
04-29-21: Census, Vaccine distribution, Biden's Speech
Season 2021 Episode 87 | 27mVideo has Closed Captions
Additional seat in congress, Vaccine distribution numbers dwindle, Biden's Speech analysis
Arizona didn't gain an additional seat in Congress, surprising many. Representative Ruben Gallego explained why this possibly happened. The vaccine distribution numbers are dwindling. We discuss why this may be and the need for wider distribution of the vaccine. We talked to political analysts from both sides of the isle about Biden's first 100 days in office speech to congress.
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Arizona Horizon is a local public television program presented by Arizona PBS

04-29-21: Census, Vaccine distribution, Biden's Speech
Season 2021 Episode 87 | 27mVideo has Closed Captions
Arizona didn't gain an additional seat in Congress, surprising many. Representative Ruben Gallego explained why this possibly happened. The vaccine distribution numbers are dwindling. We discuss why this may be and the need for wider distribution of the vaccine. We talked to political analysts from both sides of the isle about Biden's first 100 days in office speech to congress.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[♪ THEME MUSIC ♪] >>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, ON ARIZONA HORIZON, CONGRESSMAN RUBEN GALLEGO TALKS ABOUT A POSSIBLE CENSUS UNDER-COUNT THAT COST THE STATE AN ADDITIONAL SEAT IN ON CRONKITE NEWS, A LOOK AT EFFORTS TO CHANGE IMMIGRATION POLICIES TO HELP MIGRANT WORKERS CROSS THE BORDER TO HELP HARVEST CROPS, AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, WHY A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER ON WOMEN ARE LEAVING THE WORKFORCE.
THAT'S ALL COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR ON ARIZONA PBS.
>>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."
I'M TED SIMONS.
ARIZONA'S ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE KATIE HOBBS SECRETARY OF STATE SENT AN ELECTION MACHINES EXPERT AND TWO OTHER OBSERVERS TO THE MARICOPA COUNTY AUDIT OF PARTICIPATAL VOTES.
THEY WILL HAVE OBSERVERS ON-SITE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE AUDIT PROCESS.
THIS COMES AS THE BRENNAN CENTER, A NON-PARTISAN LAW AND POLICY GROUP IS ASKING FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO DEPLOY FEDERAL PERSONNEL TO THE COLLIE SEE R -- COLISEUM TO MONITOR THE PROCESS.
>>> THE AH DID POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF CYBER-NINJAS, THE LEAD TEAM CONDUCTING THE AH DID WERE MADE PUBLIC BY COURT ORDER TODAY.
THEY HAD UNTIL NOON TO APPEAL A JUDGE'S ORDER TO UNSEAL THOSE PRACTICES.
THERE WAS NO APPEAL.
THE DOCUMENTS WERE RELEASED, THOUGH THE FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION CLAIMS THAT CYBER-NINJAS IS STILL WITHHOLDING DOCUMENTS.
>>> THE STATE REPORTED 881 NEW CASES OF COVID TODAY.
THAT'S A LITTLE HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS DAYS.
THERE WERE 23 NEW FATALITIES CERTIFIED.
>>> U.S. MILITARY PLANES BEGAN LANDING IN INDIA TODAY WITH MORE THAN $100 MILLION WORTH OF SUPPLIES TO HELP WITH THEIR CATASTROPHIC COVID SURGES.
THE SUPPLIES INCLUDE 20 MILLION DOSES OF THE ASTRAZENECA VACCINE, WHICH HAS YET TO BE APPROVED IN THE U.S. >>> FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS ARE LOOKING INTO A MYSTERIOUS ATTACK INSIDE OF THE WHITE HOUSE.
SIMILAR INVISIBLE ATTACKS HAVE LEFT THOSE IMPACTED HIT WITH VERTIGO, EAR POPPING AND NAUSEA.
DEFENSE OFFICIALS THINK RUSSIA MAY BE BEHIND THE ATTACKS, BUT THEY ARE NOT SURE.
>>> THE RECENTLY RELEASED 2020 CENSUS RESULTS RAISED EYEBROWS TO NOT ALLOW ANOTHER SEAT FOR ARIZONA IN CONGRESS.
