Country first and think beyond your own ego and your own interests and your own disappointments. The president vows to keep up his legal battle despite losing case after case in court and the Administration Blocks joe bidens team from crucial covid information. This after a weekend where thousands of Trump Supporters flooded the streets of the capital and clashed with counterprotesters. Hurricane threat. Overnight, iota gaining strength. The category 4 storm taking aim at hardhit Central America and the severe storms tearing through the midwest and the northeast. Dangerous winds whipping through this nfl game in cleveland and tearing down buildings. Were tracking the latest on hundreds of thousands waking up without power in the u. S. This morning. Abc news exclusive. Oneonone with michael j. Fox opening up about the Health Crisis that threatened to leave him paralyzed and his darkest moment that led him to question everything. Of all things that was the thing that really set me off. That was bottom . That was bottom. And lift off spacex launching four astronauts on the resilience, the history making crew on their way to the International Space station right now. Oh, my goodness. Good morning. Good morning, america. We were just reminiscing about how when we were kids we at school and there would be a space launch that wed go out in the hall. Why was the tv always so we could all see it. It was high enough. They did have color tvs. With are really, really showing our age. We all needed a Little Something like that to lift and boost our spirits. We also have some news about the second covid19 vaccine that hopefully will do the same, moderna saying early results suggest its vaccine is nearly 95 effective and this, of course, comes just a week after pfizers encouraging vaccine announcement as the country faces an alarming rise in cases. Thats right, a staggering million new cases in the last week. The u. S. Total now over 11 million and hospitalizations and deaths are on the rise as well. Health and Human Services secretary alex azar standing by. But first, alex perez in chicago with the very latest. Reporter good morning. That good news on the vaccine front comes as cities and states across the country are reinstating restrictions hoping to get a handle on the growing number of cases. This morning, breaking news on the coronavirus vaccine. A sign of hope. Moderna announcing its vaccine could be up to 94. 5 effective. The Company Planning to ask for fda authorization in the coming weeks. Vaccines really are on the horizon. In fact, we now have real data in large phase 3 trials showing that they are safe and effective at preventing covid19. Reporter the announcement this morning coming after cases across the u. S. Topped 11 million. Thats 1 million additional cases in just a week. North dakotas governor implementing a mask mandate and michigans governor suspending Indoor Dining and ending inperson learning at high schools and colleges. We are in the worst moment of this pandemic to date. The situation has never been more dire. Reporter hospitals reaching a breaking point too. In south dakota, this nurses tweet going viral after claiming that some of her patients dying in her hospital still dont believe the virus is real. Her concern echoed by 36yearold kelly meeker from minnesota who has been hospitalized for a month and a half and was just recently taken off a ventilator. Ive heard a lot of stories of people telling me that theyve had covid but it wasnt very bad. It was just a minor cold but im just here to say that it can be much more serious. Reporter texas resident Bonnie Najera part of a club nobody wants to join. First, my mother passed away. Then my dad, then my cousin, martha, my aunt rachel, my aunt lupe and my uncle louis. Reporter coronavirus killed six of her family members this year. Were going to have empty chairs that will never, ever be filled again. Reporter so much heartbreak for one family to bear. Now, back to the vaccine, moderna says unlike pfizer their vaccine can be stored at normal refrigeration temperatures which could be helpful for distribution, george. Okay, alex, thanks very much. Lets bring in the secretary of health and Human Services, alex azar. Thanks for joining us. The second week in a row starting out with good news on a vaccine. George, im delighted to be with you on gma to break the news about the moderna vaccine. I stood with President Trump in march when tony fauci in the very lab at nih where we engineered this vaccine on january 13th, and the president said back in march he hoped to have a vaccine in 12 months, and tony fauci interrupted him and said well maybe 18 if were optimistic, and here we are tens months from when it hit our shore and got a second 90 effective vaccine for the American People. This is really a historic day, and we hope that because of moderna and pfizers vaccines, which weve already been producing to have enough by the end of december to vaccinate 20 million of our most vulnerable citizens. Thats 20 million by the end of december. Who will get it first . Well, were going to follow the guidance once the full data package is in. Were going to follow the guidance of the cdc and theyll look at is it Senior Citizens in nursing homes, First Responders and healthcare workers. Itll be wherever its going to add the most value according to the data and the science and the recommendations of our experts. How about broader distribution over time . The states say they need billions more to administer and track these vaccines. Theyve only gotten a little under 200 million. Well, well ensure the states have whatever fund something have whatever funding they needed. Its