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CNN Live At Daybreak

State of Emergency

Aired September 07, 2005 - 05:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK.
First, "Now in the News."

The public is being allowed to view the flag-draped pine box casket of Chief Justice William Rehnquist from 10:00 Eastern until noon. The private funeral service this afternoon. That will be at 2:00 Eastern Time. President Bush will speak at that service.

Judge John Roberts, the man President Bush wants to replace Rehnquist as chief justice, goes before the Senate on Monday. His confirmation hearing was delayed because of Rehnquist's death on Saturday.

Iraq's president says former leader Saddam Hussein has confessed to ordering the evacuation of thousands, or the execution, rather, of thousands of Kurds in the late 1980s. Hussein is set to go on trial October 19.

To the Forecast Center now and, Chad, good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad. We'll get back to you.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: "Mission Critical." Here is the very latest on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The Greyhound bus station in New Orleans has been turned into a makeshift jail. A scrawled cardboard sign on the front door reads we are taking New Orleans back. The inmates are some suspected rapists and dozens of suspected looters.

The floodwaters are turning into a toxic soup. Federal health officials say five people have died after getting infected by a waterborne bacteria. Four of the deaths happened in Mississippi, one in Texas. In the meantime, officials believe floodwaters in New Orleans are contaminated by E. coli.

Medical help is now pouring in from across the nation. A Colorado ambulance company plans to send 30 ambulances to help evacuate survivors. The ambulances will be staffed with medical personnel.

It is time to go. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin wants everyone not involved in relief efforts to leave the flooded city. He's authorizing police to forcibly evacuate remaining residents.

Also in New Orleans, broken levees have been patched up and floodwaters are slowly going down. The mayor says 60 percent of the city, though, is still underwater, but that's a vast improvement from last week.

The U.S. has, in effect, said thanks but no thanks to Cuba's offer to help in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Cuban leader Fidel Castro assembled more than 1,500 doctors trained in this sort of trauma situation, but the State Department says there are already plenty of doctors in place.

CNN's Havana, Cuba bureau chief Lucia Newman joins me now to talk about Cuba's offer of assistance.

Good morning -- Lucia.

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN HAVANA BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Carol.

Well Cuba's leader Fidel Castro did offer to send a huge team of doctors, including epidemiologists and others trained to deal with post hurricane disasters last Friday. Then, on Sunday, he repeated the offer in front of the more than 1,500 doctors who were assembled at a Havana convention center with medical backpacks, in fact, on their laps. It was quite a photo op, Carol.

Now Castro has said that despite their political differences, the American people, especially those on the Gulf Coast, need help and that Cuba is happy to come to their aid by sending doctors. And this is something that Cuba does all over the world where there are health emergencies -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Yes, but given the history between Cuba and the United States, might this also be an attempt to embarrass this country?

NEWMAN: Well, Carol, the motive, there's been a lot of speculation about it. Obviously the government here says that this is a humanitarian gesture, that it's made to show Cuba's desire for peace and good will with the United States.

But many, of course, also see this is a way of trying to show up the U.S. government in saying, you know despite all your money and power, you can't deal with emergencies adequately, and we, little Cuba, could do something about it. It's also a way for Fidel Castro to take the high road and also kind of show off in front of his own people that Cuba is well prepared, at least to deal with medical emergencies -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Lucia Newman reporting live from Cuba this morning.

Back in New Orleans, the mayor is telling residents to get out whether they want to or not. Our Sumi Das is at the Louis Armstrong Airport in New Orleans and joins us live with more on this expanded evacuation order.

Tell us more -- Sumi.

SUMI DAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, evacuees are still arriving here at the New Orleans International Airport, but not as many as the city's mayor would like, as you mentioned. Thousands remain uncooperative, despite the fact that the floodwaters in New Orleans contain E. coli. It's compelled the mayor to resort to a new tactic.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUMI DAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The tab for recovering from Katrina is quickly rising. The Bush administration is expected to ask Congress for $30 billion to $50 billion in relief aid, according to sources at the White House and Congress.

