed, and what they have accomplished here. I have worked through this process in my professional career as a pharmacist. And i know how stringent and how detailed this is. And i also know that the fda has not compromised that any at all. So, when this does come out, and it should be shortly, and when it does come out, im convinced were going to have a safe and effective vaccine. So convinced that im doing it myself. Neil what are the worries though, congressman, i mean you know this stuff inside and out. A lot of people in this country are still leary of taking any vaccine. Now, a lot of it might be the fact that its been a political football. I get that but even prior to that, there was a reticence on the part of many to take a vaccine, especially one thats just out. Its been untested. Even though it has been tested. Especially in your case with pfizer one that had thousands of people participating. But they are leary. What do you tell them . Well, first of all, this is not mandatory, i would strongly suggest they look at it and consider it. One of the greatest medical breakthroughs ever. In our lifetime. And certainly they have saved so many more lives and surely you are going to have some side effects. There is no question about that. And thats where we have to trust the fda. These great scientists who work at the fda that make certain that there is not going to be anything thats going to cause harm to people. Otherwise, they wouldnt allow it to be on the market and it is going to be effective. And what we are hearing that its 95 effective. That is phenomenal. Neil while do i have you before we go, congressman. I would be remiss if i didnt mention whats going on in your state. I think there is something about a hand count going on as well as two Senate Runoff races as if your state doesnt have enough to deal with. Im just wondering what you make of all of this and where its going and the battle with the secretary of state both republican candidates say he has got to go. The president has had dust ups with him. Confusion over whether this process is even changing anything. Whether the margin might be smaller. But it looks like joe biden will still win the state. Your thoughts . Well, certainly its disappointing. But i do thank the secretary of state for the request of the Trump Campaign as well as the Georgia Republican party and having a hand recount. It is important whether you are a democrat, republican, or independent that you have faith in the system in the electoral process. All of us, all of us want a fair and transparent process. And we need to have faith in that. Some things have been turned up. 2600 people in floyd county their voices were not heard. Their votes were not counted. Thats unacceptable. They deserve to have their voice heard. Those are the kind of things that we need to check on and having this recount gives us the opportunity to do that. Is it going to overturn the results . It doesnt look like its going to be enough to. But, its important to understand that we learn from it and we try to avoid those mistakes in the future. Neil do you think the time has come then where we are close to the time coming where the president has to just say all right, i have exhausted this, its time we recognize joe biden as the next president of the United States . Well, certainly thats up to the Trump Campaign and up to the president himself. I appreciate the president challenging this. This has been a razor thin election here and razor thin margin and certainly he has every right and every responsibility to question it. There have been some things that are very questionable here. Neil all right. Congressman, im sorry about that. Thank you very much, sir. Be healthy, goo healthy, good lh everything. I want to go to congressman James Clyburn right now the House Minority whip South Carolina congressman. I have often called him the king maker for joe biden he wouldnt be president without this gentleman. Of course clyburn never takes credit for that anyway it is true. Congressman, very good to have you with us. What do you make right now of this transition process, whether the legal window is now, you know, closing on the president and what he should do now . Well, thank you very much for having me, neil. You know, i dont make much of this. I think that the president really ought not be putting the country through this. We are suffering from a pandemic, Something Like we have not seen in over 100 years. And for us not to be able to move along with getting our arms around us, and i just think that we have too companies now that seem to be ready or soon will be ready with a vaccine. And we need to get that vaccine here. And if the president really wants to see this countrys economy come back, he would be working. Neil congressman, im jumping on you. I apologize, sir. But the president elect is speaking now. Were going to go to joe biden. Pointed out have just concluded a Video Conference with the executive leadership of the National Governors conference. Included Governor Cuomo, new york governor hutchison, governor hogan, governor whitmer, governor ivey, governor polis, and governor baker, governor lieu hand grisham, governor herbert and governor carney. And it was really a worthwhile undertaking. They have had to make some tough calls through this unprecedented crisis. And we are incredibly grateful for everything they have done and keep doing to keep their community safe. Unfortunately because of the lack of acertainment as they say which thats a fancy word these days but until the head of the gsa says that we, in fact, are Transition Team our team the senator