Return to Transcripts main page

New Day

Ann Romney Launches Center for Neurologic Diseases; Bentley the Dog Now Living in Quarantine; Dempsey: "I'm Worried About Ebola"

Aired October 16, 2014 - 07:30   ET

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

ANN ROMNEY, WIFE OF FMR. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MITT ROMNEY: I know, he's so -- he's so wonderful. And, you know, we have such an extraordinary partnership and he was there for me when it was really, really tough. And, you know, he was with me when Dr. Weiner saw me initially and said -- you know, he took me by the arm and said, we're going to deal with this. You're going to be OK.

But you need people like that to make sure that you can survive these things. And the thing that compels me now is there are people being diagnosed that have no treatment. And ALS and Alzheimer's in particular, I think of, and people who are suffering so terribly from Parkinson's. And it's time for us to start making some breakthroughs in those areas and to let people like Dr. Weiner say -- yes, this is what you have and now I have a treatment for you.

So I'm excited. He's working on in his labs, a nasal vaccine for Alzheimer's. How amazing, we have to unleash that power.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: How close is that?

DR. HOWARD WEINER, CO-DIRECTOR, ANN ROMNEY CENTER FOR NEUROLOGIC DISEASES: We're ready to begin the experiments in the laboratory work. We're going to test it in people and it's very interesting, we're trying to break down silos in the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases. This came from work we did on M.S. We applied it to Alzheimer's.

We have something we found in M.S. that we found that might help brain tumors. So the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases is breaking down silos. We call it a collision of collaboration, in terms of different diseases coming together.

And we also want to collaborate around the world. In the United States, we're already working with people in San Francisco, Chicago, Johns Hopkins. So this is a collision of collaboration breaking down silos in the Ann Romney Center and across the world.

CAMEROTA: That's so great, breaking down the silos, sharing information and giving people hope. Let's talk about politics. Because speaking of hope, I have heard from a lot of people who do hope that Mitt Romney gets back into the race in 2016. They are pulling for another Romney race. What do you think about it today?

ROMNEY: Well, I think, you know, I think people probably are looking and saying, this is one competent guy, who really is a great leader, who has done, he's been in so many turn-around situations. He's turned around companies. He turned around the Olympics. He was a great governor.

He has extraordinary leadership abilities and I think the times call for someone of that capability. And I know he would have been a great president. You know, I look at what happens internationally. And I look what's happening in Russia, I don't believe that would be happening if Mitt were there. So you know --

CAMEROTA: You're making a great case for him running.

ROMNEY: I know and my kids are like, come on, you know, Dad, just such a shame you're not there. But we've been there and at the election night, we all looked at each other, my boys, my daughters in law, my husband and myself, and we just said, we gave it everything we had.

We didn't have an ounce left to give and then we just knew it was just done. It was, you know, we had done what we could. And we were there and an emotionally and mentally, that's where we still are.

CAMEROTA: And does Mitt feel the same way?

ROMNEY: Absolutely, yes.

CAMEROTA: So when you said, done, done, done -- let me actually read what you said because it sounded fairly definitive. You said, done, done, done, done. Completely not only Mitt and I, but the kids are done. Done. Done. Done. As Chris said yesterday, what did you mean by that?

ROMNEY: I think that means done.

CAMEROTA: But then it seemed as though in another interview, you said sort of never say never.

ROMNEY: You know, you never do say never but you know, that's not where we are. We are Mitt's out right now supporting candidates that are running in the 2014 cycle and you know we're going to stay involved. We are so involved in this. We're so excited about this.

I have other things I'm working on that I can't wait to talk about maybe in a few months. But it's, you know we've we have, we're concerned and we are still going to be involved but not in that way.

CAMEROTA: So you feel very final and definite that he will not be running.

ROMNEY: At this point in time, that's where we are mentally is done.

CAMEROTA: So he's running.

ROMNEY: You know these political questions --

CAMEROTA: So anyway, thank you for all of that. It's really great to talk to you. And also about the center and Dr. Wiener, it's great to hear what you're doing. You're going to be giving patients a lot of hope.

