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Northern Italy Locked Down to Contain Coronavirus; Grand Princess Cruise Ship to Dock in Oakland on Monday; Nearly 6,000 Virus Tests Completed by U.S., CDC, Labs; America's Choice 2020; Collapse of Hotel Used for Quarantine Kills at Least Seven; Travel Industry Is Feeling the Pain; Wildfire Evacuations Ordered in Northwestern Oklahoma; Hot Springs Paradise in Colorado; "Infodemic" Infects Internet. Aired 4-5a ET

Aired March 08, 2020 - 04:00   ET

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

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NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Now 16 million people on lockdown in Italy. New restrictions are going into effect to contain the coronavirus there. We'll have a live report.

New hope for cruise ship passengers in limbo off the California coast. They could be docking soon.

And two candidates, two different strategies to capture the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. A preview of what to expect. The six states that are up for grabs on Tuesday.

It's all ahead here, welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world. We are coming to you live from Atlanta. I'm Natalie Allen. We start right now.

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ALLEN: Thank you so much for joining us.

We begin in Italy, where millions of people in the northern part of the country are waking up this morning to discover they are not allowed to go anywhere. The coronavirus outbreak in Italy is so bad, nearly 6,000 confirmed cases, the government has effectively now locked down the Lombardy region and 14 northern provinces.

But the government's action reaches across the country. Social gatherings and cultural events are either being suspended or severely restricted. CNN's Delia Gallagher is now live in Rome.

What more can you tell us, Delia, because this is quite a change for people in that country.

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Natalie. Italians are waking up, trying to figure out exactly what they can and cannot do, because these new measures were assigned in the early hours of Sunday morning. So they are just learning about them as well. As you mentioned, the 14

regions in the north, which include cities like Milan, Venice, Parma, Bologna, they are big economic centers for Italy. They are restricting movement, asking people not to move from one region to the next, except for reasons of unavoidable work or medical emergency.

Supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open. Restaurants and bars must close in the north by 6:00 in the evening. Obviously, all social activity, ski resorts, gyms and so on have been halted. Sporting events as well, except for professional sports, which will be played behind closed doors. That is without anybody in the stadium.

Now for the rest of the country, restaurants and bars can stay open, churches can also stay open as long as they can guarantee that one- meter distance between people. But museums are closed. Archeological sites are closed. The Colosseum, for example, in Rome is closed.

Schools, of course, are closed and will continue to be closed for the next week at least in places outside of the red zone. These measures, Natalie, apply for the next three weeks. Weddings and funerals, for example, are halted.

So all of the sort of daily activities of Italians now have been brought into question. The Italian civil authority is asking Italians to comply with these new measures in order to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. They saw a big spike yesterday, some 1,247 cases, new cases, bringing them almost to 6,000 cases in Italy.

ALLEN: It is hard to fathom the step they are taking and the impact it will have on Italians there, not to mention the economy. But we'll stay close contact with you, Delia, as this day progresses. Thank you so much.

Well, a cruise ship quarantined off California is now set to dock in Oakland, California, Monday, there are at least 21 infected people on the Grand Princess out of more than 3,500 on board. The staff will still be quarantined and treated on the ship but we are told the cruise line says others will be able to leave after health screenings.

California residents will go to a federal site in that state for isolation. Others will be taken to different facilities in other states.

Joining me now is Gina Pallotta, a passenger on the Grand Princess cruise ship off the coast of California. She's on the cruise with her husband.

Gina, first up, we hear that you have gotten information from the captain that things are changing.

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ALLEN: What you can tell us?

GINA PALLOTTA, QUARANTINED PASSENGER: Yes, just a few minutes ago, we received an announcement from the captain that we will be going to the Port of Oakland tomorrow afternoon. He anticipates our arrival in the afternoon.

We're just outside San Francisco, so we're not having to go that far. He says disembarkation will take a few days, with acute (INAUDIBLE) if they need to be hospitalized, they will be sent to healthcare facilities in California.

California (ph) with medical needs will be transported to federally operated isolation facilities for testing and isolation. All the rest of the United States residents will be transported by U.S. federal government to other facilities in other states.

Then he also said they have not worked out to tell us about what will happen with the international guests.

