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New Day

Tornado Warning in Mississippi; Coronavirus Update from Across the U.S.; Forecast for Unemployment Numbers; Detroit Hit Hard by Pandemic; Results of Hydroxychloroquine Study Delayed; NFL Draft Live Streamed. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired April 23, 2020 - 06:30   ET

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

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[06:31:55]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, breaking news.

Tornadoes ripping through parts of Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas, killing at least six people. Look at these pictures. The storm system causing widespread damage in Polk County, Texas. As many as 30 people were injured there.

There is a tornado warning at this hour in Mississippi.

So let's get right to CNN meteorologist Chad Myers tracking it all for us.

Chad.

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: John, very close to Waynesboro, Mississippi, and also to the east of there into Alabama. And we are going to see this continue for much of the day. It was a deadly day yesterday. These were very large tornadoes. We talked about the EF-4 from Easter weekend. These were likely the same size as that. This was a very ugly day with over 26 tornadoes so far. We'll see what the Weather Service has to say.

So we are still seeing the tornado warning right now. We will continue to see this weather likely south of Montgomery, where the biggest weather will be, the biggest potential for tornados will be. But it will be spread all the way across much of Alabama, Florida and even Georgia.

Tornado watches are in effect as well, which means just watch out, you could get something. The warning now, that's for Thomasville, Alabama. That means it's there.

So this is what we have for the rest of the day. 10:00 in the morning, things are still firing. We go to 3:00, and things are a little bit farther to the south and the southeast. We move you a little bit farther along, all the way to about the 7:00 or 8:00 hour, and you can see all of the colors on the map, Alisyn. This is going to be another very active day. Yesterday we had 26. Today, I don't think we'll see that many, but we

certainly could. The same type of event. The same area here that was hit on Easter Sunday.

Alisyn.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Looks scary, Chad. Thank you very much for tracking that for us.

Let's get a status report on how the virus is affecting people in every state. There have been at least 842,000 coronavirus cases in the United States, nearly 47,000 deaths.

CNN has reporter across the country bringing us all the latest developments.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Stephanie Elam in Los Angeles.

California Governor Gavin Newsom is saying anyone in the state with symptoms of the coronavirus should get tested. On top of that, the state also saying anyone who wants to be tested for their own peace of mind can now get the test done. The state look to ramp up their testing for coronavirus and also for the antibodies. And the governor has said that tracking, testing and tracing of where this virus has been in the state is a key component to how they'll decide whether or not the state can return to a sense of normalcy. The governor saying while he knows people would like to know when that's going to happen, he says at this point there's just no date.

ATHENA JONES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Athena Jones in New York, where two cats became the first pets in the United States to test positive for the novel coronavirus. Federal officials said both cats had mild respiratory symptoms and are expected to make a full recovery. Only one lived in a home where a human also tested positive for the virus. The CDC recommends people limit their pets interactions with people or animals outside the household and to limit their own interactions with their pets if they're sick.

[06:35:02]

Federal officials said there is no evidence that pets play a role in spreading the virus.

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Rosa Flores in Miami.

Schools in Florida could open as early as this summer in a hybrid fashion. That's according to comments made by Florida's education commissioner, Richard Corcoran during a task force meeting to reopen the state. Corcoran didn't define hybrid, but did say it could include distance learning and direct instruction on campus. This hybrid method could also be used into the fall. A final decision on reopening schools has not been made per Corcoran. The task force is due to deliver its recommendations to Governor Ron DeSantis Friday. (END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: Our thanks to all of our reporters.

Now the newest unemployment numbers give us a snapshot of America's jobs crisis today. Christine Romans is going to tell us what to expect, next.

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CAMEROTA: OK, now for the latest on the economy. Economists forecast another 4.2 million Americans will have filed for unemployment last week.

CNN chief business correspondent Christine Romans joins us with more.

So, is that what you expect, Christine, and where does that leave us?

[06:40:00]

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes. I mean this is going to be another really devastating week in the job market. You know, this will probably be the fifth week in a row of just historic, massive job losses.

This is what it looks like when you tell people to stay home. It looks like millions of jobs lost. So anywhere from 4 million to 5 million are the -- most of the economists forecast there. You can see Barclays at 4.5 million on the high side there, Morgan Stanley at 3.8. So somewhere around 4 million.

And you've had a few weeks now of declining numbers of jobless claims, but declining from these epic, epic levels.

This is unimaginable even six weeks ago that we would ever even have to make this chart. This is the worst job loss we've seen since the Great Depression. Now, the hope here, of course, is that this is temporary. That you keep people out of the labor market, you send them home and then you get the virus under control and then you send people back to work. But we just aren't clear on that reopening picture just yet. And these numbers certainly are devastating.

