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China Sends Message Of Control At Annual Meeting; Spanish Foreign Minister Speaks With CNN Amid Reopening; Large Study Points To Serious Dangers Of Anti-Malaria Drugs; Mexico Reports Largest Single Day Increase In Cases; NFL Stars To Join Tiger, Phil For Charity Golf Match. Aired 11a- 12p ET

Aired May 22, 2020 - 11:00   ET

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

[11:00:00]

HALA GORANI, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: A passenger plane has crashed Pakistan; we have got the latest details on this breaking story. Then, a

controversial move from China that moves to expand control over Hong Kong. And a delicate balance as Spain mulls if it can reboot the tourism sector

while keeping people safe. I'll put that to the Foreign Minister who joins me live this hour.

We begin with that breaking news out of the Pakistan. Rescue efforts are under way in the southwestern city of Karachi. A commercial airliner and

Airbus320 just minutes from landing crashed with more than 100 people on board into a densely populated area.

The Pakistan International Airlines flight came down in that residential zone near the airport shortly after a mayday call from the cockpit. At

least bodies have been recovered. CNN Producer Sophia Saifi joins us now with the very latest. She is in Islamabad. So Sophia talk to us about what

the airline is saying, just in terms of what we know about whether or not anyone survived this crash?

SOPHIA SAIFI, CNN PRODUCER: Well, Hala, the airline itself has only said that this crash was caused by technical issues, they did confirm the mayday

call they said the pilot kept complaining that there were technical issues and he tried to fly around the airport which is when they lost him and the

crash happened in that very crowded, congested residential area.

But we do have confirmation from the local government officials that there have been two survivors from the plane crash itself. One of them happens to

be a banker, a prominent banker in Pakistan he is apparently survived with barely any injuries. We do have a confirmation on that.

Like you said this is a crash that happened in a residential area so it has been difficult to kind of figure out by people on the ground, by rescue

officials on the ground to sift through the casualties of the people who were actually living in that area as well as people who were in the plane

itself.

So even now about three and a half hours after the plane crash happened, there is still an ongoing search and rescue operation in that part of

Karachi which itself is an extremely populated city so we're seeing a lot of densely populated buildings high raised buildings right next to the

airport where the crash happened, Hala?

GORANI: This is really the worst-case scenario, a commercial jetliner crashing into a civilian densely populated area. Obviously there has to be

some concern that people on the ground were also hurt or killed, right?

SAIFI: Yes, definitely. There has been state of emergency and all of the hospitals across Karachi and what needs to be understood is that while the

state of emergency, the state of high alert was enforced today and already been imposed in Karachi for the past two months where there was a lockdown

in place because of COVID-19.

And this plane itself, this flight, was a special flight which had been operated to bring back people to their hometowns to celebrate EID because,

you know, there had been so domestic flights running in Pakistan for almost two months now and that only resumed at a low capacity about a week ago.

So there was already this state of apathy in the country because of COVID- 19. The state of affairs of people going out, the lockdown had been lifted and now you have situation where medical facilities are already stretched

bah of an increasing number of COVID-19 patients in the city.

It has been the most affected city by COVID-19 and now you have a situation where you have doctors dealing with this emergency, as well.

GORANI: Right. Well, the most affected city by COVID-19 on top of that, this plane crash and all the people who are going to need medical help.

Thank you very much Sophia Saifi. Let's go to Richard Quest he is in New York and I understand that the pilot there issued a mayday call relaying

technical issues with the plane. What more do we know?

RICHARD QUEST, CNN EDITOR-AT-LARGE: We don't really know much but we know enough to start to pull the strands together. The plane is on an approach.

The - for some reason we believe that the landing gear did not deploy as expected. It did not come down.

Then there seems to be some missed approach and the plane does a go-around. As doing the go-around it loses power and you get this mayday call. But we

don't know how close the plane came to the ground before it did its go- around.

[11:05:00]

QUEST: The facts of this - the reasons for this mayday are deeply clouded in mystery. We don't know the reasons behind it but we will, Hala. And

that's because the nature of this crash is such that the black boxes so- called will be found and they will be read out and they should be relatively straightforward.

Ironically, awfully to say, the fact that it went into buildings near the runway or near the airport probably made what could have been a survivable

accident much worse in that sense? That's just sort of the way it is because it is a much more complicated crash.