and i have, in fact, are the likely winners and until she does that we dont have access to all the information that we need to get from all the various agencies we are not able to guidance all important issue of Vaccine Distribution and even more importantly vaccination plan to actually get vaccinati vaccinations we havent been able to get into operation warp speed but we will take what we have learned today and build it into our planning the country is still in a crisis and there is a dark winter still ahead yesterday america reached another tragic milestone 250,000 deaths a quarter of a Million People died due to covid19. There are empty chairs and dining room tables were filled just days and weeks ago with loved ones, family, friends who laughed and talked together. To those families and friends left behind, jill and i send our love and our prayers. We know like many of you do how tough it is to find purpose in the memory of a loved one you just lost. It will take time but you will find it. You will find it. And well and you will find your purpose as we are going to find our purpose for our nation as a nation now i promise you. I promise you that we will Work Together there is a great meeting we had today. All the governors, no matter their political party, whether they are from whatever part of the country they represented, no matter their political philosophy, shared a strong and abiding sense and a common purpose. There was a real desire for Real Partnership between the states and the federal government. Each of the governors emphasized that we might be democrats and republicans but we are allamericans first. They congratulated us heartedly for our win. What pleased me is governors made clear that beating covid19 is going to require all of us working together as one country. Kamala and i agree we are we were deeply impressed with how much consensus there was how to move forward among the governors. What we need to do now is how how we need to do it in what coordinated way can it be done . We discussed a number of critical ways we can Work Together and unify around a Natural National approach to control covid19. First, delivering Economic Relief to the cities, states and tribal communities. The lost revenue from covid and the cost of Covid Recovery is devastating to state and local governments. As governors as all have come together. We have come to come together. The federal government has to deliver this relief sooner rather than later and with flexibility for the states to meet their needs. This includes helping businesses, schools, working families from Unemployment Benefits to Early Education continued access to affordable healthcare all of that is needed during this pandemic states and communities shouldnt have to lay off teachers, cops, firefighters, cut Vital Services for families and businesses. The second thing there was uniform agreement on, delivering a safe and equitable and free vaccine. The governors agreed a massive undertaking. One of the massive shakes we will one statistic that was raised by the governors, it took 8 months to provide 100 million covid tests. 8 months to provide covid tests. Just imagine how much more difficult it will be, they pointed out, if we dont find a more efficient and effective way to provide 330 million vaccinations. Put it in perspective. They made the point we cant wait. Thats what the governors are raising. In the meeting we discussed the challenges that lie ahead in distributing and administering the vaccine. The governors talked about how getting doses of vaccine distributed is just one step. We have to actually get vaccinations into the arms of 330 million americans. That takes enormous resources, people, we discussed difficulty of that task. Its going to take time, its going to take coordination. Its going to take the federal government and state governments working hand in glove, working together. Governor the governors all emphasized we need to be clear with the American People about what to expect. No false expectation. Let them know what we anticipate. They all acknowledge that this is going to take a Massive Public education campaign. And we also need to reach traditionally under served communities that are being hardest hit by the pandemic black, brown, latino, latin american community, native American Communities. Small towns, Rural Communities. They talked about that in some detail. Thirdly, we discussed the need to help states with title 32 funding for the National Guard. Thats a fancy way of saying governors, governors need to be able to get funding when they when they when they need and bring their National Guard in to play. National guard is going to have to play. This it costs a lot of money. And governors need that paid for. Governors discuss the need for funding when waving certain fema fees. The fact is that this is a national emergency. These what fema is supposed to deal with. Our view is that should be done when it comes to deploying the National Guard or covid real relief that should be paid for. Thats something kamala and i will be very focused on. Fourthly, we discussed the implementation of a National Mask mandate. 