WEINER: We're very excited.

CAMEROTA: That's great. Thanks so much for being here. Let's go over to Chris.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: I'm no doctor, but I am on TV and I'll tell you this, if you're worried about mental health, stay away from politics. That's my nod. That's my one bit of advice to the Romney family.

All right, here's what we know, his owner is doing better, but what about Bentley, the dog, may have been exposed to Ebola, now quarantined. We're going to talk to the person who is looking after him.

Remember, this isn't just a sweet story. We have to understand the relationship of pets to this virus. So stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: We have breaking developments overnight, the second nurse to contract Ebola in Dallas is now in Atlanta for treatment at Emory University Hospital, as the concern spreads to Cleveland. Why?

Well, that's where the second nurse, Amber Vinson, flew, despite having told the CDC that she had a low-grade fever after helping treat patient Thomas Eric Duncan, who ultimately died from Ebola.

Meantime, the first nurse diagnosed with Ebola, Nina Pham, she is said to be improving and no doubt thinking of her dog. Bentley, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel has been quarantined and will be monitored for the foreseeable future.

So we were wondering what are the logistics of going into -- of quarantining a dog. Here to tell us is Jody Jones, the director of the Dallas Animal Services.

And I should point out, Jody, you're not personally caring for Bentley. You're overseeing sort of his general care, correct?

JODY JONES, DIRECTOR, DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES: That's correct, Michaela. Bentley is quarantined and being cared for using the appropriate protective measures, just like you would for an Ebola patient.

PEREIRA: How is he doing? How is Bentley doing so far?

JONES: Bentley, I'm very pleased to say is doing wonderful. We're blessed and Bentley is really a people dog and you know, outside of Nina's care and her recovery. Bentley was the next most important thing to that family as is often the case in most American families today.

PEREIRA: Yes, sure is. You mentioned the fact that he's a people dog. It makes you wonder how a pup deals with being quarantined like that. That's a bit of a concern as are the concerns about how you feed that dog and how you care for that dog and remove the dog's waste. Can you help us understand the logistics of managing all that?

JONES: Absolutely. Public safety is the upmost concern. So we're not able to provide all the comforts that you would in your typical home environment. But we have been very fortunate in being able to create a home-like environment for Bentley.

So he actually is residing in the kitchen of a formerly owned home. He is created or contained during his stay in the home and he is moved between different crates to establish cleaning and care during the day.

We have a veterinarian that is starting to go in and care for him. In the earlier days, we were using trained hazmat type people to provide that care under the direction of Dr. Katherine McManus and myself.

To insure that he got humane compassionate care as well as the professionals insuring that the proper public safety precautions were in place.

PEREIRA: And that's where the questions lie, right, Jody, because we have so little data about dogs and Ebola. They can carry the Ebola virus, but right now, where does the data stand on whether or not they can transmit the disease?

JONES: There is one study out there. The question comes into play in if the animals can shed the virus. There are no known cases where animals have actually transmitted Ebola to a human. So the recommendations are that there are very little risks involved here.

But again, in an effort to maintain public safety and health of everybody involved. We are taking all of the precautions that are recommended by the CDC and the state officials.

PEREIRA: We don't know. We're sort of saying the foreseeable future. We know in humans the virus can be dormant for 21 days. What do we know or do we know enough? How long will Bentley be in quarantine?

JONES: The initial quarantine period is going to be 21 days. We're working with some of the officials to establish what the release process would be for him. They're feeling pretty confident that if he doesn't show any symptoms and everything goes well. He should be able to be released and reunited with his family after the 21-day quarantine.

PEREIRA: I'm sure everybody in the family is looking forward to that. Speaking to that, this pet is a member of this family. We saw a very different situation happen in Spain. I'm curious if you're part of the process of making a decision what would happen to Bentley. Was there debate about what to be done or was it sort of clear-cut there in Dallas?