important some of our states are still operating under a misconception and dont touch the vaccine. This all goes through private distribution channels, goes to the cvss, walgreens, pharmacies, hospitals, and some of our governors, well have a call again with them and work to keep getting that understanding there but well get them whenever they need and make sure this is a good Distribution Process for these historic vaccines. The president questioned whether the announcement of the Pfizer Vaccine and moderna were held until after the election. Do you buy that . Weve made it clear, i made it clear, no politicization of these processes and i just assume everybody else involved similarly is calling balls and strikes based on science, data and evidence and thats what well do. Lets be celebrating right now. We have two vaccines that are with Massive Development programs, over 90 effective. George, in Public Health, we do not get 90 plus effective vaccines often and here we have two vaccines with that type of efficacy and clean safety profiles and thanks to President Trumps operation warp speed were in commercial manufacturing of them, as well as four others, so, george, its just a great day for Public Health as were looking at this Coronavirus Crisis and can have hope for the future for awful for all of us. We are encouraged by the news, no question about that but it is going to take some time for the vaccines to be distributed on a widespread basis. What do we do in the meantime . The incoming chief of staff for president elect Biden Ron Klain said yesterday, because the gsa hasnt authorized the situation theyre in the dark about planning their transition and they cant contact the Health Officials they need to ensure a seamless transition to ensure that that vaccine Distribution Process continues as he takes office. Well, george, our distribution planning is 100 transparent. We have publicized our playbook. We have plans from all 64 Public Health jurisdictions in the United States on the distribution and once gsa determines that there is, if there is a transition to do, we will ensure that its cooperative and professional, but right now the American People should be reassured that were moving ahead in collaboration with all of our states and local authorities to make sure the Vaccine Distribution works well. But dont you need to be talking to the president elects team now . Well, george, well make sure that happens when and if its appropriate to do it. But right now, were working with all the jurisdictions across the country which will really make the prioritization decisions and shipping the vaccine where they determine it ought to go. Why isnt it appropriate now . George, gsa has to make a determination that a transition is in effect, that determination hasnt been made. My focus here is on vaccines and also the Important Message for the American People that as we have this hope of two vaccines with incredible efficacy, therapeutic we approved last week. Eli lillys monocolonial antibody to keep people out of the hospital, hopefully. We need people to act responsibly, wash your hands, wear face coverings and be very careful of indoor settings like restaurants and bars and household gatherings where you let your guard down and may not do those things. Thats how this disease is spreading. We dont have to shut down. We know our universities and k through 12 schools and workplaces that and flying and indoor casual gatherings we have to keep our guard up. I want everyone to make it to the day where they can get a safe and effective vaccine where theres plentiful of these treatments to be able to keep people out of the hospital if they do get covid. So no thanksgiving and christmas celebrations indoors . No, we can have our thanksgiving and christmas celebrations indoors. Weve put up guidance from the cdc. There is a range of risks from different types of activities, and weve given very good practical advice about you want to think about how many people are at your gathering, is it just household members or others also there . The more people you have, the more risk. The more you want to make sure you have social distance and wear face coverings. Try to have as much ventilation of any indoor gathering if possible, and if you can do it outside, do it. We have handy tips at cdc. Gov or coronavirus. Gov to help your family. Secretary azar, thanks for your time this morning. Thank you, george. Dr. Ashton will join us to answer your questions about the pandemic. Now, george, we have the latest on the white house transition. Abc news has now projected the winner in all 50 states, joe biden winning 306 electoral votes to President Trumps 232. And ahead by more than 5. 5 million in the popular vote. But President Trump is still not conceding and former president barack obama is sounding the alarm about that in a new interview. Our mary bruce is in washington with the latest on that. Good morning, mary. Reporter good morning, robin. Well, its now been over a week since it became clear that biden would be the next president , and there is now a growing chorus of voices warning that the president s refusal to admit defeat is damaging to our country and our democracy and just as it seemed that President Trump was beginning to recognize reality that he lost, hes now taking another step backwards. As President Trump refuses to concede, this morning, former president obama is urging trump to live up to his own motto and put america first. My advice to President Trump is, if you want at this late stage in the game to be remembered as somebody who put Country First, its time for you to do the same thing. Reporter in his first interview since the