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Swine Flu Deemed Public Health Emergency; 7 Fans Injured at NASCAR Race; Chrysler Cuts a Deal; Grading the President's First 100 Days; Michelle Obama's First 100 Days Also Being Graded
Aired April 26, 2009 - 22:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Tonight, an emergency in the U.S. and beyond. Health officials worldwide say we're in for a marathon battle. Even the U.S. military is on alert.
Promises made, promises kept. In the week ahead, the whole world will be wondering if the president is true to his campaign word. Report card time.
Maybe we should start calling him the first husband. In the first 100 day, the first lady is more popular than the president. How did she do that?
And it's time for your voice to be heard. We're taking your comments and questions live. The news starts right now.
Hello, everyone. I'm Don Lemon reporting tonight from New York. The city where today the mayor confirmed eight high school students have swine flu. Tonight, it is a nationwide emergency. The Centers for Disease Control now saying they fear there will be deaths right here in the U.S. And the White House holds a rare Sunday news conference.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANET NAPOLITANO, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: The Department of Health and Human Services will declare today a public health emergency in the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: There are now 20 confirmed swine flu cases in this country, in five different states. And that number is expected to rise. So far, though, no one here has died and only one person has been hospitalized.
Overall, at least seven counties -- countries, I should say, are dealing with confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu. Mexico appears to be the source. Eighty-one deaths there are said to be likely linked to the swine flu. And Canada has confirmed its first case as well.
Only CNN has worldwide resources to bring you the latest on this emerging outbreak. We've dispatched our reporters around the world to cover the swine flu menace. Now from the epicenter to Mexico, to London, Paris, Madrid and even Auckland, New Zealand, I'm joined tonight from Mexico City by our chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. CNN's Deborah Feyerick. And our national correspondent Susan Candiotti are here in New York as well.
Let's start in Mexico, where the swine flu has prompted officials to close schools and universities.
CNN's chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta joins us live.
Sanjay, you've been in Mexico City for a few hours now. What is the situation there on the ground?
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's a bit eerie, I have to tell you. I mean, this is a big city, 20 million population. As we walked around the city, you really got an idea of just how much of an impact this has had on the citizens all over the area.
It is not panic, Don, but it is strong concern. Typically, the streets we're walking on would be bustling, very full on a Sunday afternoon. They were very quiet. A few people who are walking around had masks on. There's also some confusion, Don.
We talked to -- should people be wearing masks like this, or not wearing masks? You know, how quickly has the information been getting out? I caught up with the mayor of Mexico City.
Remember, this is a big city. He has a big job in front of him. We sat down for a few minutes and chatted.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: Have you been wearing a mask?
MAYOR MARCELO EBRARD, MEXICO CITY: Yes. I'm wearing mask all day.
GUPTA: You're wearing it all day?
EBRARD: Yes. (INAUDIBLE). Most people use the mask, which is a very important thing to do.
GUPTA: How worried are you?
EBRARD: Very worried.
GUPTA: Very worried.
EBRARD: Since Thursday, that we received the information that this virus is another one. Another kind of virus. A new one. So, the potential damage for the city is very hectic.
(END VIDEO CLIP) GUPTA: So, there's a lot of concern here. They even talk about potentially shutting down the subways, the buses, public transportation, in the days and weeks to come.
When we got off the plane, Don, they handed us a sheet like this. And this is the sort of sheet that I expected. It asks if we have all these various symptom, cough, headache, limb pain, runny nose, eye redness. If you do, they're considering having you see the doctor here in Mexico and possibly not letting people leave the country.
Again, this is a fast-moving process, Don. But this is just what we learned over the last few hours.
LEMON: And Sanjay, you mentioned there's been some confusion about whether or not to wear a mask or what have you. But there's also been confusion about the treatment for swine flu.
What can you tell us about that?
GUPTA: Well, you know, this is a brand-new virus. This is a virus the world has never seen before. It is a combination of four different viruses and, you know, just since March, have they been able to identify this thing. So just over the last month.
Treatment-wise, this is not a bacterial infection. Antibiotics have no role here. What we're talking about here are antivirals. Medications like Tamiflu, which is a medication maybe you've heard of.
