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Democrats Fight Back on USPS; Protests in Belarus; Coronavirus Update from Around the World; Emergency Authorization for Saliva Test. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired August 17, 2020 - 08:30   ET

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

[08:30:00]

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: There's growing concern over President Trump's attacks on the U.S. Postal Service as he continues to lie about the level of fraud with mail-in ballots. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is now calling back her members to address this situation.

Joining us now is David Fineman. He's the former chairman of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors.

Mr. Fineman, you're the perfect person to talk to this morning because you know how this works and you know that the board of governors is suggesting this extra $25 billion to make the Postal Service run well enough by the election.

But let me just start by saying, how concerned are you that President Trump will successfully cut enough funding and slow roll the process to affect the election?

DAVID FINEMAN, FORMER CHAIRMAN, USPS BOARD OF GOVERNORS: Well, like every other American, I'm concerned about there being a fair election. I also serve as chairman of the board of the Fair Elections Center and we work diligently to make sure that everybody gets a right to vote.

I think that at the end of the day he's going to realize that he can't get away with this. And we're going to have a fair election. And the Postal Service will step up to the task. You know, the -- all the people who work for the Postal Service, they're hard-working people Over 3,000 of them who were stricken with corona, 60 of them have died so far. But they're going to step up to the task and it -- and it will get done. And it will get done --

CAMEROTA: But -- but, I mean, Mr. Fineman, I'm sorry to interrupt, but he's already getting away with it. It's already happening. He's cut overtime. He's done away with hundreds of mail sorting machines. There is a woman -- on the front page of "The New York Times" yesterday there was a story of -- this is just one example -- a woman in the Philadelphia area who's gotten her mail twice in three weeks. We're hearing -- you just heard Senator Amy Klobuchar said that people have written into her about how much slower their mail service is. It's already happening.

FINEMAN: It's a disgrace. It is a disgrace as to what is occurring. And at the bottom line, let's talk first of all about what the Postal Service does. It delivers mail to every American six days a week. They can be in rural America, or in the city. I used to serve with Governor Ned McWherter from Tennessee. He used to talk to me about delivering mail in Greene County, Tennessee, and I would talk to him about delivering mail in a rural house in Philadelphia, where I was brought up. And those people in rural America and those people in those row houses in Philadelphia, they're waiting for their prescription drugs. They're waiting for their checks. And this has got to stop. It's got to end. And it's got to end now.

If he wanted to implement certain changes, this was not the time to do it. This was not the time, in the middle of a pandemic --

CAMEROTA: Yes, but it is -- I mean but -- but, I -- I understand what you're saying ethically, but the problem is, is that President Trump is on the record as not wanting mail-in ballots, he doesn't want them. So he is implementing changes via DeJoy where it is already happening. Those folks that you're talking about in those row houses and rural America, they're not getting their mail in the way that they were months ago. So it's already happening.

And, look, as you know, the board of governors, on which you were the chair, is asking for $25 billion. If they don't -- but president -- but the Republicans are not close to that number and President Trump doesn't want any money. If they don't get it, is it going to work on Election Day? How can you be so sure that mail-in ballots are going to be delivered on time?

FINEMAN: I believe, at the end of the day, President Trump is going to give in and he's going to give the money that's necessary. Why? Because this is just, you know, there becomes, at some point in time where you realize you made a mistake, somebody made a mistake here.

I don't -- let me go back, if I can, for just one minute and talk to you about the history of the Postal Service.

In 1971, the Postal Service was reorganized so that it would be non- partisan and would not be affected by the president of the United States. It's five people of one party on the board and four of another.

When I was on the board, I served during the administration of President Clinton, and I served during the administration of President Bush, was actually the chairman during that period of time.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

FINEMAN: I never heard from the president of the United States. What's going on now is unprecedented.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

FINEMAN: As a practicing lawyer, I find it offensive.

CAMEROTA: Well, times have changed because President Trump is talking to Postmaster DeJoy, though he claimed he hadn't, and there is a discrepancy about what they said in that August phone call.