GORANI: Yes. So, this was a Pakistan International Airlines flight with 99 passengers and 8 crew on board, that's 107 people. It could accommodate

almost double that number any reaction from Airbus yet.

QUEST: Airbus is the usual reaction that they're sending a team to investigate condolences. This is the normal thing one would expect from the

airframe and aircraft manufacturer. They will be sending a team to investigate. I'll be clear, blunt here.

I don't think this is going to be a particularly complicated investigation. The nature of what happened - look. First of all, the plane hadn't flown -

only went back in service the day before. It had been out of service more than a month as Pakistan International had shut down.

So, they'll obviously be looking first of all at what's on the black boxes? What that tells you about what the pilots were dealing with? And how they

were dealing with it? And then you trace that back to any mechanical, any maintenance issues when the plane was put back in the air.

I sort of on a hunch here that the reasons as soon as they have got the black boxes will become very clear as to what happened and then it will

become a question of airmanship, failure of the airframe or the air body and the engines?

GORANI: Yes. And obviously, when there's an issue with the plane and mechanical issue or anything like that, I imagine that the first priority

of pilots is to avoid civilian populated areas that, you know, there have been stories of pilots who have diverted heroically planes away from

populated areas. In this case it was not possible obviously. I wonder what that tells us.

QUEST: Oh, I don't think for a moment we were in that sort of scenario. That scenario tends to be when the plane is relatively high and there is

distance to fly. Thinking of the sully and the miracle on the Hudson it's where you've got space or relative space. You've got distance. There are

lots of those cases where the pilots deliberately fly to places away from crowded areas.

That wasn't here. They have done a missed the approach. They didn't realize they were in extreme as until the mayday. There probably was nowhere that

wasn't fairly well populated in this particular area. That could have been reached with any degree of ease.

And finally, they lost power and in those moments of extremist, they didn't have altitude as well. They didn't have that much altitude so in those

scenarios I'm guessing whilst it would have been desirable to go in a direction away from there but you have to be pretty sharp and quick and

your airmanship skills have to be fairly honed to be able to make that sort of rapid calculation in this scenario.

GORANI: We'll see you later, Richard. Let's talk about numbers now. CNN analysis showing that Latin America has overtaken Europe and the United

States in new COVID-19 cases that is where the hot spots are now. Mexico on Thursday recorded its largest daily number of confirmed cases.

Here you see cemetery workers bury the remains of victims in a special area reserved for them. And CNN captured these images from above graves dug in

the hills outside Sao Paulo. Brazil is now reporting the highest number of its daily deaths, that is not anywhere near the peak.

[11:10:00]

GORANI: Look at those - 5.1 million cases over 333,000 deaths. Those numbers are according to Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. is accounting

for nearly a third of the world's confirmed cases with over 1.5 million. Over 94,000 people in America have died and every day that number is going

up still.

We'll get to what's going on in Latin America and then in the United States in a moment. But first, let's talk about what China has done over the last

24 hours. It's proposing a new and very controversial law that's making people in Hong Kong unhappy.

It is aimed at cracking down on so-called national security threats. But essentially what the law would do is bypass Hong Kong's local government

and undermining critics say the two countries one-system agreement as a way to crack down on protesters and dissent. Anna Cronin has our story.

ANNA CRONIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: After almost a year of civil unrest on the streets of Hong Kong, Beijing has finally had enough. Instead of rolling in

the tanks and troops as some had feared to crush dissent, China has instead decided to use the law to bring this semi-autonomous city under the full

control.

On the eve of the opening of the Nation's People's Congress in Beijing, officials announced that China was preparing to enact the highly

controversial national security law directly into Hong Kong's basic law the city's mini constitution completely bypassing the local legislature.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the end of Hong Kong. This is the end of one country, two systems. Make no mistake about it. Beijing, central people's

government has completely breached its promise to the Hong Kong people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CRONIN: Under the new law expected to be passed by Beijing within the week any act of treason, succession, sedition and subversion against the Chinese

government would be banned. It also allows China to set up national security branches in Hong Kong if needed. A Chinese official justified the

move.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WANG CHEN, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, STANDING COMMITTEE, NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS: The legal system and mechanism for safeguarding national security is not

complete. Not suitable and not up to requirements which gave rise to all sorts of activities that jeopardize national security gets worse and worse.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CRONIN: So the protesters who have been taking to the streets, fighting against the erosion of their freedoms, these demonstrations could soon be a

criminal offense.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very afraid because we don't know what the details to make - affect the Hong Kong people.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Makes me feel disappointed and also angry about it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CRONIN: When Hong Kong attempted to pass the national security legislation bill back in 2003 there was overwhelming backlash. More than half a million

people poured into the streets, the largest demonstration at the time.