Now, we're not sure exactly how well it would work. It certainly doesn't treat it completely, but it might reduce the severity of the infection, might reduce the duration of the infection. But, still, it's a little bit of an unknown there.
The doctors will certainly tell you if you're sick, if you have the swine flu, take it, mainly because it's the only thing they've got.
LEMON: Is there enough Tamiflu in Mexico to help those, Sanjay?
GUPTA: Well, it's a good question. So we even try and investigate that as well. What we're hearing is there's about one million doses of Tamiflu here. Again, population of Mexico City alone, 20 million. They brought up mask earlier, 20 million people. There's been about four million masks that have been passed out. It is quite a sight, Don. I won't lie, you know.
If you think about New York City, for example. Population of eight million. Imagine half the city wearing a mask as you walk around. That's sort of what it's been like here. Four million people were wearing masks.
All right. Dr. Sanjay Gupta in Mexico City.
Sanjay, thank you very much for your reporting tonight.
Meantime, here in New York, Governor David Paterson and top officials are ramping up the state's response to the swine flu outbreak. Meantime, a New York prep school is in the site of a single largest cluster of swine flu so far in the U.S.
Our national correspondent Susan Candiotti is tracking the story for us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Masked workers spent the weekend scrubbing down desks and floors at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens. There will no classes here for the next two days. The Health Department ordered a temporary shutdown now that eight cases of swine flu are confirmed.
COMM. THOMAS FRIEDEN, NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: When you have a large outbreak in the school, there is the risk. And this is a large school with 2,700 kids, a large number of staff. There is a risk that if you send people in, there will be more rapid, more extensive spread of infection at that school. That's the reason why we're closing it and will play it day by day, decide how long it should stay closed.
CANDIOTTI: Worried parents have been calling the school, wondering what to do.
BROTHER LEONARD CONWAY, PRINCIPAL: The parents are concerned, rightfully so. There are students that are just developing symptoms today. There are students that had the symptoms on Thursday and they seem to be getting better.
CANDIOTTI: As swine flu fears rattled New Yorkers, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg tried to offer encouragement. He said of the 130 high school families interviewed, no one was hospitalized and most are improving from mild symptom. Yet the illness isn't sitting still.
MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, NEW YORK: Some family members of ill children have become ill, suggesting that it's spreading person to person at this time. And we don't know if this spread will be sustained. What's threatening is that the people who tested positive have only mild illnesses, unlike in Mexico.
CANDIOTTI: More encouraging news, about 30 children who took ill at a Bronx day care center tested negative for swine flu. A caution is advised, anyone sick should stay home.
As a precaution, New York's governor declared a public health emergency to free up any necessary resources.
GOV. DAVID PATERSON, NEW YORK: We want to assure everyone that this is a situation that we're monitoring, but we do not see any real danger ahead.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Our national correspondent Susan Candiotti joins me here now in the studio. OK, so we heard from the governor and what he's doing. But why not New York City schools. What's Mayor Bloomberg saying about the state's largest school system?
CANDIOTTI: Well, you know, you might think why doesn't he just close down the public school system, keep kids at home until they figure out what's going on here. But he said the opposite is true. Because kids are going to congregate no matter what. He said I'd rather have them at school, because if the children get sick, they can keep track of them. They can report to the nurse's office, and then they can get them immediate help. So he thinks it's a good idea to keep things as normal as possible as they can for now.
LEMON: And no concern, I guess, for spreading it to other folks, because there's lot of kids in school.
Susan Candiotti, our national correspondent, who's been on this story from the very beginning.
Thank you, Susan. We appreciate it.
CANDIOTTI: Thanks, Don.
LEMON: Here's some symptoms for you for the swine flu. Very similar to the plain old flu we're all familiar with. Doctors say you should see your doctor if you have a fever, a cough, a sore throat, body aches and a headache. Other symptoms include chills, fatigue, diarrhea and/or vomiting.
And if you don't have those symptoms, there are two easy steps you can take to avoid getting them. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. And this one is very important. Make sure you wash your hands. Wash your hands frequently.
Testing students for swine flu was done at Children's Hospital right here in New York City, and our Deborah Feyerick is there.
Deborah, what are doctors telling you about this cluster of confirmed cases tonight?