10 governors democratic and republican need for mass masks north southeast and west is not a political statement. Its a patriotic duty. Fifth, we discussed making testing more available and accessible. Anyone who wants a test should be able to get one, period. And finally, while we focused on the immediate needs to control the virus, the governors also raised and talked about how much we have to build back better, especially on infrastructure and education and so much more. This is not a oneoff meeting. I committed we committed. We agreed that we will continue to work and meet with the governors on a regular basis. Continue to seek the input and that our covid teams will follow up and coordinate on issues coming out of that call. Because some of them have very competent people on their covid teams in their states. The bottom line we can do this, there is nothing beyond our capacity but we have to come together as a country. What this meeting along with others we have had reinforces in my view is the unity the country is looking for. We are looking for us to come together and deal with problems, most of which have no ideological basis for disagreement. Thats what we have to do. Thats what the governors talked about. It really was pleasing to hear them. I want to thank you all and may god bless you all and those who lost someone, you are in our prayers. May god protect our troops. Im happy to take a few questions. And my boss is going to tell me who that is. Thank you, mr. President elect. I know you mentioned the Economic Impact and talked a bit about the relief package you wanted. I was wondering if we could talk about things that you will be able to do just as president or what will govern your decision in terms of the economy . I was wondering if i could ask what kind of framework you are thinking about as you decide about a treasury secretary going forward. Whether you would consider have you said during the debates that you wanted to punish china over the way that they have been acting. Whether that could include economic sanctions or tariffs toward china and finally, do you think a strong dollar helps or hurts the u. S. As we are grappling with historic unemployment . Well, look, let me try to take them one at a time. You will soon hear my choice for treasury. I have made that decision. We have made that decision. And you will hear that either just before or just after thanksgiving, number one. And you will find it is someone who i think is will be accepted by all elements of the Democratic Party progressive to the moderate coalitions secondly, its not so much about punishing china about making sure china understands they have got to play by the rules. Simple proposition. So thats one of the reasons why we are going to we join the world health organization. We are going to rejoin on day one as well and it needs reform i acknowledge and rejoin the paris climate accord. We have to make sure that the rest of the world and we get together and make sure there are certain bright lines the chinese understand. We have to not only deal with this pandemic but a plan for the next one. The idea that viruses are going to go away is just not rationale. We are going to recalibrate and set up the institute the institutional structures we had in our administration obamabiden and build on it. And what was your third question . It was about the dollar, sir, whether you think a strong dollar will help or hurt with unemployment or generally just how you would like the Federal Reserve to sort of apronchts quite frankly, the way the Federal Reserve has been has been approaching the dealing with the dollar has, i think has been in a positive direction. Our Interest Rates are as low as they have been in modern history. And i think that is a positive thing. It lends credence to the possibility of us being able to expend the money and deficit spend in order to be able to generate Economic Growth right off the bat. And so i think its been positive so far. Thank you. Thank you, mr. President elect. You have said that if this transition doesnt get going, especially coordination on Vaccine Distribution, that lives will be lost. How many lives do you think are at risk here if this transition remains stalled . Well, look, have you heard the projections. The projections are that if nothing fund mentionly changes between now and beginning of february, we would likely lose a total of 400,000 lives. Another 150,000 lives. And so its real whether it gets to 360 or whatever its real. There is no excuse not to share the data and let us plan. Day one take time if we dont have access to all this data, its going to put us behind the 8 ball by a matter of a month or more. And thats lives. How many would be lost is a consequence of that, i cant tell you. Buts purpose here is to get we talked a lot about with the governors about what immediate needs are. We are going to impose we are going to enforce excuse me employ the defense reconstruct act to be able to go out there and dictate companies build and do following things. We need much more testing. We need much more masking. We need gloves. I asked them each to go and i asked the National Governors association through Governor Cuomo and the ones on the line said let us know what the shortages are what they anticipate. We are going to modify on day one. That should be moved on now. Now. But if it waits and takes a long time to get this thing going. And when you take a step back and you look at the way the president is handling, his refusal to concede, what do you think is really going on here in your view, mr. President elect, what do you think the president is doing . What are americans witnessing here . Let me choose my words. I think they are witnessing incredible irresponsibility, incredibly damaging messages being sent to the rest of the world about how democracy functions. And i think it is well, i dont know his motive but i just think its totally irresponsible. Are you concerned he may succeed that people might question the legitimacy of your administration. No, im not concerned the vast majority of the American People. They