trillion stimulus bill into law, this is millions of americans continue to get vaccinated and millions more wait for bonus checks that are coming their way, maybe as soon as this weekend. we're going to talk to the former health and human services secretary admiral brett giroir if operation warp speed had a lot to do with this and what happens now to keep the speed going. all of that, the mixed signals that we get from the cdc back then and to this day. welcome, everybody. i'm neil cavuto. this is "your world." what an incredible world and what has changed in that world and now getting back to some sense of normalcy in the same world. we begin with blake burman monitoring developments at the white house in preparation for the president to address the nation later this evening. sir? >> it's been an unbelievable year. tonight we will hear from the president, president biden in his very first prime time address to the nation. the white house says the president has been going line by line through this speech in advance of it this evening for many days now. so what can we expect to hear from the president tonight? the white house says he will talk about the sacrifices that have been made over the past year. they say he will talk about the operational and logistical challenges now and going forward as it relate tos getting millions upon millions of vaccine doses into the arms of americans. they say the president is going to provide an optimistic vision of the way forward. this was just part of the preview earlier from jen psaki. >> he plans to provide a clear outline of his approach, level with american people about what is required of them and provide a sense of hope of what is possible. >> now, the president this afternoon signed the $1.9 trillion american rescue plan in to law. the president and vice president, their spouses will hit the road next week to tout that measure. the white house says the continued sales pitch will continue highlighting things like $1,400 direct payments and expansion of the child tax credit, continued enhanced federal unemployment benefits along with rental assistance. >> it's historic legislation. it's about rebuilding the backbone of this country and giving people in this nation, working people, middle class folks, people that built the country a fighting chance. that's what the essence of it is. >> the president says we'll hear more from him on that in the coming days. the speech from the president tonight here at the white house, 8:00 on the east coast. as it relates to the $1,400 district payments that you mentioned, the white house said today that the very first payments could be direct deposited into individuals across the country as soon as this weekend. neil? >> neil: that is pretty fast. thank you, my friend. blake burman will be putting in a long day. he always does. meantime on top of states getting vaccines outs as quickly as possible and the best way alaska could think of doing it was to open up to everybody. new policy there. if you're 16 or older, get ready to get your vaccine. i had a a chance to catch up to governor mike dunleavy. he said it's about getting people the vaccine sooner than ever. >> we anticipate that we'll be closing in on half the population shortly. we have thousands of vaccines to be administered for those that want it. >> neil: all right. with us right now is admiral brett giroir. we remember him so well during the entire battles with this virus the last year as the president's health and human services assistant secretary. admiral, very good to have you. hard to believe it's been a year. the moves that states are taking to expedite getting the vaccines out, are you pleased with that, what you're seeing? >> thanks for having me on. i am pleased with what i'm seeing. the operation warp speed plan, which had procured 900 million doses of vaccines, one billion needles had already signed up 70,000 vaccine sites. those are going full blast right now. the biden administration are doing some nice additions to that plan as we hoped they would. yes, i'm pleased. it's on schedule and the vaccines are highly effective and safe. so very good reason to be optimistic, neil. >> neil: admiral, meantime, there's different folks for different states, right? in alaska, they're opening it up to 16 or older. in other states, it's the older residents first, healthcare workers and the like, sometimes teachers. it's mixed. it's not consistent. does that bother you? >> it doesn't bother me at all. our approach in the trump administration was very similar in that we provide some guidance. let's look at alaska. does it make sense to fly vaccines to a village 1,000 miles away from a major city and only vaccinate those that are 65 and older when you have 16-year-olds and above? that seems like a perfect adaptation to alaska and the geography. it's right for alaska. we have to support the governors and local officials in vaccinating as many people as possible starting with the high risk people, but certainly not waiting forever to get everyone vaccinated. it's all about herd immunity. every vaccine gets us closer to herd immunity and that mines we're back to normal. >> neil: in order to get herd immunity going, there's many saying the best