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Human Trials Of Possible Coronavirus Vaccine Starting Today At Oxford; Merkel: Germany Risks Wasting Gains If It Opens Too Fast; Family Unable To Get Adopted Chinese Son To The U.S. Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired April 23, 2020 - 05:30   ET

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

[05:30:00]

ROBYN CURNOW, CNN ANCHOR: And the mayor of Las Vegas is doubling down on her push to reopen the city's casinos and hotels despite the pandemic.

During a contentious interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Carolyn Goodman refused to provide guidelines on how gamblers could socially distance safely. She says that's up to business owners.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR CAROLYN GOODMAN (I), LAS VEGAS: We offered to be a controlled group. Anybody who knows anything about statistics knows that, for instance, you have a vaccine -- you get the real vaccine --

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR, ANDERSON COOPER 360: You're offering the citizens of Las Vegas to be a controlled group to see if you're theory on social distancing works or doesn't work?

GOODMAN: I did offer. It was turned down.

No, no, no, no, wrong -- absolutely wrong. Don't put words in my mouth. What I said was I offered.

COOPER: You just said we'll be a control group.

GOODMAN: Excuse me, what I said was I offered to be a control group.

COOPER: If you can't figure out how to do this safely why, as mayor of a city that you are responsible for the people's safety, are you calling for something that you have no plan for how it would be done safely?

GOODMAN: I am not a private owner. That's the competition in this country. The free -- you know, the free enterprise and to be able to make sure that what you offer the public meets the needs of the public.

Right now we're in a crisis healthwise and so for a restaurant to be open or a small boutique to be open, they better figure it out. That's their job. That's not --

COOPER: So let me ask you --

GOODMAN: -- the mayor's job.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CURNOW: So, the Democratic governor of Nevada is firing back against Mayor Goodman. He told my colleague Anderson Cooper again that his state and Las Vegas are not ready to open yet.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. STEVE SISOLAK (D), NEVADA: It's important that we protect the health and the future and the well-being of our citizens. We can rebuild our economy. We will rebuild our economy.

Las Vegas will continue to thrive but I can't do that if I lose more people. We need to protect their health and their well-being. There will come a time to open Las Vegas in a phased-in approach.

And I urge everyone -- Nevada has been incredible. The vast majority of citizens are wearing face coverings, they're practicing social distancing. They're doing everything they can. And we need to send a sincere message and a consistent message and it's difficult when we get one person that's kind of leading people astray, and I'm disappointed in that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CURNOW: So while that conversation continues here in the U.S., researchers in Oxford, England will begin testing a vaccine on humans today. It's based on a weakened version of the common cold virus found in chimpanzees. The British health secretary says the government will quote "throw everything into the hunt for a vaccine."

So let's go straight to London. Nic Robertson joins me now.

So folks in Oxford are plowing ahead with this -- human trials starting today. What more do we know?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Twenty-four million dollars is what they've been given from the British government to help them do this.

Professor Sarah Gilbert, who is leading this research, has used this vaccine before in research for the MERS coronavirus a few years ago, so they have experience now. The first phase of this test, we understand, will involve perhaps several hundred people. It's a sort of safety phase of the test.

Again, all of this -- the government says it's throwing everything behind it, so all of these vaccines that are going to be tested in the U.K. -- there's this one in Oxford, there's another one at a London university in a few months' time -- they're accelerating. This acceleration, though, still requires a safety phase and that's what will be happening with the Oxford test initially. They hope to have the results of that to make sure that the vaccine has no adverse effects and they hope to be done with that phase of the test by fall, they say. Then they could scale up and get into a sort of a real medical clinical (audio gap) and scale up, and then look at how effective the vaccine is against preventing the virus.

The stakes, of course, are very high. The chief medical officer for England has said that unless you have an effective vaccine that can dampen the pandemic or stop people dying, then we could, in the U.K., be in lockdown for -- not lockdown, but social distancing-type measures for maybe another year or so.

CURNOW: Playing out across the world, definitely.

So this is happening in Oxford. I know that there's also an Imperial College one as well. And other folks around the world are also looking for a vaccine. How much coordination is there?

ROBERTSON: These researchers that we know in the U.K., the government has a hand in coordination there. At a global level, it's not clear how much coordination there is. Obviously, WHO would likely play a role in that.