WE SPOKE TO CONGRESSMAN GALLEGO EARLIER TODAY ABOUT THE ISSUE.
GOOD TO SEE YOU.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS CENSUS COUNT.
ARIZONA FAILS TO GET AN ADDITIONAL CONGRESSIONAL SEAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 60, 70 YEARS, SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.
WHAT HAPPENED?
>> A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENED.
CERTAINLY TRUMP'S ACTIONS STOPPED SOME FAMILIES FROM ANSWERING THE CENSUS.
I THINK ALSO THE GOVERNOR DID NOT PUT PROPER INRECESSMENTS INTO, YOU KNOW, THE CENSUS.
IT'S ONE THING FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO SPEND THE MONEY, BUT ALSO THE STATE HAS TO BE A PART OF THIS.
AND THE STATE OF ARIZONA WAS NOT AT ALL PARTY TO THIS.
THEY HARDLY LIFTED A FINGER IN MY OPINION.
AND WE WARNED THERE WAS ON UNDER-COUNT, AND THIS IS THE END RESULT.
>> YEAH, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DID CELEBRATE AFTER ITS NUMBERS CAME OUT, SAYING THE HIGHEST COUNT IN DECADES.
THEY SEEM TO THINK THEY DID A GOOD JOB.
>> IT IS JUST LAUGHABLE.
IF YOU SEE THE GROWTH HAPPENING IN THE VALLEY, AND THE HIGH-RISES HAPPENING IN MY DISTRICT AND TO SAY WE'RE NOT GROWING AS FAST AS OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, IT'S CLEARLY AN UNDERCOUNT ISSUE.
AND MAYBE IN THE END THEY WANTED AN UNDER-COUNT, FOR ALL I KNOW, BUT IT HAS VERY NEGATIVE EFFECTS.
NOT JUST POLITICALLY, BUT MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MISSED EVERY YEAR BECAUSE OF THE SHOTTY WORK OF THIS GOVERNOR.
>> YEAH, IT SURE SEEMS LIKE THINGS WERE UNDER-COUNTED HERE.
DID THE PANDEMIC PLAY ANY PART?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
LOOK, TRUMP AND GOVERNOR DUCEY HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY, BUT THE MAJORITY OF THIS RESPONSIBILITY IS ALSO THE PANDEMIC, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY WAS RAGING THROUGH WHILE WE WERE TRYING TO DO THE CENSUS, AND PARTICULARLY IN TWO POPULATIONS, NUMBER 1 THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY, AND THE LATINO COMMUNITY.
>> AND I SAW A QUOTE FROM YOU THAT THIS WAS AN INTENTIONAL PART OF TRUMP'S LEGACY.
>> YEAH, INTENTIONAL, BECAUSE IN SOME REGARD, DONALD TRUMP BELIEVED IF REDISTRICTING INCLUDED THE UNDOCUMENTED, AND A LOT OF UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE HAVE U.S. CITIZENS, THAT THE STATES THAT ARE TRENDING BLUER WILL GET MORE CONGRESSIONAL SEATS, SO THIS IS HIS HOPE OF BASICALLY TRYING TO TURN THAT AROUND.
HOW DOES THAT REALLY COME OUT?
WE DON'T KNOW YET.
WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL WE GET THE BREAK DOWN.
BUT ON THE SURFACE IT CERTAINLY COST HIM SOME CONGRESSIONAL SEATS TOO IN TEXAS AND FLORIDA.
SO THIS IS WHY YOU DON'T BE POLITICAL WITH THE CENSUS, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY IT IS AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
IT SAYS VERY CLEARLY, THE CENSUS IS TO COUNT EVERY SINGLE PERSON LIVING IN THE COUNTRY.
>> YOUR THOUGHTS ON PRESIDENT BIDEN'S SPEECH LAST NIGHT.
PRETTY AMBITIOUS.
WAS IT TOO AMBITIOUS, POLITICALLY, AND REALISTICALLY?
>> WE HAVE LEARNED AS DEMOCRATS WHEN YOU UNDERSHOOT AND TRY TO TEMPER YOUR AGENDA IN HOPES OF GARNERING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, YOU GET NEITHER THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT OR THE PROJECT DONE EITHER.
AND WE END UP LOSING MOMENTUM.