part of valor is go ahead and the second doses of the vaccines that are being made available, go ahead and give them to people for first shot. it's not as if you need to have it 21 days exactly after your first dose. what do you think of that? in other words, get as many with the first dose at least and worry about the second dose later because that could come depending who you talk to, admiral, many weeks later. >> i want to make sure that the viewers know whether it's 21 days, 22 or 25, you don't have to be 21. i'm 100% supportive of getting the second dose and not delaying that. there's a couple reasons for that. number 1, with the variants that are out there particularly the south african variant, you need that boost to get your immunity up to provide that cushion. the vaccines are effective. three not as effective. that's number 1. number 2 is although the first dose keeps your safe for 28 days, maybe 35, 42 days, we don't flow whether it will provide long-lasting protection. the studies we have show that that second dose is very important except for j&j. we started and the way the biden administration is continuing. >> you think the president should mention operation warp speed tonight? >> i think he should. i think that's a definite. look, i am the first to say that the biden administration have done some positive things particularly with regards to underserved populations. but the only reason they're set up for success is because of what president trump and operation warp speed did. first of all, we have vaccines. they're safe and highly effective. that would not have happened without warp speed. 70,000 sites, 900 million doses procured. one billion needles and syringes all done. i issued prep that guidance. the national guard, pharmacies, interns. they're building on a great foundation. i know there's politics all around, but i think we should always be honest with the american people. this is a good story. the republican administration started something and did something amazing regarding vaccines. the democratic administration has got the baton and taking it over the finish line. this is a good story. no need to trash the former administration. >> neil: thanks, admiral. brett giroir was involved in the early days dealing with the cry shun. the dimensions few people could appreciate. looking back at a year ago today, the markets were in the middle of a free fall. nobody had any idea what was ahead of them. they would sell off on fears this is out of control. we're up almost 10,000 points since then. but oh, man, what happened in between. let's look back. >> sars-like virus. now in china. >> the coronavirus now has killed six people and infected about 300 and continues to spread. >> human-to-human transmission confirmed. >> to you, doctor, how serious is this? >> this is something that we need to take seriously. >> the u.s. state department issuing a travel advisory for italy. >> we're not sure what the situation is. >> the state department issued a travel advisory warning as well saying u.s. citizens shouldn't be taking cruises. >> colleges are being cancelled. >> let's remember one thing. this is america. we're going to get over this. >> the bottom line is, the markets want to see the stimulus measure done. >> this is where unique things have to happen. >> you know who is the be all and end all? you. average americans. >> you can see the governor go out to french laundry and spend $15,000 on a bar bill. you know what that would do to a business like mine? >> this is a two-does vaccine. a list of companies promising a vaccine. >> now running three efficacy trials. >> going to be opening new york city the first time in months. >> 25% capacity, lifted restrictions in texas and mississippi. >> my rhetorical question back is if not now, when? >> these restrictions you're lifting, they're broad-based. >> we thought it was time to lift the occupancy restrictions. >> the president is set to approved 100 middle more doses of the johnson & johnson vaccine. >> the reopenings particularly in texas where virtually all restrictions have been lifted. >> neil: what an incredible year and seems to be a flash as we get back to business as usual. peter tuckman, you know this as soon as you see it. a new york stock exchange trader. an iconic figure. popped in so many photos and videos in market jumps and market tumbles as well. wouldn't you know, my friend, all of these aides following this, had a rough battle dealing with covid when he tested positive. you cannot dream of the complications he ran into. covid doesn't know who they were messing with. he's still fighting it and quite a fighter at that. more rigorous and able to withstand the pain. ho are you feeling? >> thank you, neil. i'm okay. i'm going through a lot of physical trials and what is called lung covid, which are symptoms that relate to your joints and sleeping patterns and body temperature regulations. so there's a lot of things that are definitely still affects me. i'm a fighter. i'm here, working every day and back on the floor. it's going to be okay, a long road. >> a lot of people are looking at the improving things going on, all the states reopening and getting back to business. you're in that odd position of