ALLEN: Well, you must be so relieved, you and your husband, when you heard that announcement?

PALLOTTA: Yes. We're so relieved. And he also said that, you know, one of our big concerns is because my husband is diabetic and his medication runs out and they all said they will be redistributing prescription meds, especially urgent needs, within the next 24 hours.

ALLEN: Earlier on our air, an emergency room doctor said that this cruise ship should be treated like what we saw in Japan, that the United States has resources, that you shouldn't be treated like sitting ducks.

So it looks like that the U.S., you know, got a plan in place and that you get to get off. However, the captain did tell you that it would take several days.

So will you be tested?

Have you been tested?

What can you tell us about that process?

PALLOTTA: We have not been tested. They've only tested 40-some odd people. I think the people that they -- should be exposed to the virus. So none of the rest of the passengers have been tested.

And so from what his announcement said is that we will be taken to some facility and tested. What we don't know is we test negative if we will still be quarantined or not. That piece of information we're just not sure about.

ALLEN: I'm sure everyone loved hearing that announcement. I know that you have a job to go back to. As you said, your husband is running out of medicine.

How do you feel about the situation, knowing that you will get off?

I know you were kind of celebrating an anniversary, your wedding anniversary.

So not exactly how you want it to turn out? PALLOTTA: Absolutely right. This is kind of an anniversary celebration. To be on the Princess cruise ship 16 years ago when it was operating out of the Caribbean. So it was not exactly how we anticipated our ending that by any means.

ALLEN: We wish you and your husband the best as you arrive in Oakland. We hope to stay in touch with you so you can let us know how you are doing. Thank you so much for talking with us. We wish you the best.

PALLOTTA: Thank you very much.

ALLEN: Well, the number of coronavirus cases has topped 440 in the United States with at least 19 deaths. That includes Washington, New York and California. At least one attendee at last month's Conservative Political Action Conference has tested positive. U.S. president Trump spoke there. It's called CPAC last week.

He was asked Saturday if the virus would affect his rally plans?

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TRUMP: We have tremendous rallies. We are doing very well. We have done a fantastic job with respect to that subject on the requires and we've had tremendous cooperation with other countries and all over the world and we've made it very, very tough, very strong. Very stringent quarters.

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE).

TRUMP: No, I'm not concerned at all. We've done a great job.

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ALLEN: Dr. Sanjaya Senanayake is joining us now, an infectious disease specialist at Australia National University. He joins me live.

Thanks so much, Doctor, for being with us.

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ALLEN: I want to start with President Trump there, saying that he will not curtail his rallies, that he's not worried about it. But he has had some -- made some misstatements along with other members of his administration about the impact of the coronavirus in the United States.

How important is it that the leadership at the top communicate effectively with the citizens, many who are scared and who are confused about what to do?

DR. SANJAYA SENANAYAKE, AUSTRALIA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY: Hi, thank you for having me. Look, I think it is really important for the public and the government to have a really good relationship at this time, particularly because there is so much misinformation out there on the Internet and social media. So it's really important to have good information coming from the

government. And the government, of course, you've got the CDC, which is one of the leading public health organizations in the world.

So I think Americans should really look to their government to help them and it is so important that the government does provide accurate information and, while trying not to make people panic, you give that information, even if it is a bit concerning.

ALLEN: Absolutely. Well, let's talk about that cruise ship. I was just talking with someone there. Positive news there for the people with have been stuck on yet another cruise ship.

Does it sound to you like the United States is getting a reasonable plan?

What would you expect these folks will go through now once they do get to dock in Oakland?

SENANAYAKE: So yes, look, cruise ships have been a real curve ball with this outbreak from these last 10 weeks apart from the one that's off Oakland. There is one in the Nile, where about a quarter or a third of people have tested positive.

So, hopefully now, given the experience with the Diamond Princess, the authorities will be able to have a more consistent approach. And again, as you mentioned before the previous question, keeping people, the passengers, their relatives updated about what is going on, whether that means self isolation for a period of time or monitored isolation, at least we are getting better at dealing with cruise ship outbreaks with this virus.