The turnout forced Hong Kong's Pro-Beijing Lawmakers to shelve the bill even though they always have the numbers to pass it. Now China under Xi

Jinping's authoritarian rule is doing the job for them. When Britain returned Hong Kong to the Chinese back in 1997 the agreement was for the

territory to enjoy 50 years of semi-autonomy under the one country two systems agreement. A Pro-Democracy campaigner Joshua Wong since China's

move brings an end to that unique deal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSHUA WONG, ACTIVIST: They totally violate on judicial independence and rule of law. So now it's the era of one country, one system.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CRONIN: Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam said she supports the move by Beijing arguing it's in the interest of the public and won't affect the rights and

freedoms of the city but activists say this decision brings people back to the streets.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WONG: The tension, trickery by Beijing will just escalate the social momentum. That's the mistake made by Beijing.

CLAUDIA MO, PRO-DEMOCRACY LAWMAKER: They misunderstood our anger and desperation and tip of it. They're fighting for their future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CRONIN: And that fight could mean another violent summer of discontent in the city. Anna Cronin, CNN, Hong Kong.

GORANI: Well, David Culver joins me now live from Beijing. So is this new law designed to basically control, you know, the ability of protests to

prevent protestors from going out on the streets? Are the pro-democracy demonstrators right in being very concerned right now?

DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly from the Chinese perspective here, this is about national security but they can, of course,

use that as an umbrella to cover what's seen now as pro-democracy protests there but they perceive them here to really Hala to be more pro-

independence and they say that these are not protesters these are rioters and they also have described them as terrorist-like tactics and

demonstrations.

[11:15:00]

CULVER: Now one thing that the Chinese officials are saying is that they plan to maintain not only national security but also, they say freedom of

press and freedom of speech. That's the Chinese Foreign Ministry within Hong Kong that saying that in particular.

However to come over to this side of the border and what were seen as we're having this conversation right now is that it's being blacked out, it's

been censored and that's something that's quite common when it's an issue that has deemed sensitive here, Hala.

GORANI: OK. David Culver thanks very much for that. Ahead on the program, we speak with the Spanish Foreign Minister as the country gradually returns

to normal. The cautious approach it's taking before it welcomes back tourists, though. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GORANI: Welcome back. Now Europe was once the epicenter, very much the epicenter, of the Coronavirus pandemic but now restrictions are easing

across the region as the number of confirmed cases, the rate of increases is declining.

Spain's lockdown, for instance, one of the strictest in Europe at one point, children were banned from leaving the house entirely but with

tourism an essential part of the economy beaches may reopen to the public in June.

These Barcelona residents are enjoying the sand and sun without tourists not too crowded. Beaches and parks opened on Wednesday to residents there

and hotels in some parts of Spain will resume business but officials are being extra cautious when it comes to allowing tourists from outside of

Spain back in.

Joining me is Arancha Gonzalez Laya, the Spanish Foreign Minister. Thanks for being with us. When do you foresee a resumption of international travel

into your country?

ARANCHA GONZALEZ LAYA, THE SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER: Well, we don't have a specific date as of now but what we want is this moment to be as soon as

possible. And as soon as possible will be guided by whether or not we can provide safe tourism.

Spain loves tourists and tourists love Spain. The most important thing for us now is to provide tourists with a unique experience in safety and

security. That's why we are investing a lot to keep Coronavirus under control and open the country to tourism.

GORANI: And how do you do that? All the experts now agree until there's a vaccine, you know, you have to wear masks. You have to make sure people

stay two meters apart if they're not from the same household, et cetera. How do you maintain a vibrant tourism industry and keeping people safe?

GONZALEZ LAYA: Well, we have to accept that tourism will be atypical for as long as we don't have a vaccine or treatment against COVID.

[11:20:00]

GONZALEZ LAYA: We are going to have to share our lives with this enemy called COVID. So we are going to have to gradually return to a normal life

in gradually open tourism, gradually accept freedom of movement while making sure we have the necessary precautions hygiene, wearing masks,

keeping distances and investing in tracking every person that could be suspected of having Coronavirus.

It's atypical but we have got to live with this for as long as we don't have a vaccine. This is why it's important also that we invest in getting a

vaccine as soon as we can in a collaborative manner worldwide.

