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Swine Flu Testing at New York School; Presidential Job Report; No Job, No Home, NO Prospects; Secretary of State Clinton in Iraq; Jazz Fest This Weekend; Assessment of President Obama's First 100 Days
Aired April 25, 2009 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: A developing story this hour. Swine flu has appeared in Mexico, and right now we are waiting for test results on students at this school in New York City. Seventy-five of them have come down with flu-like symptoms.
We're going to take you there live.
REGGIE AQUI, CNN ANCHOR: Plus, it is day 96. We're counting down the first 100. So how would you grade the president? 100 Black Men of America pull out their red pens.
NGUYEN: And a woman who received a new place to live after getting the president's attention could soon be homeless again.
We have that story for you.
Hello, everybody. From the CNN Center, this is CNN NEWSROOM. It is Saturday, April 25th.
Good morning. I'm Betty Nguyen.
AQUI: And I'm Reggie Aqui, in for T.J. Holmes.
It's 10:00 a.m. in New York and 7:00 a.m. in Los Angeles.
NGUYEN: All right. Let's get right to that swine flu virus story that we've been talking about. You know, it seems to have popped up overnight. Just within the last two weeks, in fact.
The World Health Organization's director general this morning calling this a "... serious situation that must be watched very closely." Those are quotes.
Mexico City is at the center of the outbreak. Schools there with an estimated seven million students, well, they were closed yesterday as a preventative measure.
Now, the head of the World Health Organization is convening an emergency committee a little bit later today to advise her on an appropriate course of action.
AQUI: Now, this flu strain is proving to be deadly. Mexican health officials say that nearly 70 people have been killed by the flu that was first noticed on April 13th. At least 1,000 more have become ill.
This particular strain combines the genetic material from pigs, birds, and humans, not seen before. Now, the same strain has sickened at least eight people in California and Texas. They are all recovering right now, but there is now some concern in New York City.
You see health officials have tested about 75 students at the St. Francis Prep School in Queens for the virus. Test results could be back as early as today. We'll let you know.
NGUYEN: All right. We do want to turn now to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its acting director, Richard Besser. Dr. Besser joins us by phone right now.
And Doctor, let me ask you first and foremost, how dangerous is this strain?
DR. RICHARD BESSER, ACTING DIRECTOR, CDC: Thank you.
In the United States so far, we've identified eight cases of influenza related to the Swine Flu strain, and all of those cases have recovered. Seven of those were mild. One individual was hospitalized and has recovered as well.
We're taking a very aggressive approach to the investigation for many reasons, but in large part due to what we're hearing from Mexico. Understanding what is going on in Mexico and how that relates to what we're seeing here is one of the critical activities we're undertaking.
NGUYEN: Well, Doctor, then that's what I want to ask you about. I mean, we're looking at this originating possibly in Mexico City, but yet we are hearing of 75 students in New York who have come down ill with flu-like symptoms. Our question is: How do you get this? How does it transfer from contact with pigs to, you know, students in New York?
BESSER: Well, let me make a comment on New York City.
This time of year, and really throughout the year, we expect to see clusters or small outbreaks of respiratory disease. That's not unusual. What is unusual is how aggressive we are investigating each of these clusters to see if any could be related.
At this point, we have no evidence to say that what's going on in New York is related to this. We saw a cluster earlier in the week in Los Angeles, and the county health department there was able to determine very quickly that it was not related to Swine Flu. And our approach will be to take a very aggressive look, and that's the approach of state and local public health.
Look very carefully for any clusters of disease. Investigate them quickly. And determine what we can about the transmission of this virus.
NGUYEN: Yes. And we're hoping to hear a little bit later today whether or not those students in New York, indeed, have the Swine Flu virus.
But let me ask you this -- the CDC -- it's being reported that you guys are getting a vaccine ready just in case. Is that true? And how long does it take to get that vaccine ready?
BESSER: Whenever we see a new strain of influenza circulating in the community, one of the things we do is develop a stock of that virus, so that if there were a decision to make a vaccine, we would be ready to move in that direction. We have not made that decision, but we are preparing that stock in the event that we would need to make a vaccine.
One of the things that we've been doing as a country, as part of pandemic preparedness, is looking at manufacturing of vaccines and what we can do to speed that up. Clearly, the development of any new vaccine would take in the order of months. And so it's very important that people understand what they can do on the personal level to reduce the likelihood that they will get the flu and what to do if they have flu symptoms.
NGUYEN: So what can they do?
BESSER: Well, you know, there are things that we say every season around preventing illness. First, if you're sick and have flu- like illness, you should be staying home. You should not go to school, you should not go to work. And that's going to help protect people in the community from getting any flu illness.
You want to cover your cough and sneeze. Those are important things. And if you're sick, if you have a fever and body aches and fatigue and cough, you should see your doctor and get appropriately evaluated and tested if you have symptoms that warrant that.