ALLEN: Now to Italy. It's 9:00 in the morning there. People are waking up to hear there is a lockdown on a huge region where they've had so many cases, it's impacting the entire country of Italy now.

How important is this step to try and stop the spread?

SENANAYAKE: I think it's very important, Natalie. Again, we are learning from what has been done before in these last 10 weeks. We saw the big lockdown in China in Wuhan and Hubei province.

Italy had 1,200 cases in the last 24 hours which is a lot of cases for a country of 60 million. So I think this is a reasonable approach to take. Now it may not stop the outbreak but it might slow it down.

And when you slow it down, that means it might drag on for longer but you have a smaller peak. When you have a smaller peak, that means that your health services and government infrastructure is more likely to be able to deal with it.

ALLEN: Yes. Back here in the United States, there still seems to be a lag in getting test kits. So it's kind of confusing that, if someone were to go to their doctor, would they be able to get tested and go to the emergency room. And, you know, if they feel like they are sick, stay home for now.

It's still very confusing to people. And the issue is, being able to get those test kits and get them in a reasonable time frame.

SENANAYAKE: Right, Natalie. So it's very important to have testing done because the quicker you can do testing, the quicker you can identify someone with the infection. You can isolate them, treat them and stop further infections from occurring.

If people are concerned, I think it's really important that they call ahead to their local provider or general practitioner or call their emergency department or hot lines available for coronavirus in the United States and just ask, hey, I think I've got this infection.

What should I do?

And that's a very good starting point.

ALLEN: Absolutely. Meantime, China is saying that its strict containment measures, which included a lockdown on 60 million people, have curtailed the spread.

If true, how will we know if it sticks, if containment is sustainable?

SENANAYAKE: Only time will tell, Natalie.

[04:15:00]

SENANAYAKE: Look, certainly they have done an extraordinary job of having a couple of weeks ago, 2,500 to 3,000 new cases every day, down to about 100 cases every day and whereas the rest of the world is having 3,000 new cases a day. So it has certainly curtailed the outbreak.

Will it stop it?

I don't know. People have returned to work in Beijing and Shanghai and 300 million rural migrant workers returned to the big city, so there is always the chance that a second wave could occur. But again, if we can slow the outbreak, it gives time for everyone to muster their resources and get ready for a second wave.

ALLEN: We so appreciate your time and your expertise. Every time we get to hear from people like you, it helps people breathe a little bit easier. Dr. Sanjaya Senanayake, thanks, so much for being with us.

SENANAYAKE: Thank you, Natalie. It was a pleasure.

ALLEN: We turn to politics next. Americans in six states head to the polls this Tuesday. The two top presidential Democratic presidential candidates vying for their votes, using two very different messages. We'll share them with you next.

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Welcome back.

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ALLEN: The top two Democratic nominations are pushing their messages hard ahead of crucial votes this Tuesday. Former Vice President Joe Biden calling for Democrats to unite behind him, while Senator Bernie Sanders is stressing what makes the two very different. CNN political correspondent Abby Phillip is on the road in Chicago.

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ABBY PHILLIP, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The pressure is on for Senator Bernie Sanders to wage a comeback after a disappointing finish in the Super Tuesday states. It starts here in Chicago, Illinois, where he rallied about 15,000 supporters, according to his campaign, a massive rally here in Grant Park, where he sharpened his attacks against Joe Biden.

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SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D-VT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Joe Biden and I are friends, I have known him for many years but we have different records. We have a different vision. The American people will hear about it.

When George W. Bush and Dick Cheney told us we had to invade Iraq, one of us voted for that war, that was Joe Biden.

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PHILLIP: And Sanders went on to criticize Joe Biden over his past votes on trade, on the Iraq War and on abortion. It is just the latest sign of escalating tensions between these two campaigns.

We have seen Joe Biden criticizing Sanders over the rhetoric coming from his supporters the Sanders campaign saying that is a small issue compared to the bigger issues in this race, healthcare and trade.

Now for Bernie Sanders on Tuesday, the big test is going to be what happens in Michigan. That is where he is going to be where he is going to be spending a lot of time over the next several days.

Four years ago, he narrowly beat Hillary Clinton in the state of Michigan, totally changing the narrative of that race. It is also where he hopes to mount a comeback in this race against Joe Biden -- Abby Phillip, CNN, Chicago.