SO THE GOAL OF PRESIDENT BIDEN IS TO GET THINGS DONE, AND HOPEFULLY HAVE REPUBLICANS HELP HIM ALONG THE WAY, BUT IF THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE HELPFUL, THEN HE WANTS TO GET THINGS DONE.
>> THIS PARTICULAR A MONTH AFTER THE RESCUE PLAN OUT THERE.
IS THIS TOO MUCH, TOO QUICKLY?
>> NO, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO RESTART THE ECONOMY.
LAST THING WE WANT TO DO IS TO FIND OURSELVES IN A SLOW RECOVERY.
NUMBER 2, WE ALSO WANT TO RESTART THE AMERICAN FAMILY ECONOMY.
WHAT WE SAW AFTER THE 2008 RECESSION, INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES CAN TAKE DECADES TO REALLY RECOVER FROM THESE ECONOMIC COLLAPSES, RIGHT?
SO AGAIN, WE CAN'T HAVE THAT.
SO HOW DO WE PAY FOR THIS?
WE PAY FOR IT BY TAXING THOSE THAT HAVE DONE EXTREMELY WELL, AND GIVING IT INTO SERVICES AND DIRECT PAYMENTS, IF WE HAVE TO, TO THE WORKING CLASS, RIGHT?
SO THAT WAY THAT FAMILY CAN AFFORD TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO A GOOD DAY CARE AND AFFORD TO WORK AT THE SAME TIME, AND YOU CAN ALSO -- OF COURSE ALSO BUILD UP WE WHOLE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT COMES WITH IT.
>> CONGRESSMAN THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK >>> UP NEXT, POLITICAL ANALYSTS OFFER THEIR THOUGHTS ON PRESIDENT BIDEN'S FIRST SPEECH TO CONGRESS.
>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN GAVE HIS FIRST PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH TO CONGRESS LAST NIGHT, AND EMPHASIZED OPTIMISM AS HE OUTLINED A NUMBER OF AMBITIOUS SPENDING PLANS ON EDUCATION, CHILD CARE, INFRASTRUCTURE AND MORE.
WE ASKED POLITICAL ANALYSTS CHUCK COUGHLIN AND KARL GENTLES FOR THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE SPEECH.
GENTLEMEN, GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SPEECH LAST NIGHT.
KARL WE'LL START WITH YOU.
AMERICA IS ON THE MOVE AGAIN.
THE RIGHT TONE FOR A FIRST SPEECH?
>> YEAH, I DO THINK IT WAS THE RIGHT TONE.
HE CERTAINLY LAID OUT ALL OF HIS TRANSFORMATIONAL ISSUES LAST NIGHT.
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WHO ELECTED HIM INTO OFFICE EXPECTED.
>> CHUCK, TALK ABOUT THE TONE AGAIN HERE.
TURNING CRISIS INTO OPPORTUNITY, SETBACK INTO STRENGTH.
DOES THAT RING ENOUGH BELLS THERE?
>> IT DOES, BUT THE PRESIDENT GOT ELECTED BY A VERY, VERY NARROW MARGIN, BECAUSE MOST OF THE COUNTRY WAS UNHAPPY WITH THE LARGEST VOTER TURNOUT MACHINE IN HISTORY, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE THE INCUMBENT PRESIDENT.
AND NOW HE IS TRANSFORMING THE WAY AMERICA HAS BEEN INTO SOMETHING ELSE.
AND I THINK IT'S WAY TO BIG OF A BET.
I UNDERSTAND THAT TRADITIONALLY -- THERE WILL BE 800,000 FEWER VOTERS IN ARIZONA IN THE NEXT GUBERNATORIAL CYCLE, AND IT WILL BE OLDER AND MORE REPUBLICAN, SO IF HE HAS TO KEEP HIS BASE MOTIVATED, THAT'S WHAT HE IS DOING HERE.
HE IS MAKING A GIANT BET.
BUT I'M BETTING THAT THIS IS GOING TO MAKE OLDER VOTERS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, AND HE IS GOING TO PUT ALL OF THE CHIPS ON THE TABLE FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS, AND LOSE BOTH HOUSES.
>> THIS SPEECH, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RESHAPING SOCIETY AND GOVERNMENT.