NGUYEN: One last thing, Dr. Besser. Let me ask you this -- how fearful are you that this could be a pandemic?
BESSER: You know, as I've been saying, we are worried about this strain that's circulating, and that's why we're taking such an aggressive approach. The World Health Organization will be meeting today, and we have representatives on that body to look at the situation here and in Mexico and determine whether additional action needs to be taken. We have folks on the ground in Mexico assisting the Mexican government, the Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization, on that investigation.
NGUYEN: All right.
Dr. Besser joining us by phone, the acting director of the CDC.
Thank you so much for your time and your insight today. We do appreciate it.
And CNN's Susan Candiotti is at that New York high school that we've been speaking of.
Any idea, Susan, as to exactly when those results could be released? We're hearing possibly today.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is possible, but, you know, first of all, again, we'd like to emphasize, as Dr. Besser did, that at this point, there are no confirmed cases of Swine Flu at St. Francis Prep School that you see over my shoulder. Right now, all we have is this: 75 students are being tested for Swine Flu after they came down with flu-like symptoms earlier this week. For example, stomach aches, headaches, dizziness.
And so the school, as a precautionary measure, did contact the Health Department here in Queens, asked them to come over and to test their students, so blood tests were taken. And it is possible that they will get the test results as soon as today.
As you heard Dr. Besser say, there are eight confirmed cases of Swine Flu in other states -- in California and Texas. And we know of at least one home in Texas where the teenage -- a teenager had been diagnosed with Swine Flu, and that house has been quarantined only in Texas.
Also, we have reports that some flights coming back from Mexico into Texas, on board those flights people were asked to sign declarations provided by the World Health Organization that they are, in fact, in good health. Whether that is happening elsewhere, we don't know at this time.
So, to sum up here at St. Francis Prep School, inside the school today, we are told by school officials that they had planned to sanitize the inside of the school as a precautionary measure. We'll wait to see what happens involving those test results.
Back to you.
NGUYEN: Yes. And to be clear one more time, no confirmed cases of Swine Flu at that school at this point and dealing with those 75 students who have become ill.
Thank you, Susan. We do appreciate it.
CANDIOTTI: You're welcome.
AQUI: The economy, improving the country's image overseas, North Korea's rocket launch, shaking hands with Hugo Chavez, and now this Swine Flu crisis -- President Obama has had a lot on his plate during his first 100 days in office.
CNN White House Correspondent Elaine Quijano has been watching it from the front row seat there in Washington.
And I want to start by asking you about this Swine Flu situation. How is the president following that?
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, we know that the president has been briefed on this, Reggie. We heard that from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs yesterday. He's being kept up to date on the situation. Now, the Homeland Security Council, we understand, is the group actually following this, of course, very closely. We should tell you as well, the CDC and the State Department are also working with the Mexican government very closely when it comes to testing related issues.
So obviously a very serious situation, Reggie. We'll continue to watch and see if the White House has anything more to say about it later today -- Reggie.
AQUI: All right. So he's got that to deal with today, as well as that 100-day benchmark coming up this week.
So what does he want next on his agenda? Obviously there's a lot happening in Congress.
QUIJANO: Yes, absolutely. And you know, today, his radio address was really about fiscal discipline. As part of that, the president announced today he wants to see pay-as-you-go legislation, which is exactly what it sounds like, the idea that you pay for a program as you go along.
Here's what President Obama had to say about it on his video and radio address.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK H. OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We need to adhere to the basic principle that new tax or entitlement policies should be paid for. This principle, known as pay-go, helped transform large deficits into surpluses in the 1990s. Now we must restore that sense of fiscal discipline.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now, this call by President Obama for fiscal discipline is really coming at a time when he's taken a lot of heat, Reggie, for government spending. Critics say, look, his budget plans are going to result in trillions of dollars in debt on the backs of future generations. So the president, Reggie, is really trying to acknowledge those concerns and trying to demonstrate that he's addressing them -- Reggie.
AQUI: All right. So, I mean, it's time to trim the fat, wherever that fat is.
QUIJANO: That's right.
AQUI: It doesn't matter if you're in the government or working in the private sector. So what is the president doing to trim that?
QUIJANO: Well, the president, we saw him start at the beginning of the week by holding that cabinet meeting, and he talked about having all the cabinet members trying to chop out and find over the next 90 days $100 million combined. Of course, he got panned for that in some circles because they said, look -- critics are saying that is just not a lot of money in the big scheme of things, considering his budget for next year is $3.5 trillion. But certainly the president is also saying over the next few months there are going to be some 100 programs cut. He didn't specify what those would be, so we'll wait to see what exactly the president has in mind -- Reggie.
AQUI: All right. And last but not least, the energy plan. There was a lot of talk about this last week, particularly as it involved Earth Day.
QUIJANO: That's right.
AQUI: So what's going on with that?