GORANI: Right. But for instance, Greece has done a good job limiting the spread of COVID. Would you consider measures such as testing everyone that

comes into Spain at the airport?

GONZALEZ LAYA: Well, I don't think with in Europe found the best way to deal with preventing imported cases which is what happens when you open

your country to mobility. There is a variety of measures that can be imagined.

Of course, testing, whether compulsory or random is one. Of course, checking the temperature. Of course, making sure you trace the contacts of

those that are coming in. Of course, making sure that you share your data, where you're going to be, your telephone number so that you can be located.

There are various measures.

In Spain we believe that it would be very good if European countries that belong to the same area were called Schengen where to decide on these

measures together, common measures so that we make it easier for tourists and we make it easier for tourist operators, for the businesses that also

thrive on tourism.

GORANI: I mean, if I'm being honest, it sounds like these are all still discussions to be had. You haven't established a very clear actionable

plan. Is that the case? Are you still kind of - is it still under discussion of this? How to reopen the country to international tourists?

GONZALEZ LAYA: Yes, because up until the end of June mobility for Spaniards will be limited. This is why the country will not be open for foreigners

before it is open for Spaniards. We are de-escalating the measures that we took to control the pandemic.

Up until the end of June we hope if all goes well, if all goes in the direction that we are seeing today to be done by the end of June which is

when we will gradually resume freedom of movement, not just for Spaniards but also for tourists. In the meantime, we are working hard to prepare

ourselves for that, including protocols we have just discussed.

GORANI: You talked about Europe and one of the worries and I don't know if you share this worry is that if you start establishing travel corridors and

allow member states of Schengen area to continue to keep border controls up.

There really, you're undoing decades of free, you know, open border travel in this region. And that it could eventually become a problem, a problem

because it is threatening existentially what the EU is at its core? Is this something you're worried about?

GONZALEZ LAYA: It is true, Hala, that one of the essential assets of the European integration is freedom of movement for tourists but also for

businesspeople, for students. So, this is something that we Europeans cherish a lot.

This is why now as we are starting to gradually return to some sort of normality, we need to follow carefully two recommendations that we are

getting from the European Commission. One is to restore this freedom of movement gradually according to the sanitary situation in each one of our

countries.

And number two to apply the principle of nondiscrimination. So, countries that are in the same situation should not discriminate each other. Ensuring

that we apply common rules, common protocols as much as we can.

If we do this in this very again atypical moment which is life with COVID and no vaccine or treatment I think we can see light at the end of the

tunnel when we return to normality.

GORANI: Let me ask you about China because this law that was passed just in the last day that is seen as a clear power grab in Hong Kong.

[11:25:00]

GORANI: You know, keeping - making demonstrations more difficult and the tracking of the centers more easy, what is your reaction of what we are

seeing out of Beijing?

GONZALEZ LAYA: I think what's important in this very difficult moment that the world is going through, we are going through huge turmoil. Turmoil in

our health systems, turmoil in our economies and turmoil in our societies I think we have got an obligation, all governments, to try and make sure we

foster stability, we foster peaceful relationships and we foster cooperation.

This is what Spain is certainly modestly trying to do and this is what we would advocate we all do around the world because we will bring calm to a

world that is in the middle of a huge storm.

GORANI: So, I mean, with respect, you did not answer the question. Do you believe that the legislation that was passed in Beijing is a way to control

Hong Kong and to grab power from local elected officials there?

GONZALEZ LAYA: I think there is at the moment difference between Beijing and Hong Kong and I think the most important way as I was saying is that

these differences be discussed and these are differences that sometimes people are expressing in a vibrant manner, that this be channeled, that

this be managed in a cooperative manner. This is why I'm saying let's remember to bring calm and quietness to a world in turmoil.

GORANI: OK. Could I get your reaction on the U.S. pulling out of the open sky's treaty? I know that Europeans are very disappointed that the Trump

Administration, this is an arms control treaty. It allows over flight of other country's territory with some notice, just telling our viewers about

this. The Trump Administration is signaling that it wants to withdraw. What is Spain's reaction to this?

GONZALEZ LAYA: Well, we regret the U.S. reaction because we value the open skies treaty as a very important piece of ensuring good neighborhoods and

cooperation in Europe. We cherish it. This is what we are saying is there are imperfections in the way this treaty is working. There are

imperfections in the way Russia is applying this treaty.