THIS IS PRETTY RADICAL STUFF.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S SO RADICAL.
THE PANDEMIC HAS OBLITERATED THIS ECONOMY.
IT HAS OBLITERATED WORKING FAMILIES AND THEIR PERSONAL ECONOMY, SO THESE ARE BOLD THINGS THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN TO GET US BACK ON TRACK.
I HAPPEN TO DISAGREE WITH CHUCK, AS YOU CAN PROBABLY IMAGINE.
I DON'T THINK THIS IS TOO MUCH OF AN ISSUE FOR THE -- FOR THE PRESIDENT AS WE GO INTO THE MIDTERM.
I THINK IT IS GOING TO SERVE UCH EXACTLY WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR AND TURN OUT MORE VOTERS TO KEEP THE HOUSE AND HOPEFULLY PICK UP SOME MORE SEATS.
>> AND CHUCK, THE IDEA THAT WE NEED TO SHOW THAT DEMOCRACY WORKS AGAIN, THAT GOVERNMENT CAN STILL DELIVER.
WE HAVEN'T HEARD THAT KIND OF TALK IN OOLONG L -- A LONG TIME.
>> IF THAT IS TRUE, YOU WOULD WANT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
I UNDERSTAND THE LESSON THAT I THINK KARL JUST TRIED TO SPEAK TO, WHEN OBAMA CAME THROUGH, HE GOT BEAT BADLY, AND ONE OF THE REASONS IS BECAUSE THE ECONOMY DID NOT RECOVER QUICKLY, AND THAT WAS A LONG HAUL OUT OF THAT BANKING CRISIS, BUT ALL OF THE ECONOMISTS SAID ABOUT THIS ONE, WE'RE HAVING A V RECOVERY.
WE HAVE ALMOST RECOVERED, I THINK, ALMOST ALL OF THE JOBS WE HAD LOST, AND WE'RE GROWING AGAIN.
SO IT'S NOT AS IF WE'RE IN THAT '09, BE THEY ARE USING THE PRETEXT OF THAT '08, '09 TO DRIVE THIS IDEALOGICAL AGENDA, AND I DON'T THINK VOTERS -- PARTICULARLY OLDER VOTERS ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT, TED.
IT'S A VERY NEW ROLE FOR GOVERNMENT TO BE IN, AND I THINK YOU'LL HAVE A HARD TIME SELLING IT IN THE FALL.
>> THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE HAD GOVERNMENT INTERVENE WHEN WE HAVE BEEN IN A NATION'S CRISIS.
THIS ISN'T GOING TO DERAIL THE NATION.
IT IS GOING TO PROP UP THE NATION, BECAUSE FAMILIES HAVE BEEN CRUSHED BY THIS PANDEMIC.
BIDEN IS TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT WILL HELP THE INFRASTRUCTURE GO FORWARD, INCLUDING CHILD CARE AND OTHER THINGS THAT AREN'T TYPICALLY PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
>> AND I GET THAT.
THERE'S PART OF THE FREE ENTERPRISE ECONOMY HERE THAT JEFF FLAKE GOT ELECTED ON, THAT DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE.
PARTICULARLY UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP, WHEN HE SIGNED UP FOR SOME OF THESE POLICIES.
THE CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT ISSUE, THAT WAS ORIGINALLY A THEN SPEAKER RYAN PLAN, AND NOW SOME OTHER SENATORS HAVE PICKED UP ON THAT, BUT IT'S THE SCOPE THAT IS GOING ON HERE THAT IS UNPRECEDENTED.
THERE ARE PROGRAMS THAT CAN BE SUPPORTED, MAYBE BY TEN REPUBLICANS.
I DON'T KNOW QUITE FRANKLY THE REPUBLICANS HAVE FOUND THEIR FOOTING ON THIS EITHER.
I WITNESSED SENATOR SCOTT'S SPEECH YESTERDAY, AND THERE WASN'T MUCH NEW THERE.
SO IN THE ABSENCE OF FEELING COMFORTABLE ABOUT THEM, THE ISSUE, AS I FEAR, WILL BECOME THE PRESIDENT'S AGENDA, AND WHAT WE DON'T LIKE ABOUT THAT.