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, here's what we know right now is that 125 students and others did come to North Shore hospitals in this area. They wanted testing. They had flu-like symptoms, and their parents were concerned that perhaps they'd been exposed to the swine flu.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PUJA BHARDWAJ, ST. FRANCIS PREPATORY SCHOOL: I've had a major fever, headache and I wasn't eating as much. So I just decided to come in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: Now, none were acutely ill, nor did they have pneumonia or other respiratory illnesses. But eight did test positive for swine flu. And that's the highest number of cases anywhere in the United States. So far five states have had cases of swine flu. Doctors here and lab technicians have been working overtime. They're processing all the samples. Once somebody does test positive for influenza A, then those tests are sent over to the CDC for further testing and confirmation.
There is a sense of urgency, because doctors here really don't know whether in fact this is going to spread or whether it will simply die out like the Asian flu did a couple of years ago. But we spoke to the head of Infectious Diseases here, he says he hasn't gotten very much sleep this weekend.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. BRUCE FARBER, CHIEF OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES: I think they're trying to get a jump, because this is like trying to predict, you know, the path of a hurricane. We really don't know in which direction it's going to go, and certainly you'd rather be criticized for overreacting and for under reacting and getting on the problem too late.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: And, Don, disease specialists say that if there are eight cases, there are likely going to be many more cases as well. The concern, of course, is if this flu spreads human to human, it could mutate and then become very difficult to treat.
Right now, there is medication to treat symptoms, but there's nothing to prevent the spread, like a vaccine, for example. We did see a few people. They were wearing masks. One young person got into a car, wearing his mask, did not take it off, drove away.
No one here at the hospital, no one came for testing at the hospital right now, half of them who were tested were given Tamiflu. They're at home tonight. The other half, they weren't tested because there's a fear that the labs in this area are simply going to be overwhelmed. But they did go home. They were told to take Tylenol every four to six hours, and then just monitor their symptoms. So right now, everybody has their ear to the ground on this one - Don.
LEMON: Deb, you're in Nassau County tonight, right? Is that where you are?
FEYERICK: Exactly. We're right near the school.
LEMON: OK, I'm just getting this information. This is just coming in. I'll read it right off the computer here. It is saying -- it's from the Nassau County Health Department -- Nassau County, New York Health Department spokesman Mary Ellen Laurain tells CNN it is investigating one suspected case of swine flu in an adult resident.
Again, it is a confirmed suspected case, expect to see -- she expects the CDC to test the results and get them in three to four days. No more additional information was available.
Our Deb Feyerick is joining us from Nassau County. She's at Children's Hospital.
Deb, if you can work on that for us and get us some more information, we'll bring you back.
Thank you.
Meantime, avoiding the swine flu. How do you protect yourself and your family?
Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta will join us again and take a closer look at what you should watch out for and what you should do.
Also, grading the president on the first 100 days in office. He's hit the ground running, but where's he headed? And how is he handling the swine flu crisis?
And what about the first lady? How about her first 100 days? How do they stack up?
Also, we want to know what's on your mind tonight. We want you to be part of our show, have your voice heard. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or iReport.com. We have an answer to some questions for you about swine flu.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Dozens of people have died in Mexico from possible swine flu, but no one has died in New York or anywhere else in the U.S. And we turn to two physicians to explain why this may be happening.
Our chief medical correspondent, of course, is Dr. Sanjay Gupta. You know him. He joins us from Mexico City. And medical historian Dr. Howard Markel. He joins us now live from Ann Arbor, Michigan.
We appreciate both of you being with us this evening. Both of you, doctors.
OK, so I have to ask you this, why are people in Mexico City dying, but those in other parts of the world are recovering well?
I'll start with you, Dr. Gupta?
GUPTA: Well, we're not sure why that is right now. It could be that the disease started here, and so this is just the early part of the natural history of these particular infections, and we may see some deaths in other parts of the world.
It could be that there may be some co-existing diseases down here. It could be that the patients are getting to the hospital later for any sort of treatment, whatsoever. But I have asked several doctors on the ground here, Don. I talked to the mayor of Mexico City, who's overseeing this whole thing, and there's not a good answer as to exactly why that is, at least at this point.