QUIJANO: Yes. Well, President Obama, as we know, touted the idea of getting his energy bill passed this year when he was in Newton, Iowa, earlier this week. He talked about alternative energy, specifically wind power is what he was talking about there.
But Republicans are saying, look, there is really a gap, as they see it, between what alternative energy can actually provide and what Americans in reality will need as far as their energy is concerned. So Republicans are saying that the best way to fill that gap is by drilling for more oil offshore and by building more nuclear power plants.
Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. LAMAR ALEXANDER (R), TENNESSEE: We say find more American energy and use less. Energy that's as clean as possible, as reliable as possible, and at as low a cost as possible. And one place to start is with 100 more nuclear power plants.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: So, can President Obama get energy legislation done this year? It's going to be a big challenge, especially given the financial crisis and the recession. We'll see how it unfolds -- Reggie.
AQUI: All that happened in 100 days, Elaine? I'm exhausted even thinking about it.
QUIJANO: That's right. He's going at a whirlwind pace, that's for sure.
AQUI: Elaine Quijano in Washington.
Thanks so much.
I want to remind you that tonight, beginning at 6:00 Eastern, a special edition of "THE SITUATION ROOM." Wolf Blitzer and the best political team on TV, they're going to begin a countdown to Wednesday's big event on "National Report Card," marking President Obama's 100th day in office.
And on Wednesday night, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, join us for a CNN primetime special: "100 Days of the Obama Presidency." Our "National Report Card" will give you a chance to grade the president and Congress on how they've done so far.
Then at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, well, that's when the president is going to hold a news conference where he'll assess himself. Join us next week for that.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Here's a harsh reality for you. Women denied the chance to beat cancer because they don't have the money to fight it. Well, a hero is going door to door to save lives.
AQUI: All right. And the economy is affecting everybody, including the animals at the zoo.
NGUYEN: They're getting pink slips? Not the animals.
AQUI: They are. We're going to talk about it coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Ladies, listen up, because this is a frightening statistic, but it's an important one. According to government data, one in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives.
AQUI: We were just talking about how stunning that is.
NGUYEN: That number.
AQUI: Yes, it's incredible. And for women who don't have health insurance, well, that diagnosis is twice as likely to come in the late stages of the disease.
And Betty, of course, that's when it's hardest to fight, yes.
So this week, our CNN Hero is a cancer survivor who is working to change those odds.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: This is "CNN Heroes."
ANDREA IVORY, MEDICAL MARVEL: In 2004, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Initially, there's shock, but I realized how blessed I was to have health insurance. It made me think about all the women who didn't have health insurance. I wanted to make a difference in their lives.
I'm Andrea Ivory, and I'm fighting breast cancer in south Florida one household at a time.
The Florida Breast Health Initiative is an outreach organization. We're targeting working class people. We're going to make a difference and we're going to save some lives. We have a "take it to the streets" approach.
We feel like little pixies spreading breast cancer awareness.
Can I ask you a few questions?
We target women that are 35 years or older, and make appointments on the spot for a free mammogram.
I look forward to seeing you. I will be there.
Bringing the mobile mammography vans into the neighborhoods is one of the most important facets of the work that we do. We provide a service that is so needed. I know I'm saving lives.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They said it was free, so come right over and get it.
IVORY: Is the lady of the house at home?
We're giving free mammograms on the 25th. That's easy.
Thank you so much. Take care.
I was saved from breast cancer to serve other women. Every time I knock on the door, it's another opportunity to save a life.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
AQUI: There is no question, we salute Andrea Ivory. That is amazing work.
NGUYEN: Absolutely.
AQUI: So if you know someone like Andrea, who is doing something good for somebody else, all you have to do is tell us about it.
NGUYEN: Yes. Log on to CNN.com/heroes.
AQUI: Well, when this woman needed a hero, she turned to President Obama.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HENRIETTA HUGHES, UNEMPLOYED: We need our own kitchen and our own bathroom. Please help.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AQUI: Well, she got the help, but her problems have not disappeared. NGUYEN: And this story -- come for the music, stay for the message. That's what Jamie Foxx hopes will happen to fans of his inspirational new movie, "The Soloist."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, she first became a household name when she called on President Obama for help at a town hall meeting, but Henrietta Hughes is still homeless, jobless, and running out of options.
Nick Spinetto from CNN affiliate WINK in Fort Myers, Florida, has more on how she is struggling to make ends meet.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HUGHES: We need our own kitchen and our own bathroom. Please help.
NICK SPINETTO, REPORTER, WINK (voice-over): It was a cry for help that took America by storm.
HUGHES: Talking to the president was one of the greatest things.
SPINETTO: Unemployed and living out of her car, Henrietta Hughes' story was all over the national media. She was everywhere.
Today, though, you'll find her here, at the Career Service Center in Fort Myers.
HUGHES: It's almost our second home.