JONES: No, it was very clear cut in Dallas. City officials, county officials had committed that Bentley was going to see this through. I have to say the outpouring of support for Texans and throughout the world for the care of Bentley has just been phenomenal to the point where we have actually set up a fund, a pet fund, under dallasanimals.org.

It's the Dallas Companion Animal Project is helping us collect resources that will be used not just for Bentley, but should there be additional pets.

PEREIRA: I'm curious. Does Nina know how Bentley is doing? Has she asked about it?

JONES: Yes, actually Nina called us the day before yesterday and spoke with Dr. McManus about Bentley. And we promised her we were doing everything in our power. We were taking really good care and we were just a little concerned that Bentley might be a little heavier when he's returned to her because he's eating well.

PEREIRA: That's a good sign. He'll get his exercise later and I'm sure he did a lot to boost her spirits to know that her beloved pet is being cared for. It's kind of a two-way street, right.

Jodie Jones, thanks so much. A lot of people think this is a frivolous can conversation. Other people can't believe we wouldn't ask this question. Thank you for cutting to the chase with us and helping us understand the importance of it, OK?

JONES: Thank you.

PEREIRA: All right, Chris, over to you.

CUOMO: All right, thanks a lot. General Martin Dempsey, no less than the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is speaking out about something that has been worrying him for months. ISIS, Iran, Afghanistan? Nope, an Ebola outbreak. The interview you've got to see.

CAMEROTA: Plus, our Christine Romans goes on an unforgettable journey, find out how one person in her past paved the way for her.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: General Martin Dempsey, he is the Joint Chiefs chairman. He is speaking out about Ebola. He's telling CNN the outbreak has been worrying him for months.

CNN investigations correspondent, Kyra Phillips joins us live with details of her exclusive interview. Kyra, I got to tell you, these guys get interviewed from time to time, but not like this. You did a heck of a job here, getting out information we needed to know.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN INVESTIGATIONS CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Chris, I appreciate that and I appreciate General Dempsey and his honesty as well. You know, he said months ago that someone from his staff, Chris, actually came up to him and said, you know what, sir, this outbreak is different and it's urbanized.

And he paid attention and now he says while the U.S. has a contingency plan for a pandemic, he is pretty darn concerned.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Are you, General Dempsey, worried about Ebola here in the U.S.?

GENERAL MARTIN DEMPSEY, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: I've been worried about Ebola globally for about 90 days and I have had some on my staff that were probably a little more worried than I was, even a few weeks or months before that.

PHILLIPS: Why?

DEMPSEY: I'm worried about it because it -- because we know so little about it. You'll hear different people describe whether it could become airborne. I mean, if you bring two -- two doctors who happen to have that specialty into a room, one will say no, there's no way it will ever become airborne, but it could mutate so it could be harder to discover.

It actually disguises itself in the body, which is what makes it so dangerous and has that incubation period of about 21 days. Another doctor will say, well, if it continues to mutate at the rate it's mutating.

And if we go from 20,000 infected to 100,000, the population might allow the opportunity to mutate and become airborne, and then it will be extraordinarily serious problem. I don't know who's right. I don't want to take that chance so I'm taking it very seriously.

PHILLIPS: So what do you say to all the Americans that are looking at this Ebola situation and are in absolute panic?

DEMPSEY: Ebola is a -- to use a sports metaphor, this needs to be an away game and that's why the United States military is involved. We want to help them keep this in isolation inside of those three countries.

But I have studied this thing and there is risk that the rate of reproduction, the ability of one patient to affect first two and then four and then eight and then it becomes exponent -- so we've really got to be aggressive about the isolation and treatment matters that we're taking up.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: He is being aggressive about the training, too, Chris, Dempsey told me that they're actually organizing boot camps he said, we know how to do boot camps in the military, organizing these camps for the health care workers coming from all over the world and actually teaching them the proper medical protocols when they're there in the hot zone.

CUOMO: Good to hear. I like the metaphor of keeping it an away game. The problem is it's become a home game and that's what fueling a lot of that panic. Now another situation that also falls into this metaphor is what's going on with ISIS and the war against that extremist branch there? That's an away game, too, that we're afraid of becoming a home game. What did he say on that?

