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The Lead with Jake Tapper

Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services Say Nursing Homes Saw Nearly 50,000 COVID Deaths; CDC Projects 200,000+ COVID Deaths by September 19 in U.S.; Four People at RNC in Charlotte Test Positive for COVID; Sports Strikes Continue in Wake of Police Shooting of Jacob Blake; NBA to Resume Season on Saturday After Days of Player Protests; Trump Claims People Are Tired of the NBA, Claims It Is Like a Political Organization. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired August 28, 2020 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Confirmed and suspected cases in the United States had been reported at these facilities. And sadly almost 50,000 deaths, more than a quarter of all the coronavirus deaths in the United States.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For my daddy to just die by his self and it just hurts my heart.

GUPTA: That's part of the reason why this situation at long-term care facilities in the United States drew help from an unlikely source.

HEATHER PAGANO, EMERGENCY COORDINATOR, DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS: It was pretty surreal to land here in the U.S. on home soil and begin working here.

GUPTA: Heather Pagano is an emergency coordinator for Doctors Without Borders or MSF. An organization I've covered before, like back in 2014 when I was reporting on Ebola in Guinea. They are the organization that helps people in the hardest hit places on the planet. Syria, the DRC, Yemen.

(on camera): What should the average American take away from the fact that Doctors Without Borders, MSF, is working in the United States?

PAGANO: It is a perfect storm for COVID. But layer on top of that structural difficulties for these facilities. We haven't had huge outbreaks of infectious diseases like this for many years.

GUPTA (voice-over): For the past two months MSF says it's been working in 55 long-term care facilities in Michigan, a state where almost third of the confirmed coronavirus deaths have been in these type of homes.

KARIN HUSTER, NURSE AND FIELD COORDINATOR, DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS: Facilities are completely overwhelmed, staff are scared. I had a nursing director tell me that over 50 percent of her staff had just left because, you know, they were scared, they didn't want to bring COVID back home.

GUPTA: Karin Huster, a nurse with MSF, says what these facilities have needed is someone to teach them how to fight this virus.

HUSTER: We found that the best way we could, you know, support them and fill that gap was to work side-by-side with them.

GUPTA: MSF has always had to do what seems impossible with the barest of resources which is meant they got to get the fundamentals right such as basic hygiene. Because that is how the infection can unwittingly spread, person-to-person, object to object. In some ways it's like prepping for an operation.

(on camera): You always start with the cleanest area first and then work your way into the area where the wound is. Because you don't want to contaminate the rest of the body.

PAGANO: Exactly. I saw one woman who, you know, she had one rag for the whole floor. You don't want to just have one rag that you clean the doorknobs with as well as the toilets.

GUPTA (voice-over): They may seem like minor lessons, but they could have a major impact if applied everywhere.

PAGANO: Outbreaks start and are stopped in the communities. So the more that we could do as a community to help protect each other, the more we'll be able to protect the most vulnerable in our society.

GUPTA: And that's something that Pagano says is an integral part of each day for these nursing home staff.

PAGANO: No matter which healthcare setting you're talking about have the same fears as the average person but they have to get up and continue going to work. And the stress and the fear and the grief at having lost so many of the residents that they've cared for, many of them for many years.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA: And, Jake, you know, we've heard so many about the private organizations coming into sort of fill some of the gaps, you know, in the public infrastructure. But I was surprised. You know, MSF, Doctors Without Borders, we're typically used to seeing them deal in natural disasters and war zones, things like that, but this infectious disease outbreak rises to the level of concern for them.

JAKE TAPPER. CNN HOST: Yes, it doesn't say anything great about the U.S. response. Sanjay stick around. With the death toll projected to rise, new signs Americans are becoming less interested in getting a potential vaccine. We're going to discuss with Sanjay next. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [15:35:00]

TAPPER: Continuing with our health LEAD today, the U.S. death toll from coronavirus could top more than 200,000 in the next three weeks according to the latest CDC projection, 200,000.

I want to bring back CNN's chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Sanjay, that number is very depressing and distressing.

What does this mean for what our fall is going to look like in this country and how much longer can we expect to see this pandemic just ravage the United States in a way that it isn't in other Western wealthy countries?

GUPTA: Well, you know, I mean what the models are suggesting, Jake, is that we sort of plateaued around a thousand people sadly dying every day. That's roughly what the numbers would equate to. That's obviously what we -- we don't want to see that. And there are some suggestions that the number of cases do drop, continue to drop as they have in many parts of the country. That should several weeks later affect the death toll. Problem, Jake, I think you're alluding to is we're at simultaneously opening schools, reopening lots of things, so there's a chance these numbers may go up again.

So, you know, how long are we going to be dealing with this? It's hard to say. But it doesn't look like it's ending any time soon if that's the plateau if that's as low as we go.

TAPPER: But Sanjay, I have to ask, I mean testing has gone down in this country. They are not doing ...

GUPTA: Yes.