In Mississippi, hundreds of thousands of people are without power and search and rescue teams are still finding bodies. In New Orleans, the mayor has ordered law enforcement officials to remove anyone not involved in recovery efforts. Across the city, any victims found dead or living are brought to makeshift helipads, like this one, where a body covered in black plastic lies by the roadside until disaster morticians can collect it.

Amidst the tragedy, survivors emerge. Wearing a blazer and slacks and polished shoes, 85-year-old Leonard Butler (ph) appears to have weathered the storm well. He speaks to his son for the first time in over a week.

LEONARD BUTLER, HURRICANE SURVIVOR: OK, all right then.

DAS: And then is whisked away to the airport.

BUTLER: I feel all right, and I'll be happy when I meet my family.

DAS: Within hours of being rescued, he heads for a flight that will lead to a reunion.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

The U.S. is receiving much help from around the world in the wake of Katrina. A State Department spokesman said that funds and resources are pouring in from international countries and organizations -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Sumi Das, live at the airport in New Orleans this morning, thank you.

It is time to get back to our e-mail segment of the morning, and we've received lots of e-mails so far.

MYERS: Bad ones and actually some that are very, very well thought out for this ugly hour of the morning. What's the future of New Orleans? We want to know what you think. There were some polls overnight you'll find in "USA Today" this morning and on our Web site. Go to DAYBREAK@CNN.com, e-mail us what you think.

Curtis (ph) is a native New Orleans, he says I'm a native and I am disgusted that this question is even being asked. Let me tell you something about New Orleans people, everyone I know is going back as soon as they can. We'll build it ourselves, if we have to. But if we don't get any help, don't start asking you all if you can visit Mardi Gras and the Jazz Festival when they're resurrected.

Terry (ph) in Baltimore says I realize New Orleans is loved by many people and it holds much ecological and historical significance. However, the location is dangerous and destructive. Sentimentally, it will never be the same anyway so why not move it to another location which is safer from hurricanes.

Helen (ph) from Kansas, New Orleans should be abandoned and returned to the ocean. Clean it up, restore up and give it back.

Steven (ph) from California, New Orleans is a city of death. They need to take all the living people out and bury this city. They're already pumping disease-contaminated water back into nature where it will spread more death to wildlife and possibly some type of contagious disease that could spread among people.

Jim (ph) in Arizona, in my opinion, it makes absolutely no sense to spend $14 billion to rebuild a city that's going to suffer the same fate again in the future some time. Unless there is a way to raise that whole city 30 feet above sea level, mourn New Orleans, but don't waste taxpayer's dollar on rebuilding that city.

From Jeannie (ph), if the camera -- if the American people are to pay and rebuild New Orleans, the city should be moved further upstream. It makes no sense to rebuild a city that's below sea level. Another Cat 4 or 5 will do the same thing again. If a person wants to build their home on the same place, they can do it, but with no federal funds to help.

And from Kevin (ph) in Schaumburg, Illinois, toxic water is sitting in that city. It's been sitting in there for days. Gasoline, oil, chemicals, raw sewage, bacteria, battery acid, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. The toxic soil is so toxic thousands of structures will have to be torn down. Unfortunately, the long-range weather prediction suggests we are in a pattern of active hurricane seasons for the next 10 to 20 years, and then what?

And that toxic gumbo that everybody has been talking about, boy, you know dumping all that back into Lake Pontchartrain, that's a toughie, I'll tell you what. But what else do you do with it, really, right?

COSTELLO: Exactly. They haven't -- they've gotten the OK from the EPA...

MYERS: Whatever.

COSTELLO: ... to dump that water back into the Pontchartrain. But then, you're right, what do you do afterwards? Apparently if they find a really hot spot in New Orleans, and this is from the Army Corps of Engineer, but you would assume that everything is a hot spot in that water. But they said if they find a particularly vile patch of water, they can stop it from going in to Lake Pontchartrain. But you know it's all toxic.

MYERS: It certainly is. And then Pontchartrain is a tidal basin. The tide comes in and the tide comes out. And so this entire area, really, that's heavily fished. If you get east of New Orleans, all the way over to Gulfport, I mean you have oyster beds if it goes over too far and all that. I'm just -- I can't think about it.

