>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON," IT'S A DECLARATION WE'VE HEARD BEFORE FROM A PRESIDENT ABOUT THE PANDEMIC.

>> THIS IS A WAR-TIME UNDERTAKING.

>> Braude: BUT THIS TIME IT'S COMING WITH A SLEW OF ACTIONS AIMED AT ACTUALLY ADDRESSING THE CRISIS, FROM FEDERAL MASK MANDATES TO EXPANDED TESTING AND MORE MONEY FOR VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

WHILE WE WAIT, MASSACHUSETTS DROPS EVEN FURTHER BEHIND IN GETTING VACCINES INTO PEOPLE'S ARMS.

WE'LL TRY TO FIND OUT WHY.

THEN, LATER, RETIRED AIR FORCE LIEUTENANT GENERAL JACK WEINSTEIN JOINS ME ON THE FRIGHTENINGLY HIGH NUMBER OF WHITE NATIONALISTS IN THE MILITARY AND THE FORMIDABLE CHALLENGES OF ROOTING THEM OUT.

AND, FINALLY, MY THOUGHTS ON JUSTICE FAR TOO LONG DELAYED IN THE FLINT WATER CRISIS.

>>> ON HIS FIRST FULL DAY IN OFFICE, JOE BIDEN HAS HAD A NEARLY SINGULAR FOCUS: ADDRESSING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HEAD-ON.

>> 3,000 TO 4,000 DEATHS PER DAY, TO DATE MORE THAN 24 MILLION AMERICANS -- 24 MILLION AMERICANS -- HAVE BEEN INFECTED.

TO PUT THAT IN CONTEXT, AMERICA MAKES UP 4% OF THE WORLDS POPULATION, BUT 25% OF THE WORLDS CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES AND NEARLY 20% OF ALL THE COVID-19 DEATHS.

LET ME BE VERY CLEAR, THINGS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET WORSE BEFORE THEY GET BETTER.

THE HONEST TRUTH IS, WE'RE STILL IN A DARK WINTER OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> Braude: IT'S CERTAINLY A DIFFERENT TACTIC THAN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION TOOK, WITH TRUMP HAVING BARELY UTTERED A WORD ABOUT THE 400,000 PLUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED SO FAR.

BUT THE NEW PRESIDENT IS LOOKING TO CHANGE THINGS FAST, SIGNING TEN MORE EXECUTIVE ORDERS TODAY, ALL FOCUSED ON THE PANDEMIC.

AMONG THEM: USING THE DEFENSE POWERS ACT TO REQUIRE COMPANIES TO MAKE PROTECTIVE GEAR AND SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR TESTING AND VACCINE ADMINISTRATION; EXPANDING TESTING; PUTTING MORE FEDERAL MONEY TOWARD VACCINATION EFFORTS; CREATING NEW OSHA GUIDANCE TO KEEP WORKERS SAFE FROM COVID-19; CREATING NEW TESTING AND QUARANTINE GUIDELINES FOR PEOPLE TRAVELING TO THE U.S. FROM OVERSEAS; AND REQUIRING MASKS ON PLANES, BUSES, TRAINS, AND AT AIRPORTS.

YESTERDAY BIDEN SIGNED AN ORDER REQUIRING MASKS IN ALL FEDERAL BUILDINGS, AS WELL.

HE'S ALSO ASKING ALL AMERICANS TO WEAR MASKS IN PUBLIC FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT 100 DAYS.

AND AS HE MADE CLEAR TODAY, HE'LL BE RELYING ON THE GUIDANCE FROM HIS TOP EXPERTS FROM HERE ON OUT.

>> WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THEY WORK FREE FROM POLITICAL INTERFERENCE AND THEY MAKE DECISIONS STRICTLY BASED ON SCIENCE AND HEALTH CARE ALONE.

VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS AND I AND OUR ENTIRE ADMINISTRATION WILL ALWAYS BE HONEST AND TRANSPARENT WITH YOU ABOUT THE GOOD NEWS AND THE BAD.

WE WILL LEVEL WITH YOU WHEN WE MAKE A MISTAKE.

WE'LL STRAIGHT-UP SAY WHAT HAPPENED.

>> Braude: AT BIDEN'S ORDER, THE U.S. IS ONCE AGAIN A PART OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION THAT'S TRYING TO SOLVE THIS CRISIS, WITH DR. ANTHONY FAUCI LEADING THE COORDINATION.

AND, OF COURSE, VACCINE DISTRIBUTION EFFORTS ARE TOPPING THE AGENDA.

BUT WITH REPORTS THAT THE NEW ADMINISTRATION ONLY REALIZED AFTER THE INAUGURATION YESTERDAY THERE WAS NO REAL EXISTING DISTRIBUTION PLAN AT ALL, THAT EFFORT SEEMS LIKE IT'S IN MORE TROUBLE THAN EVER.