What we are saying is let's look at the imperfections, let's make them a bit more perfect but let's does that through dialogue and cooperation. This

is what Spain will be saying because we value the treaty. We want to keep it alive and we want to keep it alive in the terms in which it was

originally designed.

This is why perfect it if there are not - if it is not implemented properly. Let's make it better, implement it by everybody including Russia

and remain within this treaty.

GORANI: Great. Well, thank you very much. When is your next trip outside of Spain? Is that scheduled yet?

GONZALEZ LAYA: Well, for now, I am 120 percent focused on making sure we control COVID in Spain. So that we can open the doors of the country for

Spaniards and for tourists including myself going back on my normal let's say diplomatic world. As soon as possible hopefully but working on it.

GORANI: All right. Well, I know that for a Foreign Minister it must be odd to stay put for as long as you have. Thank you very much, Arancha Gonzalez

Laya, the Spanish Foreign Minister joining us on CNN.

Ahead, some dramatic new findings on a drug that the U.S. President says he has been taking for a couple of weeks and that he touted as effective

potentially in the fight against Coronavirus.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:30:00]

GORANI: Any moment the U.S. President Donald Trump will be hosting an event at the White House on Thursday and you see it there by the way, the

gathered attendees. Some of them bikers, other veterans wearing masks, the bikers though not wearing masks it is possible that the President will take

shouted questions.

He will be standing at the podium there above the gathered crowd, though. But you will remember that yesterday there was a lot of attention on Mr.

Trump and his decision not to wear a mask for most of his visit to a Ford Plant near Detroit. That facility is now making ventilators for patients

with the deadly Coronavirus. His mask came off whenever a camera was turned on. This is what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: I did wear - I had one on before. I wore one in the back area, but I didn't want do give the press

the pleasure of seeing it. Here's my mask right here. I liked it very much. I actually, honestly, I think I look better in the mask. I really did. I

look better in the mask.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: Well, we're learning also more about a drug that the President says he's been taking for weeks now, Hydroxychloroquine which is designed to

treat malaria and also to alleviate some of the symptoms of autoimmune diseases like arthritis and lupus and has not been approved to treat or

prevent COVID.

Senior Washington Correspondent Joe Johns is at the White House with more. Interestingly, the President again kind of sort of once again brought up

his animosity of the media saying he's not wearing a mask in public to give the media too much satisfaction. Where is he coming from with this? Is he

speaking to his base again?

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Right. He is definitely not just sticking it to new media. This is more of the President's theme of

casting skepticism if you will on the experts, both medical and health experts, who have said one thing about this and advised the President to

speak with one voice.

But there's also a political components here and that is the President siding in the culture war with the people who say wearing a mask violates

their liberty interests, that is one of the arguments you have seen again and again across the United States.

When people have held the demonstrations to protest social distancing and other measures, the stay-at-home measures that had been put in place by the

Governors, the President has sided oftentimes with the protesters because he believes those are his supporters, that those folks are part of his

base.

[11:35:00]

JOHNS: The critics to the whole idea especially the idea of the President not wearing a mask in public argue that there is no liberty interest

articulated in the United States constitution that gives a personal right here in this country to go out in public and infect someone else with a

dangerous or even deadly disease. So that culture war continues, Hala.

GORANI: And what is this biker event at the White House right now? What is it about?

JOHNS: Right, well, for years and years on Memorial Day weekend which this is just beginning bikers from all over the country have ridden in to

Washington, D.C., going down on the mall to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and had a celebration of sorts for veterans in general.

That celebration has now ended in Washington, D.C. but these are some of the people who remain celebrating one more time here in D.C. with the

President while they have told other riders who participated in what they called the rolling thunder here in Washington, D.C. to do so in their own

communities rather than coming to the nation's capital.

GORANI: All right. Joe Johns, thanks very much. A senior U.S. Health official is warning another lockdown is possible later this year if there

is a second wave of Coronavirus and if this is compounded by the seasonal flu.

The CDC's Dr. Robert Redfield warns that the Coronavirus could reground itself in the northern hemisphere like it is doing now in the southern

hemisphere for instance Brazil which now has the third number of cases worldwide.

Now, front line workers also have a warning. They told the U.S. Congress they still don't have enough protective equipment and terrified of going to

work.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TALISA HARDIN, NURSE, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICAL CENTER: The situation that nurses are forced to be in is astounding. Our hospitals have

consistently failed to give us the protections we need.