COSTELLO: We're going to be dealing with problems for a long time to come.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, for the thousands of people having to deal with the aftermath of Katrina, leaving a pet behind is like leaving a family member.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know, I know, you're alive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Up next, the emotional toll of leaving a pet behind and why so many people are choosing to stay with their pets instead of saving their own lives.

Also, what's in that toxic gumbo that flooded New Orleans? You know Chad and I were just talking about that. Elizabeth Cohen will take a closer look for you.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:44 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin says it is time to go. He is authorizing police to forcibly remove residents who will not leave the city. Nagin says tainted floodwaters and other problems are putting people at risk.

He played the bumbling first mate Gilligan on "Gilligan's Island," but his friends are remembering Bob Denver as a complex and loving man. The actor died while battling cancer. He was 70.

In money news, BellSouth says Hurricane Katrina could cost the communications company $400 million to $600 million in lost revenue and added expenses. Some securities analysts believe BellSouth's costs could be closer to a billion dollars.

In culture, they're heading to the Kennedy Center. Robert Redford, singers Tina Turner and Tony Bennett, actress Julie Harris and ballerina teacher Suzanne Farrell will receive Kennedy Center Honors in December.

In sports, top seed Maria Sharapova advances at the U.S. Open. Up next for Sharapova is Kim Clijsters. She beat Venus Williams. On the men's side, Andre Agassi faces the hot James Blake in the quarterfinals.

To the Forecast Center and -- Chad.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: You know, Chad, we've been getting a lot of e-mails from our viewers asking this question, what about the pets?

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: We have -- Chad, we have seen pictures from New Orleans of dogs on rooftops. They're even in trees.

MYERS: Sure.

COSTELLO: Some were stranded when their owners either evacuated or were rescued. But at least one man says he will not leave his best friend behind no matter what.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When this thing happened, you got people shooting each other, stealing from each other. The only thing I trusted was my dog, and I'm not going to leave him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: He is not such a sad sight, though. We have seen packs of dogs searching through debris looking for food.

Joining me now to talk about the psychology of pets and their owners is Dr. Alan Hilfer, and thanks for coming in so early. We appreciate it.

DR. ALAN HILFER, PSYCHIATRIST: Good morning -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Well, you heard what that man said. I mean he's floating around on a tire in floodwaters, in really toxic water, because that was from the city of New Orleans, and he's not going to leave his dog.

HILFER: Well this is a family member for him. The dogs, cats, these are children for a lot of people. And it's impossible for many people, especially the poor people who don't have a car to put two or three dogs in, to be able to get them out in a situation like this. You can't take a dog or you don't think about taking a dog or a couple of dogs on a bus.

COSTELLO: And for many of the people still in the city of New Orleans, and in other places in Mississippi, too, this represents pretty much all they have. They don't have much in the way of material objects, either, so this represents all they're responsible for, all they care for in the world.

HILFER: Right. This is all they have to lose and they're not willing to do it. They're willing to risk their own lives to be able to protect something that they love. And these animals are indeed incredibly loved at times. You just can't even conceive of leaving somebody like that behind.

COSTELLO: But many did, and that's what they should have done.

HILFER: Absolutely. They do need to be able to put their own safety first. They do need to be able to recognize that. And in many circumstances, animals have better survival instincts and have more of an ability to make due in harsh situations than do humans. And many of these pets will, you know, be able to make it through a storm, although the issue of being able to be reunited with an owner is another story.

COSTELLO: Exactly. So when rescue workers go into those homes and say you have to leave, you can't bring your cat with you, you can't bring your dog with you because we can't accommodate you, what can they say to these people to convince them that it's better to go?

HILFER: Well they can tell the people that if they put their animal in a place that's reasonably dry and safe and leave enough food out, there's a good chance that that animal would be able to survive. And if they can return back at some point in the future, they should be able to find their animal. The reality is we don't know what will happen in such a harsh situation such as this. And it's very hard to convince somebody to leave without an animal.