AND NEITHER PARTY HAS REALLY CAPTURED A MAJORITY OF AMERICA THAT WE CAN RELY ON.
>> KARL?
>> I THINK IN ORDER FOR THE PRESIDENT TO GET HIS AGENDA THROUGH, IT IS OBVIOUS HE IS GOING TO NEED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO GET IT DONE.
THE PRESIDENT IS IN THE LEAD POSITION TO GET AS MUCH AS WE WANTS THROUGH CONGRESS RIGHT NOW, BUT HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO COMPROMISE, AND BRING OVER SOME REPUBLICANS TO SUPPORT SOME OF THE AGENDA, AND THAT MEANS HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE AWAY SOME THINGS TO GET SOME THINGS.
>> CHUCK, ARE THERE REPUBLICANS OUT THERE ANYMORE -- OR PREPARED TO TIPTOE ACROSS THE AISLE A LITTLE BIT HERE, AND WORK WITH THIS PRESIDENT ON THINGS?
>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT BEING IN ARIZONA.
WE HAVE TWO SENATORS THAT ARE IN VERY UNIQUE POSITION TO DO THAT.
I BELIEVE YOU'LL SEE SOME THINGS FROM SENATOR SINEMA, AND SENATOR KELLY THAT WILL ADDRESS THIS MULTI-TRILLION DOLLARS PACKAGE HERE.
BECAUSE HE IS UP IN TWO YEARS.
IT'S NOT A BLUE STATE.
IT'S MORE OF A PURPLE STATE.
WE HAVE ELECTED TWO SENATORS THAT HAVE PLEDGED TO BE THEIR OWN PERSON, MUCH LIKE SENATOR McCAIN WAS, SO HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE THAT SPACE?
IT'S INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT.
>> KARL DO YOU DO HORSE TRADING OR MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES?
>> I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION OF THE TWO.
IF HE CAN DO HORSE TRADING AND GET WHAT HE WANTS, THAT'S FANTASTIC.
BUT THE BIPARTISAN NATURE OF CONGRESS WILL MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DO ANYTHING, MUCH LESS HORSE TRADING, SO WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE, BUT I THINK IF THERE ISN'T ANY BIPARTISANSHIP THAT COMES OUT OF THIS, I THINK CHUCK IS RIGHT, IT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION.
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US GENTLEMEN.
>> ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOUR CREW.
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU GUYS AS WELL.
>> YOU BET.
TAKE CARE.
ALL RIGHT.
>> THANK YOU.
♪ >>> ARIZONA'S VACCINATION RATES ARE TAILING OFF AS THE NUMBER OF NEW CASE OF COVID-19 IS SHOWING A SLIGHT INCREASE.
FOR THE LATEST ON THESE AND OTHER CONCERNS, WHICH SPOKE WITH FORMER STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR WILL HUMBLE.
WILL, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
LET'S TALK ABOUT ARIZONA VACCINATION RATES.
THE NUMBERS ARE DECLINING.
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?
>> WE WERE ON A REALLY GOOD ROLL ALL THROUGH FEBRUARY, MARCH, FIRST PART OF APRIL, AS THE VACCINES BECAME MORE AVAILABLE, ALL OF THE VACCINES WERE TAKEN, BUT WE HAVE REACHED, I THINK, A PEAK, ABOUT APRIL 10TH, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IN WHICH THE PEOPLE WHO WERE HIGHLY MOTIVATED TO GET VACCINATED HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THEIR GOAL, AND NOW WE'RE REACHING MORE DIFFICULT TO REACH POPULATIONS, INCLUDING PEOPLE WHO NEED MORE RESOURCES TO GET VACCINATED, AND THEN PEOPLE WHO STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT GETTING VACCINATED.
SO WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR STRATEGIES FROM WHAT THEY WERE, WHICH WERE THESE BIG GIANT VACCINATION SITES, MORE THWARTS -- CRAFTED APPROACHES TO GETTING PEOPLE VACCINATED.
>> I WONDER ABOUT HESITATION, BECAUSE I'M HEARING A LOT OF FOLKS AREN'T GETTING THEIR SECOND DOSES, A LOT OF YOUNGER PEOPLE AREN'T GETTING VACCINATED AT ALL.
