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Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) is Interviewed about Cases Climbing and Restrictions Loosening in New Jersey; Royal Family Considers Diversity Chief; Ohio State Player Gets Abusive Messages After Loss. Aired 8:30- 9a ET

Aired March 22, 2021 - 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: New Jersey are spiking. That state now leads the nation in per capital new cases, yet the governor there is relaxing more restrictions.

Joining us now is that governor, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

Governor, great to see you this morning.

So just explain how this works. I mean you know lead the nation in terms of new cases and yet you're relaxing restrictions or increasing capacity, I guess, at gyms and restaurants. So, why now?

GOV. PHIL MURPHY (D-NJ): Good to be with you, Alisyn.

First of all, we have been as incremental in terms of reopening I think as any state in America. We want to do this safely, responsibly. We don't ever want to have to go back. So, indeed, we have opened up indoor capacities to 50 percent and we're watching these variants very closely.

The case numbers are clearly up. We clearly have these variants in our state as we are seeing in New York City. A little bit reminiscent of what happened last spring. We're the densest state in the nation and the densest region in the nation. And we're going to -- we're going to continue to monitor it and continue to be very incremental in any steps that we take.

CAMEROTA: But, I mean, since have you doubled the national average right now of new case, why not hold off for a week or two?

MURPHY: Well, I think what you're going to see going forward is we will do that. You know, we're already up to over 3.5 million vaccine shots in people's arms. That is -- that news -- that story is only going to get better. The weather will get warmer. We'll be able to be outdoors more than indoors. God willing, people will continue to do the right, smart things. And my guess is we won't be opening up further capacity for some -- some time now because of the -- because of the case load.

CAMEROTA: You have said about schools, you want them to reopen for in- person learning right now. I think that New Jersey students have been on remote learning for a year now. I mean almost maybe even a little bit longer than a year now. So what's the holdup to getting them back in the classroom?

MURPHY: Yes, so we run -- the schools in New Jersey are run based on districts. We've got over 800 districts or charter or other schools that we have stewardship for. I right now about 85 or 90 percent of those districts have some form of in-person learning, either hybrid or all in person. In terms of the percentage of kids, it's probably between 70 and 75 percent.

We wanted the same reason on indoor capacities of anything. We want to do this responsibly, safely. We want kids back in school, there's no question about it, but we want to do it -- we want to do it responsibly and we're getting there.

The needle is definitely moving in the right direction. My hope is that we get, you know, from 70 or 75 percent of our kids fully in person up to 85 percent or more before the end of this school year and that we're all 100 percent in-person in the fall.

CAMEROTA: You have suggested that people who are vaccinated in New Jersey could begin carrying around some sort of vaccine card that allows them to access -- to have access to, you know, certain businesses or flights than people who are not vaccinated wouldn't have.

And so some of your Republican governor colleagues don't like that idea. They've said, Governor Phil Murphy's suggestion that garden staters could be required to show proof of vaccine is a health privacy minefield. Hard-working New Jersey residents have the right to keep their healthcare decisions between themselves and their doctor and don't need Phil Murphy in the waiting room telling patients to make sure they laminate their vaccine card on the way out.

What do you think of their position?

MURPHY: I don't think much of their position because that's all politics. But having said that, I was asked would I be open-minded to something like this, and I said I would be. But I also said explicitly I would defer to the CDC to give guidance on this.

Do I think it's a crazy idea? No. But I'm certainly not going to play politics with it. And we'll do the right thing and we'll -- as we have been all along, we will -- we will take guidance from the CDC and adhere as closely to their guidance as -- as we can.

CAMEROTA: Governor, I want to ask you about the situation with Governor Andrew Cuomo. I know that you've worked so closely with him during this past year on the pandemic. And as you know, there have been several female staffers or former female staffers who have come forward and made allegations of sexual harassment or at least some sort of behavioral misconduct.

I know there's an investigation that is just beginning, but that could take a while.

Do you think, because this has become a distraction, that Governor Cuomo should step aside?

MURPHY: Yes, and this -- this is concerning to say the least that it's gotten, if anything, more concerning over the past several weeks. And I just -- you have to give an enormous amount of credit to the courage of these women who are coming forward. It is not easy and they deceive to be heard.

[08:35:03]

Having said that, I have been and I continue to be in the same place, an expedited objective, complete investigation. Let's see what that concludes and from that conclusion actions should or should not be taken from that. And that -- that continues to be where I -- I am on this.

CAMEROTA: If the investigation reveals, as it very well might, that, yes, Governor Cuomo did say these things. I mean some of them he's not even denying saying, but he says that he thought that he was being, quote, playful and teasing. He didn't think it was inappropriate. But if it reveals that, yes, he did say these things and the women were uncomfortable, then should he step down?

MURPHY: Again, to -- I'm -- I'm where I've been, Alisyn. I give enormous amount of respect for the courage of these women to come forward. It is not easy. They deserve to be heard. And, secondly, let's let the investigation play out and -- and -- with it conclusion we go from there.