LEMON: All right. Dr. Markel, when the virus is transmitted it mutates, right? Has it in some cases mutated to a non-lethal strand, maybe? And maybe that's why you see the difference in the cases?
DR. HOWARD MARKEL, MEDICAL HISTORIAN: Well, we don't know yet. I mean, Sanjay said it quite well. There's several theories going on of what could happen. Could it have changed its structure is one of them? Could it have attenuated?
It's very hard to predict a flu pandemic or flu epidemic early on. But one thing that I've been thinking about is when we had 20 cases, confirmed cases in the United States, that's a very small slice. Now when you compare that to Mexico City with a much broader experience, they may have a more vivid snapshot of the epidemic, because there are more people who can show this vast spectrum of case histories.
LEMON: OK. So, listen, Dr. Markel, we've been talking about the avian flu, the swine flu, the human influenza. At some point, I guess, they all come together, because they're all flus. And then at present, if the human influenza really this -- the key here is human- to-human transmission, the key to all of this, right?
MARKEL: Yes. And how easily it's transmitted from human to human, precisely. And is it a novel strain of a virus. And that's what's also concerning, because this virus is one that most of us have absolutely no experience with, or I should say, our immune systems have no experience with them. And that means we could potentially get far sicker.
LEMON: Dr. Gupta, did you want to comment on this? I saw you.
GUPTA: Well, one thing -- one thing -- to just build on what Howard is talking about here, there is a scale of reference that's worth keeping in mind.
We talked about these 80-plus deaths here in Mexico City. And we talked about 1,300 people roughly that have had serious illness. What we don't know, Don, is how many people have had -- have been infected with this virus. It could be thousands more, but their illnesses were so mild that they never went to the doctor. And as a result, we just don't simply know those numbers.
So you may be talking about 81 over a very large number, which is important. Because it would make the mortality rates from this much, much smaller. And also, the other scale of reference is, keep in mind, Don, that 36,000 people or so a year die from the regular flu. So that's just another number to tuck away as you're sort of processing all this information about the swine flu.
LEMON: And Dr. Gupta or Dr. Markel, here's what I find interesting, because usually flu's affect the most vulnerable -- very young people like infants and the sick and elderly people. But this appears to be affecting healthy, young people, teenagers, which it doesn't usually -- doesn't usually do, Dr. Markel.
Is that correct?
MARKEL: That's true. And that mirrors, you know, the great pandemic of 1918, where young people between 15 and 40 were most affected. And that certainly of concern.
But as Sanjay was saying, you know, a snapshot can be just that. A snapshot, but it can be an artifact or inaccurate. If the right 20 people are giving you a broad spectrum of the natural history, then you have a good snapshot, or it could be an inaccurate one. Really, only time will tell how this all plays out.
LEMON: Go ahead, Dr. Gupta.
GUPTA: You know, we were down here in Mexico City, and we're going to be traveling around Mexico a bit to see if we can find from where this all started. We think if we can figure out from where it started and how it's being handled down here, there may be some lessons learned.
You know, there have been lots of lessons from previous infections, such as SARS, such as some of the pandemics that Howard was talking about. How is this going to be different? Is this going to be a big deal?
I think a lot of those flus are going to start to emerge over the next couple of days, which is what we're hoping to find out.
LEMON: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, our chief medical correspondent and medical historian, Dr. Howard Markel. Thank you both very much.
Sanjay, protect yourself down there. We need you, OK?
GUPTA: Thank you.
MARKEL: Thanks.
LEMON: Severe weather in the Great Plains.
CNN's Jacqui Jeras is monitoring the threat there. And a breathtaking crash at Talladega Motor Speedway. Look out and look at this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Talk about a wild ride. Whoa!
This is the picture that has people talking after today's Aaron's 499 race at the Talladega Motor Speedway -- Superspeedway, I should say, in Alabama. And here's how it all happened.
Driver Carl Edwards tries to block a move from the eventual race winner, but when he does, his car goes airborne over the hood of another car, and then into a fence.
Oh, there it is right there. Flying debris injured seven fans. Two of them went to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Non-life threatening. As for Edwards? He jogged across the finishing line with fans cheering him on.
