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New York To Reopen Public Elementary Schools Next Week; Mysterious Shiny Metal Object Vanishes From Utah Desert; White House Reveals Christmas Decor, First Lady Did Not Attend. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired November 30, 2020 - 08:30   ET

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

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[08:32:21]

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: OK, big announcement this weekend, New York City's public school system will reopen for in-person learning for elementary school kids next week. The move marks a reversal from just 10 days earlier when the Mayor shut down schools and move to remote learning. So what changed? Let's ask New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Good morning, Mr. Mayor.

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO (D), NEW YORK CITY: Good morning. How you doing?

CAMEROTA: I'm doing well. So just take us inside your thought process, what changed from November 19th when you shut down in-person learning to yesterday when you announced reopening?

DE BLASIO: Alisyn, we had to reset the equation to create something that would be sustainable for the long haul. We had said back in September, we would open our schools, biggest school system in the country. Most cities weren't opening schools all we did. But we also said we'd have really strict standards. And I said if we hit to 3 percent positivity, that would be the point where we'd have to do something different.

Now, we have a different approach. We're having a lot more testing, weekly testing in every school, kids will have to have a testing consent form to come to school. This is going to allow us to get back up with our school system next Monday, elementary school, early childhood, special education programs. And we're going to keep building from there.

And Alisyn, one of the other things we're going to be able to do now is have five-day a week instruction in a lot of schools. Because a lot of parents did choose remote learning. Other parents want their kids in the classroom, we now have the ability to give them more days in the classroom, which is going to be really great for those kids.

CAMEROTA: Yes, and for the parents. I mean, obviously, this is music to the ears of many parents. But just help us understand, did you consult different doctors or different scientists in terms of why was the 3 percent threshold considered dangerous 11 days ago, but now the city's positivity rate is 3.9, and it's not too dangerous for kids to go back to school.

DE BLASIO: Alisyn, I certain understand the question. The real question is back in August, September, when we lay down that 3 percent, we did not have the information we have now. And so, we had put it in place to say to folks we'd be very stringent to parents, teachers, staff, we keep them very safe. We put all sorts of measures in place to keep schools safe, everyone wears a mask, for example, in our schools, kids and adults alike always. It worked.

So, the previous standard proved to be effective. But now it's time for something different. Alisyn, what happened was that that 3 percent standard, after we had so much experience with the schools, proved to be different than we thought it would be. And then we said, what can we do now to sustain our schools for the long haul all the way to having the vaccine present? We decided we need a lot more testing.

And to make that in every school, that would be the day difference maker, that was the new measure we needed. We did consult with the state -- with all the stakeholders and we agreed that was the way forward.

[08:35:06]

CAMEROTA: And so, you're going to be testing students every week now. Are these rapid tests?

DE BLASIO: Well, these will be the PCR test, the diagnostic tests, and we'll get the results very quickly. Our city's been able to turn around test typically in a day or two with our public facilities. So we'll be able to really quickly know what's going on in each school and act accordingly.

CAMEROTA: And so, what's the new threshold now? So now that with your new information, you've decided that the 3 percent is too low, I guess of a threshold, what's the new threshold now for if you were to shut it, have to --

DE BLASIO: It's a different approach now, Alisyn, overall, because what has happened is we've proven the schools could be extraordinarily safe. And the schools are some of the safest places to be right now in New York City, which is a credit to our educators and our staff and our parents. We know it works but you have to constantly monitor that testing.

And if we see multiple cases in the school, we do an immediate investigation with our tests and trace core and a lot of cases, we will close that school either temporarily or even for a two-week quarantine. So that ability to school by school make those adjustments. That has proven to be the most effective tool. We don't think that the specific number has as much meaning a single number, that's how we started, that's what we thought was necessary to get the school system started.

Now, we have a much more comprehensive testing system than we were able to do back then. And a strong, what we call our situation room that determines whether a school should stay open up -- each school at a time, those are the checks and balances we need to keep the school system going all the way to when we have a vaccine. This is going to be a sustainable model now.

CAMEROTA: And so why not apply that model to middle schoolers?

DE BLASIO: Oh, we will. But we're just not ready to do it yet. The amount of testing we need, the sheer capacity requires us to focus on elementary school, special education and early childhood. Over time, we're going to certainly move to middle school and high school as well.

CAMEROTA: And when? What's your target date?

DE BLASIO: Well, it's not going to be the next few weeks. I mean, obviously, you from now until the Christmas break, the focus will be on the younger kids. But when we come back, especially because we need to fight back this second wave that's bearing down on us now over these next weeks. When we come back, my hope is we can then move quickly to middle school and high school.

CAMEROTA: And so just so I understand, in terms of the elementary school starting on Monday, they'll now -- every student will now be tested twice a week?