ERIC COLTS, BUS DRIVER, DETROIT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: The biggest fear for me driving to pay attention to the road is you'll have someone in

the back either sneeze or cough. And if you've ever been on a city bus or public transportation, we look at it as a 40-foot incubator. You have no

way of practicing social distancing on a coach.

DIANA WILSON, EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN, NEW YORK CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT: We trained for Ebola, we trained for active shooting scenarios, we failed

on a plan or training for this pandemic at any scale.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: All right. Well, there you have it. Some concern that there isn't enough protective equipment for people whose jobs can't be done at home and

sometimes they are some of the lowest paid in our society.

Meanwhile, the CDC the Centers for Disease Control has tweaked some of its guidelines a bit. CNN's Medical Analyst Dr. Celine Gounder takes us through

some of these. She joins us now live from New York. How have the guidelines changed?

DR. CELINE GOUNDER, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: Well, Hala, part of what you're seeing is perhaps a backtracking on some of the guidance that we have given

with respect to surfaces, for example. So, to what degree is contact with a potentially contaminated surface really driving infection?

The short answer to that is we still don't know. It seems to be a smaller factor, probably by several folds versus person to person contacts so

whether you're having skin to skin contact or contact with somebody's respiratory droplets, that's probably still the number one mechanism here.

But essentially what the CDC is saying is well, maybe surfaces are not as important as we thought they might be. That said I think for the better

part of valor is still to say you know if I'm touching elevator buttons and door handles another high-touch areas, that those are still surfaces I

would want to be washing my hands after touching if I want to avoid being infected by the Coronavirus myself.

GORANI: What about you know when I get groceries into my house, I wipe them down with disinfectant wipes or you know, everyday items that don't get as

much contact as door handles, is that not necessary anymore?

DR. GOUNDER: I think it's probably reasonable to relax some of those things that you are talking about. Cardboard, for example, is a porous material.

The virus doesn't survive on that for very long and given that the surfaces in general seem to be less important in terms of transmission. I think

those kinds of measures we can relax on.

But you know I think wiping down your counter after you put away your groceries may not be a bad idea still.

GORANI: Yes. And we're all touching cardboard, with all these deliveries these days. What do you make of the study published in "The Lancet" that

Hydroxychloroquine given to people ill with COVID in hospital actually led to more of them dying than people who did not receive the

Hydroxychloroquine?

[11:40:00]

DR. GOUNDER: Well, this is something that we have been warning about Hala for months now. Hydroxychloroquine is a drug that can cause cardiac

arrhythmias, abnormal heart rhythms and the drug with which it was combined in the treatment of COVID patients is Azithromycin has the same side

effect. And so in combination your risk for cardiac arrhythmia is dramatically increases. So this really confirms some of our concerns that

we've expressed for months now.

GORANI: And, doctor, when the President says he's been taking it to prevent - in a preventive way, could that present also some risks to the health of

a man who's 73 years old and overweight, for instance, or has problems dealing with high blood pressure among other things?

DR. GOUNDER: I don't know did all the details of the President's health, but he is over overweight. If he has high blood pressure, those are already

risk factors for cardiovascular disease so that could potentially put him in a group that would be at a higher risk for cardiac arrhythmia.

And in addition, the safety thresholds for medications or for those matter vaccines that we give to prevent disease are much higher because you're

talking about giving something to a healthy person. So when you do that whatever you're administering needs to be that much safer and have that

many fewer side effects.

GORANI: Now in the United States, the numbers are still going up but the rate of infection is not necessarily going up in states where lockdown

restrictions were eased. Is that what you're observing? And if that's the case, how do you explain it?

DR. GOUNDER: Well, I think we have a couple problems here. One you really have to wait a long enough period to assess the lifting of lockdown

measures because from the time of exposure to the time of developing symptoms can take 14 days and then it can be another week before somebody

really develops severe symptoms that would require hospitalization.

And then even another couple week after that before people start to die. So there is really a lag time between the lifting of restrictions and when you

would see a measurable effect. And I think the other problem here is that the data that we're getting on these very things is really murky and there

are some questions as to how accurate it is?

GORANI: All right. Thanks very much, Celine Grounder joining us from New York. I appreciate it. We're going to take a quick break. When we come

back, Coronavirus cases are on the rise in Mexico. We're live in Mexico City.