And there is that video that you see from the dashboard from inside of the car.
Those guys are lucky to be walking around.
Let's go straight now to CNN severe weather center and Jacqui Jeras, where she is talking about parts of the Plains. They're facing a dangerous storm threat tonight.
And what kind of problem is this going to pose, if any, for the commute tomorrow, Jacqui?
(WEATHER REPORT)
LEMON: All right. Thank you very much, Jacqui. It wasn't good news, but we appreciate it.
Thank you.
A developing story to tell you about tonight involving the U.S. auto industry. The United Autoworkers Union has reached a deal with Chrysler. Fiat and the federal government will allow Chrysler to receive more government cash and likely avoid bankruptcy.
The agreement still has to be approved by the UAW members who work for Chrysler. The automaker was facing a Thursday deadline to come up with a viability plan, which includes a planned alliance with Fiat.
The swine flu threat has the White House taking notice and taking action tonight.
Plus, the Best Political Team on Television and some of our regulars here on CNN. We'll grade the president on his first 100 days. Wednesday is the landmark day, a report card coming up from our radio host, as well as the Best Political Team on Television.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right. This is a big story we're following here on CNN. Twenty confirmed cases of swine flu in the U.S. since Thursday. That has put the government on alert.
The White House today held a rare Sunday news conference to declare a public health emergency. Mexican officials now report more than 1,300 apparent cases of flu. Swine flu has suspected of killing at least 86 people in Mexico now, although only 20 have been confirmed so far.
The World Health Organization is taking the swine flu outbreak very seriously. Canada has confirmed six cases. And a group of students and teachers in New Zealand are now showing flu-like symptoms after a trip to Mexico.
As a precaution, the U.S. military has put American troops on alert to be on the look out for flu-like symptoms among the ranks.
And only CNN has the world-wide resources to bring you the most complete coverage of this emerging outbreak. We have dispatched our reporters around the world to cover the swine flu menace.
From epicenter in Mexico to London, Paris, Madrid and even Auckland, New Zealand, we have it all covered for you.
Let's talk about what's happening right back here at home. Now, the federal response to this virus was swift. Here's what Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano said earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANET NAPOLITANO, SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY: The Department of Health and Human Services will declare today a public health emergency in the United States. That sounds more severe than really it is. This is standard operating procedure. It allows us to free up federal, state and local agencies and their resources for prevention and mitigation and allows us to use medication and diagnostic tests that we might not otherwise be able to use, particularly on very young children. And it releases funds for the acquisition of additional antivirals.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: OK. This is just in to the CNN NEWSROOM. We're just learning, you just saw -- the secretary there, Janet Napolitano. And we are just learning -- this is according to CNN's Jeanne Meserve -- that the DHS secretary Janet Napolitano cancelled a trip to Prague later for this week in order to quarterback the swine flu preparations and response. That is according to two administration officials. That information just in to the CNN NEWSROOM.
And that gets me to my next two folks we're going to talk here. Lynn Sweet, Washington bureau chief of the "Chicago Sun-Times." And also the columnist for PoliticsDaily.com, which is launching on Monday. And our very own Mark Preston, CNN political editor, both joining me tonight from D.C.
Lynn, as you hear that -- as you hear the DHS secretary canceling her trip, what does that say to you about the administration's response to this swine flu outbreak?
LYNN SWEET, WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Well, they don't want to have any kind of Katrina-like accusations that they weren't aware of a crisis as it was happening in front of them. You know, there was, as you mentioned, there was a White House press conference today where the administration showed how they were handling this in the medical world and in relations with Mexico and Canada.
So the main thing for Secretary Napolitano is to show that she's on the job in the United States and not traveling overseas in a time of crisis. LEMON: Yes. And that brings us -- she brings up a good point, Mark, because the president was just in Mexico, and, you know, shaking a lot of hands with folks in Mexico, which is believed to be the epicenter of this crisis.
I wonder, you know, if the way he handled himself on that trip will have any effect because this is foreign policy, and if this does indeed become bigger than it is, he will have to work with other nations with this.
MARK PRESTON, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Yes. This is clearly going to be a global problem, not something that's exclusive, Don, of course, to us here in the United States. And perhaps his trip down in Mexico -- his recent trip down in Mexico will actually help make these lines of communication go a little bit smoother.