CAMEROTA: So when you say that this is the worst -- sorry, Christine, from the Great Depression, what do you expect the unemployment rate to be?

ROMANS: So I think when the government calculates the unemployment statistics again, it will be at least 15 percent here. And you're knocking on the door of that 20 percent number for the unemployment rate. Just the volume of jobs lost.

We've lost ten years of job creation in just four weeks. Let me say that again, ten years of job creation, the longest expansion in American history, all those jobs, John, are gone in just four weeks.

And, again, this animates the reopening debate, because you look at these numbers and it causes, you know, terror among business owners and politicians and working people. They say, OK, we've got to get these people back to work.

But, wait, if you don't do it the right way, you cause real damage to the labor market and then these are not temporary job losses, this becomes something more damaging.

BERMAN: All right, Romans, we're watching that very closely. Less than two hours from now we will get those numbers. They will not be good.

One major city where unemployment is a major issue is Detroit. Both local businesses and officials there rising to the challenge.

CNN's Omar Jimenez live in Detroit with the very latest.

Omar, what are you seeing?

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, John. Well, of course, as we know, one of the biggest impacts from this coronavirus pandemic outside the health aspect is on the economic way of life, from layoffs, to uncertain futures for businesses. But the people here in Detroit aren't taking it lying down. State and city officials have put in place programs to fight back. And at least the people we've spoken to have been through a lot over the course of the past decade and a half. And they say one thing they know how to do is survive.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIMENEZ (voice over): Quiet downtown streets, economies grinding to a halt, all too common sights across America amid the coronavirus pandemic. And Detroit is no different.

JIMENEZ (on camera): The planning for a place like this takes years.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

JIMENEZ: And then here you are weeks away from opening.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, we -- we would have been ready to go at the end of March.

JIMENEZ (voice over): Now that timeline is up in the air while he navigates unemployment for the first time after also being laid off.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Things aren't great all the time, but we've always made it through.

JIMENEZ: But for many, these are uncertain times. Officials hope part of the solution is a better understanding of the present.

Detroit is the first major city in the country now opening coronavirus testing to all essential employees regardless of symptoms.

HAKIM BERRY, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER: And that was the thought behind it, those that are at the grocery stores, those that are at the pharmacies and the restaurants that are still operating with carry-out service. How do you insure that they're safe and healthy and able to serve the public?

JIMENEZ (on camera): They'll make their appointments beforehand. Their information will get radioed in to this tent here where these masked and gloved workers will then direct them to one of 12 tents where these employees will get their actual coronavirus tests.

JIMENEZ (voice over): Detroit is trying to get back to work. Thousands in the city are unemployed, as are millions across the United States. Michigan's overall unemployment rate soaring to 20 percent, even affecting companies doing life-saving work.

Die Tech and Engineering in the Grand Rapids area has been working as part of a partnership with General Motors to help make ventilators. And the owner says even they had to lay off 20 percent of their staff.

BILL BERRY, PRESIDENT, DIE TECH AND ENGINEERING: Even though my guys are working and my company is still operating and we might be one of the least affected companies, well, nobody is safe.

JIMENEZ: In Detroit, city officials have been working hard to make sure the current climate doesn't become a permanent one. The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and others have helped to give out grants to over 1,000 businesses. And the city of Detroit is literally paying restaurants to help make food for first responders.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We can bring it right to your door so they have no contact, OK?

JIMENEZ: Hugh Smith's jazz club is now a full-time kitchen for survival, emblematic of the larger picture in Detroit.

[06:45:02]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eighty-six years, never shut down through all crises. I don't think there will ever be anything greater and I don't wish there to be anything greater than this challenge. But we're here to survive. We're survivors and we will beat this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: And, looking ahead, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says they are now looking at ways to reengage as she says the data they're received says it's time to reevaluate the stay-at-home order that is currently in place and keeping people home. And as we have seen, keeping businesses trying to figure out what comes next. She says that announcement should come by the end of the week, John.

BERMAN: And, look, Detroit's been in an economic battle for years, Omar. This is just a new twist in that battle. Terrific report. Thanks so much for being with us.

Omar Jimenez in Detroit.

One of the largest and most anticipated studies on Hydroxychloroquine is complete, but we still don't have the results. So why the delay?

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CAMEROTA: There are dozens of clinical trials underway in the search for a coronavirus treatment. One trial study on Hydroxychloroquine has concluded in New York state, but we still do not have the finding.

CNN's senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Coronavirus patients desperate for a cure, awaiting the results of studies on several drugs so they'll know which could work, including this one, Hydroxychloroquine.

[06:50:04]

One of the biggest studies so far at the University in Albany in New York.

But there's a mystery about that study. Hydroxychloroquine has been heavily politicized. President Trump is a cheerleader for it.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're having some very good things happening with it.