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ALLEN: All right. Well, Joe Biden is ramping up his public image. He launched his biggest ad buy so far to the tune of $12 million. One ad responds to Sanders' criticism, saying going negative only helps President Trump. It's been a theme for Biden over the weekend. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, FORMER U.S. VICE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is not an election just for the soul of the Democratic Party, it's a battle for America's soul. At this most perilous moment when it means uniting America, not sowing more division and anger.

To me, it's not only fighting but healing the country. I have been saying that for the last five months. Finally, people are coming around.

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ALLEN: Will they continue to come around to Biden or go with Bernie?

Let's talk about it with James Davis, the director of the Institute of Political Science at University of St. Gen. Allen. He joins me from Munich, Germany, via

Skype.

We appreciate you coming on. James, good to see you. First up, the state of Michigan, that's where Bernie Sanders is heading next. It seems to be ground zero. He has to take the state.

Can he do it?

JAMES DAVIS, UNIVERSITY OF ST. GALLEN: Well, that's the big question. The polls before Super Tuesday were showing that the vice president was in the lead. It was a moderate lead. It wasn't a modest lead. It wasn't a very big lead.

You have to think that, after the momentum, the consolidation of the moderate and slightly progressive wing behind the vice president, you have to think his poll numbers have gone up. He's benefitted from a number of high profile endorsements. He's got the endorsement of both of the major newspapers in Detroit, the free press and the news.

So I have to think the vice president is going into this election with a lot of wind in its sails and Bernie Sanders is really going to have to pull that rabbit out of the hat.

ALLEN: Right. And Sanders' tactic right now is to attack Joe Biden's record from the past.

How do you think that's resonating?

DAVIS: Well, look, they have different records. The vice president has been clearly in the mainstream of the Democratic Party. He's also, you know, traditionally been able appeal to kind of blue collar, slightly conservative Democrats. And those are not the people that have traditionally been behind Bernie Sanders.

So it's a fair -- it's a fair tactic to point to the areas where the two of them are different. My guess is, however, the majority of the Democratic voters are more on the side of Biden on these issues than they are on the side of Bernie Sanders. So it will be interesting. [04:25:00]

DAVIS: I think the most important thing, though, is that Bernie Sanders realizes or comes to realize that over the long haul, it's not going to help him to alienate Biden voters and to really rev up his own voters in such a way that they wouldn't cross over to Biden in the event that Biden should get the nomination because whoever gets this nomination is going to need everybody on their side, so going negative really doesn't help.

ALLEN: All right. Well, let's talk about the demographic makeup of Michigan. Interesting mix of citizens there. You have working class whites, a large Muslim population, African American communities and many college-age voters, too.

What message does Mr. Sanders need to send to that mix of the population?

DAVIS: Well, I mean, that's what's interesting here. Bernie Sanders has done a fairly good job of mobilizing young voters. He's got quite a bit of following in the Hispanic community.

But he hasn't done a very good job with the African American community. He pulls fairly well with labor. But one of the interesting things about Michigan is that traditional labor crossed over to Trump in the last election.

We're interested to see exactly how big labor, traditional labor, the auto industry, some of the other large industries, how they play out. That's one of the things I would be looking for. If he can't pull that off, then I would suggest he really doesn't have a way forward.

ALLEN: Well, meantime, let's talk about Donald Trump. His administration is getting criticized for misinformation about the coronavirus.

Do you see this health crisis and the administration's handling of it perhaps impacting his re-election bid?

How might that play for 2020?

DAVIS: Well, first of all, you know, we just don't know where this crisis is going. And if the administration doesn't get its act together, I think people will come to the conclusion that they really botched this.

It seems to me that this is an easy target for the Democrats. They can weave this story, this incompetence of the administration thus far, with a larger story about the failures of the American health system and our failure to invest in a national health system that delivers quality healthcare to every American, if they can pull that off, put that narrative together, I think it will be a very potent force in the election.

ALLEN: We'll see going forward. James Davis, we always appreciate your insight. Thank you for joining us. DAVIS: Thank you, Natalie.