have already all the polling data indicated all the republicans worry about it is higher. Over 70 of the American People belief its without question its legitimate. I just think and i think most of the republicans i have spoken to including some of the governors think this is debilitating. It sends a horrible message about who we are as a country. Thank you, mr. President elect. Thank you Vice President elect harris. In person not on television. Yes. Appreciate it. You have said that lives could be lost if you dont start getting briefings from the Trump Administration and now here we are more than 250,000 lives could be lost. Given that, how do you justify not taking legal action to get the briefings that you say are critical, that you say you need . It would take a lot of time. It would take time. Its not going to speed it up considerably in my view. And, in the meantime, i am hopeful that im going to be able to get cooperation from our republican colleagues in the senate and the house as well as the governors to build a consensus as to how we proceed when we do. But why not use every tool in your toolbox to get the information that you say you need to do your job and to do it effectively on day one . I am making a judgment based on many years of experience and how to get things done with the opposition. Do you think you would win . My judgment is that it is well get further along by actually working with our republican colleagues now and because the time in which we would win would not materially change necessarily but its still an open question. Its an open question that could change. So you havent ruled it out. You havent ruled out legal action against the Trump Administration, against the gsa. We havent ruled it out. Okay. And given the death toll now, more than 250,000 americans who have now lost their lives, you have said that you would support a nationwide shutdown if scientists recommended it. No. Have you spoken to scientists now. Everybody asks that question every single time i stand here. It was a hypothetical question. The answer was i would follow the science. I am not going to shut down the economy, period. Im going to shut down the virus. Thats what im going to shut down. So that is ruled out . I sail it again, no national shutdown. No national shutdown. Because every region, every area, every community is can be different and so there is no circumstance which i can see that would require a total national shutdown. I think that would be counter productive. But, there are constraints in which the degree to which businesses can be open. For example, its one thing to say that you can have in a state that is where the infection rate is not as high you can have a gymnasium open its another thing to say it can only be open four hours a day with x number of people. The Catholic Church i go to they dont allow more than 40 of people come into the church. Those are rationale decisions. Its not shutting down everything. Its calibrating based on what the threat is. Thank you, mr. President elect. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Vice president president elect thank you mre president elect harris. What do you make of the fact that the president is having these calls with michigan county officials amid his bid to overturn the election he is going to be having also Michigan Republican legislators at the white house tomorrow. Is there anything that he is doing making you rethink your strategy . I know you say that you dont want to have legal action right now and what do you say to americans, especially immigrant americans who came to the United States looking for political stability and seeing all the things that the president is doing . Hang on. Im on my way. Thats what i say to them. Not a joke. And what the president is doing now is really its going to be another incident where he goal down in history as being one of the most irresponsible president s in american history. Its just out not even within the norm at all. Questions whether its even legal. But its going to be interesting to see who shows up in this call to meet with the leadership. And but this is going to we won michigan. Its going to be certified. Were going to end up making clear that they are making it clear that we won. And but it just i just its hard to fathom how this man thinks. And its hard to fathom im confident he knows he hasnt won and is not going to be able to win and we are going to be sworn in on january 20th. And i just you know, far for me to question his motive. Its just outrageous what he is doing. As he ups the things that he is doing, calling officials is, it making you rethink your strategy at all . Is there anything that he would be doing that would make you say okay we really have to go to court now . Or are you still watching what he is doing and saying we can still kind of wait and see what happens . Im not going to rule anything out or anything in. But at the moment, the strategy is not changing. And if i could ask a question to the Vice President elect would that be okay . Sure. Vice president elect harris you talked about your state, your state experience. My question is there anything that you heard from governors today that made you specifically concerned about vulnerable populations especially as i talk to americans who say i dont have the privilege to work from home, i dont have the privilege to social distancing if im living in a house with multigenerations . Are you did you hear anything that concerned you specifically and what can we do for that as a country . Well, as the president elect shared with everyone, we heard a lot from the