AS FOR HOW WE'RE DOING IN THIS STATE, MASSACHUSETTS IS FALLING FURTHER TOWARD THE BOTTOM OF THE PACK.

RANKING IN 31st PLACE WHEN IT COMES TO THE PERCENT OF POPULATION THAT'S GOTTEN A FIRST VACCINE DOSE, BY THE "WASHINGTON POST'S" COUNT.

THAT'S DOWN FROM 26th PLACE THIS TIME LAST WEEK.

AND WHILE GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER ADMITTED TODAY THAT THE ROLLOUT SO FAR HAS BEEN "LUMPY AND BUMPY" -- HIS WORDS, NOT MINE -- HE ALSO SAID WE CAN EXPECT A LOT MORE VACCINE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE STATE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

AND SO WITH CASE RATES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS FALLING IN RECENT DAYS, HE MADE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT THIS AFTERNOON: >> Governor: WE BELIEVE IT'S OKAY, AND IT'S TIME TO START A GRADUAL EASING OF SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS WE'VE PUT IN PLACE IN THE FALL.

EFFECT MONDAY, THE STAY-AT-HOME ADVISORY CURRENTLY IN PLACE FROM 10:00 p.m. TO 5:00 a.m. WILL BE LIFTED, AND BUSINESSES THAT HAD BEEN ORDERED TO CLOSE BY 9:30 WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO DO SO.

>> Braude: BUT NOW THAT WE KNOW THE MORE-CONTAGIOUS COVID VARIANT IS IN THE STATE, IS IT REALLY THE TIME TO BE EASING UP?

I'M JOINED BY DR. LOUISE IVERS, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MASS GENERAL'S CENTER FOR GLOBAL HEALTH.

>> Braude: DOCTOR, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> NICE TO BE HERE, THANK YOU.

>> Braude: THERE IS AN INERS PROPORTION BETWEEN HOW MUCH I READ ABOUT THE VACCINE AND HOW MUCH I UNDERSTAND.

SO I'M REALLY GLAD YOU ARE HERE.

ACCORDING TO THE C.D.C.

NUMBERS THAT I LOOKED AT TODAY, WE HAVE TWICE AS MANY DOSES AVAILABLE IN MASSACHUSETTS THAN WE HAVE INJECTED INTO PEOPLE'S ARMS.

WHY?

>> Doctor: THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK, PARTLY, WE'RE DUE AN UPDATE.

IT IS NORMALLY COMING AROUND 5:00 p.m. ON THURSDAYS ON HOW MANY DOSES WE'VE ACTUALLY GIVEN.

BUT THAT'S THE SAME NUMBER THAT I'VE SEEN, WE'VE ONLY GIVEN ABOUT HALF.

I THINK THERE IS A BALANCE BETWEEN BEING ORDERLY, MAKING SURE WE PROCEED ALONG THE PHASES OF WHO NEEDS IT THE MOST, WHO IS THE MOST VULNERABLE, BEING FOCUSED ON EQUITY, WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT -- THERE IS A BALANCE BETWEEN THAT AND GOING FAST.

AND WE CLEARLY NEED TO GO FASTER AND JUST BE A LITTLE BIT MORE PREPARED FOR A LITTLE BIT OF NOT BEING PERFECT.

I THINK THAT'S THE CASE.

>> Braude: THAT IS THE MASSACHUSETTS VERSUS FLORIDA EXPERIMENT.

LET ME QUOTE YOU TO YOU: ON THE U.S. STRATEGY WE SHOULD END EACH DAY WITH NO COVID-19 VACCINES IN THE FREEZER.

EVERY DAY WITH A SHOT IN THE FREEZER IS A DAY TOO MANY.

MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR PLEASE LET US GO FASTER."

ARE YOU AN OUTLIAR WITH THAT PERSPECTIVE?

>> Doctor: OBVIOUSLY I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF.

BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SAY WE HAVE VACCINES IN THE FREEZER AND WE HAVE PATIENTS WE WOULD LIKE TO VACCINATE, SO I DID HEAR A LOT OF POSITIVE REENFORCEMENT OF THAT IDEA.

>> Braude: I ASSUME THE ARGUMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE IS SINCE THE STATE HAS MADE THE DECISION THAT WE CAN'T TAKE A RISK THAT A SECOND DOSE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE IN TIMELY FASHION WHILE WE'RE GIVING OUT FIRST DOSES TO ADDITIONAL PEOPLE -- IS THAT ARGUMENT PERSUASIVE?

THE SUPPLY CHAIN HAS BEEN SO WEAK AND HAS BEEN SO UNRELIABLE AND SO BROKEN, THAT MAYBE THEY DO HAVE TO HOLD THOSE BACK TO ENSURE THAT A SECOND DOSE IS THERE?

