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World Health Organization Warns of "Very Serious" Situation Unfolding in Europe; Israel Enters Nationwide Lockdown Again As Coronavirus Cases Surge; Taiwan Scrambles Fighter Jets After Chinese Military Exercises. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired September 18, 2020 - 07:30   ET

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


[07:30:00]

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: The World Health Organization is warning of a quote, "very serious" situation in Europe, as you're about to see on this map, new coronavirus cases are surging in many countries. So the surge is represented there in orange and dark red. There are now more than 30 million cases of the virus around the world.

Joining us now is Maria Van Kerkhove; she's the World Health Organization's technical lead on this pandemic and an infectious disease epidemiologist. Miss Kerkhove, thank you very much for being here. So that was new cases that we just showed.

Let me also show new deaths in Europe, just in the past week. Again, red and orange show the uptick. And you can just see how much of Europe are seeing new deaths. So what's happening in Europe and what are the worst hot spots?

MARIA VAN KERKHOVE, INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGIST: So thanks for having me on the show. I mean, the first thing that you point out are the increase in cases. And what we're seeing as societies are opening up as they're trying to determine how we get sectors back online, we are seeing some resurgence in case numbers, which is an increase in the numbers of cases in a number of countries all over -- all over Europe.

But that's also happening across the northern hemisphere. Part of that is due to the fact that we can test more, we can -- we have better surveillance. So, we're in a much better position now to be able to find cases.

The really worrying trend that we're seeing is an increase in hospitalizations, an increase in ICU rates in a number of those countries. And given that we're in mid-September, we haven't really hit Autumn or the Winter season in the northern hemisphere. And we haven't even started to hit the flu season yet. So we're worried that these increasing numbers of hospitalizations and ICU are really going to overburden an already burdened system.

[07:35:00]

CAMEROTA: Do you know what caused that increasing number in hospitalizations and ICU admissions?

VAN KERKHOVE: Well, part of it is increased circulation of the virus. And so as the virus circulates more and infects more people, it has the possibility to reach vulnerable populations. So these are individuals who are of older age or who have underlying conditions. But we do see as societies have opened up, we are seeing outbreaks in younger populations, in this 15 to 44-year-old age group.

I mean, part of that has to do with the way people are socializing, people are going out and about and living their lives and trying to get back to what is this new normal. But if the virus has an opportunity to spread, it can infect many people, it could reach those vulnerable people, and those vulnerable people have a higher chance of needing hospitalization and needing intensive care.

CAMEROTA: Are the worst hot spots right now Spain and France and the U.K.?

VAN KERKHOVE: Yes, so we've seen -- we heard yesterday that the U.K. has a doubling of hospitalizations every eight days or so. We're seeing parts of France which are reaching ICU capacity. And again, this is really worrying because as we hit the flu season, as we start to see other viruses circulating, respiratory viruses circulating, it's very difficult to distinguish COVID from flu from other respiratory pathogens that are circulating.

And if the beds are full with COVID patients, they will be very challenging for the healthcare system to deal with other respiratory diseases. The good news is that we have a flu vaccine. So, we really need to see flu vaccination uptake increase across the northern hemisphere this year, especially this year, so that -- because we have a tool against flu. We don't yet have that for COVID, but we have it for flu and that will help and it'll particularly help vulnerable populations.

CAMEROTA: Israel -- it was just announced, our reporter just told us is going back into lockdown mode between today and for the next three weeks, meaning people need to stay in their homes, businesses are shut. They can't go more than half a mile from their homes. So what did Israel do wrong?

VAN KERKHOVE: Well, it's not about right and wrong. Look, I mean, we're in a very -- the world is in a very different situation than we were in the Spring. We know a lot more about this virus. We know how it behaves, we know how it can be surged, and we know what works.

We know what will break chains of transmission. This is about all of this public health infrastructure that you hear W.H.O talk about, a lot is comprehensive approach. Active case finding, isolation of cases, contact-tracing, quarantining of contacts, and in some situations, some restrictive measures may need to be put in place.

What we are hopeful, though, is we're hopeful that many countries will be able to apply these interventions at a really localized level. You know, you give one country as an example, but other countries are trying to demonstrate the use of these tools and again, these are tools that we have right now at the most local level.

So, applying them, maybe some restricted movements and of course making sure you do physical distancing, you wear the mask where appropriate, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, all of that still holds true, but there may need to be some additional measures that are put in place. We are --

CAMEROTA: Yes --

VAN KERKHOVE: Hopeful that they could be put in place at a localized level for a limited amount of time in the smallest geographic area and then lifted when they can be lifted again.

CAMEROTA: We only have 30 seconds left. President Trump as you know announced that the U.S. will be getting out of the World Health Organization. Has that had any measurable impact one way or the other on this global pandemic?

VAN KERKHOVE: Well, listen, we are, you know, 100 percent focused on what we need to do to prevent transmission, to suppress transmission and to save lives. We worked with international scientists all over the world including many from the United States. We remain firmly focused on what needs to be done and we can do this.

CAMEROTA: Maria Van Kerkhove, we really appreciate a status report from Europe. Thank you very much. John?