[08:35:01]

Very quickly, let me just read to you what President Trump says right now. He says, absentee ballots are fine. This is what he tweeted. A person has to go through a process to get and use them. Mail-in voting on the other hand will lead to the most corrupt election in USA history. Bad things happen with mail-ins. Just look at the special election in Patterson, New Jersey, 19 percent of ballots a fraud.

So, look, there's some fact checking that can be done there but, quickly, your final word, what do you want the president to know about that?

FINEMAN: I want the president to show us some evidence. You know, as a federal judge in Pennsylvania said, why don't you show us the evidence that there is fraud. Mail-in ballots do not produce fraud. Mail-in ballots are safe and they create a fair election.

CAMEROTA: David Fineman, we appreciate your experience on the board of governors with the USPS. Thank you very much for being here.

FINEMAN: Thank you for having me.

CAMEROTA: So, tensions are rising in Belarus as protesters call that presidential election rigged. The country's embattled leader is responding this morning. Details in a live report, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:40:11]

BERMAN: All right, breaking overnight, the embattled leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, declaring that he will not hold another election, quote, until you kill me. His administration is cracking down on protesters who say last week's election was rigged.

CNN's Frederik Pleitgen live in the capital of Belarus with the breaking details.

Fred, some of the images we've seen behind you over the last few days, just remarkable.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: They're remarkable and they're certainly historic for this country, John. The demonstration that took place there yesterday was by far the largest that's ever taken place in this country. Around 100,000 people came out demanding that Alexander Lukashenko step down and also that there be new elections.

Now, John, we always have to keep in mind, every time we report from here, that these people are taking an extreme risk. This is a very, very repressive society. And Alexander Lukashenko certainly is an extremely repressive leader.

What's going on today is that there is a general strike, which was called for by the opposition. The folks that you see behind me and the building that you see behind me is state TV here in Belarus. Now, it used to be, until yesterday really, a propaganda arm of the Lukashenko regime, but now the folks here are also saying no more. The anchors didn't show up for work today and they're demanding that they be able to cover the protests that are taking place here and also the beatings and the torture that have been perpetrated by some of the members of the security forces here.

Strikes like this going on in the entire country and Lukashenko actually tried to speak at one of them. However, he was shut down there by the people who simply shouted, "go away, go away." So he seems to be losing power by the hour.

At the moment, though, as you mentioned, he's still remaining defiant. And one of the things that people are afraid of is that he might be trying to draw Vladimir Putin into all of this. Lukashenko saying he believes that there's some sort of NATO buildup at the borders to Belarus. NATO has rejected that idea. There have been some phone calls between Putin and Lukashenko, but so far the Russians showing no signs of wanting to intervene, guys.

CAMEROTA: OK, Frederik Pleitgen, thank you very much for the report from the ground there. We will check back with you.

Now to this develop story. A major political shakeup in Puerto Rico. Governor Wanda Vazquez conceding defeat to the island's chaotic primary election to the former congressional representative, Pedro Pierluisi. He was the de facto governor for less than a week last summer when then Governor Ricardo Rossello put him in the number two spot just days before stepping down amid widespread protests.

Voting last Sunday was suspended after election officials failed to deliver ballots to the polling places across the island. San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz also conceding in the gubernatorial primary for Puerto Rico's other main political party.

BERMAN: We have other major international developments having to do with coronavirus. New Zealand has delayed national elections by a month because of new outbreaks there. CNN has reporters all around the world bringing you the latest developments.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANGUS WATSON, CNN PRODUCER: I'm Angus Watson in Sydney, Australia., where neighboring New Zealand has postponed its election by four weeks. The government there deciding that it's just not safe enough to hold the vote as a cluster explodes in its largest city, Auckland. Just last week New Zealand was celebrating its 100th day without a case of community transmission of the coronavirus. Now it's right back to where it started, trying to put out the spread.

MELISSA BELL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Melissa Bell in Paris.