IT DOESN'T PERSUADE YOU, OBVIOUSLY?

>> Doctor: NO.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS THE MAIN REASON FOR HOLDING BACK.

I THINK THE MAIN REASON FOR HOLDING BACK IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WRONG PEOPLE DON'T GET THE VACCINE FIRST.

IT COMES FROM A GOOD PLACE, I BELIEVE.

EVERYONE WORKING ON THIS IS WORKING SO HARD.

IT IS NOT THAT FOLKS HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT THIS.

BUT I THINK THERE IS AN OVERLY BIG CONCERN THAT THINGS WILL BE A FREE A FREE-FOR-ALL, THAT IT WOULD BE A -- THAT WE COULDN'T MANAGE THE DEMANDS.

IT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE WITH VACCINES AND JUST TALKING TO PEOPLE, MOST PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW, WHO SHOULD GO BEFORE ME?

MOST PEOPLE WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

I THINK THE BIGGER CONCERN IS NOT ABOUT A SECOND DOSE, BUT THAT WE COMPLETE THE CERTAIN STAGES, AND THAT THE STATE MOVES TOGETHER ON EACH PHASE.

>> Braude: WE HAVE ONE OF THE SMARTEST GOVERNORS IN THE COUNTRY WHO HAS A HEALTH CARE BACKGROUND, AND THE WOMAN RUNNING THE CORONAVIRUS TASK FORCE IS A COMMITTED LONG-TIME PUBLIC SERVANT.

I READ IN THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL": "DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH --" AND WE TRIED TO GET THEM ON "THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TOLD HOSPITALS TO HOLD BACK SECOND DOSES.

SIX DAYS LATER THEY TOLD THOSE HOSPITALS THERE IS NO NEED TO HOLD BACK SECOND DOSES.

TWO DAYS LATER, THEY SAY, BE PREPARED TO SHOULDER BACK SECOND DOSES."

IT SOUNDS LIKE THE GANG THAT COULDN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT.

WHERE IS THE COORDINATION?

>> Doctor: YEAH, I THINK THAT IS THE KIND OF DIFFICULTY.

THESE FOLKS, WE KNOW THEY'RE COMMITTED.

BUT I DO THINK WE HAVE TO REMEMBER WE'RE IN AN ABSOLUTE EMERGENCY.

WE'RE IN A CRISIS.

WE HAVE HOSPITAL BEDS THAT ARE FULL.

WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN I.C.U.s IN MASSACHUSETTS.

WE'RE HAVING THOUSANDS OF NEW CASES A DAY.

3,000, 4,000 NEW CASES A DAY.

WE'RE IN A CRISIS.

AND YOU HAVE TO MOVE FAST WHEN YOU'RE IN A CRISIS.

AND YOU'RE NOT ALWAYS PERFECT, BUT YOU CAN'T LET PERFECT BE THE ENEMY OF GOOD ENOUGH AND MOVING FAST, AND WE HAVE TO GET CONTROL OF THIS PANDEMIC BECAUSE THE DARK WINTER THAT THE PRESIDENT MENTIONED IS GOING TO BE LONGER THAN WINTER IF WE DON'T REALLY MAKE THE MOVES NOW THAT WILL HELP US GET THEW THE SPRING AND SUMMER.

>> Braude: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE MOVES THE GOVERNOR HAS ANNOUNCED IN A SECOND.

THE OTHER THING I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND, IF I HAD BEEN SPEAKING WITH YOU, DOCTOR, LET'S SAY TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE VACCINES GOT EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION, AND I SAID IN A MONTH AND A HALF FROM NOW, MASSACHUSETTS IS GOING TO RANK 30th OR 31st IN THE UNITED STATES IN TERMS OF GETTING DOSES INTO THE ARMS OF ITS PEOPLE, WOULD YOU HAVE FOUND THAT EVEN REMOTELY BELIEVE?

>> Doctor: MAYBE I WOULD HAVE PREDICTED IT, BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU, ONE OF OUR OTHER PROBLEMS IS, I THINK WE DON'T HAVE HUMILITY ENOUGH TO ASK PLACES AND ORGANIZATIONS AND EVEN COUNTRIES THAT HAVE BEEN REALLY, REALLY GOD ATGOOD AT GETTING VACCINES OUT.

LET ME TELL YOU WHAT THE C.D.C.

OF AFRICA WHERE THERE IS 1.2 BILLION PEOPLE.

HE SAID, I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT SUPPLY.

WE JUST HAVE TO GET STARTED.

LET'S GET STARTED.

AND HE IMMEDIATELY HAD A PLAN, WHAT HE WOULD DO.