The studies that all researchers are doing, so far, have been at a collaborative level. The recognition is that it -- you know, the way to -- the way to gain an advantage against the virus is to pool resources, pool knowledge. That was what the WHO praised China for, for giving the world the genome early in January.

[05:35:11]

But, of course, governments -- individual governments are still looking for success stories at home, so they're pushing ahead with this.

Another thing that the government's pushing ahead with beginning today in the U.K. is another piece of research and they say it's fundamental to going forward, which is a test for antibodies and infection rates.

They're going to rate about 20,000 homes across the country; as many as 300,000 people. That's about half of one percent of the whole population in the U.K. And these people will be invited to join a test that will require swabs and blood tests to be taken, perhaps in the beginning on a weekly basis.

And the government will use this data that they collect to determine how the virus is moving, who gets infected, can you get re-infected a second time, who is most vulnerable. And they're going to put -- they're going to stage this, they say, geographically across the country but also sort of with difference cross-sections of the population.

Again, a key pillar of what the government is trying to do to establish a solid database to make these sort of science-based decisions that -- political decisions that the government's going to have to take about coming out of lockdown. CURNOW: Yes. I mean, essentially, building the foundation here.

Nic Robertson, thanks for explaining all of that, coming to us live there from London. Have a good day.

So, Germany has just confirmed more deaths from the coronavirus pandemic. That's according to health officials there. The virus has now killed more than 5,000 people nationwide in Germany.

And in the last hour, Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the German Parliament -- you can see her here -- and warned that the country's risks -- the country risks squandering the gains it has made if it opens too fast.

So, Fred Pleitgen joins me now from Berlin. Hi, Fred.

So, what did Angela Merkel have to say because I know that you've been reporting in the last few days that there has been a relaxation? The other day you were in front of a zoo. People were going out to the zoo. So is Angela Merkel now pushing back on that, saying hold on, maybe we went a bit too fast?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Well, I think that she believes on a local and state level some of the state governors may be going too fast in all of this.

Essentially, what happened here in Germany is at the end of last week the government, on the federal and state level, decided to loosen some of the restrictions that were in place for physical distancing in that -- in this country.

Obviously, with stores having been closed and people not going out as much as they were before, they decided that smaller stores were allowed to open and, for instance, some zoos were allowed to open as well. That's where we -- where we were standing. Now, Angela Merkel says she still stands by having done all of that, but she says that the way that it's implemented in certain cases, she believes is simply going too far.

And we were seeing some of that, actually, while we were reporting as well, where many people flocked to some of these pedestrian zones in the inner cities here in many German towns -- went to these stores.

And it seemed as though some people might be getting a bit lax with the physical distancing part of it and that seems to be something that Angela Merkel has been observing herself, as well. She said look, so far, Germany's been doing really well. The people have been very disciplined, so far, in their physical distancing.

Also, of course, part of that strategy has been that mass testing that's been going on in Germany as well, and the expansion of hospital capacities, which is why the death toll, which went across 5,000 today, is still fairly low for the amount of infections that Germany has.

She just says right now, look people, don't take your foot off the gas. Don't become lax with some of these measures. Otherwise, we could see a resurgence of cases and that could lead to a new lockdown.

Essentially, what Angela Merkel was saying, let's not squander these results. Let's remain disciplined right now to make sure that we can then really get out of the complete lockdown earlier which, of course, is also very important for an economy the size of Germany's as well. She believes that some of the folks on the local and state level might be going too far, too fast and that, therefore, those results could be squandered.

And, Robyn, having watched her speech on T.V., she was very, very adamant about that point. She was -- I wouldn't say emotional but certainly, it was really the main thing that she seemed to be trying to get across to people here in this country to remain disciplined in this very, very important phase. As she put it, Germany is still very much in the beginning, as she said, of this pandemic.

CURNOW: OK, thanks for that. That's Fred Pleitgen live from Germany. Thanks, Fred.

So coming up, children from orphanages around the world are unable to move into their new homes because of the pandemic. Coming up, we'll speak to a mother waiting to bring her new son home from China about the challenges her family is now facing.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:42:42]

CURNOW: There certainly is a special joy that comes with welcoming a new child into the family, but for those involved with international adoptions that joy is delayed because of the coronavirus. Travel restrictions in both the U.S. and China have left families unsure of when they can welcome children into their homes, and a lack of answers is certainly making the waiting even harder.

