With Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine receiving emergency use approval, there is still the hurdle to clear of getting it to the people. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is concerned about whether or not states will be able to effectively distribute the vaccines.
"This is a mammoth undertaking, and I believe that they're going to need some extra help," Smith told Cheddar, about funding needs in a new COVID relief bill.
Under the current strategy, states will receive shipments from the federal government then decide how to administer the vaccines to residents, with frontline and essential workers being at the top of the list.
"We have a big state and large rural communities, and so, one of our big issues is making sure that we get those vaccines, especially the ones that require supercooling," Smith added.
Despite some bipartisan agreements to extend federal aid to states, according to Smith,
"Mitch McConnell has done nothing but pour cold water on this," she said. "The big hold up is that he and others in his party don't want to provide help for states for the additional needs that they have around COVID and insisting on this massive immunity to corporations from any kind of legal liability around COVID."
Continued Testing Roadblocks
As cases surge across the country, Smith said the lack of a national strategy in developing and accessing tests, persists in being an issue that is "stymying our efforts" to beat COVID-19.
"What we are hearing from these testing companies that they are still experiencing shortages around some of the supplies that they need to do the tests, including swabs and reagent, and they are also quite worried about shortages of personal protective equipment, which are so necessary for completing these tests," she said, also noting that paying for the testing has also raised questions.
Smith also pointed out that there were shortfalls in testing children, who may spread the disease.
Continued Quarantines
Minnesotans have been under lockdown order for the past three weeks and could be in for additional quarantine time as Governor Tim Walz is expected to make a decision next week. Smith said while it's hard for residents to be away from family, especially during the holidays, the lockdown, along with mask-wearing, is necessary if we want to have a chance at finally beating the virus.
"Every day, more people are dying from COVID-19 than we lost in 9/11, and unless we are able to turn that tide, we're going to be seeing just a tragic winter. That's over 3,000 souls every day that we are losing," she said.
Stocks began the week closing at session lows on a day when bond yields rose and President Biden decided to stick with Jerome Powell as Fed Chair. Bryan Lee, Chief Investment Officer at Blue Zone Wealth Advisors, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he breaks down the day's activity and discusses what the Fed now needs to do going forward.
President Joe Biden announced Monday he is re-nominating Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell after weeks of speculation that he would choose Democrat and Fed Governor Lael Brainard to fill the role. Biden could be looking for continuity as the U.S. continues to grapple with COVID-19 and high inflation, and investors could be on the same page: markets and treasuries ticked up after the White House made the announcement. MarketWatch Senior Reporter Greg Robb joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss Powell's re-nomination, what we can expect from the Fed's December meeting, whether it will speed up its taper timeline, and more.
President Joe Biden named Jerome Powell, initially appointed by President Trump, to keep his seat as the chair of the Federal Reserve on Monday amid the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, inflation, and unemployment. David Beckworth, a former international economist for the Treasury Department and a senior fellow with the Mercatus Center, joined Cheddar to discuss what he sees as the practicality of Biden's decision. "What Powell brings to the table is he's built up political capital with Republicans and Democrats," he said. "It's easy for him to get the job done. I think in one way he was the path of least resistance for the president."
In a surprise turn of events, Elizabeth Holmes took the stand in her own defense on Friday and is expected to continue her testimony later today. Holmes, who founded a blood testing start-up Theranos back in 2003, faces 11 counts of wire fraud as well as conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Aron Solomon, Chief Legal Analyst, Esquire Digital joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
Jill and Carlo cover the developing story out of suburban Milwaukee, where a speeding SUV careened through a Christmas parade. Looters get more brazen in San Francisco, the missing Chinese tennis star resurfaces, and more.
Michael Tubbs, former Mayor of Stockton, California and author of 'The Deeper the Roots,' joined Cheddar Movers to talk all about his new memoir, and his ongoing fight to make meaningful change in his community.
The House narrowly passed President Biden's $1.7 trillion Build Back Better bill, the largest expansion of the social safety net in decades. The final vote was 220 to 213, with only one Democrat joining all Republicans in opposing the bill. It now heads to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain fate. Jennifer Haberkorn, congressional reporter for the Los Angeles Times, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where she breaks down the current version of the bill, where it goes next, and what it could mean for the country if it eventually reaches the president's desk.