SO I THINK HOW TO DO SOMETHING HARD -- AND THIS IS HARD, TO GET THIS VACCINE OUT -- WE COULD REALLY LISTEN TO PLACES WHERE THEY HAVE DONE VACCINATIONS VERY SUCCESSFULLY.

I PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE BELIEVED YOU, JIM, BACK THEN, BUT HERE WE ARE.

>> Braude: THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED SEVERAL DAYS AGO, GILLETTE WILL BE A MASS VACCINATION SITE, AND FENWAY PARK ON FEBRUARY 1st, AND A HANDFUL OF PHARMACIES, C.V.S., WALGREEN -- WILL THAT HELP?

IS THAT WHERE PART OF THE PROBLEM IS?

WILL THAT HELP GETTING THE VACCINES OUT?

>> Doctor: I DO THINK IT WILL HELP.

WE HAVE TO HAVE MULTIPLE STRATEGIES, MASS VACCINATION SITES.

WE GO TO SOME PEOPLE, SOME PEOPLE COME TO US, WE VACCINATE SOME PEOPLE AT THE HOSPITALS, AT THE CLINICS.

I THINK WHEN WE HAVE LARGE-SCALE PLACES THAT PEOPLE CAN COME AND GO, THAT ARE WELL-RUN, IT WILL REALLY HELP US GET MOVING FASTER.

>> Braude: THE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION SUGGESTED THERE BE CENTRALIZED REGISTRATION ON THE WEB FOR INDIVIDUAL STATES.

I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE ONE, DO WE?

AND IF WE DON'T, WHY DON'T WE?

>> Doctor: I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE ONE.

AND I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE A CENTRALIZED REGISTER FOR THE VOLUNTEERS WHO WANT TO HELP ADMINISTER THE VACCINES.

I CAN'T ANSWER WHY WE DON'T.

>> Braude: LAST QUESTION FOR YOU, DOCTOR, I MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING THE GOVERNOR HAS RELAXED SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS BECAUSE THE POSITIVITY RATE IS DOWN A BIT, AND THE NUMBER OF CASES ARE DOWN, BUT THE VARIANT IS HERE.

I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND IF THIS IS THE TIME TO BE RELAXING THINGS, EVEN THOUGH I'M SENSITIVE TO WHAT I'M SURE IS THE GOVERNOR'S CONCERN THAT HE DOESN'T WANT TO STARVE BUSINESSES INTO EXTINCTION.

IS HE MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION?

>> Doctor: I THINK THE CHALLENGE IS IN THE MESSAGING.

WE'VE HAD, OVER THE LAST YEAR, AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL SUCH MIXED MESSAGING ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT, WHAT IS NOT RIGHT, WHAT TO DO.

I THINK WHEN PEOPLE HEAR THAT THERE IS A HIGH CASE LOAD AND AN EMERGENCY, AND THEY HEAR THAT THE RESTRICTIONS ARE PULLED BACK, IT IS HARD FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND.

YOU COULD ASK IF SOME OF THE PARTICULAR RESTRICTIONS WERE HELPFUL IN THE FIRST PLACE.

A CURFEW FROM 10:00 TO 5:00 -- THE VACCINE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS.

IT IS SEEKING PLACES TO INFECT.

I DON'T THINK IT IS NECESSARILY AS OF THE REALM OF NORMAL TO CHANGE SOME THINGS AS YOU GO, BUT I THINK GETTING THE MESSAGING RIGHT IS SO IMPORTANT.

IPNOTI'M NOT SURE WE'VE STRUCK THAT EXACT BALANCE.

AND PEOPLE CAN BE CONFUSED, AND WHEN THEY'RE CONFUSED, IT ERODES THEIR TRUST IN YOUR DECISION.

>> Braude: DOCTOR, I KNOW MORE THAN I DID NINE MINUTES AGO, AND I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

>> Braude: DR. LOUISE IVERS, THANKS.

>>> A FORMER ARMY CAPTAIN IS AMONG THE LATEST CHARGED IN THE DEADLY CAPITOL RIOT.

POLICE SAY GABRIEL AUGUSTIN WAS CAUGHT ON VIDEO ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO STORM THE BUILDING, AND AT LEAST SIX OTHER PEOPLE WITH MILITARY TIES ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE F.B.I.

IN CONNECTION WITH THE ATTACK, INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE ACTIVE DUTY SOLDIER.

SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN NEWS REPORTS AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AS WELL, PROMPTING A VOW EARLIER THIS WEEK FROM JOE BIDEN'S DEFENSE SECRETARY NOMINEE, RETIRED FOUR-STAR GENERAL LLOYD AUSTIN, TO RID ALL MILITARY BRANCHES OF RACISTS AND EXTREMISTS.