Here in France, worrying rises over the last couple of days in the number of new coronavirus cases and authorities announcing fresh measures to try and prevent that dreaded second wave, including the extension of the parts of Paris and other parts of French cities where masks are now obligatory in public, and that includes now since Saturday morning the Champs Elysees. We're seeing similar rises and concerns and measure being taken in some neighboring countries. Spain, one of the hardest hit here in Europe, but also Italy monitoring its small rise in the number of new coronavirus cases. Both countries announcing that night clubs will henceforth be closed. A reminder that it is the younger demographic that is being hardest hit by this most recent rise.

MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Here in Tijuana, Mexico, the city is reopening in earnest. And that, of course, brings risk with it to those people who are going back to work. But it's one thing if you're a restaurant worker or you work in a shopping mall. It's another thing if you are a sex worker. So Tijuana has a very famous red light district and officially they are closed, but we spent some time with the police here in Tijuana who say that a lot of these businesses are actually still operating behind closed doors. Americans continue to come down here and we've spoke to one worker who said, look, she doesn't want to be out working but she says she doesn't really have a choice. If she doesn't go out and work, she doesn't make money, she can't feed her daughter. It is a brutal choice that some people here in this city are forced to make.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[08:45:03]

BERMAN: It is so important for us to get this continued look at what's happening around the world with this pandemic and how many people it's affecting in so many different ways.

CAMEROTA: That is remarkable. Matt Rivers' report is absolutely remarkable. I mean, obviously, we don't talk about that element of it, but it was fascinating. I recommend that everybody go online to look at his report.

BERMAN: All right, an easier and cheaper way to test for coronavirus is already being put to use by the NBA. How it could change your life, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Potentially major development on the testing front. A new saliva test developed by scientists at Yale was just given emergency approval by the FDA.

Joining me now are the co-leaders of this study, Anne Wylie, associate research scientist in epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health and Dr. Robby Sikka, VP of basketball performance and technology for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The NBA is using this, which is why we have you here, among other things. So it's great to have both of you.

Professor Wylie, first to you.

Talk to us about how this test and how it works. [08:50:00]

ANNE WYLIE, ASSOC. RESEARCH SCIENTIST IN EPIDEMIOLOGY, YALE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH: Well, actually, the really neat part of this test is that we've really simply just removed the most time consuming and cumbersome step. We've taken that extraction piece and we've just replaced it with a much simpler step saving not only time but also money on reagents.

BERMAN: Yes, you don't have to stick the swab up the nose. I'm sorry to have to be graphic and blunt about this, but that's what it is. When you don't have to do that, it takes away time and it takes away discomfort. So cheaper and faster. What's the turnaround time, Professor, for these results?

WYLIE: So taking out those steps, we hope it can run it about two to three hours. So, realistically, we think this test can actually give same-day results in most situations. And that alone can allow it to help guide activities and reopening strategies.

BERMAN: Dr. Sikka, how accurate is it or how accurate have you found it to be?

DR. ROBBY SIKKA, VP OF BASKETBALL PERFORMANCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: So that's a great question. And for the technical folks out there, the lower limit of detection is six to 12 virus particles per micro liter, or equivalent to the great PCR tests that are being used right now. The sensitivity is just over 90 percent in hospitalized patients and about 90 percent in asymptomatic individuals. And, you know, the main reason that we found a lot of value for a test like this in the NBA is that it's not just a sensitive and accurate test, it can be done frequently. And that's really important when you can do a test frequently enough, then you're picking up people earlier on in their infection and before they become more symptomatic and more likely to spread. So the test cadence probably matters just as much as the actual test in preventing outbreaks.

BERMAN: That's the part that we've been told for months and months and it's just never happened, that we all need to be tested a lot more and a lot more frequently.

Dr. Sikka, tell us about how it's been going or being used by the NBA.