election obama says trump is denying reality describing his behavior as a danger to democracy. When your time is up, then it is your job to put the Country First and think beyond your own ego and your own interests and your own disappointments. Reporter over the weekend, the president seemed to recognize joe bidens victory briefly acknowledging on twitter sunday, biden won the election. Only to walk it back. Trump tweeting, i concede nothing. We have a long way to go. The president continues to falsely insist he actually won claiming without any evidence that the election was somehow rigged against him. But nearly every lawsuit his team has filed has been thrown out. While trump vows to keep waging his uphill legal battle against the results, thousands of his supporters this weekend flooded the streets of the capital. [ crowd chanting ] reporter rallying behind the president and flocking to his motorcade as trump in a nod of approval did a driveby on his way to his virginia golf club. [ cheers ] reporter as night fell tensions rose. Trump supporters clashing with counterprotesters leading to at least 20 arrests. Move back. Reporter and as covid cases surge, the president is all but ignoring the virus. He hasnt attended a meeting of his Coronavirus Task force since the beginning of the summer. Dr. Anthony fauci now urging the trump team to work with the incoming biden administration. Its almost like passing a baton in a race. You dont want to stop and then give it to somebody. You want to just essentially keep going and thats what transition is. It certainly would make things more smoothly if we could do that. Reporter bidens team is being blocked from Sensitive Information and coordinating with federal agencies. His new chief of staff warning it could hinder preparations for a vaccine. Our experts need to talk to those people as soon as possible so Nothing Drops in this change of power were going to have on january 20th. Reporter now the concern here, of course, is that without a smooth transition it could impact or hinder the rollout of a vaccine. Biden and his team are rying to get ahead of this. This week theyll be meeting with some of the vaccine producers and today biden and Kamala Harris will be speaking out about their plan for an economic recovery. They are trying to forge ahead even as their hands are tied. Amy. All right, mary bruce, we appreciate it. Thank you. Well, now, to new developments in the mysterious death of a black teenager in louisiana. Quawan charles disappeared and was found dead. The case is now being investigated as a possible homicide. And his family is raising questions. Janai norman tracking the latest on this for us. Good morning, janai. [ crowd chanting ] reporter this morning, a grieving family demanding answers after the mysterious death of 15yearold quawan charles. Im angry, im frustrated. Reporter october 30th he was reported missing from his home in baldwin, louisiana. The familys lawyer telling abc news he was picked up by a friend and the friends mother earlier in the day and that they say he later left their house on his own. Still missing four days later, his family contacted the Sheriffs Department in neighboring iberia parish. Thats when sheriffs deputies pinged his phone and found his body in a sugarcane field about 20 miles from home. The Sheriffs Department saying Video Evidence indicates no other individuals present with quawan for some time before or after he is seen on the recording. A preliminary autopsy report ruling quawan likely drowned and indicating any injuries on his face happened after his death and, quote, are likely awe aquatic animal activity, but his family says his severely disfigured face points to foul play. I mean, literally we think that somebody beat him. Reporter his death now actively being investigated as a homicide. We wont stop fighting and wont stop pushing or standing until we get justice for quawan charles. Reporter and as the investigation continues, Authorities Say theyve interviewed several witnesses adding in a statement the public can be assured that we will not rest in our effort to find the truth. Amy. Our thoughts certainly go to his family. Thank you so much for that. Robin. So true, amy. Thank you. We turn to that successful spacex liftoff launching four astronauts to the International Space station. The crew taking off on the resilience from the Kennedy Space center, three americans and one japanese crew member. They are still on their way right now and could arrive as soon as tonight. This launch brings us a step closer for people to possibly buy a very expensive ticket to get aboard a commercial rocket in the future. Line up. We are following a lot of other headlines this morning, including the testing crunch as people try to get results in time for thanksgiving and the big concern over just how reliable those tests are. And our exclusive interview with michael j. Fox opening up about the health scare that nearly broke his spirit. How he got through it all. First to ginger. George, im sure all of you heard that last night, the severe storms blowing through. Nearly 300 damage reports and you can see this video from manhattan. Greater than 60mileperhour winds, at one point in the northeast and midwest more than 750,000 without power. Now, cleveland also had their strongest winds since 2008 when the browns were playing the texans. The kickoff delayed because of the 71mileperhour gusts, and i also want to share with you, iota, it is about to make landfall in Central America. That is the same area that got hit with eta just a couple of weeks ago. The second november major hurricane or greater, and thats never happened in recorded history