>> THE JOB OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IS TO KEEP AMERICA SAFE FROM OUR ENEMIES, BUT WE CAN'T DO THAT IF SOME OF THOSE ENEMIES LIE WITHIN OUR OWN RANKS.

>> Braude: IF AUSTIN'S CONFIRMED, HE'LL HAVE HIS WORK CUT OUT FOR HIM.

A 2019 MILITARY TIMES POLL FOUND THAT 36% OF TROOPS SURVEYED HAD SEEN EVIDENCE OF WHITE SUPREMACIST AND RACIST IDEOLOGIES IN THE MILITARY, UP FROM 22% THE YEAR BEFORE.

BUT PERHAPS A BIGGER PROBLEM, AS RETIRED AIR FORCE LIEUTENANT GENERAL JACK WEINSTEIN PUT IT IN AN OP-ED HE CO-WROTE BACK IN JUNE, "THE MOST POWERFUL MILITARY IN THE WORLD HAS NO WAY OF DETECTING IF ITS OWN MEMBERS ARE INVOLVED IN THE ATTEMPTS TO INCITE A RACE WAR AND OVERTHROW THE U.S.

GOVERNMENT."

JACK WEINSTEIN IS NOW AN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PROFESSOR AT B.U.

AND JOINS ME NOW.

>> Braude: THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE.

>> IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

>> Braude: EVERY LINE IN YOUR JOINT OP-ED KNOCKED MY SOCKS OFF.

LET'S START WITH YOU SAID THAT WHITE NATIONALIST GROUPS URGE THEIR MEMBERS TO JOIN THE MILITARY, AND THEN RECRUIT MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY BACK INTO THEIR ORGANIZATION.

WHY?

>> THE REASON FOR THAT IS WHAT THE MILITARY PROVIDES.

THE MILITARY PROVIDES WEAPONS TRAINING, IT PROVIDES INFORMATION ON HOW TO USE EXPLOSIVES, AND IT PROVIDES THE DISCIPLINE THAT THESE GROUPS WANT FOR THEIR MEMBERS.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, YOU ALSO SAID IN THAT PIECE, THE TWO OF YOU -- I HAD TO READ THIS LINE TWICE TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T READ IT WRONG -- DO NOT SEE WHITE NATIONALISM AS A PROBLEM.

THIS WAS IN JUNE.

TO WHICH I SAID, REALLY?

SO I SAY TO YOU, REALLY?

>> YES.

FROM THE RESEARCH THAT THE STUDENT DID, AND AS WE WERE WORKING ON THE OP-ED TOGETHER, BEING A MEMBER OF A WHITE NATIONALIST GROUP WAS NOT CAUSE TO REMOVE THEM FROM THE MILITARY.

WHAT WAS CAUSE TO REMOVE PEOPLE FROM THE MILITARY WAS IF THEY HAD ACTION DEALING WITH THE GROUPS.

LIKE YOU, WE WERE APPALLED BY THIS.

AND THAT'S WHY WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS A CANCER THAT NEEDS TO BE ERADICATED FROM THE MILITARY.

>> Braude: WHEN YOU SAY MERE MEMBERSHIP WAS NOT ENOUGH, YOU HAD TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER.

SO IF YOU'RE A MEMBER OF SOME WHITE NATIONALIST GROUP, AND YOU'RE SERVING WITH A GUY OR A WOMAN WHO HAPPENS TO BE OF A GROUP THAT IS TARGETED BY THESE WHITE NATIONALISTS, MILITARY LEADERSHIP THOUGHT THAT WAS OKAY AS LONG AS YOU DIDN'T TAKE OVERT ACTION?

>> I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS THEY DIDN'T KNOW THEY HAD THESE MEMBERS IN THEIR REANGSZ.

RANKS.

IF YOU LOOK WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER THIS WEEK WITH THE INAUGURATION, MEMBERS OF A NATIONAL GUARD UNIT WERE REMOVED WHEN THEY FOUND OUT THEY WERE A MEMBER OF THESE GROUPS.

SO THE AGGRESSIVE NATURE THAT THE MILITARY NEEDS TO TAKE TO REMOVE THESE PEOPLE JUST WASN'T DONE.

I NEED TO BRING THIS UP, TOO, TO THE AUDIENCE, WE'VE HAD FOUR YEARS OF A FORMER PRESIDENT THAT TOLERATED THESE BEHAVIORS.

REMEMBER THE COMMENTS AT CHARLOTTESVILLE, THAT BOTH SIDES -- >> Braude: OF COURSE.

>> SO FOR FOUR YEARS WE HAD INDIVIDUALS -- EVEN WHEN THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES DECIDED THEY NEED TO REMOVE CONFEDERATE NAMES FROM MILITARY BASES, WE HAD A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES THAT WAS FIGHTING THAT AND VETOED THE DEFENSE BILL.