governors, including that. Including the concern that africanamericans, latinos, native americans, people who live in Rural Communities, people who as groups of people have historically been under resourced and underserved and so there was consensus among the governors, bipartisan consensus that our federal strategy should reflect those concerns in a way that we support the states with the resources they will need to get to the folks who have been often overlooked or ignored. And the president elect, i think, has made it very clear that its one of our highest priorities to support that as you may know in the senate. I actually led what we call the Racial Disparities task force and that approach is something that well be incorporating in our administration to ensure that all people have equal access to resources but also taking it into account equitable distribution of resources based on need. Thank you president elect biden and Vice President elect harris. One thing to understand and we talked a lot about this and talked about it and talked about it when i was running, seeking the nomination as well. And that is that the idea of the brown, black, asianamerican, native American Communities are always the first ones hit the hardest and the last ones who are brought back. Were going to flip that around. Its going to be really important to determine priorities based upon access to the information thats available, access to everything from the vaccine to other opportunities to be able to deal with helping the country, part of the country that has been hurt the worst. You know, three times as many africanamericans have died than white americans have died from covid. There has to be a prioritization. Thats why i would like to know exactly what this administration has in mind in terms of their operation warp speed and how they plan. And thats what we talked about with the governors today. They all mentioned the need to focus on the communities that have been left behind. Particularly Governor Cuomo. Its one thing if, for example, vaccines are distributed to all the wall greens of america. Im not no criticism of wall greens but there is a lot of those facilities that arent in Rural Communities and are not in poor communities, africanamerican, latino communities. So we have got to make sure there is access for them. Thank you so much. Okay. Thank you. Do you have room for Bernie Sanders in your cabinet . Neil you have been listening to the president elect. A couple of news items here. He did talk about the fact that he is not interested even with the spikes in cases that we have seen in a entire national shutdown, he said he will not shut the economy down. He is trying to shut the virus down. He didnt distinguish how he would do things any differently than, for example are being done right now. Also a little bit of news saying he has already picked his treasury secretary. He didnt hint who that might be and when it came to these legal fights the Trump Campaign has had and the counts in michigan and georgia, et cetera. That he was confident that the certification is inevitable in michigan and we will win that call that a day here on but, again, he was more questioning the president s ongoing behavior to not call the election yet and make it very tough to transition particularly in the middle of this virus. I want to go to dr. Ahmed Health Metrics Professor University of washington, much. More. Doctor, always good to have you. The notion right now we are going to hear from the president of the United States Healthcare Task force. The Vice President leads that mike pence. We just heard from the president elect and the fact that right now the two sides are not talking or convening or sharing information does that worry you . It does. Its very dangerous. We need to sit down and talk to each other because what we have administration need to roll out the vaccine and need to know right now what are the plans and make sure everybody is ready to do their own jobs as soon as they take over. Neil all right. Doctor, we are going to hear from the officials very, very shortly. Im looking for the Vice President here. But does the spikes themselves worry you whats going on here . Exactly. We are seeing a rapid rise in cases and thats in the United States right now. And we advised actually our numbers projected all the way to march 1st upward unfortunately we lease these new numbers tomorrow. Very concerned about the rise in numbers. Also the threats on how our icus right now especially when it comes to the Holiday Season and many people are going to do thanksgiving really extremely worried and concerned. Neil any advice you have for those who a week from now will be celebrating thanksgiving . Keep it small . Keep it limited . What . If yo if you can cancel by al means cancel it. You can have another one but you cant have people back with you. Please isolate for 14 days. Make sure when you arrive and sit down with your loved ones at the same table you dont bring along covid19. Be careful. This could be a super spreader event if we dont do it right and better to cancel it if you can. Neil all right, in the meantime, a lot of vaccines that could be out in the next few weeks or months. Four Companies Competing for the honor. Two of course already getting attention pfizer and moderna news that working for oxford. I wonder with j and j in that mix whether they will be fielders choice early next year . Yes. The vaccines are very promising. We are so excited about the possibility of introducing vaccines sometime next month and most likely in january. Neil all right, doctor im jumping on you rudely i do