SPINETTO: Henrietta and her son Cory (ph) are taking computer classes. She hopes it gives them the edge to get a job.
HUGHES: We can just start afresh.
SPINETTO: Henrietta says the problem is few industries are hiring. Since February, she says they've been knocking on doors and applying for as many jobs as they can, but no luck.
HUGHES: You walk into places and put in an application there, and not getting any positive feedback.
SPINETTO: Adding to her worries, the house she's living in for free is only temporary.
Representative Nick Thompson's wife Chene owns the home and is allowing Henrietta to live there until it sells.
HUGHES: Thank God for Mrs. Chene Thompson for allowing us to stay in her house.
SPINETTO: If she has to move without having a job, Henrietta fears she'll be back at square one, living in her truck.
HUGHES: Back to the parks. SPINETTO: Though she hasn't had to pay rent, Henrietta says she hasn't saved much money either. Her bills are often more than her income. Now she's praying her story ends how she hoped it would.
HUGHES: Get a job and get on with trying to do things that I decide to do.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: All right. So CNN has learned that Henrietta has a job interview scheduled for Monday.
Good luck.
It's for administrative work at a local hospital. And she does hope that some of the computer skills that she's learning will help her land that job.
And we hope so as well.
AQUI: All right. So here is a budget cut that is just so sad to hear because it's a $15 million budget cut at the country's largest urban zoo. We're talking about the Bronx Zoo. They're going to have to now send off some of their animals to other zoos and aquariums across the country because they can't afford it.
NGUYEN: It is so sad when the animals are getting pink slips these days. You know, but the good news is that at least they're going to a home somewhere. It's not like they're being, you know, kicked to the curb.
But, you know, as you mentioned, this is the country's oldest -- well, not the oldest. It's 114 years old, in fact.
AQUI: That's pretty old, though.
NGUYEN: Yes. It's the country's largest urban zoo. And a lot of these animals, what they include, deer and...
AQUI: There's monkeys, there's a whole nighttime exhibit with the bats that have to leave and go to another place. And it's not like they're lacking visitors.
NGUYEN: Right, exactly.
AQUI: I mean, they have a huge number of people who go there.
NGUYEN: I think 2.1 million people will visit that zoo every year.
AQUI: Yes. So, like you say, animals getting a place to go, but this is a sign of the times. The zoos can't afford to have all these animals there.
NGUYEN: It's affecting everyone, apparently.
All right. So, President Obama's first 100 days -- he's already made history. But has he made a difference?
AQUI: Well, that's the question. A hundred influential black leaders shared their opinions with our T.J. Holmes.
And it's a football rematch 15 years in the making. Well, OK, the players are a little older.
NGUYEN: A little bit.
AQUI: The pants are fitting a little tighter.
NGUYEN: Packing on a few more pounds, no doubt.
AQUI: They're getting back together. It should be a pretty interesting game.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, the head of the World Health Organization calls a sudden outbreak of Swine Flu a very serious situation. Dr. Margaret Chan is convening an emergency panel a little bit later today to advise her on the course of action.
And just a few minutes ago, I spoke to the head of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention about this outbreak.
Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BESSER: We're taking a very aggressive approach to the investigation for many reasons, but in large part due to what we're hearing from Mexico. Understanding what is going on in Mexico and how that relates to what we're seeing here is one of the critical activities we're undertaking.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Well, about 75 students at a New York school have fallen sick from flu-like symptoms. Now, testing is going to determine if indeed they have the same strain as the one that has killed nearly 70 people in Mexico.
And this word just out from The Associated Press. Mexico City's mayor has canceled all public events for 10 days to try to contain the Swine Flu outbreak.
AQUI: Other news now.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a surprise trip to Baghdad today. She flew in to get an assessment on an uptick in deadly bombings there this week.
CNN's Foreign Affairs Correspondent Jill Dougherty is traveling with Clinton, and she filed this report a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Arriving in Baghdad, Secretary Clinton was greeted at the airport by the brand new U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Christopher Hill. She comes here on the day after yet another suicide bombing hit the Iraqi capital.
She says she wants a firsthand assessment from the top U.S. commander in Iraq, General Ray Odierno, to find out what the Iraqi government can do, and also what U.S. troops can do to try to stop these attacks. She'll be meeting with a member of Iraqi officials, and also with the top U.N. envoy to Iraq.
She also will be holding a town hall meeting with Iraqi citizens and with members of the U.S. military. And finally, meeting with Iraqi women, and the focus of that meeting will be on war widows and the fact that many of them are destitute.
Jill Dougherty, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: President Obama says he'd like to see new laws put in place to stop credit card companies from suddenly increasing interest rates and slamming consumers with hidden fees. Well, Congress is currently working on a so-called Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights.