TAPPER: ... as many tests as before and there are at least in some states anecdotally I hear some backlogs when it comes to tests. So when the case count is going down, is that because cases are going down? Infections going down? Or is it because of -- you know, some sort of weird twist on President Trump's view that, you know, the more you test, the more cases you see?

GUPTA: Right, no, it's a very fair question.

[15:40:00]

And, you know, if the number of cases are going down because testing's going down, that just means we're not seeing the problem.

I mean you do you tend to look at what's known as positivity rate as well. Which gives you some idea, are you testing enough? And you want to see that positivity rate, you know, be below 10 percent, at least World Health Organization says below 5 percent.

But yes, I mean this is not the time to be pulling back on tests. We need to be doing more tests. I think that's pretty clear. In just about every place in the country.

GUPTA: Trump spoke about a timeline for the vaccine last night in his speech, his convention speech. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We are delivering life- saving therapies and will produce a vaccine before the end of the year or maybe even sooner.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUPTA: Former FDA commissioner today said that there might be a vaccine available for general use in the first quarter of next year. But that's not what the President said.

When do you think we're realistically going to see a vaccine ready for the public and I emphasize that because obviously first once there is a vaccine, if there is one, it will go to first responders first.

GUPTA: Yes, you raise the most salient point, which is, you know, that may be fine that there's a vaccine we can actually see it, look at it, but its availability to the general public, I mean next spring, next summer.

We talk to sources all of the time on this within the federal government, within the commercial vaccine manufacturers as well, to get an idea of this and I think that that seems to be where the vast majority of evidence points, next spring, next summer.

There may be as part of Phase III trials certain high risk populations like health care workers that get it earlier but that's still part of the trial process. An approved vaccine for the general public, we're still very likely talking next year.

TAPPER: Sanjay, as a physician, in the last 24 hours, we've had these major public events. The final night of the Republican National Convention last night, about 2,000 people gathered at the White House. Most of them not wearing masks. There was no social distancing at all, obviously a lot of screaming, a lot of yelling.

Today we have the March on Washington, thousands of people walking and gathering together. Many of them wearing masks, we should point out.

We've seen the fallout and the spike in cases after a rally in South Dakota, biker rally a few weeks ago. When you watch the videos, how concerned are you about how people are living their lives during this pandemic?

GUPTA: Yes, well this is a really important point and let me say first of all, they're both concerning situations. Period. I mean we're in the middle of a pandemic. We're in the middle of a one in a century sort of event right now and we shouldn't forget that.

Any time you aggregate people together, that's going to be of concern. That's the objective sort of answer, Objectively, you could also say, look, certainly masks are better than not, right. And how much better? Some of the data would suggest decreases transmission by six fold. It's better if you are marching and moving as opposed to duration,

having a long duration of contact with somebody. Longer than 10 to 15 minutes, that's a close contact to somebody.

So, those are the objective sort of things but bottom line, both are concerning. You don't want to aggregate people in a middle of a pandemic.

If I could just say subjectively though as well, Jake, you know, people are sending me pictures just over the last few days of people even at funerals and saying, you know, are you going to condone this? Is this OK?

To me, sort of equating it with what happened for example last night at White House. I said, look, again, both are concerning. But one involves a certain level of decency, right. We don't need to lose our humanity in all of this. Am I going to demonize grieving people? No.

I mean also, you know, that's a thing that they do. They were burying their loved one. Doing something versus sending a message which was what I think was happening at the White House last night are two very different things -- Jake

TAPPER: Well, that's right, the President was sending the message the pandemic is basically over which of course it is not. A thousand people a day dying, roughly. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks so much for your candor as always.

Amid historic protests across pro-sports, one basketball star says the games should go on. NBA champ Draymond Green joins me next. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:45:00]

TAPPER: In our sports LEAD today, in Major League Baseball they are celebrating today Jackie Robinson for integrating the sport in 1948. And today the nation's top athletes are continuing Robinson's fight in a different way addressing. This moment of race and reckoning, walking off fields and courts across the country, postponing games and practices in an effort to emphasize one message in the wake of Jacob Blake's shooting that the racial injustices all too present here in the U.S. must change.

The NBA just announced they will resume playoff games tomorrow after the players walked off Wednesday. Joining me now is brand-new CNN contributor and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green for his very first appearance as part of the CNN family and already I know, Draymond, I told you my brother and his son are the biggest fans ever and they are so jealous right now. They have your rookie card so welcome to the CNN family.

DRAYMOND GREEN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Thank you. Thanks for having me. I'm extremely excited to be a part of the family and offer what I can offer and, you know, my perspective to the world. TAPPER: Well, let me ask you, you've spoken out this week, you say

that the NBA should keep playing. Why do you think that?

GREEN: I think it is very important that we continue playing. I think when you put it in terms of a concert, when a performer is on a stage, if you're sitting in the nose bleeds the only way you could hear that performer is because they have a microphone and they're on a stage.