CAMEROTA: Governor Phil Murphy, we really appreciate you covering all of this with us. Thank you.

MURPHY: Thank you for having me.

CAMEROTA: Up next, new reporting on what the British royal family may do in the wake of the racism allegations made by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. We have a live report from the U.K., next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:40:17]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're learning this morning the British royal family may consider appointing a diversity chief in the wake of the damming racism allegations made by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

CNN's Max Foster live in England with the details.

Max, this is pretty interesting.

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I think it's the first substantive response we've really had, isn't it really, since we heard those racism claims from the duchess of Sussex aimed at the British monarchy. What the monarchy is saying here is that they do take diversity very seriously. They did have systems in place for this as well prior to this interview.

But here's what we heard from a royal source. We have the policies, procedures and programs in placements but we haven't seen the progress we'd like in terms of representation and more needs to be done, we can always improve.

You've got two things really that the duchess was talking about this that -- this interview, the family itself, you know, we could talk about diversity there. The working part of the British monarchy is no longer there, frankly, because the duchess has opted out of that and she was the only representative really of diversity within the working monarchy. We are also talking, though, about all the aides and the staff and the system itself. And, frankly, there isn't much diversity there either. So they're working towards that.

And one of the things they're talking about is hiring someone responsible for diversity within the monarchy. You might say -- you might be surprised at the fact that they didn't have someone doing that previously. But as our sources was saying, they are listening. They are learning. This is a response in part to the interview, I think. But they've also being propelled towards this diversity program because of that interview as well.

And Meghan was being quite specific about her accusations of racism. But it's clearly made them think more widely about what the British monarchy represents, not just in terms of the family, but in terms of the wider palace system.

Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Really interesting, Max, and interesting to hear that they do think that they have room for improvement and are beginning to take those steps.

Thank you very much for that reporting.

So, a college basketball player is speaking out after getting death threats for missing a free-throw. He tells us his story next.

But first, how can a can of paint and a canvass help one woman with bipolar disorder find balance. Here's this week's "Human Factor."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

A'DRIANE NIEVES, ABSTRACT ARTIST: When I'm painting my pieces, I honestly experience complete freedom. I started experiencing the symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety pretty severely after the birth of my second son. I remember his cries being such a trigger for me and I couldn't understand why suddenly my heart was racing, why suddenly I felt detached.

I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder in July of 2011. It was an intake psychiatrist who explained a treatment plan. We'll start you off with this medication. It's a mood stabilizer. My therapist suggested that I build or create something constructive with my hands. I just remember putting the paint on my hand and on the canvass and moving it around. I felt completely different than I had before. A really transformative moment.

Since I started painting in 2012, I've probably done over 1,000 pieces. I established the Tessera Arts Collective to support and amplify the work of black and brown women and non-binary artist who primary working in abstraction because I was looking for something therapeutic. Painting continues to be that. It's my career. But, really, it's still therapy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:48:30]

BERMAN: So after Ohio State's upset loss to Oral Robert on Friday in the NCAA basketball tournament, forward E.J. Leddell posted screen shots of threatening messages he received on social media. One message read, are you such an f'ing disgrace, don't ever show your face at Ohio State. We hate you. I hope you die. I really do.

Joining us now is E.J. Leddell.

E.J., you know, thanks so much for joining us.

I have to tell you, my first reaction when I read that is, what the hell? I mean, what did you think when you first read that?

E.J. LIDDELL, BASKETBALL PLAYER, OHIO STATE BUCKEYES: I mean, yes, it kind of hurt my feelings are little bit. I mean after -- after the loss that we suffered, we weren't expecting to go home so soon. And I just checked some messages. Messages that were sent directly to me. And I kind of like -- kind of messed me up a little bit.

BERMAN: How are things now? I mean have they calmed down over the last few days? What are you hearing now?

LIDDELL: I just want to thank everybody for sending the tons and tons of supports. Honestly, everybody's been telling me how much of a great season we've had and how much of a great season I had individually and I felt like that's what most players need to hear at the end of the season because, I mean, there's not much we can do about it after a loss. Everybody can take constructive criticism, but sometimes people go a little bit too far.

BERMAN: Yes, I mean, what's wrong with people? Have you thought about that?

LIDDELL: Yes, a little bit, honestly. I've never done anything in my life to make anyone talk to me like that, especially over me just playing basketball, the game that I worked all year for.

[08:50:08]

So I don't see why they're more hurt than me because I worked countless, countless hours to get to the point where we were at.

BERMAN: And, by the way, you know, 23 points, 14 boards, that's some game you had, right?

LIDDELL: Yes.. Yes, I felt like I could have did a little bit more for us to win, but I did enough to get us there and I put a lot of effort into that last game.

BERMAN: I mean, you're sitting here with a smile on your face. What do people need to know? What does someone -- what should someone who might pick up their phone, which is awfully easy to do, and write something down, what do you want them to think about before writing a message like that?