And Clyde Anderson is a finance adviser and author of the book -- it's called "What Had Happened Was..." One of my favorite titles. And earlier on our show today, he outlined some of those proposals for that Bill of Rights.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLYDE ANDERSON, FINANCE EXPERT: I'm really excited about the bill because, really, they're going to clamp down on that no grace period. You know, right now, there's really no grace period on a credit card. So now they're really going to make them stick to the fact that it needs to be a 30-day grace period before they charge late fees on the card.
They're going to do things like make them wait until 5:00 p.m. before they mark a payment late. Right now, some credit companies will say 1:00 p.m. If your payment's not in on the due date by 1:00 p.m. they're going to charge you huge late fees.
NGUYEN: Is that Eastern Time? That's even worse.
ANDERSON: You never really know. Exactly, you never really know.
So there's several components that he's going to help to make sure credit card companies are accountable. They can't drop you credit limit without you knowing it. They can't raise your interest rate without giving you advanced notice. So there are a lot of things that are in this bill that I think are going to be great for the consumer. NGUYEN: All right. But in the meantime, the president really sent a message to credit card executives. He met with them this week. And I want you to take a listen to a little bit of what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: There has to be strong and reliable protections for consumers, protections that ban unfair rate increases and forbid abusive fees and penalties. The days of any time, any reason rate hikes and late fee traps have to end.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: All right. So rate hikes and late fee traps have to end. But as it stands right now, if you're late on one card, companies can raise the rates on all of your cards?
ANDERSON: On all your cards.
NGUYEN: How is that possible?
ANDERSON: They have the right -- and it's all in the fine print. And a lot of talk has been about this fine print. You've got to read the fine print. They can say that you were late on your Amex card and the MasterCard can now say that your rate is 29 percent.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: You heard it right there.
Well, in addition, the Federal Reserve has ordered new consumer protection rules to take effect in July of next year.
AQUI: It does not have to be Mardi Gras for New Orleans to throw a good party. And one of the biggest ones of the year is going on right now.
Our Sean Callebs is live at Jazz Fest, where the music starts in less than two hours.
Hey, Sean.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Reggie. How are you today?
Pay attention, Reggie. We're going to have a couple of questions for you coming up in this little Q&A here.
Look behind me at this field. Right now it's empty, but this probably will be the last time today we chat. People are going to start streaming in here pretty soon, pretty soon -- about 400,000 people.
It's a huge, huge economic benefit for the city, something they looked forward to for so long.
Guess what percentage of the acts, Reggie, out of 5,000 musicians, are local?
AQUI: Are local?
CALLEBS: Go ahead, guess.
AQUI: Oh my gosh. I'm going to guess 30 percent.
CALLEBS: Ninety percent.
AQUI: Ninety?
CALLEBS: Ninety percent. That's really one of the things that draws people in. The people who put this together have always wanted it to be about New Orleans -- its music, its people, its food.
We have some video of a guy that I just love. I go see him as much as I can, Trombone Shorty.
He has been performing professionally since he was 4 years old. Think about that, a little kid playing the trombone. The thing was three times the size of him.
Now, of course, one of the big treasures every year, the Jazz Fest poster. This year, Troy Andrews, Trombone Shorty, is actually on one of Jazz Fest posters. He travels all over the world.
He's toured with Lenny Kravitz. He's going to play with Aerosmith. But he says wherever he goes, he always talks about New Orleans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TROMBONE SHORTY, JAZZ FEST PERFORMER: Everywhere I go around the world we have bands of New Orleans. Sometimes we go places people don't really know who we are, but they know New Orleans. And once we say we're from New Orleans -- and we have a lot of supporters and people that come in. So to be here on a wonderful day, with a big crowd and people coming out and helping out in New Orleans, I think that's a great thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CALLEBS: He is such a great guy. He is just a really, really good person. He'll talk to everybody.
When we were doing that interview, Reggie, people were coming by screaming, "Trombone Shorty! Trombone Shorty! You're my Facebook friend!"
So it's a great thing to see this interaction between the musicians and their fans. And that's one thing we get treated to every year.
AQUI: I just love his name. And I hear Erykah Badu is going to be there this year, too?
CALLEBS: Yes, she's one of the closing acts. There are so many stages, too. That's another thing.
I mean, the big stage is here behind me. Dave Matthews is going to close that down. Erykah Badu is going to close down another one. Wynton Marsalis is going to be out.
For those old-time rockers, Johnny Winter. Do you know who that is? He's going to be here kicking the rust off, rocking the crowd.
AQUI: Music trivia now.
CALLEBS: Wynton Marsalis -- yes, I know. Wynton Marsalis actually is going to open one of the stages today, and close one of the stages later on this evening. So it's absolutely fabulous.
There's going to be a huge crowd. A lot of CNNers are coming down over the next couple of weeks. I've had a lot of phone calls. Too bad I don't have more room in my house.
AQUI: Except for Betty.
NGUYEN: You just have to rub it in, don't you?
AQUI: I guess my invitation got lost in the mail.