You know, one thing that you did not hear from U.S. officials today, Don, was that they were so concerned that they're going to stop flights out of Mexico into the U.S.
LEMON: Yes.
PRESTON: We've seen some other countries right now that are taking stepped-up precautions from travelers entering into, you know, their country.
So, I think that it's a very, very delicate, delicate balancing act for President Obama not to overreact. But, again, as Lynn says, they have to show that this is a very serious situation and they're doing all they can to make sure it doesn't get out of control.
SWEET: What they can't do is let the political consideration dealing with bilateral relations with one of our most important allies and neighbors, to trump what might be a public health crisis. It's also a chance for the Obama administration to show how they handle...
LEMON: OK.
SWEET: ... a public health crisis no one ever expected.
LEMON: And, Lynn and Mark, let's move forward because we've handled, you know, the crisis -- the health crisis and we've talked foreign policy.
Let's talk the economy now because of 100 days -- first 100 day- mark coming up on Wednesday.
So, Lynn, you know, this is -- last night one of guests said this is a hallmark holiday or media holiday. But it is a good way to gauge the president's trajectory and what he's covered so far.
(CROSSTALK)
SWEET: It is.
LEMON: So, it's still the economy. How do you -- what do you grade him? What do you give him?
SWEET: Well, I think -- I think he has a running start. The stimulus package has money out there to fund every program that he wanted, you know, to help, you know, to help the green economy, job -- to stem job loss.
So, I give him a good grade on that front, though, it's really too soon to tell if pouring money onto these problems is going to actually stem job loss, help mortgage foreclosure stuff and to increase this whole fiscal stability here. But he's got the ball rolling, so I give him a good grade on that.
LEMON: So Lynn is giving him a good grade, Mark. But a lot of folks may not, especially conservatives, because they feel these bailouts are too big, the stimulus package is too big, too much spending.
PRESTON: Too much spending. And another thing for conservatives, they don't like his social policies in the path that he's taken so far on that. But it is incomplete at this point. We don't know if any of these plans are really going to help the U.S. get out of this economic crisis we're in, Don.
But what he does deserve a lot of credit for is that he has this whole mantra, this whole idea of change and hope, and right now, where there's so much doom and gloom going on, that's what we need as a nation.
You know, the mark of a good leader is to get people to follow them. And right now, if you look at public polling, the American people are following Barack Obama. So, let's see what happens in the next 100 days, but right now he's doing OK.
LEMON: We got to run. We're going to do a segment later on the first lady. She's more popular than him now, so maybe he can take a few lessons from her.
Mark and Lynn, we appreciate it. And probably the dog has a really good rating, too.
SWEET: Oh, he looks great. The dog will do well. Absolutely.
LEMON: Thank you both.
LEMON: Make sure you join us for President Obama's 100th day in office, the "CNN NATIONAL REPORT CARD." It is a prime-time event, Wednesday night, starting at 7:00 Eastern. At 8:00, President Obama holds a news conference. And at 9:00 Eastern, Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, The Best Political Team on Television.
And you will give the final grade for his first 100 days. That's Wednesday night beginning at 7:00 Eastern on CNN and CNN.com/reportcard.
The swine flu outbreak occurred on a weekend. What happens when a lot of potentially ill people decide to go to work tomorrow or not to go to work tomorrow?
You'll want to hear what retired Army General Russel Honore had to say about that and how it could affect the economy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: We want to get back to the rapidly developing swine flu outbreak. With the U.S. government declaring a public health emergency, American travelers are urged to be vigilant when they travel abroad. But we caught up with two women who traveled to Mexico today and they are not concerned.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MYRNA OLIVER, TRAVELER FROM IDAHO: I'm not hysterical about it. I mean, I'm not going to watch where I go or anything like that.
MICHELLE STANDRIDGE, TRAVELER FROM OREGON: I heard about it last night when I watched the news on CNN and I was like, oh, great, where is it? Mexico City? I'm not worried at all. Uh-huh. Didn't see anyone ill. I'm a nurse and I have no concern whatsoever.