SO THE BOTTOM LINE ON ALL OF THIS IS WE HAD A FORMER PRESIDENT THAT PUT UP WITH THESE PEOPLE, AND WE HAD MEMBERS IN THE MILITARY THAT WERE MEMBERSHIP.

THE NUMBERS ARE EXTREMELY HIGH THAT YOU HAVE SEEN.

SO IT IS REALLY TIME NOW THAT WE NEED TO REALLY ERADICATE THEM.

AND BECAUSE OF PRESIDENT BIDEN IN THE OVAL OFFICE, BECAUSE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE NOMINEE ATTACKING THIS, WE ARE NOW ACTUALLY HAVING THIS DISCUSSION ABOUT REMOVING WHITE NATIONALISTS WHEN WE DID NOT HAVE THIS DISCUSSION BEFORE JANUARY 20th -- >> Braude: YEAH, BUT -- I UNDERSTAND THAT.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.

I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO YOU, WHY DIDN'T THEY DO IT?

WELL, THEY DIDN'T KNOW.

IF I CAN READ THE MILITARY TIMES POLL, I'M SURE THEY CAN READ THE MILITARY TIMES POLL.

IF THEY CAN FIGURE OUT THEY HAVE TO SCREEN 225,000 MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD BEFORE YESTERDAY, I ASSUME WHEN 36% OF THE MILITARY -- I ASSUME THE NUMBER IS HIGHER -- 36% ADMITTED THEY SERVED WITH PEOPLE WITH RACIST OR EXTREMIST IDEOLOGIES, SO MY CONCLUSION IS -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG -- THAT THEY KNEW IT BUT THEY JUST CHOSE NOT TO DEAL WITH IT.

IS THAT NOT FAIR?

>> I'M NOT GOING TO GO THAT FAR.

AS FAR AS I WILL GO IS THEY DID NOT DO THE PROPER SCREENING TO REMOVE THESE PEOPLE FROM THE MILITARY.

YOU KNOW WHEN SOMEONE HAS A CERTAIN TATTOO, YOU KNOW WHEN SOMEONE HAS BEHAVIOR THAT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED.

YOU EVEN CHECK BUMPER STICKERS ON CARS.

BUT THE ONLY WAY YOU KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM IS IF YOU INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM.

NOW, PROBLEM, IF YOU GO BACK TO JUST YESTERDAY AND THIS WEEK, BASED ON -- YOU COULD TALK ABOUT THE OP-ED THAT WE WROTE, AND WE KNOW THIS PROBLEM EXISTS BASED ON THE TWO MILITARY TIMES POLLS, AND WE FOUND OUT THIS WEEK THAT WE HAD MEMBERS OF A GROUP THAT WE DID NOT KNOW EARLIER.

SO THE PROBLEM WITH THE MILITARY IS THEY HAVE NOT BEEN AGGRESSIVE IN DOING THIS.

THERE HAVE BEEN -- >> Braude: WHY?

WHY?

WHY HAVE THEY NOT INVESTIGATED?

IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHO THE INDIVIDUALS ARE, BUT KNEE KNOW THERETHEYKNOW THERE IS A MASSIVE PROBLEM, BASED ON HARD DATA, WHY DIDN'T THEY DO THE INVESTIGATION?

WHY AREN'T THEY DOING THE SCREENING?

YOU DON'T BUY THE NOTION THEY DIDN'T GIVE A DAM, WELL WHAT OTHER NOTION IS THERE?

>> THEY WERE NEGLIGENT, THEY DID NOT CARE.

SO NOW WE NEED TO ATTACK THE ISSUE.

AND WE HAVE PEOPLE IN CHARGE THAT WILL ACTUALLY DO IT.

I HAVE SOME IDEAS IF WE WANT TO GO THROUGH THOSE -- >> Braude: I HAVE A MINUTE.

QUICKLY IN A MINUTE GIVE ME THOSE IDEAS AS BEST YOU CAN.

>> OKAY, NUMBER ONE, WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS WE NEED TO SURGE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA EVERYBODY THAT IS WEARING THE UNIFORM.

IF ANYONE IS FOUND TO BE A MEMBER OF THE GROUP, THEY SHOULD BE REMOVED.

NUMBER TWO, WE NEED TO BE SCREENING PEOPLE BEFORE THEY COME ON ACTIVE DUTY TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE NOT A MEMBER OF THE GROUP.

AND THE THIRD THING, WHICH I THINK IS ALMOST THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE NEED TO DO IS, WE NEED TO GIVE A FEEDBACK MECHANISM BACK TO RECRUITERS, AND WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT, DO WE HAVE RECRUITERS WHO ARE ACTUALLY BRINGING PEOPLE IN WHO ARE WHITE NATIONALISTS TO THE UNITED STATES MILITARY?