Plus, U.S. President Trump fulfills a promise to Russia with a special delivery of ventilators. You'll remember in the beginning of the pandemic

it was Russia sending ventilators to the U.S. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:45:00]

GORANI: Mexico now has the third highest number of Coronavirus cases in Latin America behind Brazil and Peru. The Mexican Health Ministry reported

nearly 3,000 additional cases on Thursday alone. The country's largest single day increase of the virus.

Our Correspondent Matt Rivers is live in Mexico City with the very latest. So, there's another country where the curve is not flattening yet, Matt.

What's going on?

MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I mean Hala, quite the opposite. It has been a very difficult week here in Mexico. We just as you said saw the

largest day-to-day increase in terms of number of confirmed cases those were from the numbers that government released Thursday evening.

But that was just one day after the government recorded its highest day- over-day death toll increase. So that's two new daily records both in confirmed cases and confirmed deaths in a one-day span that we have seen

just this week alone and it was yesterday that the additional death toll was 420 that was just four off the record number that had been set the day

before.

So the overall picture here is that things are bad. This is without question the worst period of this outbreak that we have seen so far in

Mexico the total amount of cases just shy now of 60,000 the total death toll is just over 6,500 but I cannot stress this enough.

When you are talking about Mexico and you're talking about cases and deaths you have to talk about testing or the relative lack thereof. Mexico as a

country only administered a little more than 200,000 tests, compare that to the 12 million or 13 million tests that had been conducted so far in the

United States.

And that's why Mexican Health Officials will tell you as they've told me personally that the actual number of cases in this country could well are

into the millions and the actual death toll could be double if not higher than the officially reported numbers.

And so that is what we're hearing from officials. The confirmed numbers are only a small amount of what is actually happening across this country and

we're without question in the worst days of this outbreak we have seen so far.

GORANI: And I wonder, I mean, are people blaming the authorities? Mexico had a lot of warning. I mean, in the beginning of the pandemic in the U.S.,

when the numbers started raising in the U.S., Mexico actually had a very small number of confirmed cases. So, then we were given ample time to

prepare what went wrong?

RIVERS: There's been a lot of criticism over the fact that Mexico could have and should have shut down sooner like a place like El Salvador, for

example as Central American neighbor that shut down well before even had its first confirmed case.

So, there is a lot of criticism there. Now that said, Mexico did implement social distancing guidelines telling people to stay home but they - there's

twofold criticism. One, they should have done that earlier. Two, when giving these confirmed cases what you are hearing and what you're seeing

printed in local media is those confirmed cases.

And that's what relatively low number compared to the numbers that we see in another places and there is this thought Hala that maybe those low

confirmed cases even though the government knows the actual number is far higher by only printing the confirmed cases it gives some people here in

Mexico a false sense of security that perhaps this outbreak isn't as bad as it actually is. So yes, there's certainly criticism being leveled against

the government for their response here.

GORANI: Thank you very much, Matt Rivers. Well, from Mexico let us talk about - let us take you to London to talk about Russia. A shipment of 50

American-made ventilators arrived in Russia yesterday. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow released a statement confirming the $5.6 million donation which is

expected to cover a total of 200 ventilators.

Joining me is Matthew Chance. He is in London and normally covers Russia and based in Moscow and in the early days of the pandemic it was Russia

sending medical equipment to the United States and it is the other way around.

MATHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right. The tables have certainly turned. Back last month it was only in the

beginning of last month remember that Russia sent a planeload of medical equipment including Russian ventilators to New York when that city was the

epicenter of the American outbreak of Coronavirus.

No matter that, you know, those ventilators, that particular model went on to cause a number of hospital fires in Russia, killing a number of

Coronavirus patients. It was seen, you know, sort of a something of a propaganda coup or a PR coup at least by the Kremlin because they were able

to offer the United States, the richest country in the world, assistance in its crisis and that was something that was, you know, was very welcomed by

the Kremlin.

And so, yes, there's been a reciprocal arrangement United States shipping those ventilators to Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry has heralded it

as an example of humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.

[11:50:00]

CHANCE: But it is actually also a really sort of important climb-down as well, it is an acknowledgement finally by the Kremlin that their

Coronavirus situation is very bad, indeed, and they actually need help from the outside world, Hala.