PHILLIPS: Talk about how it's moved so quickly, right? I mean, the U.S. has been invested in Iraq for two decades, and I wanted to drill down with him how did the U.S. get to this point. I mean, there's a $1 billion embassy. What agency took its eyes off this threat? This is what he told me.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEMPSEY: The president agreed with National Intelligence Director James Clapper that the U.S. underestimated ISIS. Who underestimated ISIS, the White House, the Pentagon, the intelligence community?

DEMPSEY: Well, look, I mean, we have watched ISIS from the time, ISIL from the time it was al Qaeda in Iraq and its movement out of al Anbar Province largely into Syria and we watched it gain military capability.

And in fact, there was an intelligence official, military intelligence official who, back in February, understood that ISIL would eventually re-enter Iraq.

I think what we all probably missed was the degree to which the Iraqi armed forces had eroded and wouldn't stand and face ISIL. I think we all missed that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: The general also told me, he says he's confident, Chris, at this point that Baghdad is not going to fall and he doesn't foresee needing U.S. combat troops there on the ground to defeat ISIS at this point, but he definitely left that door open.

CUOMO: It's very interesting. He's a smart guy. He's a capable guy. Everybody knows that, but you know, he needs to be tested and it takes the right questions to do that and you certainly asked them. Thank you very much for bringing them to us here.

PHILLIPS: Thanks, Chris.

CUOMO: All right, Alisyn, over to you.

CAMEROTA: All right, Chris, we're following the Ebola crisis closely, lots of questions on how that second nurse was able to board a commercial flight. We'll speak with a congressman on the subcommittee holding a hearing today. Stick with us for the latest.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: Breaking new details, the CDC knew Amber Vinson had a fever before she boarded that flight from Cleveland and they let her go anyway. But now they're scrambling to put others who had contact with the diseased Ebola patient on a no-fly list.

CAMEROTA: President Obama canceling today's events to deal with the emergency as more lawmakers call for a ban on flights from West Africa. Now even schools in two states are closed because of Ebola fears. We're covering all the angles.

PEREIRA: Family legend, the amazing story of how one woman made it to America and the gift she gave her family that was passed down for generations. Our Christine Romans goes in search of her roots and what she found out along the way.

CUOMO: Your NEW DAY continues right now.

Good morning. Welcome to NEW DAY. It's Thursday, October 16th now almost 8:00 in the east and I'm joined by Alysin Camerota.

CAMEROTA: I'm really looking forward to the next installment in the roots special.

CUOMO: It's going to be special one to be sure. But up first, the CDC admitting that an Ebola infected Texas nurse should not have been allowed to fly a day before she was diagnosed.

Amber Vinson called them and said I'm about to board a flight, I have a slight fever, I'm one of the people who treated Thomas Eric Duncan, who lost his fight against Ebola and they said you're not going to be stopped. Get on a plane with 132 other people.

Vinson has been transported to Atlanta for treatment, is listed in stable condition. That's the good news. Bad news? Another nurse who works at Texas Presbyterian is speaking out. She says their Infectious Disease Department was asked about protocol, OK? The answer not reassuring, quote, "we're going to have to call you back."

CAMEROTA: So Ebola jitters are triggering a lot of fallout this morning. Several schools in Ohio and Texas are shut down for the day because of concerns students or teachers may be at risk.

Officials at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital are publicly apologizing for their mistakes and now bracing for impossible revolt as nurses there ponder a walkout.

The CDC is also considering putting 76 health care workers from that hospital on the TSA's no-fly list. President Obama clearing his calendar for a second straight day to remain at the White House and deal with the situation.

And later today, embattled CDC Director Thomas Frieden will have a lot of explaining to do when he appears at a hearing on Capitol Hill. Our coverage of the Ebola crisis begins with chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta live in Atlanta. What is the latest there, Sanjay?

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Amber Vinson now is in this hospital right here behind me. She was transferred here late last night. A lot of questions about what exactly happened to her over the past several days, here's what we found out.