It will be wonderful. It will be so beautiful. It will be a gift from heaven if it works.

COHEN: But doctors say it needs to be studied first. On April 12th, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo gave a date to expect preliminary results from the Albany study, which is being sponsored by the state.

GOV. ANDREW CUOMO (D-NY): I think we're going to get actual reports on April 20th.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And we'll get some preliminary results back on April 20th.

COHEN: But April 20th came and no preliminary results. The next day, Cuomo was asked about it again after he visited the White House.

QUESTION: Do you have any indication of what the state -- state results have been? You said that they were being sent to Washington yesterday.

CUOMO: I have no -- I do not know. I do not know.

COHEN: The researcher says he'll be releasing final results as early as the end of next week in the hopes of helping Covid patients as soon as possible.

DAVID HOLTGRAVE, UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY, STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK: We're hoping that by next week we will have reached the final phase of this study. This study is really important and it's important that we quickly get to the final phase as fast as we can. COHEN: So far, the most recent studies have not looked good for

Hydroxychloroquine. The largest thus far is the Veterans Health Administration, 368 coronavirus patients. Those who took Hydroxychloroquine had more than twice the death rate as those who did not. In a French study of 181 patients, Hydroxychloroquine didn't work and some patients taking it developed heart problems. Neither of those studies has been peer reviewed or published in a medical journal yet.

One small study, also French, had 20 study subjects and showed that patients had a lower viral load after taking Hydroxychloroquine. But that study's methods have been questioned and the journal that published it is reviewing it again.

For coronavirus patients and their families, more waiting to see which drug might make the difference between life and death.

Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: What we all need is big peer reviewed control group study on Hydroxychloroquine.

So, one of the most anticipated nights every year in sports, it will actually happen tonight. But it will look way, way, way different. The "Bleacher Report" is next.

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[06:556:58]

BERMAN: All right, it is a big, big night. The NFL draft starts tonight for real. But this one will look quite different.

Andy Scholes with more in the "Bleacher Report."

Hey, Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, John.

You know, here's hoping everyone around the NFL has a strong Internet connection because tonight we're going to have a -- our first ever virtual draft. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and all the teams are going to be working from home for this one.

Now, the Cincinnati Bengals, they hold the first overall pick. But, you know, don't look for any drama to happen. Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Joe Burrow expected to be the first name called. A record- setting season at LSU cemented his legacy. He's one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all-time. Burrow's former Ohio State teammate Chase Young expected to go second overall to the Redskins. Big question tonight, where does Alabama's quarterback Tua Tagovailoa go after that major hip surgery. The draft starts at 8:00 Eastern.

All right, it's official, Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning will be facing off against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady on the golf course. The match, Champions for Charity, will take place next month. All the proceeds are going to go to coronavirus relief. You're going to be able to watch it live on our sister station TNT. More details on that big match to come.

And speaking of Brady, he posted footage on Instagram of how he got Rob Gronkowski out of retirement to join him in Tampa.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a little tired. But Gronk reporting.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: That video is great.

And, John, I wanted to ask, you know, you know, the long -- as a lifelong Patriots fan, how do you feel about Gronk now joining Brady there in Tampa?

BERMAN: What's great about that video? I'm sorry, I missed the -- I missed the part about it being great exactly. I have -- I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do. I mean I have such deep feelings for both Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. Like, a decade worth of deep feelings. I don't know what to do now. I'm still processing.

SCHOLES: Well, the Bucs can be your NFC team, right?

BERMAN: I mean, I guess. I don't know. I mean, I don't know. What am I supposed -- I don't know what I'm supposed to do yet, Andy. I'm processing it. I'm not there yet. I'll watch the NFL draft tonight and maybe that will make me feel better.

But thank you.

SCHOLES: All right.

BERMAN: Thank you for rubbing it in my face this morning before 7:00 a.m. Appreciate it.

SCHOLES: All right.

BERMAN: All right, so many new developments in the pandemic.

NEW DAY continues right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rick Bright (ph), he says he has been pushed out of his job because he raised questions about Hydroxychloroquine.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You just mentioned the name. I never heard of him.

DR. ROBERT REDFIELD, DIRECTOR, CDC: We are going to have two viruses. And we're going to have to distinguish between which is flu and which is the coronavirus. And so the comments that I made, it's more difficult.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You were accurately quoted.

REDFIELD: I'm accurately quoted in "The Washington Post."

TRUMP: I told the governor of Georgia that I disagree with his decision to open certain facilities, which are in violation of the phase one guidelines.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think this is too early. I think it's too soon.

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, WHITE HOUSE CORONAVIRUS TASK FORCE: Leapfrogging into phases where you should not be, I would advise him not to do that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[07:00:03]

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

CAMEROTA: We want to welcome our viewers.

END