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE WAY THE UNITED STATES MILITARY RECRUITS, IT IS NOT EQUAL TO ALL 50 STATES.

THEREFORE WE COULD HAVE PROBLEMS WITH RECRUITERS IN AREAS WHO ARE ACTUALLY RECRUITING THESE PEOPLE.

I THINK IF WE COULD TAKE THOSE THREE SUB-SETS, WE'LL GET AHEAD OF THIS.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT HAS HAPPENED IS WE HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A NEW SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, AND WE CAN TACKLE THESE PROBLEMS NOW.

>> Braude: I HOPE YOU'RE RIGHT ON EVERY COUNT.

THANKS SO MUCH.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND WORK.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Braude: RESTAURANT OWNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE HOPING FOR MERE HELP FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO WEATHER THE REST OF THE PANDEMIC STORM AND FAST.

THEY'RE STRETCHING THEIR CREATIVITY TO THE LIMITS, BUT MANY ARE WORRIED ABOUT MAKING IT TO THE SPRING.

>> WANT TO DINE IN A YURT, A BARN, AN IGLOO?

MORE LIKE A TENT SHAPED LIKE AN IGLOO.

THE MILE MARKER ONE RESTAURANT IS TRYING TO LURE DINERS.

HOW ABOUT PRIVATE DINING IN A HOTEL SUITE.

UNI RESTAURANT IS DOING ALL OF ITS WORK ON TWO FLOORS.

WITH BEDS REMOVED, THE SEVEN SUITES ARE NOW SEMI-PRIVATE DINING ROOMS.

>> AT THIS POINT IT IS ESSENTIALLY NICKEL AND DIMING IT EVERY WEEK.

IT FEELS LIKE EVERY WEEK IS ANOTHER MONTH.

HOW DO WE GET THROUGH THIS WEEK?

AND HOW DOES THIS WEEK ALLOW US TO GEAR UP FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK SO THIS WAY WE CAN PAY PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: BUT FOR MANY, EVEN IMPROVISING IS TOO COSTLY.

THE OWNER OF THE BELMONT CAFFE IN BELMONT SAID THIS TENT DIDN'T DRAW ENOUGH BUSINESS TO PAY THE $4,000 RENT ISSUE.

THE INDUSTRY HAS LOST MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS IN SALES, AND MORE THAN 200,000 HAVE BEEN LAID OFF OR FURLOUGHED.

THE STATE RECENTLY PASSED AN ECONOMIC AID BILL, THAT INCLUDED A $20 MILLION FUND FOR RESTAURANTS.

STILL, MANY IN THE INDUSTRY, LIKE CHEF MESSINA, SAY MANY MORE WILL GO OUT OF BUSINESS WITHOUT RELIEF FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> IT'S FRIGHTENING TO SEE A MASS EXTINCTION OF NOT JUST RESTAURANTS, BUT OF JOBS, OF PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY JUST GONE WITH NOTHING EVEN BEING SAID ABOUT IT FROM A GOVERNMENTAL STANDPOINT.

>> Reporter: IN CAMBRIDGE, THE SMALL UP SCALE RESTAURANT TALLULAM3 SAYS PUTTING UP DINING GREENHOUSES CAN KEEP THE RESTAURANT ROOTED UNTIL SPRING.

>> LUCKILY WE GOT IN FRONT OF IT ENOUGH SO WE COULD DO IT BEFORE THEY JACKED THE PRICES UP ON THE GREENHOUSES.

I TALKED TO A FRIEND WHO IS A CONTRACTOR, AND HE HELPED US SET UP THE DECKING.

WE SPENT A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY ON POTS AND OTHER THINGS AND WE WENT FOR IT.

>> Reporter: THIS CHEF SAYS THEY REDUCED THE STAFF FROM 9:00 TO 6:00, AND REPLACED TIPPING WITH AN ADMINISTRATIVE TIP.

HE KNOWS HE IS LUCKY, GIVEN THE SUFFERING IN THE INDUSTRY.

>> I WOULDN'T SAY THRIVING, BUT I WOULD SAY WE'RE STILL DOING OKAY.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO OPERATE SUCCESSFULLY SINCE WE CAME BACK INTO THE BUILDING.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS A VIABLE SOLUTION TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE WINTER.

>> Reporter: A BLEAK WINTER, IN WHICH HUNDREDS OF RESTAURANTS ARE NOW DECIDING TO HIBERNATE IN ORDER TO SURVIVE, HOPING WHEN THE SPRING COMES THEY'LL BE ABLE TO RELIGHT THE STOVE.

LIZ NEISLOSS, GBH NEWS.