LIDDELL: Man, honestly, a lot of people on social media done know about me. And I don't know them personally. But you also have to think about our feelings when we leave the court. Sometimes we're viewed as entertainers and people who are just on the TV. But, like, off the court I have a mom, a little sister, little brother, a big sister, and they all care for me dearly. And I know they don't want me to be talked about like that. And my dad. So I just -- I just don't like how people get treated sometimes.

BERMAN: Yes, I mean, just to be clear, how badly did you want to win the game, E.J.?

LIDDELL: Oh, man, very badly, but, I mean, it's a basketball game at the end of the day.

BERMAN: Right.

LIDDELL: Things happen. And I would tell them what basketball (INAUDIBLE).

BERMAN: Is it safe to say, in your mind, you wanted to win more than this jackass who you the thing on social media?

LIDDELL: No doubt. I mean just for the -- all of the Ohio State fans that supported all year, my coaching staff, my friends, my family, I just went out there and played my hardest every single game, gave it may all the whole season. So, yes.

BERMAN: I mean and I know -- look, I know how important basketball is to you, but it's also -- you know, it's a game and this guy is making a death threat over a game.

LIDDELL: Yes. Realistically, I mean, at the end of the day, it's just a game, honestly. I go out there and have fun. I'm a college student. I'm not getting paid or anything. I just go out there with a smile on my face every single day and just have. I've been having fun doing this since I was probably like in the second game.

BERMAN: Well, let me tell you, it speaks to how much bigger of a person you are than the people who write this stuff that you are doing this, including this discussion right now with a smile on your face.

Speaking about big men, Charles Barkley weighed in on this situation and had some interesting points to make. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHARLES BARKLEY, BASKETBALL HALL OF FAMER: For you to give this kid death threats and harrow racial slurs at him because you're safe in your own home like a coward behind a computer and nobody know who you are. Why would you sit at your house and tweet or send something to a kid that's, number one, after -- after he lost a stupid basketball game to give him death threats or just hurl racial slurs at him? You need to take a good look in the mirror and realize you're just a freaking loser.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: What's it like to hear that from Sir Charles?

LIDDELL: I mean, I -- it's crazy, honestly. Having Charles Barkley says something about it because, I mean, a lot of people go through it, not just me, but when I posted that tweet, tons of other basketball players and other athletes say they get the same kind of messages and enough is enough and I just felt it was time for me to say something because people -- people really do feel some type of way after we lose a game that we play.

BERMAN: And Barkley had an interesting point, too. He doesn't go on social media. He doesn't like it. And one of the points he makes, and I wonder -- I'll put it to you as a question, do you think that the things that people wrote on social media that anyone would ever say that to your face?

LIDDELL: I don't think so. Social media is a newer generation thing and, I mean, realistically, I mean, every kid has social media, honestly, including me. I'm on every social media platform. I feel like I'm missing out if I'm not on -- all over sometimes. But, yes, it's very easy to make an anonymous account and just on to somebody's page and send something very hurtful.

BERMAN: Let me tell you, I'm going to follow you, because you send a positive message. And you are inspiring for the work that you're doing, the effort that you put into the game and the effort you've put into this, exposing, I think, something that people need to know about. As you said, you know, you're a kid. You know, you've got -- you got younger siblings who see this stuff and people need to think about what they're doing and the message it sends.

E.J., thank you for being with us this morning. Congratulations on the message you're sending. Congratulations on a wonderful season. I guarantee you this is not going to be the last we hear from you.

LIDDELL: Yes, sir. For sure. Thank you for having me.

BERMAN: Be well.

So we do have a quick programing note. You can join Anderson Cooper, Amara Walker, Victor Blackwell and Ana

Cabrera tonight for a look at this disturbing trend, violent acts against people of color. What are the solutions? "Afraid: Fear in America's Community of Color" that airs tonight at 9:00 p.m. only on CNN.

[08:55:06]

CAMEROTA: OK, John, how about some "Good Stuff?"

"Wheel of Fortune" contestant Scott Kollbrenner brought all he bought, all the right vowels, winning a total of $145,000 on a game show last week. But that's not even the best part.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT KOLLBRENNER, CONTESTANT, "WHEEL OF FORTUNE": Flowing light gown.

PAT SAJAK, HOST, "WHEEL OF FORTUNE": That's -- you'd look lovely. Walking down the aisle in your flowing white grown, your $100,000.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: The California resident is donating every penny of that to charity. Kollbrenner plans to split his big winnings between two organization Uplift Family Services and the L.A. Regional Food Bank. We know they will appreciate it so much. What a wonderful act of generosity to pay it forward.

BERMAN: Wow! I mean donating it all. That is really wonderful. The L.A. Regional Food Bank, I happen to know, is a wonderful organization. Good for him. What -- what a great thing.

By the way, that wasn't an easy thing to solve. I wasn't getting anywhere near that.

CAMEROTA: Me either. What did you do with all of your "Jeopardy" wins?

BERMAN: We have to give that to charity. The condition of playing was that all the money would go to charity. But it is worth noting that my charity got all the money.

CAMEROTA: Yes. Excellent. Very nice. Glad we got that in there.

All right, CNN's coverage continues, next.

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