representing an institution that wants to get back to business. this thing has done a number on your. where are you on this? getting back and doing everything that we were doing before. >> you know, i think we talked about it. all of your viewers should know that this is behind your facade of financial intellectual and awesomeness is one of the kindest people i know. you reached out to me, the first when i got sick. you've kept in touch and i appreciate that. we talked about it before you and i that people thought if you're old, you die. if you're young, you get better. with the numbers where they are today, there's 3 to 5 million people that got covid or suffers from long covid symptoms. the reality is, one of the messages, this thing is still a very deadly event. obviously with the variants, it's questionable what the future looks like. i think the vaccine -- i just got mine sunday, the first one. i'm excited about the future. i still think we have to keep -- i'm just excited about opening up as anyone. i want everyone to get back to work. i want the economy and the consumer to be super robust. we still need to maintain social distancing for a while until we get to herd immunity. you discussed that with the add admonish raleigh and we'll go from there. >> neil: you're very kind but back at you. you have a good balance of things. you like capitollism, like our markets, been up and down with them. a good judge of history. i know the markets always get this. you and i talked about this. viewers here are bored to death when i men chun it and over a long time markets go up. but we lose sight with what we're dealing with now. when you see what is happening, a lot of states are opening up and god bless them, people have been waiting for this, but a lot of people let down their guard. you've dealt with this, still dealing with this. any words of advice for people on that front? >> you know what? i don't want anyone to suffer this. there's a -- on facebook there's a page called survivor corps. there's hundreds of thousands of people that have had the virus that are still suffering with it. i still think people need to take heed at that. as far as talking about the economy goes, this has been an extraordinary year. we go back a year, i don't think anyone would have predicted that the market would be 10,000 points higher than at that point. obviously we saw the market careen off a cliff from february 12 to march 23. the stimulus put in was extraordinary and nast paced and that contributed to it. so reopening story is still a questionable one, the markets per se are still strong and are going and there's an appetite, we're seeing it for so many different things. we've seen a new marketplace. variants are down for 40 million new place, new traders in the marketplace. we're excited about it. i'm trying to put forth a message. a new generation in the marketplace. let's hope that they all become neil cavuto fans. the bottom line is, education is where the lacking problem is. they're in this market, we can dip in nor a second before you ask me the question about what is going on with the gamestop and the reddit story and all of that. a wonderful stories about a few guys that made millions of dollars. but we're not hearing about the uneducated trader that is using the follow the mob strategy. it's a poor one. we have a group called stock sharks. we put together a course to try to educate people on technical analysis, which is the only defense against volatile markets. it's www.wallstreetglobaltrading academy.com. education is the key. you know about the markets and the future and to now have all of these people, young people with little money in their pocket getting involved in the market is a generational opportunity. >> neil: it is. peter, you get it with your mind and your heart. i like how you like to remind people making money is nice. making a good living is nice. living is better. you illustrate that every single day. man, you had your scare. covid had no idea who it was messing with. continued good health. >> thanks, neil. >> neil: keep that in mind. i appreciate you. so focused on making money. i love the market guys and following this. sometimes you have to step back from the green and think of life and death and think of what is important. you can always make money. you won't always be alive. balance it. appreciate it. know it. love it. thank god for it. more after this. we made usaa insurance for members like martin. an air force veteran made of doing what's right, not what's easy. so when a hailstorm hit, usaa reached out before he could even inspect the damage. that's how you do it right. usaa insurance is made just the way martin's family needs it with hassle-free claims, he got paid before his neighbor even got started. because doing right by our members, that's what's right. usaa. what you're made of, we're made for. ♪ usaa ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ comfort in the extreme. the lincoln family of luxury suvs. a capsule a day comvisibly fades theme. dark spots away. new neutrogena® rapid tone repair 20 percent pure vitamin c. a serum so powerful dark spots don't stand a chance. see what i mean? 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