VAN KERKHOVE: Thank you.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: We want to remember some of the more than 197,000 Americans lost to coronavirus. Cheryl Smith-Longfellow was a veteran ICU nurse at Singing River Hospital in Oceans Springs, Mississippi. She is survived by three children, nine grandchildren. The "Sun Herald" reports family members were with her at a safe distance when she passed, along with a line of nurses stretching down the hallway. She was 60.

Fifty seven-year-old Mark Ivester was president of North Georgia Technical College. A long time friend tells the "Atlanta Journal Constitution", he was all about making a difference in people's lives. He's survived by his wife, four children, two grandchildren, and his own parents.

Wendell Smith was a transportation worker for a Spartanburg County School District in South Carolina. Smith's wife and step-daughter also worked for the district. He is remembered as someone truly dedicated to his position, who always put the students' interest before his own. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:40:00]

BERMAN: Breaking news. We're learning that Taiwan a short time ago scrambled fighter jets to intercept Chinese military planes that flew into its air defense zone. China apparently is also threatening war games over a U.S. diplomat's visit to Taiwan. CNN's David Culver is live in Beijing, where he just interviewed the outgoing U.S. ambassador to China. David, a lot going on.

DAVID CULVER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: John, I'm going to tell you about that interview in just a moment. But first to this developing story with Taiwan. Anything dealing with Taiwan is one of the, if not the most sensitive issue for Beijing. China considers this self-governing democracy to be its territory. And so, what sparked this is that U.S. official visit. It's a U.S. Undersecretary of State, making a visit to the island, and it's the second such visit in as many months.

[07:45:00]

Now, what China is doing as a response is to flex its military might in the Taiwan strait. They're hosting these as of today, these war games so as to show that they will do anything to defend what they consider to be their sovereignty. John, this is just another escalation here.

BERMAN: And obviously, there are heightened tensions between the U.S. and China. And that's no secret at this point. We all see them. So given these tensions, how appropriate is it for the U.S. ambassador to be leaving in the middle of it all? You spoke with him a short time ago, correct?

CULVER: This is what's so surprising -- yes, that's right, I did a few hours ago, in fact, John. And that's what stands out to us. Is given where we are right now with the diplomatic mess, quite frankly, why this departure? For him it's -- according to what he tells me, personal reasons. He and his wife discussed it, they want to go back to Iowa.

He says very specifically that he's retiring from being an ambassador. That leaves open the possibility of other options, even campaigning for President Trump. He said he would consider doing that. He stands by President Trump and how he's handled himself with regards to China. What's interesting, John, is, he's been more vocal, especially in this interview with him, in criticizing the Chinese government specifically when it comes to the coronavirus outbreak.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TERRY BRANSTAD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CHINA: The Chinese system was such that they covered it up and they even penalized the doctors that were pointing it out at the very beginning. So the result was, what could have been contained in Wuhan ended up becoming worldwide pandemic.

CULVER: President Trump's approach has been -- well, it's been a little bit all over the place, to be quite honest. I mean, earlier this year, we saw that he was saying that President Xi was a good friend, a gentleman, complimenting his leadership. Even as the outbreak was starting, and now we've seen, he has not criticized President Xi by name, but he's clearly slamming China --

BRANSTAD: Yes -- CULVER: And the party.

BRANSTAD: I think President Trump believed the Chinese when they said what they said about the virus. And then he and the rest of the world have found out that what they said was not true. And misinformation and cover-ups occurred, and it's really, I think, the communist system of China and their unwillingness to admit wrongdoing that caused this whole thing to happen. And that's the tragedy of it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Interesting to hear, obviously, from Terry Branstad. He was former governor of Iowa, and we understand, David, that he's going to come back to the United States and probably campaign in Iowa, which could be a swing state. But given the state of the relationship between the U.S. and China, given the record with China, given the fact that President Trump praised President Xi at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, you know, might China be seen as a weakness politically speaking for Terry Branstad?

CULVER: I put that question to him, John, because by all means, when we look at everything that's happening, and there's a multi-faceted set of issues, quite honestly. You've got issues at the Indian/China border right now, conflict there, Hong Kong, the national security law. You've got widespread allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

You've got the South China Sea and not to mention, Taiwan, that we mentioned a few minutes ago. So, you've got all of that, and it seems like perhaps this is a diplomatic failure. What they're focusing -- they want -- and he was very specific about this and this will likely be echoed in the campaign mode that he possibly will transition into, is phase one of the trade deal.

That's where they're going to be putting a lot of their focus, and as you mentioned, Iowa, which of course, he was governor of for many years, he's looking at the farmers in particular. We've heard President Trump hit on that. This is something that you're going to see if you see Terry Branstad going back to Iowa to campaign for Trump, it will be part of -- part of his discussion, no question. Part of what he's going to campaign for Trump for.

BERMAN: He's got deep Iowa roots, you know, been there for generations as governor there, David, so we'll see what happens --

CULVER: Right --

BERMAN: When he heads back. David Culver, terrific to have you there, terrific interview, thanks so much for being with us. We have more news just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:50:00]

CAMEROTA: There was an emotional moment at CNN's live town hall with Joe Biden last night when a healthcare worker told his story about how he's struggling to make ends meet.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSEPH FARLEY, WORKS AT A CANCER CENTER: I do work in the cancer center in the area. I make under $15 an hour.