COSTELLO: A final question, Gary Tuchman said he saw a pack of Labrador Retrievers. Let me close this. A pack of Labrador Retrievers traveling together down a street. They all had collars on. Apparently they all came from different families. So it's interesting to see what behavior they resort to when they don't have their masters with them.

HILFER: Dogs are instinctual beings and they resort to pack behavior when they're wild and free. And pack behavior is the way you hunt for food and you take care of each other. These are, you know, inbred instincts in animals that have existed for eons. And they...

COSTELLO: And it could help in their survival, too.

HILFER: Absolutely. The only issue, of course, is to be able to be reunited with a beloved pet. That may not always happen if a dog is left behind.

COSTELLO: The guilt.

HILFER: Yes, some of...

COSTELLO: I mean I just -- I don't know how you deal with that after you know you have to leave to save your own life, but to deal with the guilt of leaving your pet behind would be almost too much to bear.

HILFER: Sure. And some of the shelters, unfortunately, or most of the shelters don't have an accommodation for pets or animals. And you can't take a pet with you in a place where there are many human beings sleeping and eating, living, especially when you can't walk a dog or you know have a place for cat boxes or something like that. You know maybe at some point we can think of a way to devise a pet area in some of these shelters.

COSTELLO: Well, actually, the SPCA is down there now and they have done that. And they are now gathering animals to go into shelters, special shelters, and we're checking in with them daily.

HILFER: There you go. That's great.

COSTELLO: Thank you for coming in, doctor, we appreciate it.

HILFER: My pleasure.

COSTELLO: Here's how you can help some of those displaced pets. The main shelter is at the Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. That's what I was talking about. They have at least 500 animals in need of food and some medical supplies. And don't forget the baby wipes to keep them clean. Donations can be sent to the address you see on your screen or you can call 225-578-9900.

You are watching DAYBREAK for a Wednesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Just what is in the water that is covering the streets of New Orleans? It looks and smells like toxic sludge stew. Health officials are warning those that work in the water to get their shots.

CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This water is so filthy that the Centers for Disease Control is telling people who have been in it to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A. And the New Orleans Police Force, including Chief Eddie Compass, are getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B and tetanus.

Of course, you don't really need a test to tell you this water is contaminated, but we had one done just to figure out how contaminated it is. The analysis of this New Orleans water shows it's full of bacteria from animal and human feces.

Full, meaning this test by Louisiana State University shows that it has more than 20,000 colonies of fecal coliform per 100 milliliters. Water runoff into rivers is normally supposed to be no more than 200. That's why Mayor Ray Nagin gave this warning Tuesday.

RAY NAGIN, MAYOR, NEW ORLEANS: I would like for everybody to get out because it's a health risk. There are toxins in the water.

COHEN (on camera): So what does this mean for the people of New Orleans who were in this water day after day? A week later, the water still smells. It's full of trash and debris. But of course what's really dangerous is what you can't see, viruses and bacteria.

(voice-over): Dr. William Shaffner, who serves on an advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control, says the signs of Hepatitis A won't show up for about a month. He said the vaccine can still work, even if it's been given after someone has been exposed to the virus.

A more immediate concern, some people could become severely ill if they swallow the bacteria and viruses in the water.

DR. WILLIAM SHAFFNER, CDC ADVISER: Older people, people who are frail, immuno-compromised and, of course, the tiny infants, they don't have the margin of safety, right? So any kind of illness can be really serious and potentially deadly with them.

COHEN: For everyone else, being in this water could mean acute diarrhea.

SHAFFNER: We're hearing about small outbreaks of gastrointeritis: Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

COHEN: Bacteria and viruses aren't the only concern. Johnyup Kim is an environmental engineering Ph.D. student at LSU. At our request, he's also testing the water for various chemicals. Results should be back within the next few days. The government says they're working on it.

JOHNYUP KIM, ENVIRONMENTAL PH.D. STUDENT: I can clearly see the interface between the water and the oil, indicating some volatile chemical has leaked through this area. It could be fuel or any kind of chemical.

COHEN: And all the people who spent days in the water are waiting to find out what it could mean for their health now and later.

Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, New Orleans.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: The next hour of DAYBREAK begins in two minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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