appreciate it right now the Vice President the head of Coronavirus Task force. Good afternoon. We just completed our second meeting this week with members of the white house Coronavirus Task force and we have continued. We have continued to be on the same mission we have been on throughout the course of this year, and that is to save american lives, to work every day toward that day that we put the coronavirus in the past. Im joined today and you will hear in a few moments from members of the white house Coronavirus Task force including those that are leading the effort distribution, vaccinations under operation warp speed. And i think you will be as impressed as i was at fema earlier today when i heard the detailed plans for the virtually Immediate Distribution of vaccines when they become approved and available to the American People. From very early in this pandemic at the president s direction we have followed an approach to this pandemic that was federally supported state managed and locally executed. And to that end this past monday we completed our 41st Conference Call with all of the nations governors. Every state, every territory. There we spoke about our current as circumstances where we see cases and hospitalizations rising but we also continue to speak to them about expansion of testing, the availability of supplies and our ongoing efforts to continue to drive forward toward the development and the distribution of a vaccine for the American People. As we gather here today, with cases and hospitalizations rising across the country, President Trump directed us to host this briefing, to describe the ongoing work of our task force and our partnership with state and local officials and our partners in the private sector to continue to put the health of america first. But, first, let me begin, simply by saying that our hearts and our prayers are with all of those families that have been impacted. By the coronavirus over the course of the past 10 months. And let me say personally not a day has gone by that i havent thought personally about families that have lost loved ones. And i want to assure each of you that you will always be in our hearts and you will remain in our prayers. But we wanted to take this opportunity also to thank the American People for the extraordinary sacrifices that you have made over the course of the past 10 months. We have been through a lot together. We went through 45 days to slow the spread back when the Positivity Rate across this country was more than 20 . We managed to accomplish our objective. We slowed the spread. We flattened the curve. We saved lives. Anthem during the outbreak across the sun belt this summer when we saw positivity rise to nearly 10 , the American People, officials at the state and federal level stepped up again and we put that outbreak in the past. And even as we see help on the way, the vaccines being developed at historic pace, as i mentioned before as we gather today we are seeing cases and positivity rising across the country. But we approach this moment with the confidence of experience. We know the American People know what to do. We have forged a partnership that is truly seamless with state and local health authors. As we will describe to you today we have continued to work seven days a week all throughout this year and up to this very moment to make sure the American People have access to the healthcare that we would want any member of our family to have as we meet this pandemic. Now, cases are rising throughout the country. Positivity in the last 30 days has risen from an average of 5 to 10 . And to that end, we have continued the mobilization that began at President Trumps direction early this year. We increased testing from a standing start in the month of february to now as of today we have completed more than 170 million tests and we continue to approve new tests including an at home test that the fda just recently approved and were distributing more than 150 million tests to schools and Nursing Homes around america as we speak. Our mobilization of supplies you will hear described in great detail continues to surge each and every day. We actually are able to track ppe and supplies on a hospital by hospital basis. And so we are carefully monitoring. We are working with state officials, with hospital administrators to make sure hospitals have the support they need. Also as we gather more than 140 Clinical Trials for therapeutics continue to be underway but effective therapies are already available widely known among the American People. For those over the age of 70, were proud to report that we actually have decreased the fatality rate by more than 70 . Sings the heart breaking days of april. In may of this year, of course, as the president spoke last week in the rose garden, we launched operation warp speed focusing on accelerating the development, the manufacture and the distribution of a safe and effective vaccine and you will have an update today on the progress from two of our leading experts and those that are coordinating operation warp speed. What i want to say in the midst of all of this to the American People as we begin this briefing, is that with the massive increase in testing over the last 10 months, with ppe and medical supplies and equipment that are available to the American People, with the medicines and the therapeutics and very soon the vaccines that are available, america has never been more prepared to combat this virus than we are today. Our pledge to each and every american looking on today is we are going to work around the clock to keep it that way. Were going to make sure