ALLEN: Well, a hotel to quarantine coronavirus patients collapses without warning into a heap of broken concrete and twisted steel, dozens are safe. But many others are missing. We'll have the latest for you from Beijing just ahead here on CNN.

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ALLEN: Welcome back to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. We appreciate it, I'm Natalie Allen.

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ALLEN: Emergency crews in China are racing to find dozens of people missing in the rubble of a collapsed hotel. At least seven people were killed. Compounding the search and rescue, the building was being used to quarantine victims of the coronavirus.

Going through the ruins requires full protective gear. You can imagine how complicated and dangerous that is for the rescue teams. CNN's Steven Jiang is joining us from Beijing with the latest on this.

Steven, what are you hearing?

STEVEN JIANG, CNN SENIOR PRODUCER, BEIJING BUREAU: Well, Natalie, we have just learned from local officials at a press conference that at the time of the collapse 58 people were under quarantine in that hotel. But all of them had tested negative for the coronavirus. A bit of reassuring information from that press conference.

But still rescuers, as you said, are not taking any chances, that's why you see them wearing masks, goggles, in some cases full-on protective suits. They are racing against time to find more survivors.

Let's see what's happening at the scene of the collapse.

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JIANG (voice-over): A baby is pulled from the rubble after a hotel in China collapsed on Saturday. Firefighters dig through concrete and steel trying to find other survivors. At one point, authorities say at least 70 people were trapped in the debris.

It's a double blow for those inside the building. A structure in the city being used as a quarantine center for people exposed to the novel coronavirus.

More than 800 rescue workers were on the scene, sometimes using their bare hands; at other times, using saws to rescue dozens of people who were taken to nearby ambulances.

Witnesses say they heard a loud noise before the collapse and then saw glass and dust fill the air. Officials say they don't know yet what caused the structure to collapse.

[04:35:00]

JIANG (voice-over): It's about 600 miles from Wuhan at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in China, where more than 3,000 people have died from the virus.

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JIANG: Well, Natalie, this search and rescue effort is very much ongoing as rescuers disinfect the site as they continue their effort there. But the authorities have also said they were investigating the cause of the collapse.

Now they say the owner of the building is now in police custody, because they believe renovation work was taking place on the first floor of the building when the building collapsed.

We believe the building's owner got a call from his workers shortly before the collapse, telling him a pillar had become twisted and a few minutes later this building collapsed, trapping 71 people under the rubble.

ALLEN: I mean, this tragedy is just surreal when you think of this was a building full of people that were quarantined. It's unbelievable. We'll stay in close contact with you. Thanks, Steven.

Well, in the state of New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency because of the coronavirus. That is so he can expedite the purchasing of testing supplies and shore up testing protocols. And he plans to hire more staff for local health departments. CNN correspondent Polo Sandoval has this on this state of New York.

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POLO SANDOVAL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We've seen another significant increase in the number of coronavirus cases confirmed to New York state governor Andrew Cuomo, announcing that number stands at 76. And many of them here in New York City, where the vast majority of them north of the city in Westchester County, where officials are confirming 57 now.

We should point out that a majority of those have been tied to a specific cluster that has to do with a 50-year-old attorney that came down with that virus. At least confirmed to have that virus, earlier this week.

So authorities certainly testing those who have come in contact with him. Meanwhile, authorities in New York also shifting their focus or a part of their focus to price gouging. According to the governor, they've received multiple reports of various businesses, significantly increasing the price for various cleaning products, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.

The governor warning those businesses, that they will be investigated and could face potential consequences.

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ANDREW CUOMO (D), GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK: We have reports of stores selling hand sanitizer for $80 a bottle. It is not worth it to the store owner. You can lose your license and we are very serious about this. For the few dollars that you are going to make during this situation, it's not worth your while.

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SANDOVAL: That emergency declaration, what it does, it essentially expedites the hiring of health professionals, also makes for the quicker purchasing of supplies that are also needed as well as testing, this as authorities try to curb the spread of the coronavirus -- Polo Sandoval, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ALLEN: There is plenty of pain to go around, of course, in the travel industry, too, as travelers call off vacations and business trips with cruise ship fares down nearly 40 percent and airlines expecting to see empty planes this spring. The White House is looking at ways to help the industry. CNN's Richard Quest has our story.