DE BLASIO: At once a week, it's been once a month up to now, it will now be once a week, every child is required to either be tested, have a consent form or have a medical exemption from testing. So we're going to be comprehensive. We're going to be doing this every week.

CAMEROTA: And then if somebody is positive, does their classroom stay home? Does their grades stay home? Do you have a plan for what happens when there's a positive test?

DE BLASIO: Well, Alisyn, that's what's we've been working so well these last few months. And that's why we're able to open New York City public schools and keep them safe. We have a very rigorous procedure. Yes, if there's a case in the classroom, the classroom quarantines, it's a kind of pod system so you can just quarantine that classroom.

There's multiple cases in the school, there's a careful investigation to determine whether the school only needs a temporary shutdown or a full two-week quarantine. That has worked and it's allowed us to keep the vast majority of our schools open the vast majority of the time. But it's also given us the ability to pinpoint when there's a problem and address it quickly through our test and trace core.

CAMEROTA: Mayor Bill de Blasio, thank you very much for all of the information. I know that parents are, you know, all ears this morning to see how it's going to work moving forward. We really appreciate it.

DE BLASIO: Thank you, Alisyn,

CAMEROTA: Thanks for being here.

Coming up, a new twist and what's become one of the strangest stories of the year. What happened to that giant metal thing that popped up in the Utah desert? I'm going to tell you, John, what happened to it.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: I think I want to tell you.

CAMEROTA: I think you are (ph).

JOHN: I'm going to look ahead.

CAMEROTA: That's right.

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[08:42:54]

BERMAN: New this morning, New Zealand's work safety agency has filed charges in the volcano disaster that killed 22 tourists and guides last year. Three individuals and 10 organizations, all unnamed, face millions of dollars in fines if the charges are proven. The agency says the eruption was unexpected but not unforeseeable and that operators had a duty to protect those in their care.

CAMEROTA: OK, listen to this story, the U.S. Coast Guard answering the prayers of a Florida family. They rescued Stuart Bee nearly 48 hours after he went missing. He was found Sunday about 86 miles off the coast of Port Canaveral clinging to a piece of his capsized boat. The 62-year-old man set out on Friday, but raised alarms when he did not return multiple government agencies assisted in this rescue. Details on Bee's condition have not yet been released.

BERMAN: These pictures just amazing. All right, now we have an update and perhaps the strangest story of the year. The tall, silver, shining metal monolith discovered in the desert in southeastern Utah has now disappeared. It was a mystery how it got there, now it's a mystery where did it go? The state's Bureau of Land Management confirmed the story. It providing no answers to the laundry list of theories suggesting it could had been alien place.

CAMEROTA: Obviously, yes.

BERMAN: Could it have been maybe an artist who just put it there?

CAMEROTA: No.

BERMAN: No? Definitely not that at all?

CAMEROTA: Aliens.

BERMAN: Is there a connection to the bogus claims of election fraud? I mean, the mystery of the monolith is like Trumpian.

CAMEROTA: It does look like it could be a polling --

BERMAN: Polling location?

CAMEROTA: Receptacle and self-gone.

BERMAN: Yes. CAMEROTA: Maybe there's ballots in there, John.

BERMAN: Millions of hidden ballots for the President, hidden inside the monolith. And now it's gone.

CAMEROTA: All right.

BERMAN: So new this morning, the White House has unveiled its Christmas decorations, but the First Lady was not there. Why?

CAMEROTA: Does it have anything to do with that thing in the desert?

BERMAN: We'll discuss next.

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[08:48:51]

BERMAN: All right, moments ago, the White House unveiled its holiday decorations and theme. The First Lady's office held a preview a short time ago, but the First Lady Melania Trump was not there.

Joining us now, CNN Contributor Kate Andersen Brower, her new book, "Exploring the White House: Inside America's Most Famous Home", comes out next week. Why wasn't the First Lady there for the unveiling of the Christmas decorations?

KATE ANDERSEN BROWER, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: We haven't seen much of her lately. There's been a real concerted effort to keep her out of sight. I think that they don't want the press asking her questions. You know, as the pandemic has really exploded, the last time that we've heard from her in any real way was, you know, on Twitter, she has this pinned tweet from April where she's talking about washing your hands properly. And so, I think that there's this sense they don't want her to be asked about the pandemic but also the election.

I think that's obviously something that her staff is concerned about. They want to keep her really protected and away from the press. So, she had an event today scheduled, but it was cancelled because of weather. But I think it's part of this broader effort to keep out of sight.