that hospitals that are seeing patients coming in on an increasing basis know that we are going to work around the clock to meet that need. And you have our continuing pledge and the practice of experience that we have had along the way. So in a few moments, you will hear from members of our team. Were going to begin with dr. Deborah birx who is going to describe what we are seeing in the rising cases. Literally every day from members of the task force begins with Detailed Analysis of whats happening across the country and she will give you our very best information on rising cases and hospitalizations. That information is summarized each and every week for the nations governors and provided to them in particular detail as well. After dr. Birx speaks, we have asked general David Sanford with fema to provide update on ongoing efforts to provide ppe and medical supplies to our hospital needs. Were literally going to make sure as i said that as we see cases rising that were meeting the needs in hospitals around america to stand up the response that any one of us would want a Family Member to be able to have access to. Then we have asked dr. Fauci to give us update on the incredible and historic progress on the development of vaccines. That seems like with good news happening every couple of days thats a great encouragement to the American People. Then general gus per maam will outline our distribution plans on operation warp speed. I was at fema today and received a detailed briefing about our distribution plans i asked general perna to come here today and make that preparation tpresn people and putting us in a position that literally the day after one of these vaccines is approved well be shipping vaccines to the American People and within a day after that, well be seeing those vaccines injcketted into americans with a particular focus on those most vulnerable and those that are providing healthcare to the American People. Finally, well talk with a bit about the way forward as state and local governments are continuing to act and take mitigation measures to slow the spread. You can assure them as we did governors again this week that we will support decisionmaking at the local level and well continue to support decisions that are made in each individual Community Based on the circumstances on the ground. With that being said, President Trump wanted me to make it clear that our task force, this administration and our president does not support another national lockdown. And we do not support closing schools. Yall hear from dr. Robert redfield of the cdc that actually the cdc never recommended that we close schools at any point this year and dr. Eleanor cats who also Substance Abuse at hhs. Every one of these cases we are going to give you the best information that we have up to this moment and i want to assure the American People as i trust that you will have a sense today that we are going to at this point to work around the clock to meet this moment. But help is on the way. We have every confidence in a short period of time we could have one or more safe and effective vaccine for the American People. As each of us does our part in partnership with state and local officials. Each of us does our part to look after our own families in our own communities, i believe the day is coming soon when we will put this coronavirus in the past. With that let me introduce dr. Deborah birx who will update us on cases and after that, after that we will get a presentation on the availability of supplies that we continue to make available to hospitals and Healthcare Providers around the country. Thank you mr. Vice president. Its really a moment that we want to call on every american to increase their vigilance. I want to go through some data about why we are asking people from nevada to Denver Colorado to philadelphia to Madison Wisconsin to el paso, texas and across this great nation to really increase their vigilance at this moment. I want to thank the governors and mayors and county commissioners that i would have had the privilege to talk to over the last four and a half months on the road. First slide, please. The number of universities, 42 states, 32 universities, and a large number of chair men from our tribal nations. The reason we wanted to really be be and hear is to understand the reality on the ground what they were facing and understand how we could be more supportive. And this is really a calltoaction for every american to increase their vigilance because of the graphic that is shown here. I wanted to show you the difference in slopes between the spring surge, the summer surge and the fall surge so the American People would know this is more cases, more rapidly than what we had seen before. But to also make it clear right before we do know what to do and we are asking every american to do those things today. The next slide shows our increase in test positivity. The light brown bars are the number of tests that are were performed. But even with the number and ever increasing number of tests performed you can see the increase in test positivity to around 10 . In some areas of the country, it is much higher than that. And it illustrates the Ongoing Community spread in your counties, in your small and large metros and in your rural areas. The next slide really shows the country as a whole and why we are asking every american to remain vigilant. To do those things that we have been asking you all to do to wear a mask, to physically distance, to continue your hand hygiene but really in this moment of bringing people together to really limit interactions indoors to immediate