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RICHARD QUEST, CNNMONEY EDITOR AT LARGE (voice-over): The travel industry has faced shocks before. However, this is on a different level.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The last time we've seen anything close to this was post-9/11.

QUEST (voice-over): Hotels, airline, tourist attractions are all feeling the pain as the public worried about the virus cancels vacations and business trips. United Airlines is reducing its North American flights by 10 percent, JetBlue 5 percent.

The German airline group Lufthansa is planning to cut capacity by up to 50 percent after drastic declines in bookings, warning that airlines could lose a staggering $113 billion because of the crisis. Those who are still traveling are taking precautions.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think everybody is pretty nervous about it. Most, well, a lot of people have masks on.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I have my hand sanitizer, my Lysol. I'm wiping down entire (INAUDIBLE) in the bathroom, trying to buy anything to drink here, anything.

QUEST (voice-over): Following the coronavirus outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ships that led to the deaths of six passengers, cruise lines are facing cancellations and sharp reductions in new bookings.

Now the same cruise lines are facing another outbreak on board the Grand Princess. The ship is sitting off the coast of California after a passenger from a previous cruise that became ill and died.

[04:40:00]

QUEST (voice-over): Shares in Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean are all down roughly 40 percent since the Diamond Princess incident. All told, more than $25 billion has been wiped off their combined market value.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are adjusting itineraries, minimizing risks to the extent possible and even repurposing ships. There are two doing humanitarian missions just to use that capacity.

QUEST (voice-over): If people aren't traveling, it means they aren't staying at hotels, dining out, attending conferences. Wynn Resorts is warning its casinos could lose money if international travelers don't come to Las Vegas.

Disney has shut three theme parks in Asia. And in Italy, Venice's famous St. Mark's Square is practically deserted. Virus cancellations have already pushed a small struggling airline and a regional cruise line out of business. Experts are predicting tens of thousands of airlines staff will likely be out of work, at least temporarily.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I suspect in the U.S., within a few months, we will be seeing a lot of empty airplanes.

QUEST: Several years of good profits means the U.S. airline industry is in a much better position to weather this storm. Even so, the airlines are seeking help from the government. And tonight, the White House has confirmed to CNN that it is considering giving assistance to the industry -- Richard Quest, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ALLEN: Of course, another big part of this story, face masks. People around the world have been scrambling to find medical face masks to use as the coronavirus spreads. But according to experts, as we have been reporting, not all masks are created equal.

According to the U.S. Federal Drug Administration, surgical face masks are highly effective against large airborne droplets and particles but do not filter or block very small particles in the air.

Some health experts and mask makers say the N-95 respirator mask can help guard against the coronavirus. It means it blocks at least 95 percent of very small particles. However, it must be properly used and is not designed for children or those with facial hair.

Coming up here, we have another story for you. It's out of the state of Oklahoma, where a wildfire is burning thousands of acres. Officials have a warning for residents. We will have that for you right after this. (MUSIC PLAYING)

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ALLEN: I want to take you to Oklahoma. Evacuations are underway in part of northwestern Oklahoma as a wildfire rips through the region. It has burned at least 13,000 acres so far and is just 10 percent contained. People in at least two towns are being asked to leave as officials warn the fire is threatening homes there.

Well, Derek Van Dam is here to tell us about something pretty cool. If you happen to be outside tonight, glance up to see the super moon. I was bragging to Derek I got a picture of it earlier. I didn't know it was a super moon.

(CROSSTALK)

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It officially occurs late Sunday into Monday. We have three opportunities to see super moons for the next three months. Here's the first one. Again, it occurs tonight into Monday. The next one occurs in the month of April on the 8th and then on the 7th of May, there is the third of three super moons that are going to occur.

This particular super moon is called the super worm moon because it coincides with the time of the year when earthworms start to come out of the soil, because, of course, it is the end of winter and things are starting to melt across the Northern Hemisphere.

The super moon occurs when the full moon coincides with its closest elliptical approach around the Earth, the perigee. That allows for that kind of that allows for that kind of enlarged view of a full moon.