CALLEBS: Well, it's -- it was e-mailed to you. You didn't get it? You guys didn't get it?
AQUI: Oh, must have gone in the junk pile. It's funny how that happens.
What about sponsors, though? Because, you know, over the years -- it's been several years since Hurricane Katrina. And obviously this is a huge event to bring tourism and money into the area.
Are the sponsors still coming out to show support and love?
CALLEBS: Yes, a lot of them are. If you look behind me, this is the Acura main stage. There are sponsors everywhere.
Pan over this way and you can see a couple of big beer companies, one of the big cola makers -- Orange Crush as well. But there are fewer sponsors this year.
And that's one thing -- Quinton Davis, he founded this 40 years ago, one of the co-founders. He has been a producer, director of it for 40 years. And if you look at the guy, he doesn't look much older than 40. It's amazing how he hasn't aged.
But they've lost some significant sponsors this year. They're worried about the economic recession, how it was going to affect Jazz Fest this year. But you know what? The weather is good. People are showing up.
Forty percent of the fans come from outside of the state. Ten percent come from other countries. So right now things look really good. Let's just hope the rain holds off this weekend and next. Last year it rained, and so Jazz Fest really never blossomed. So they can plan, do everything they want, but if the weather doesn't cooperate, it loses a little something.
AQUI: Well, say hi to Erykah and Dave and -- who else? Wynton Marsalis and all the rest. You have a good time out there, Sean Callebs.
NGUYEN: Yes, but remember, this is a work assignment, Sean. Remember that.
AQUI: Keep it close.
CALLEBS: I am working morning, noon, and night out here.
NGUYEN: I know you are.
CALLEBS: I'm watching as much as I can just to bring the information to you -- Betty.
NGUYEN: All right, my friend. Talk to you shortly.
In the meantime, though, T.J. Holmes, my co-anchor here on the weekends, talks with some of the most influential black leaders in America about President Obama's first 100 days on the job.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, it's a different messenger, and a guy who has a lot of capital with the American people and the world who want him to succeed. But things look in a lot of ways just about the same as they have for the past several years up on Capitol Hill.
Somebody?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Their answers, you don't want to miss it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: President Barack Obama will mark his 100th day in office on Wednesday. So how is he doing so far on the job?
Well, my co-anchor T.J. Holmes had a candid conversation with leaders of 100 Black Men of America who say they can't find much to criticize so far.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Yes, it's a different messenger, and a guy who has a lot of capital with the American people and the world who want him to succeed. But things look in a lot of ways just about the same as they have for the past several years up on Capitol Hill.
Somebody?
JOHN THOMAS GRANT, CEO, 100 BLACK MEN OF AMERICA: Well, let me say it's less than 100 days. Let me say that again -- 100 days, and we can't expect miracles.
I mean, we've -- in effect, everyone, regardless of your political view, food on the table, health care for your children, educating your children, and being able to have a job doesn't matter what your political view is. Those things impact everyone.
BERNARD TAYLOR SR. ATTORNEY, ALSTON & BIRD: In our government, there are certain ways to get things done. And in this system, you have to use the political system in order to achieve the right result. But in order to get there, he's got to be deft at utilizing the political system in order to achieve those goals. So it may look like it's politics as normal because it has to be politics as normal in order to get to the right result.
HOLMES: I'm going to start here -- I'm going to go down the row and kind of get some short answers here.
But so far, if you had to grade him -- and not a letter grade here, but -- what have you seen that he has done policy-wise? You know, we talk about him inspiring the hope, but policy-wise, what have you seen him do that you really liked and what have you seen him do that you really disapproved of?
JOHN HAMMOND, CEO, 100 BLACK MEN OF AMERICA: The things I've really liked so far is the stimulus package and the way it's being communicated.
TAYLOR: Let me start off by saying I can't think of anything in the first 80-something days or 100-something days that I've seen that I think that I'm disappointed with or I wish he had done differently, because I think he is really taking care of business and focusing on things in the right way.
The other point I like about him and his family is what he's shown to all of us, and to our society, to our country about a healthy African-American family with a strong relationship between him and his wife. I mean, it's clear that Michelle Obama is his partner and a valued adviser, and that he listens to her.
BISHOP EDDIE LONG, PASTOR, NEW BIRTH VISIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH: What I might dislike about our president, it took him a little while to get the dog in place. But overall, I am -- what I'm excited about, what I'm looking at, especially how he's dealt with the automotive industry and helped them restructure to get some perspective there -- already mentioned addressing our financial industry, the banking, et cetera.
HOLMES: So not much criticism of the president in this group?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, it's early.
HOLMES: It's early. (END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: All right. Want to get you back to a developing story right now. We've been talking about that Swine Flu virus. Well, our medical department has been on the line with the World Health Organization, and we have on the phone with us right now Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
And I know that you've been briefed on this, Dr. Gupta. Talk to me, first of all, about the symptoms, because I think a lot of people hear this -- there are cases in Texas, California, possibly some cases in New York. We'll hear later today on that. But if people are at home and wondering, have I come in contact with it, what are the symptoms?