households when we see this level of Community Spread. Behind this level of Community Spread is a lot of asymptomatic cases. People are spreading the virus because they dont know theyre infected with the virus. And so people are coming together indoors. Everyone looks healthy, but among those individuals could be individuals that already are infected. Have no symptoms and are unknowingly spreading the virus to others. It is because of this asymptomatic spread that we have asked people to wear masks in indoors. And to ask people to wear masks when among others. But sometimes when we go indoors and we are with friends and family, we just assume that if you look okay you are okay. And now we know that over 50 of the individuals, particularly among those under 35 many could be infected and unknowingly spreading the virus. This virus increased so rapidly because there was an unusual cold snap that began in the Northern Plains and went down through the heartland whereas in the end of september beginning of october, large number of people moved indoors. So we have been going across the country to really tell them Midatlantic States and the northeast to really increase testing looking for these asymptomatic cases and i really want to thank the governors across this great land who have really heeded that call and set up what we call populations whether its nursing home staff, k12 teachers, whether its Community College students, county workers, specific businesses to really have routine weekly testing so that we can see the spread of this virus down to the zip code and really combat that with additional mitigation. The next slide shows what we have been talking about about the level of hospitalizations. And in this slide you can see the hospitalizations by the darkness of the color and i just want to make it clear what the Vice President talked about. We now can see every admission every day and i want to thank the hospitals who from july have been sending that data and improving that data and working with cdc so that we can see new admissions. We can see in patient status we can see icu status and we can see who is being admitted by age group. Right now its about 50 50 between those between 40 and 69 and those over 70. But you can see that we have some areas of the country in the hot red bright pink and these are the darkest red are those states that have more than 21 of their hospitals are covid patients. And the light there are still states in the green area. To all states that havent seen this surge, increase your test being among asymptomatic. When we did the 45 days stop the spread and asked each state to follow the grading criteria. That included looking for asymptomatic cases. With these new tests we have the capacity to expand testing to find those cases and stop the spread. We stopped the surge in the south through very targeted mitigations. Lets start with masks. Start with physical distancing and decrease family and friends gatherings where people come together and unknowingly spread the virus. I thank the mayors of miami, miami city and county. They were the ones that first in the summer really found how much asymptomatic spreading was occurring in household gatherings. As you bring together individuals, remember what the vicepresident talked about. Every american needs to be vigilant in this moment. Because we know that when you are, we can mitigate this virus and stop the spread together. Thank you, dr. Birx. We want the American People to know we have eyes on your local hospital. We know about admissions and the availability of icu beds and we know about supplies. Very early on, at the president s direction we set up the greatest National Mobilization since world war ii. That continues to this moment. And general David Sanford who has been with us every step of the way will brief you on the status of our supply chain and the reserves in your efforts to make sure our hospitals and Healthcare Facilities have the resources and the support to meet this moment. General. Mr. Vicepresident , thank you, sir. Dr. Birx, thank you maam. We are in a much better place and are improving on that capability. You will see from the slides behind me, we are continuing to grow our National Stockpile and our fema stocks to meet the requirements laid out by our states. We continue to expand on these to bridge the vaccine delivery to continue to protect our american population. Since the late summer we grew our personal protective equipment capabilities 10 to 15 times over precovid and to meet the surge requirements we expect from the current case load. The 4th column shows we have 4 months of surge capability for n95 masks. More masks are added every month. The stockpile and our fema stocks are ready to be the back stop when our states require assistance. Thats all built on a foundation. A strong, domestic medical industrial base. Something where we have been able to expand upon or build almost from scratch using your defense production act to provide the capabilities for American People not just now but into the future and for future crisis or medical events going down. The next slide, please. This is not done alone. We continue to work with our states, our fema administrator is constantly engaged with the governors and their staff. We reach out to the state Health Department officials and Emergency Management officials in the states to find out what their needs are and to help overcome their challenges and grow the state stock piles. Local execution and federal support. Between our states and the federal government we stand in a much better position than a month ago and more than