UNIDENTIFIED CORRESPONDENT: And there wasn't any, like, precautionary notes posted at the airport?
STANDRIDGE: Not that we saw at all. No. Nothing in the lavatories about, you know, extra hand washing or anything like that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: So what do you do? Do you put your travel plans -- do you put your life on hold because of this?
Well earlier, I spoke with travel expert Peter Greenberg about traveling during the swine flu outbreak. Check it out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON (on camera): Do those women have the right idea, they're not concerned and they're traveling to Mexico?
PETER GREENBERG, TRAVEL EXPERT: Well, you know what? They should be concerned, but they also have the right idea. It's basic common sense and personal hygiene. At this point, be aware what's going on. Practice good personal hygiene. Wash your hands as early and as often as you can, no matter whether there's a flu outbreak or not.
LEMON: Yes.
GREENBERG: And you'll be OK.
LEMON: Mexico is not the only country affected. I mean, there are other countries. I mean, New Zealand.
GREENBERG: Right. LEMON: People travel there. Beautiful country. What are other countries doing around the country as precaution?
GREENBERG: Well, first of all, Tokyo, right now, if you're coming off the plane from anywhere in North America, there's somebody there at the jet way with a device that's going to measure your temperature.
LEMON: Yes.
GREENBERG: If you register on that, you might be quarantined.
Russia is announcing the same thing. And you also have China that they were doing that after the whole SARS crisis. I won't call it a SARS outbreak...
LEMON: Right.
GREENBERG: ... because there never was an outbreak.
LEMON: Right.
GREENBERG: The crisis was, nobody was going.
LEMON: Yes, that's -- nobody. And not many people were flying. So when you get off the plane and they check your temperature, the airlines are doing that or is the government?
GREENBERG: No, the government is doing it.
LEMON: What's the airline -- what are the airlines doing?
GREENBERG: What the airlines are doing -- almost all of them in the United States, they're allowing -- they're waiving any penalties or cancellation fees if you don't want to go to Mexico right now. That's the right thing to do.
LEMON: Yes. You know, it reminded me of something. When people -- didn't they take people's temperature, or they went through a thing and if you're temperature was high, I mean, during SARS, they wouldn't let you go on or something.
GREENBERG: That's rights. That's departing issue.
LEMON: Yes, yes.
GREENBERG: The real issue right now is what are the hotels doing, because it's one thing for the airlines to waive the fees. Hotels are on a case-by-case basis. If you got a deposit at a hotel, you go or not go, if you're not going to get your deposit back.
LEMON: OK. You said they've got the right idea because they have the right to travel. We're talking about those two ladies and then -- but they should be concerned. All right, here's the bottom line.
GREENBERG: OK.
LEMON: Travel or not?
GREENBERG: Right now, I say travel.
LEMON: You say travel?
GREENBERG: I do.
LEMON: There you heard him -- from the expert.
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: Anything else you want to offer? Because I know you're the expert traveler, because a lot of people travel this time of the year.
GREENBERG: Sure.
You know, my philosophy, it's going to sound somewhat politically insensitive, is anytime there's an emergency, a civil disturbance or just a crisis like this, that may or may not be in fact, what a great time to go. Great service. Great opportunities. And as long as you practice great personal hygiene and common sense, you'll have a great time.
LEMON: OK. After I shake your hand, I should probably wash them. But my...
(CROSSTALK)
GREENBERG: I'll do the exact same thing.
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: (INAUDIBLE)
GREENBERG: We are.
LEMON: We worked together many, many moons ago, and it's good to see you again in New York City.
GREENBERG: Nice to see you, too.
LEMON: Thank you very much. Peter Greenberg, our travel expert.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: The swine flu outbreak occurred on a weekend. What will Monday bring? You'll want to hear from what retired Army General Russel Honore had to say.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right. Man, you guys, are really sounding off about what we're putting on the air tonight. Feistychick says, "Swine flu is very serious and scary. I can only pray that it does not come to Georgia."
Dangblackgirl says, "I would like to know exactly why those 80 in Mexico really died. Is it true they waited too long? And what's too long?"
Kevin says, "Should we start wearing a mask in the U.S.?"
Evanwolf says, "Does the U.S. have the Internet and mobile capacity to support 100 million people working from home during a pandemic?"