SIKKA: You know, this was a research study and I can speak to our involvement with the Timberwolves that -- that we've been using it from the outset and we've compared those results to swabs and we've compared those results to really the gold standard of, you know, anterior (ph) nasal and/or pharyngeal swabs in our case, but nasal pharyngeal swabs in the case of the Yale research. And they found great results. And we found that in particular the way it's being used to test sort of the fringes of the bubble and the other folks outside of the direct bubble, it's been incredibly valuable.

BERMAN: How much, how often, to whom have you been giving it with the NBA players? SIKKA: So, for us, we test family, we test players, we test staff and

we test them six days a week. And for us being able to do that has given our organization a margin of safety that they feel more comfortable with. But, you know, when the price point is as low as it is and it's as easy as it is, it's something that -- that's really, really functional outside of the NBA box.

BERMAN: That's a scale that we just haven't heard anywhere, right, six days a week, when you're talking about all those people, six days a week. That's just not happening with virtually anything else, except maybe the White House or people surrounding the president, which is a whole other thing.

Professor Wylie, talk to me about the cost, because that is so interesting. We're talking less than $10. In some cases, a lot less than $10. So how much does it cost?

WYLIE: Indeed. So because of the usable parts of the test are only between $1 and $4. The cost of the markup of what we're trying to work with -- with the lab's limit. We want this to be as cheap as possible for society. So, in reality, this could cost as little as the labs want to make it. And it's our goal to make that cost as close to that $1 to $4 mark as possible. But also understanding that we do have to pay for the logistics, collections and facilities to test.

BERMAN: What about the shortages in testing materials that we've heard the reagents and whatnot in so many other cases, how does that play into the saliva test, Professor?

WYLIE: That was a major goal that we had in mind when developing this test. So we had experienced firsthand those same supply chain issues. So -- but that's another really quite unique part about this method is that we've taken and validated a number of different reagents for each of the different steps in the protocol and we hope that by doing that we'll get around some of those supply chain issues, as well as getting competition between suppliers to help keep those prices down there as well.

BERMAN: Look, if we all get a faster, cheaper, easier test to use, that's a good thing. If we can take it as frequently as they're taking it in the NBA, that's a good thing.

Dr. Sikka, Professor Wylie, thanks so much for being with us. Appreciate it.

WYLIE: Thank you so much.

SIKKA: Thank you so much.

CAMEROTA: OK, John, it's time for "The Good Stuff."

BERMAN: All right.

CAMEROTA: Isn't it? It -- just, it's overdue for "The Good Stuff."

BERMAN: I'm just going to stare at you as you read it -- CAMEROTA: Well --

BERMAN: Because I haven't been able to do that for so long.

CAMEROTA: I know. Enjoy.

A 10-year-old girl's dreams come true with the shopping spree of a lifetime thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Lauren Guice (ph) was diagnosed with an ovarian tumor back in February. After surgery and three months of chemotherapy, Lauren's tests are coming back with good results. Her wish was made possible by a local furniture store in Anchorage, Alaska, and Target, who let her have the entire store to herself.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I got a bed set, a clubhouse toy.

[08:55:02]

I got a new tablet, some earpods, an iPen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: As someone who misspent her youth in a mall, the idea of having the entire store to yourself is such a dream come true. I can't even begin to tell you. And if that isn't enough, Lauren's mom says a family friend also gave her a puppy.

BERMAN: Yes, I think we buried the lead. I think the lead is the puppy.

CAMEROTA: No, no, being alone in a store and having your pick of all of the merchandise, it's just a dream.

BERMAN: It can be arranged.

CAMEROTA: Oh, OK, thanks.

All right, well, this worked. I mean should we do it again tomorrow?

BERMAN: Let's try again tomorrow.

CAMEROTA: OK. Fantastic.

BERMAN: Six feet, not an inch closer.

CAMEROTA: Oh, no, I wouldn't dream of it.

All right, so we also have all of the latest news for you, all of the developments on coronavirus, and the Democratic Convention is beginning today. We have all the previews.

BERMAN: I'm just happy to be able to look at you.

CAMEROTA: Just enjoy it. Soak it in. After this very quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:00:00]