So we look for the super moons to give a broader perspective of what the actual moon looks like because of its proximity to the actual planet. And visibility is looking good over the eastern two-thirds of the country.

Speaking of the light of the moon, I visited a very special place over the western U.S., where the full moon came into play. But let me just tell you, clothing was optional after dark.

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VAN DAM (voice-over): The base of Rocky Peak nestled into the top of a mountain range, water flows from a hot spring, all lined in fir and aspen trees topped with snow. Skiers, snowboarders and people looking to relax flock to these natural hot springs called Strawberry Park, to unwind from their day, their week or their year.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): We have full ranging temperatures from 106 to 107 degrees down to about 103 degrees in the hot pools and depending on time of year, it's probably about 40 degrees right now.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): The main hot springs are seven different springs on the property but the main spring comes out at 150 degrees and feeds the hottest pool we have behind us.

VAN DAM (voice-over): As if all this beauty isn't enough, you can get a massage here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): The highlight of the property is certainly the coolest. But massage is an excellent opportunity. Especially after a hard day of skiing or mountain biking in summer. We have massage therapists come up on sites every day of the year.

VAN DAM (voice-over): Many people visit during the day. Some come for a nighttime dip. The only thing lighting the springs is the moon.

At night, people have the opportunity to drop their swimsuits. Clothing is optional after dark.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(CROSSTALK)

ALLEN: I didn't know.

VAN DAM: You stick around long enough, you will see plenty of full moons, I believe.

(LAUGHTER)

VAN DAM: Something lighter to end this show.

ALLEN: I'm envious of the assignments you get.

VAN DAM: We had fun.

ALLEN: We'll be right back.

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ALLEN: As the coronavirus spreads, unfortunately, so, too, is misinformation, like conspiracy theories, false stories and downright lies. CNN's Hadas Gold has details about that.

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(MUSIC PLAYING) HADAS GOLD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's not just COVID-19, better known as the novel coronavirus, that's spreading fast, there is a flow of misinformation online about the virus and health officials are mounting a concerted effort to combat it.

They're calling it an infodemic, the ease with which conspiracies are shared and reshared makes stopping something going viral online almost as difficult as stopping a biological viral outbreak in the real world.

After the daily misinformation about the measles outbreak in 2018, the World Health Organization is taking new approaches to tackle the problem.

Hey, Andy, how are you?

ANDY PATTISON, DIGITAL SOLUTIONS WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: (INAUDIBLE).

How are you doing?

GOLD: I'm good.

Would you call this the first social media epidemic?

PATTISON: I think this will probably be microepidemics. We call them infodemics. I think this could be the first global one, yes.

GOLD: One of the big strains of the infodemic is misinformation about the virus' origins and how it's spread.

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GOLD: Numerous sites and groups online have been falsely claiming that this virus is the result of some sort of biological warfare, some sort of bioweapon or even created by the pharmaceutical industry to sell more vaccines.

GOLD (voice-over): Another area of misinformation is fake cures and remedies. Some are harmless, like drinking garlic water or herbal tonics. But others are dangerous.

HEIDI LARSON, LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE AND TROPICAL MEDICINE: In our social media monitoring, for instance, we have come across proposed cures and prevention options for coronavirus for everything from, you just need to pray to more harmful proposed treatments, like drinking bleach.

GOLD (voice-over): Health officials are taking this infodemic seriously. The WHO Is directly with tech companies on a daily basis to flag and take down bad information and to ensure that facts from reliable sources get to users first.

GOLD: We're seeing different approaches from different companies, some of them are taking a more aggressive approach to taking down this content. Are there some that you are more pleased with than others?

PATTISON: Yes, definitely. I think it depends on the company's maturity with regard to their social impact and social care for their users. So if they've suffered reputational knots in the past, they are more likely now to respond to help us.

GOLD (voice-over): We've contacted all the platforms and they've said they are taking measures to combat this flow of information. But these measures don't catch everything.

LARSON: It's difficult to just delete unless it's very clearly misinformation. They are provoking questioning and doubt. You can't delete doubt.

GOLD (voice-over): In today's online world there will always misinformation. The challenge now for governments and platforms is how to fight a virus online.

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ALLEN: I'll have the latest information on the coronavirus spread right after this.