So joining me now is Heidi Redmond. She's the adoptive mother of a son from China whom she is unable to get to the U.S. because of the pandemic. Heidi, lovely to see.

So when were you supposed to get your little boy?

HEIDI REDMOND, CANNOT PICK UP ADOPTED SON FROM CHINA: Absolutely. Our family day was going to be on February the third, and our family had gotten flights, we had packed our bags, we were ready to go. And then shortly before we were to fly out, the travel ban was instituted as a result of COVID-19 and our plans were postponed indefinitely.

And, you know, since that time, not much has changed. We still have no clear answers as to when we will be able to go or what the process might look like at that point. But we do remain hopeful in that although this is a really hard chapter of this story, this is not the end of our story.

CURNOW: No, and tell us about it. When did you -- you know, when did you connect with him, how old is he, and what more do you know about how he's managed these last few months without you? REDMOND: Absolutely. So we were matched with Kai (ph) in the fall of 2019 and he is your typical 2-year-old. He loves music and running, and cookies. We've been able to receive updates and photos. And a few weeks ago we actually got to do a video chat, which was absolutely phenomenal.

But although he seems to be doing very well and being cared for, the truth is that he doesn't belong in an orphanage. He belongs with his family in his home, sleeping in his bed, filling his empty spot at our table. And so, you can understand why the cry of our heart is for him to be home.

CURNOW: I see you have other children as well. Obviously, this has been difficult for the whole family trying to sort of figure out where and how this is all going to play out and end.

[05:45:00]

REDMOND: Absolutely, absolutely, and it's very, very difficult. You know, children are resilient and they really come at life in such a beautiful way. But I would be completely lying if I told you that our kids weren't devastated and don't continue to long to be united with their brother.

CURNOW: So what kind of conversations -- it's great that you've had a video chat with him. What kind of conversations have you had with the adoption agency and the orphanage? I mean, do you have any idea of how this is going to play out? As soon as these travel bans are lifted are you going to be there or is there going to be quarantine periods?

Do you have any sense of how long this is going to take?

REDMOND: Well, first of all, from an adoption agency standpoint, our agency has been amazing to work with, but the truth is that at this point it's really completely out of their control. You know, they prepared us for many delays along the way. A pandemic was not on anyone's radar.

And so, you know, we know that we're also on the State Department's radar. I know they have a lot going on right now but our hope is that they will be able to act on our behalf to encourage the maybe non- traditional ideas that could be helpful in ultimately bringing our son home.

The truth of the matter is that at this point, we just -- we just have no answers and we don't know. I feel a lot of other adopted families and every single one of us, if given the opportunity tomorrow to bring our child home -- to get on a plane -- you know, to go through two weeks of quarantine in-country -- we'd do it in a heartbeat. But at this point, we just haven't been given that opportunity.

CURNOW: No, and in many ways, we just don't know because this is all uncharted territory for everyone. But I'm so sorry that it's been so difficult. It's just heartbreaking that little Kai is waiting for you in that orphanage. I know there are lots of other kids as well. But hopefully, there's some resolution soon. Heidi, great to speak to you. Good luck to you and your family.

REDMOND: Thank you so much.

CURNOW: All the best.

So we know about 22 million Americans have filed jobless claims since March, and as this coronavirus keeps business closed -- businesses closed, it's certainly becoming harder for some families to put food on the table.

We know in Florida, hundreds of families are left lining up in their cars to receive donations from food banks, as Randi Kaye now reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's go, come on.

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This was the scene in Hialeah Gardens, Florida. Cars stretching for miles, all of them waiting for free food. Before dawn, organizers say more than 1,000 cars were waiting.

KAYE (on camera): What time did you come this morning?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Four.

KAYE (on camera): Four a.m.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

KAYE (voice-over): Some came as early as 2:00 a.m., sleeping in their cars for more than six hours before the food line opened.

More than 60 volunteers showed up to help distribute potatoes, fruit, pickles, and chicken -- lots of it.

KAYE (on camera): How much chicken you think you're giving away today?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know, but it's a lot.

KAYE (voice-over): Much of the food, gathered by the non-profit group Farm Share, was purchased from farmers so it wouldn't go to waste.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've seen probably the biggest need in the history of Farm Share during this pandemic.

KAYE (on camera): Tienes hambre? Are you hungry?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Um-hum.