JOE BIDEN, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR 2020: Oh --

FARLEY: During these COVID times, unfortunately, I had to open a credit card with 25 percent interest just to cover my groceries. I'm barely making ends meet. I receive no hazard pay, no raise. I'm struggling not only mentally, but financially. I look up to you and as a middle class healthcare worker, do you have any plans to stand up for us health care workers?

BIDEN: Absolutely. And the idea you're not making a minimum of $15 an hour is just wrong. No one should have to work two jobs to be able to get out of poverty. You're busting your neck and what you're doing is you're saving people's lives.

FARLEY: Exactly.

BIDEN: You're helping them and you're risking your own in this moment of COVID. But we have to make sure that healthcare workers are paid and paid a decent wage, and 15 bucks an hour isn't enough for a healthcare worker.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Joining us now, the man you just saw talking to Joe Biden, Joseph Farley, who works at a cancer center in Pennsylvania --

FARLEY: How are you?

CAMEROTA: I'm well, Joe, how are you this morning?

FARLEY: Good, I'm going on about three hours sleep, but I'm glad to be with you guys, my favorite hosts.

CAMEROTA: Thank you. That's not enough sleep, by the way, take it from me. Joe, what was that moment like for you last night talking to the former vice president there?

[07:55:00]

FARLEY: It was -- it was a little heartbreaking. I told the truth. I stood up for myself. I stood up for my fellow -- my healthcare workers around me that are struggling also, and I've actually got a lot of messages throughout the night from across the country, popping in on my Instagram, on my Facebook, so inspirational and how I spoke, and I think Joe Biden gets it. He's been in my -- he's been in my shoes. He sees how cancer workers are treated and we need to be treated better.

CAMEROTA: I'm so glad that people reached out to you and are sending messages of encouragement. Can you just explain to us why has your financial situation gotten more dire during coronavirus? FARLEY: It's more dire because I'm getting no raise this year. We

have received no extra compensation, no hazard pay. Basically, any extra money that I have to put aside goes to basic necessities and bills. My bills have been adding up, and no raise, no money, can't -- it's hard to function and it's hard to live, and it's putting me on a downward spiral.

CAMEROTA: I understand. And I mean, as I understand it also, you're going into debt. You've had to open a credit card with a huge interest rate just to pay for groceries.

FARLEY: Unfortunately, yes, in March, I had to do that just for emergency purposes, and it's very sad because we're -- it's -- we're not cutting it. Here in northeastern PA, especially working with cancer patients every day and coming home after a late shift and just basically passing out in bed, not even being able to function properly, it's gotten me into a dark place, but I'm getting myself on the right track.

CAMEROTA: Gosh, Joe, we really feel for you. I'm so sorry that you're struggling on all of these levels. I know you told Joe Biden last night that you're struggling mentally. What's happening? Are you getting help?

FARLEY: Yes, I am. Yes, I am. I've actually reached out and I self- referred myself to a great psychiatrist in the area. She's been helping me deal with the COVID aspect, the emotional aspect and getting myself hopefully in a new career. Hopefully, going back to nursing school or on another path, just looking into options and doing what I could do day-by-day, that's all I could do.

CAMEROTA: That is what it takes, I mean, just one foot in front of the other, but I know that it's --

FARLEY: Exactly --

CAMEROTA: So hard right now. So many people are struggling mentally and not even necessarily in the circumstances, the really tough circumstances that you are. I know you also last month went to a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, and so did that speak to your issues and did Vice President Biden give you a solution last night?

FARLEY: I was at a Trump rally in our neighboring city called Old Forge. Our Biden supporters, we all were masked. We all stayed socially distant. The Trump supporters had no masks on. They were yelling obscenities, hateful comments, homophobic comments and we were not even initiating. It was unfortunately very scary.

I kept my distance. I did not say anything, but you can just tell how Joe Biden and the set-up of this rally last night was. We were all socially distanced. We were sat in chairs in front of our cars, safely with masks and we were not packed into an arena. We were not running for a gate to get to the front to see President Trump.

CAMEROTA: Yes --

FARLEY: We were staying safe.

CAMEROTA: And Joe, I want to ask you because I know that Vice President Biden asked for your contact information last night. Has anyone from the campaign reached out to you?

FARLEY: Not as of yet. Your segment producers and your team was 100 percent professional. It's one of the best teams that I have ever seen put an event on, and no, they have not reached out to me yet. But maybe with your help we can get somewhere.

CAMEROTA: I'm sure that your message will get through to him. Let us know if and when he does, and Joe, take care of yourself. Please take care of yourself mentally and every way you can. We'll check back with you, OK? We're thinking of you.

FARLEY: Thank you so much.

CAMEROTA: Thanks for being with us. And NEW DAY continues right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BIDEN: You lost your freedom because he didn't act. The freedom to go to that ball game, the freedom your kids would go to school.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joe Biden saying that it is close to criminal the way that he has handled the virus.