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, we're talking about a serious flu-type situation here. And, you know, the flu symptoms, it's worth distinguishing those from the common cold, for example, or a less serious flu.
You're going to get the cold-type symptoms, the runny nose, fever. But you're also going to often get muscle aches, and the fever is going to be significant, usually over 101 or 101.5.
This oftentimes comes on pretty suddenly, too. So it's not something that is sort of gradually getting worse. It's one of those things where you feel pretty good one day; the next day, you really feel like you've gotten very sick quickly.
So, as they often say, you're going to know it if this happens to you in terms of the seriousness of the flu. But to distinguish this from any other sort of flu, you really can't do unless the virus itself is examined, which is what they're doing in New York, as you mentioned.
NGUYEN: Sanjay, how do you treat this? Do you treat it just as you would any other flu, or do you treat it differently because this is the Swine Flu virus? Some people may not be really familiar with that.
GUPTA: Yes. You know, I wish I had a better answer to that, because there isn't really a good treatment for viral infections.
As you know, Betty, for bacterial infections, you can take antibiotics. There are some antiviral medications such as Tamiflu, for example. Some people may have heard of that, but we don't know how effective that will be against this particular strain of flu.
This is a strain of flu that the world has never seen before. It is a combination of four different viruses -- two Swine Flu viruses, one from North America and from one Asia/Europe; one human influenza virus; and a variant of the Avian Flu as well, which we've talked about a lot in the past. This isn't the really bad Avian Flu that got so much attention a couple of years ago, but it is a variant of that.
So, it's safe to say that they're sort of figuring this out a little bit as we're going along.
NGUYEN: So how does that happen? I mean, we've got all of these strains now. And then there's this talk that possibly it could lead to a pandemic. We spoke with the acting director of the CDC just a little bit earlier, and he was very careful to say that it is not a pandemic at this point, but they are being very cautious.
GUPTA: Well, as far as how it happens, you know, these viruses come in contact with each other for some reason. Typically, when you think of Swine Flu, you think of a flu virus that transmits from swine to humans. But if it comes in contact and sort of recombines, they say, with a human influenza, you all of a sudden take that Swine Flu and make it -- give it some of the characteristics of a human influenza virus, which makes it more contagious and spreadable from human to human.
NGUYEN: So, Doctor, does that mean that -- just very quickly, does that mean that if you didn't come into contact with pigs, you could still possibly get it if someone did because it's very contagious human to human?
GUPTA: That's right. You don't have to had to come in contact with pigs to potentially get this. And I think they're sort of trying to figure this out right now. It's a medical mystery as to why people are getting it in various places around the world, but I think once they figure out the vector, they'll have a better answer to that.
NGUYEN: All right. Dr. Sanjay Gupta joining us by phone this morning with the latest on this Swine Flu outbreak that we've been talking about out of Mexico, and some cases here in the U.S.
Dr. Gupta, thanks so much for your time this morning.
You're watching the CNN NEWSROOM. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: OK. So this is one to watch for sure. The football rivalry between the Phillipsburg Stateliners and the Easton Red Rovers has raged on for more than a century.
AQUI: All right. So here's the situation.
Back in 1993, both teams battled to a 7-7 tie. Fifteen years later, they're still talking about it. And in Easton, Pennsylvania, tomorrow...
NGUYEN: Gatorade.
AQUI: Yes, no kidding -- Gatorade is giving those players a unique opportunity to even the score.
Reynolds Wolf?
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes. But, see, you know, guys, we hear football, and we think about that oblong leather-covered sphere sort of thing that you toss in the air. But this -- trust me, this is a lot more than about football. This is about...
NGUYEN: What is it, pride?
WOLF: Well, it is pride. There's definitely pride when you're talking but about this great rivalry in the Lehigh Valley.
NGUYEN: Exactly.
WOLF: But it's about something more. It's about second chances.
We all have something in life that we wish we could have a second try at. It could be a relationship, it could be education, it could be a job, it could be anything.
Well, these guys had their second chance, and this is their story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF (voice-over): This is the story of two American towns separated by a bubbling breach of Delaware River, but joined by a bridge in one of the nation's most heated high school football rivalries, a bitter feud played out for a century. For the Stateliners of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, and the Red Rovers of Easton, Pennsylvania, that battle rages every Thanksgiving.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We always say that Thanksgiving is the barometer which you are judged in these communities. What you do on Thanksgiving sticks with you for life.
WOLF: As the years fade, the memories of past games remain. The 1993 contest, perhaps one of the sharpest, a grueling clash that ended in a tie. Easton was heavily favored and scored first; Philipsburg, second. And then the underdogs dug in.