GORANI: All right. Matthew Chance, thanks very much, for that update. This weekend two of the greatest sporting rivalries of our time come together

for charity. So, if you have been missing sports, you have something to look forward to. And they will be doing it live on CNN. Patrick Snell will

join me next with a preview.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GORANI: Welcome back. The Coronavirus pandemic has brought sport to a virtual standstill almost everywhere but if you're a sports fan you will

have something to look forward to this weekend. Patrick Snell joins me live - Patrick Snell from "World Sport" joins me live from Atlanta. So, tell us

what is in store for us?

PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Hi Hala, yes, just a huge weekend for sports fan in general, because as you say we really haven't seen two months

live sport going on right now. We're seeing a gradual reintroduction the Golf PGA Tour is due to resume next month, in the month of June.

But this is star studded all the way, four icons from that sport. We've got Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, two NFL legends as well Tom Brady and

Peyton Manning. We're going to have but Tiger partnering up with Peyton Manning and Phil and Tom Brady. And this a really powerful cause, too.

They're doing it all to try and benefit those who have been suffering at the hands of the global pandemic. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM BRADY, 6X SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Just a unique moment in time and I think the ability to do good and help others is at the core of what this was all

about and the fact that, you know, look, I get an opportunity to play golf with three guys that I've always looked up to in sports, something I

certainly couldn't turn down.

PEYTON MANNING, 2X SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: A lots of people hurting right now, Ernie a lot of people struggling. I mentioned New Orleans, my hometown, is

once again being hit hard by this virus. As are many communities around the country. So, you know, I don't think this event would happen if it wasn't

going to benefit those people that are hurting and so I think that's why it's a double win.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNELL: Yes. Hala, the match champions for charity, the goal to try and raise $10 million. It's really powerful cause as I say.

GORANI: Right. So, there's been a lot of smack talk I hear between the two sides.

SNELL: Yes. That is putting it mildly, but I do think it's all wonderfully good natured shall we say. Can't stress it enough, it is four global

superstars. Just think of that for a minute and then the banter, they're all miced up during this event. They'll be in separate golf carts of

course.

But look, let me just a bit of part of history for you. This is the match part two. The first one which was in late 2018 that was just Tiger and Phil

on that occasion Phil actually won at the fourth extra hole in the dooming fading light in Las Vegas.

How did Tiger respond in typical fashion? What did he go and do they only went and won the masters for the 15th career major and that's subject of

the smack talk as you rightly say? Take a listen.

[11:55:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PHIL MICKELSON, 5X MAJOR GOLF CHAPION: Tiger's pretty familiar with this. Obviously when you were putting the jacket on, it fit perfect. Thank you.

And then this is the trophy for the match. I don't know, actually Tiger, if you know what this looks like. You might think of wins but that's actually

what the trophy looks like had you of won.

TIGER WOODS, 15X MAJOR GOLF CHAMPION: Understood. Hold on one sec. I just got an ice bath. I'm a little bit chilly. So - green jacket on here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNELL: Obviously a wonderful comeback there from Tiger it kind of just sets a scene for what we should expect this coming weekend Sunday down there in

South Florida, Hala.

GORANI: All right. So how will this event make history then?

SNELL: Yes. I mean, for me, it is as a sports fan, it is just - me chatting to my friends about his the excitement internationally, as well. There is

no question about that because you have got these four global superstars. Never did I growing up ever think you would see four of them together out

there on the golf course miced up.

But it's history in the making for us, as well, here at CNN because it is going to be the first time that CNN is showing live sports and that as I

say is going to be on Sunday. And it's going to have a real global feel to it as everyone I hope tunes in to watch superb stuff and it is going to be

specific.

I do want to make these points clear, though, Hala. They will be in separate golf carts, they will miced up. Stand by for the banter. You've

got the banter, you've got the powerful cause and you've got the historic angle as well. I'm so looking forward to it I'm sure many golf fans the

world over.

GORANI: So it will be Woods and Manning?

SNELL: It's going to be Woods and Peyton Manning and Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady. Yes. They are going to be playing 18 holes. That's the schedule yet

Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson, yes.

GORANI: All right. Who's your money on?

SNELL: Ah, if I were a betting man which I'm not really. I've learned by lessons there. I just think you just - you bet against Tiger at your peril.

Let's put it that way. I just think you know he is wounded shall we say by the fact that he did lose to long-time rival Mickelson the first time out,

that event I referenced in late 2018 there in Las Vegas. He's wounded but he did respond so brilliantly when he won the masters looking forward to

it, Hala.

GORANI: All right. Patrick, thanks very much. I'll see you after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END