And so, if we leave our stage and we drop our microphone we can no longer speak for those people that we are speaking for which are parts of our community that their voices are heard. And I think it's extremely important that we continue to speak for them.

And also, if you look at it from a money and resource standpoint, there is no surprise that tons of NBA guys, NBA teams, and the league as a whole contributes to the urban community, the black community. I know I like to contribute as much as a I possibly can. If we take those resources away, we're taking resources away from ourselves to be able to continue this fight and I don't think that's the right thing to do.

TAPPER: How should professional athletes be trying to engage on this issue?

[15:50:00]

GREEN: Well, I think, you know, I'm extremely proud of what my brothers in the bubble have accomplished over the last few days. You know, the league made an announcement where they'll be three things happening right away. A social justice coalition, which I think is extremely important, setting up practice facilities and arenas as voting poll sites, which, you know, we see what's going on with voter suppression today. And the league is doing a great job of that.

And then also putting money behind advertising to continue to bring eyeballs and the knowledge that we need for what is going on to the world. And so, you know, when I look at that, you know, the NBA has been leading this cause, I am proud to be a part of that and continue to trying to help where we can.

TAPPER: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued a statement today, saying, quote, I understand that some of you feel the league should be doing more. I hear you. Please know I am focused on ensuring that we as a league are affecting real change, both within our organization and in communities across the country.

What does that change look like to you?

GREEN: I think, A, it's simple, basic human rights. You know, it's holding these cops accountable that are killing unarmed black people for no apparent reason. They're protected by all of these laws and they're protected by these unions. That's ridiculous, let's change some of these laws. Let's stop the voter suppression, taking up USPS mailboxes.

There's a call going around the state of Michigan currently that's telling people, the people of Michigan, that if you're voting, you have warrants and you have overdue child support, that you will be arrested and we will look into it.

All of these things being done to suppress voters. It's ridiculous. And those are some of the changes that we need to see. And overall, continuing to put money in the urban community to change our school systems to continue to educate. And like I said, most importantly, stopping the killing of all of these unarmed black people.

TAPPER: Take a listen to President Trump talking about the NBA yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I don't know much about the NBA protests. I know their ratings have been very bad, because I think people are a little tired of the NBA. They've become like a political organization, and that's not a good thing. I don't think that's a good thing for sports or for the country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: What's your response?

GREEN: I mean, we're dealing with a master manipulator, probably the master of all masters when it comes to manipulating people. He got in office by manipulating people.

And you know, this is no different than what he said about Colin Kaepernick. We're dealing with a guy who's leading our country, who likes to take the narrative and spin it in his favor. And so you think of Colin Kaepernick, this one particular guy we're speaking of made it all about the flag. Kaepernick is kneeling for the flag. He's disrespecting the military, he's disrespecting the veterans. It's ridiculous. It was never about that. And now he's calling the NBA a political organization.

This has nothing to do with Democrats and Republicans when fighting for basic human rights. That's ridiculous. But that's what he'll continue to do. He'll continue to try to skew the narrative. And then most importantly, you know, we're dealing with a guy who he's -- he's a "me" guy. He's going to continue to push "me." And it's ridiculous. But it's no surprise, that's who we are, and that's why everyone needs to get out and vote November 3rd.

TAPPER: Lastly, today is Jackie Robinson day in baseball. I know you're not a baseball player, but what does it mean to you? What does he mean to you?

GREEN: I mean, Jackie Robinson means a lot to all of us. You know, breaking that barrier and the things that he went through, you know, we're continuing to see more and more African-Americans in the major leagues.

And, you know, but it's just not a major league thing. He broke barriers that has trickled down to all sports. And we're very appreciative of him and his impact, and we want to continue to uplift his name and celebrate him for things that he's done that we're currently benefiting from today.

TAPPER: Draymond Green, an honor to be your first stop here at CNN. Thanks so much for joining us. Good to see you, we'll have you on again soon.

GREEN: Thanks, Jake, thanks for having me.

TAPPER: Coming up, the Blake family attorney calls it an example of two different justice systems in this country, the latest on the police and protester shootings in Wisconsin, next.

Plus, President Trump just granted Alice Johnson a full pardon last hour, after her speech to the Republican National Convention last night. Alice Johnson will join me right after this quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:55:00]

TAPPER: Welcome to THE LEAD. I'm Jake Tapper.

This afternoon 57 years after the March on Washington, thousands have gathered for a new March on Washington, still calling for racial equality, at the same spot where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have A Dream" speech.

The planning began after police killed George Floyd, yet the nation is now grappling with another black man shot by police, Jacob Blake, shot seven times in the back, now fighting for his life.

Jacob Blake's father is one of those people marching today in Washington. Moments ago, former first lady Michelle Obama tweeted a lengthy statement, saying she is devastated by the shootings in Wisconsin and exhausted and frustrated, she says, but noting that the protests, in her words, are quote, opening eyes.

At the White House last night, President Trump spoke for 70 minutes, accepting his nomination, but he remains silent on Jacob Blake and other recent victims of police violence.