IS DISTRIBUTION, HESITATION?
IS IT THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE?
>> I KNOW FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE, RESEARCH SHOWS THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO WALK INTO A PHARMACY WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT.
THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO PLAN.
SO FOR THEM IT'S ABOUT CONVENIENCE.
AND FOR OTHERS IT'S ABOUT GETTING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, AND FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU JUST MENTIONED THAT STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VACCINE, WHAT YOU COULD CALL THE VACCINE HESITANT, THEY NEED TO TALK TO THEIR NURSE PRACTITIONER OR DOCTOR.
YOU HAVE TO CLOSE THE DEAL RIGHT THEN AND THERE, SO IT'S DIFFERENT STRATEGIES, WHEREAS AT THE BEGINNING IT WAS A ONE-SIZE FITS ALL MASS VACCINATION CLINIC.
>> WE'RE HEARING REPORTS OF FOLKS WHO HAVE GOTTEN THE VACCINE, AND THEY ARE TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID?
>> WELL, HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE VACCINES FROM THE REAL WORLD, POST CLINICAL TRIAL.
WE KNOW THESE VACCINES, PFIZER AND MODERNA ARE 90% EFFECTIVE IN THE FIELD.
AND 80% EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING COVID ILLNESS AFTER ONE DOSE.
AND 100% EFFECTIVE AT KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITALS AND SAVING THEIR LIVES.
SO AM I CONCERNED?
NO, I'M DELIGHTED, BECAUSE AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS, I WAS SAYING IF WE COULD GET A VACCINE THAT WAS 70% EFFECTIVE, I WOULD BE HAPPY?
WELL, WE HAVE TWO THAT ARE 90% EFFECTIVE.
SO I'M DELIGHTED.
>> WHAT IS GOING ON IN INDIA IS AN ABSOLUTE CATASTROPHE, AND WE DON'T KNOW IF ANY VARIANTS ARE GOING TO COME OF THIS.
ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT WE COULD GET HIT WITH A WHOLE BUNCH OF NEW STUFF?
>> I'M SUPER CONCERNED ABOUT NOT JUST INDEA, BUT THE WHOLE DEVELOPING WORLD, BECAUSE EVERY TIME THIS VIRUS REPLICATES, INFECTS A NEW PERSON, IT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO MUTATE INTO A NEW VARIANT.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE NEED TO GET THIS VACCINE INTO THE DEVELOPING WORLD BEFORE D TAKE FOR FOR EXAMPLE INDIA, THERE IS A BILLION PEOPLE IN INDIA.
LET'S SAY THEY HAVE 250 MILLION INFECTIONS OVER THE NEXT MONTH.
THAT COULD HAPPEN.
THAT IS 250 MILLION CHANCES TO DEVELOP A NEW VARIANT.
SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET VACCINES TO THE DEVELOPING WORLD JUST FOR THE ETHICS OF IT, BUT IT IS ALSO IN OUR OWN SELF INTEREST.
>> AND LAST QUESTION HERE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A VARIANT POPS UP OR NOT.
LAST YEAR WHEN THE SUMMER HIT, ARIZONA BECAME A HOT SPOT.
ARIZONA'S SUMMER IS ALMOST LIKE MOST PEOPLE'S WINTER, BECAUSE THEY DON'T GO OUTSIDE.
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SUMMER?
>> NO.
UNLESS A VARIANT COMES OUT OF SOMEWHERE LIKE INDIA THAT ESCAPES THE ANTIBODIES.
SO I'M NOT WORRIED THE WEATHER OR ANOTHER WAVE UNLESS THERE IS A VARIANT.
>>> AND CDC NEW MASK GUIDELINES, SOUND RIGHT TO YOU?
>> YES, AND I'M GLAD THEY DID THAT, BECAUSE THEY BASED IT ON EVIDENCE, AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE THEY ARE GIVING THEIR GUIDANCE BASED ON EVIDENCE, AND WHEN PEOPLE SEE THAT, IT'S EASIER TO GET COMPLIANCE AND ADHERENCE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WILL HUMBLE.
THANK YOU, SIR.
>> THANKS, BYE.
>>> AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.
I'M TED SIMONS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.
♪

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