>> Braude: THE MASSACHUSETTS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION SAYS NEARLY A QUARTER OF THE RESTAURANTS THAT WERE OPERATING AT THE START OF LAST MARCH NEVER REOPENED AFTER THE INITIAL SHUTDOWN.

>>> BETWEEN A RAGING PANDEMIC AND AN ATTEMPTED COUP, ANOTHER IMPEACHMENT, AND AN HISTORIC TRANSFER OF POWER, IT HAS BEEN A BEYOND FULL-TIME JOB KEEPING UP WITH THE NEWS LATELY.

THAT MEANS THERE IS A LOT OF NEWS PEOPLE ARE MISSING AS WELL, REALLY IMPORTANT NEWS IN MANY CASES.

LIKE THE FACT THAT SOME OF THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR POISONING THE DRINKING WATER OF MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE IN FLINT MICHIGAN MIGHT FINALLY BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AFTER SEVEN LONG YEARS, AT LEAST TO SOME DEGREE.

LAST WEEK THE STATE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ANNOUNCED INDICTMENTS AGAINST NINE OFFICIALS, INCLUDING EX-GOVERNOR RICK SNYDER.

HE IS CHARGED WITH WILLFUL NEG FLECTNEGLECT OF DUTIES.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T REMEMBER OR NEVER KNEW HOW TRULY EGREGIOUS THIS WHOLE THING WAS, IN 2014 OFFICIALS TRIED TO SAVE SOME MONEY BY SWITCHING FLINT'S WATER SUPPLY FROM LAKE HURON RON TO TO THE NEARBY FLINT LAKE.

AND EVEN THOUGH IT WOULD HAVE COST ONLY $150 A DAY TO TREAT THE WATER SO IT WOULD BE LESS CORROSIVE, THEY OPTED NOT TO.

$150 A DAY TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF FLINT.

TESTS LATER FOUND THE BLOOD LEAD LEVEL OF KIDS IN SOME NEIGHBORHOODS NEARLY TRIPLED, WHICH CAN STUNT DEVELOPMENT, AND CALLS LIFELONG NEUROLOGICAL EFFECTS.

AT LEAST 12 PEOPLE DIED, BUT A FRONT LINE REPORT SUGGESTS THE DEATH TOLL COULD HAVE AS HIGH A 115.

E-MAILS SHOW OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE THEN-GOVERNOR WERE AWARE OF THE WATER ISSUES FOR 10 MONTHS BEFORE ANYONE ALERTED THE PUBLIC.

10 MONTHS.

AND IT TWO ANOTHER FIVE RIDICULOUSLY LONG YEARS BEFORE THE CITY FINALLY GOT ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER.

THAT'S FIVE YEARS OF 100,000 PEOPLE DRINKING, COOKING, AND BATHING WITH BOTTLED WATER, COSTING AROUND $400 MILLION.

THANKFULLY A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE PRELIMINARILY APPROVED A $641 MILLION FOR RESIDENTS AFFECTED, BUT AS FOR THE CRIMINAL CASE, UNSURPRISINGLY, EVERYONE CHARGED HAS PLED NOT GUILTY, AND THEY WERE ALL IMMEDIATELY RELEASED ON BOND.

SO THE LACK OF CELEBRATION FROM THOSE IN FLINT IS TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE.

>> NOBODY IS SITTING IN JAIL.

IF I POISONED YOU, I WOULD BE IN JAIL.

>> I DO NOT FEEL THE CHARGES ARE STRONG ENOUGH.

>> THIS DOES NOT MEAN FLINT IS HEALED.

>> Braude: NO, IT DOES NOT.

AND IT IS ALSO LIKELY NOT COINCIDENTAL THAT 54% OF THIS AFFECTED COMMUNITY IS BLACK.

TO THIS DAY, MANY STILL DON'T STRUFT CITY AND STATE OFFICIALS.

AS LARRY MARSHALL TOLD CBS NEWS LAST WEEK.

>> WE KNOW THEY'RE LYING.

WHEN THEY SAY SOMETHING, IT IS LIKE TALKING TO THE WIND.

WATER SHOULD BE A BASIC NECESSARILY.

THIS IS NOT A THIRD-WORLD COUNTRY, BUT WE'RE LIVING LIKE ONE.

>> Braude: A SENTIMENT WE'VE HEARD IN MORE THAN ONE AREA IN RECENT WEEKS.

BUT HOPEFULLY THE WINDS OF CHANGE ARE FINALLY BLOWING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

E-MAIL US, TWEET US, SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

PLEASE COME BACK TOMORROW NIGHT FOR "BEAT THE PRESS", EMILY ROONEY AND HER PANEL WILL BRING UP HOW MUCH ATTENTION THE PRESS SHOULD BE MAKING TO THE POST-TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

AND PLEASE, OF COURSE, STAY SAFE.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org