[08:50:08]

CAMEROTA: I'm also just not sure, Kate, that Christmas decorations are her thing or her interest. And the reason I say that what I'm basing that on is the phone call that her former best friend or close friend Stephanie Wolkoff recorded where they talk about the First Lady's role of decorating for Christmas. And here's a portion of that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MELANIA TRUMP, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: They say I'm complicit. I'm the same like him, I support him. I don't say enough. I don't do enough.

STEPHANIE WOLKOFF, FORMER SENIOR ADVISOR TO FIRST LADY: No. It's --

TRUMP: Where I I'm. I put -- I'm working like a -- my ass off at --

WOLKOFF: I know.

TRUMP: -- Christmas stuff that, you know, who gives a -- about Christmas stuff and decoration but I need to do it, right?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: That might have been a window into her feelings about Christmas decorations.

BROWER: Yes, I mean, we've never heard anything like that from a First Lady, right? This is one of the traditional parts of the job. It's something they're expected to enjoy. She clearly feels under siege in the White House. And that tape goes on to talk about the children that were being held at the border separated from their parents. And she goes on to defend that policy in that phone conversation with her former friends.

So, yes, I mean, Christmas -- if anyone's heard that tape, they know that this is not something that she particularly enjoys. And it was a very controversial comment. And so, I don't think that they're eager to have her go out there and talking about the Christmas decorations this year.

BERMAN: Can I ask you a question? Isn't there a network, Alisyn, that devotes a month if not more of programming?

CAMEROTA: But no more on Christmas.

BERMAN: Anyone who criticize -- you have to be into Christmas decorations. And if you're not, you are the devil.

CAMEROTA: Absolutely. And who is leading the war on Christmas? If they say that's their battle cry, f Christmas. But I don't know. I don't know. I haven't heard if that network has pointed that out.

BERMAN: You have to be in the Christmas decorations. If you're not, it's not America.

CAMEROTA: Of course. Absolutely. You're leading the war on Christmas somehow. I don't know. Kate.

BROWER: Yes. I mean, a lot -- you know, if you look at video from Laura Bush and Michelle Obama, they always are talking about Christmas very warmly. And there's a sense with Melania, she's had a lot of trouble with Christmas. Don't forget the red Christmas trees, right, that people compared to The Handmaid's Tale. And the all-white Christmas decorations and the video showing her, walking around, it look kind of like a perfume ad.

It just wasn't warm. And I think that that we have seen over the last four years that she has so much trouble projecting warmth. And for some reason, she has not broken through in the way that the other first ladies have.

BERMAN: Do you have any sense at this point, Kate, what happens after January 20th for the First Lady?

BROWER: You know, I mean, there's been talk of her writing a memoir and if history is any indication that will sell very well. I mean, look at becoming and other First Lady memoirs. So I'm sure she will be eager to make her own money and do something herself. But I, you know, I think that she'll be just happy to leave. I don't think she liked her time in the White House, clearly, and she was probably secretly relieved that he lost.

CAMEROTA: Who knows but we do know how she feels about Christmas decorations.

BERMAN: Yes, I don't think it'd be a coffee table book on Christmas decorations, if you write that.

BROWER: No.

BERMAN: That's my bet.

CAMEROTA: Wow. Kate Andersen Brower, thank you very much for the history lesson.

BROWER: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: OK, it's time for the good stuff. A community in San Antonio, Texas came together for a little boy who lost both of his parents to coronavirus. Raiden Gonzalez, his mom and dad died just months apart. Reagan's fifth birthday would be his first celebration without them.

His story touched many hearts in his community so they showed up in full force to throw Raiden a huge party. There was birthday cake, superheroes, Santa, dinosaurs, and an hour long car parade. Raiden's grandmother was overwhelmed by all of the support.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's received. I mean, so much and, you know, it's like -- it's amazing how, you know, it's like, I tell him, like, all these people are doing this for you.

RAIDEN GONZALEZ, A CHILD WHO LOST HIS PARENTS FROM COVID: Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Oh, my gosh, what a sweetheart. The family also set up a GoFundMe account for a little Raiden. Of course, they'll need that because his parents are no longer around. So we'll try to put the link up for that.

BERMAN: It's awfully nice if the community to come together. And, obviously, they have to. I know this has been a brutal year for Raiden and that entire community. CAMEROTA: Absolutely. And this isn't the only person that we've -- child that we've profiled who is orphaned as a result of this pandemic.

Thank you all for being with us. CNN's coverage will continue after this.

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[08:59:43]

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: Very good Monday morning to you, I'm Jim Sciutto. Poppy Harlow is off this week.

This morning, we have breaking news in the race for a vaccine. Moderna, the drug maker, set to apply for what's known as Emergency Use Authorization today. New data from Moderna shows that its fast vaccine is 94.1 percent effective against COVID, 100 percent effective in preventing the onset of severe cases. This is very good.