KAYE (on camera): Yes?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

KAYE (voice-over): Many who came to pick up food told me they've lost their job and are running out of food at home.

KAYE (on camera): No dinero, no trabajo -- no job, no money.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No money.

KAYE (on camera): So you're coming for the food?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (speaking foreign language).

KAYE (voice-over): He told me he's been out of work for weeks and has no food at home. Same story for this man.

KAYE (on camera): Do you need food badly?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, yes, yes. I not working at this moment. It's very fine (ph).

KAYE (on camera): You're not working, so you need food?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I no working. I need food for my family.

KAYE (on camera): And the fact that it's free, so that helps.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, yes, it's good -- good idea.

KAYE (on camera): Because you don't have the money to pay for it right now?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I know.

KAYE (voice-over): Each family takes home about 15 pounds of food. During this pandemic, Farm Share has given away nearly five million pounds of food to families in Miami-Dade County, one of the hardest- hit.

KAYE (on camera): When they first started doing these food giveaways in early March, they were serving about 400 families. Here, they expect to serve about 1,400 families. So clearly, the word has spread and so has the desperation for food.

KAYE (voice-over): Cesar Borrelo is a flight attendant. He's barely working and has much less money coming in.

CESAR BORRELO, FLORIDA RESIDENT: Now we are three adults and two kids.

KAYE (on camera): So that's a lot of mouths to feed.

BORRELO: Oh, yes. Yes, it is.

KAYE (on camera): Some people tell me they are rationing and not eating as much at home. Are you doing that?

BORRELO: Yes, we are doing that. We organize the menus and, you know, handle (ph) with this all the time. KAYE (voice-over): Still, despite his cut in pay, he thinks it's a mistake for neighboring Georgia to start reopening businesses later this week to get the economy going again.

BORRELO: It's too soon. You know, stay at home at the moment, keep a distance.

[05:50:05]

KAYE (voice-over): Randi Kaye, CNN, Hialeah Gardens, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CURNOW: What a piece. Thanks, Randi -- very powerful.

So, still to come, New York police know exactly what it's like to respond to a crisis, so they're thanking another group of first responders for their work during the pandemic.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CURNOW: In New York, a touching, touching tribute to health care workers from a group that's also had experience responded to crises. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

New York police officers cheering health care workers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CURNOW: New York police officers there applauding and cheering medical workers who came across the country -- from across the country to help out in the city. Many have been here for -- been here for weeks and some are about to start their final shifts. So the NYPD decided to give them a memorable sendoff, thanking them for their work.

And join us tonight for a special coronavirus global town hall. Alicia Keys joins CNN for the world premiere of her new song, which is dedicated to everyday heroes on the front lines of the pandemic. That will be fabulous.

[05:55:01]

It's at 8:00 p.m. eastern time tonight; Friday, a.m. -- 8:00 a.m. in Hong Kong. Wherever you are in the world, do tune in.

Now, before we go, check this out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

Stanley Tucci showing off quarantine bartending skills.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CURNOW: Actor Stanley Tucci here is using his quarantine time to demonstrate his bartending skills. He's showing his followers on Instagram had to make the perfect Negroni. It's sweet vermouth, Campari, and (INAUDIBLE), a double-shot of gin. There we go.

Alcohol consumption, we know, is up during the pandemic and some social media fans are gushing that Stanley makes the perfect virtual bartender while self-isolating. Yes, I think we could all use a drink after seeing that.

Thanks for your company. Wonderful to see you. Join me again tomorrow -- same time, same place. Do stay at home by helping -- and help our medical workers by doing that.

I'm Robyn Curnow. Alisyn and John are next with "NEW DAY."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The director of a key federal agency says he's been pushed out of his job because he resisted efforts to widen the availability of a drug that was pushed by President Trump.

TRUMP: This guy says he was pushed out of a job. Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't.

DR. ROBERT REDFIELD, DIRECTOR, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION: It's important to clarify this. I didn't say that this was going to be worse. I said it was going to be more difficult.

DR. STEVEN HAHN, COMMISSIONER, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION: Dr. Redfield's concern is that there also might be flu at the same time. The whole task force is concerned about the second wave.

TRUMP: It is estimated it might not come back at all. It may not come back at all.

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH: We will have coronavirus in the fall. I am convinced of that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Alisyn Camerota and John Berman.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world. This is NEW DAY. It's Thursday, April 23rd, 6:00 here in New York.

END