BRUCE SMITH, COACH, PHILLIPSBURG HIGH SCHOOL: We made three big plays during the course of the game. We had two goal line stands with about five minutes to go. Easton was lining up for what should have been a gimme (ph) field goal.
WOLF (on camera): It was on this field that late in the fourth quarter, Easton made that final drive. You know, all they had to do was just get the ball close, line up for a very short field goal, and then push it through the uprights. Simple enough. The thing is, that's not what happened.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Their tight end blocked out. I slipped through and actually blocked him with my armpit. I got a little lucky.
WOLF (voice-over): The overtime rule was not in effect in '93, so the game ended in a tie, 7-7, which these guys say it's like kissing your sister.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A sister-kisser! WOLF: So for 15 years, the recollections of that frustrating day gathered cobweb in their minds and resolved and tucked away, until one fateful moment.
TYRONE RANDOLPH, PHILLIPSBURG FOOTBALL PLAYER: All of a sudden, the phone started ringing and people were calling me, asking me, telling me about it.
WOLF: Gatorade is organizing a replay -- same players, same field, same rivalry. Ten thousand tickets sold in 90 minutes.
SMITH: Typically, you don't get second chances in life. And to get this kind of second chance means the world to both sides of the river.
WOLF: But the boys of '93 are now grown men. Dark hair is turning gray. Slim waists are now thick. They had to get in shape within eight weeks.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're reintroducing things that these guys haven't done in, you know, 15 years.
WOLF: But strapping on the pads and walking out on that field one last time is something that most of these guys would never want to miss.
TIM GADWELL, EASTON PLAYER: I'm going to kiss the ground. And then I'm going to get up and I'm going to listen to that crowd roar one more time. I can't wait.
WOLF: One last chance to settle the score once and for all.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: I love that story.
AQUI: I do, too.
WOLF: Yes, it's a great story. And Peyton and Eli Manning are actually going to be honorary coaches in the game.
NGUYEN: Oh, OK.
WOLF: And what's interesting, as I was talking to one of the players, Timmy Flynn (ph) -- he's the one that blocked the field goal -- and I asked him, "When you run out on that field and you hear that wind going through your helmet, and you feel your cleats on the pavement, going out on the grass, are you going to feel like a 17- year-old again?"
NGUYEN: And what did he say?
WOLF: And he said absolutely. After the game he's going to feel like an 80-year-old.
NGUYEN: Yes, he's going to be sore for weeks to come. WOLF: No question about it.
NGUYEN: Very quickly, how many takes did you have to do in order to get that ball through?
WOLF: Honestly, the very first time, I nailed the field goal.
NGUYEN: Get out of here.
WOLF: No. Then I missed like 10 in a row.
NGUYEN: OK.
WOLF: And then I finally got another one.
AQUI: That's why they call him "OneTake Reynolds."
WOLF: Yes.
AQUI: That's what they say.
WOLF: It works for me, man.
NGUYEN: Very good. That was a great story. Thank you, Reynolds.
WOLF: You bet.
NGUYEN: All right. Listen to this, folks. At the top of the hour, President Obama's face on a pair of sneakers? That's just one of the things seized in a giant raid of counterfeit goods.
AQUI: And then later on, in the noon hour, torture memos from the Bush administration. Our legal team is going to debate whether anyone should face prosecution.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: OK. So this has been the talker this morning.
What they're doing in Australia is they're answering fixed-term marriages, meaning, hey, if we want to get married, we can do it for five, 10 years, but we're going to sign a contract. And after that, you have the option of deciding to stay in or not.
AQUI: Right. So there's no long divorce.
NGUYEN: No. And hopefully not messy.
Well, you've been weighing in this morning, and you've got some really good comments.
Let me go to my Facebook page.
And Jennifer says, "Why get married at all if you consider it a temporary thing?" You know, a lot of people do say that.
And then I want to go to Twitter. And Carlos says, "What about the kids? Do you get to trade them in every five years?"
I don't think so, Carlos.
AQUI: That's not included in the deal.
NGUYEN: No.
AQUI: On my Facebook page, Joseph says, "Just more proof that marriage is not just about love anymore. It's become a business deal. I know so many people who could have used an easy out after the first five years rather than go through a painful and costly divorce."
NGUYEN: You know, it makes a good point.
And there's lots of opinions out there. We appreciate all of your insight this morning, hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter and MySpace, weekends@cnn.com.
We'll have more questions for you tomorrow. So thanks for sending that in.
In the meantime, though, your health tops our news today.
The head of the World Health Organization now saying the Swine Flu outbreak in Mexico has the potential to be a pandemic. A potential, that is.
People there are wearing masks while, here in the U.S., some 75 sick New York school kids and their parents are anxiously awaiting test results, which we could possibly see today. The deadly strain of Swine Flu has killed 68 people in Mexico and infected eight people right here in the U.S.
And in our last hour, I spoke to the acting director of the CDC.