Very good questions. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, iReport.com. That's how you can become part of this show. We want to hear your voice tonight.
OK. So we thank you for weighing in. Now we want to hear from our radio hosts because a lot of people weigh in to these guys.
Michael Medved, Warren Ballentine, both syndicated radio hosts.
Thank you very much for joining us tonight. Michael is in Seattle. Warren in Raleigh, North Carolina.
OK. So, your listeners, I'm sure, will be going on about swine flu. We're getting a lot. We're hearing a lot here tonight.
Michael, and people -- do people talk about it last week? Because it really happened over the weekend. And are we -- are we overplaying it? Meaning the media in general overplaying it?
MICHAEL MEDVED, HOST, "THE MICHAEL MEDVED SHOW": Of course, we're overplaying it. That's our job. I mean, yes.
You mentioned earlier in this broadcast the word SARS. Now, you'll notice that there were not millions of casualties of SARS. I think it's very, very good that the administration is taking reasonable precautions in preparing people. And, yes, people should wash their hands. And they should be careful. And there will be some people who'll cancel trips to Mexico.
But I'm getting on a plane tomorrow morning to go to Texas to do an Obama 100 days tour. And I'm not terribly worried about it. And I think most Americans aren't and shouldn't be.
But, Michael, you know, I hear you said that. I hear you. And I covered SARS, but 800 people died during SARS. And I say any time one person dies, I mean, you know, it's still -- it should be covered.
We're giving people information. If you heard in our travel segment, we said -- we didn't tell people not to travel.
MEDVED: That's right.
LEMON: We said travel, live your life, but here's the information, we're giving it to you. And the government is calling it an emergency. The mayor here in New York said it was an emergency. The governor of New York said it was a health emergency.
MEDVED: Well, you know -- you, Warren, you know the...
LEMON: Don.
MEDVED: Yes, Don. I'm sorry. I've combined those two.
WARREN BALLENTINE, RADIO HOST, "WARREN BALLENTINE SHOW": Like he's ready for me already.
(LAUGHTER)
MEDVED: You know the initial CYA. And that's what the mayor and Janet Napolitano, the secretary of Homeland Security, and the president, they're all playing CYA. In case it becomes a pandemic...
LEMON: OK.
MEDVED: ... they don't want to be looking like President Bush during Katrina.
LEMON: All right. Point taken, point taken.
Warren, go ahead.
BALLENTINE: Well, I agree with what Michael just said in the last point. But, Michael, God bless you, because I'm flying to New York to do "Ed Gordon Show" (ph) Tuesday. Then I'm going to Atlanta, because we're coming back on in Atlanta on WAOK.
But I'm going to wear mask on a plane. I'm not even going to lie about it. I would rather be safe than sorry, because I agree with Don. If just one person dies, just enough to make me pay attention to this. And maybe the news is overplaying it. Maybe we are in the media overplaying it. But I would rather be safe than sorry down the line.
LEMON: OK.
All right.
BALLENTINE: I think the government is doing the right thing.
LEMON: Enough on that. We're done.
Let's talk about another thing that some people are saying is overplayed. At one point, the administration said it is. Well, the first 100 days. We're marking the president's first 100 days and giving him a report card.
Michael, let's talk about the economy. What do you give the economy and, really, overall performance? And specifically after that, I'm going into Iraq and Afghanistan. But give me the economy and overall performance. MEDVED: Sure. I think you have to divide President Obama's grade into two segments. One as a celebrity. He's a definite A. People like him. They have a sense of purpose. They love the dog. They love the first lady. They love his friendly attitude towards foreign leaders. People like this guy.
Now, in terms of leadership, I think it's a C minus at best. And I'll tell you why.
BALLENTINE: Wow.
MEDVED: Two things that he promised to do, he hasn't done at all. In fact, he's moving in the wrong direction. He hasn't brought the Republicans and Democrats together. There's no bipartisanship. No Republican...
LEMON: OK. Give Warren a chance to respond.
Warren, go ahead.
BALLENTINE: I'd like to say is, wow, you know. I would grade him in two separate categories, too. But I would give him an A and an A minus. And I would give him an A minus as far as leadership. And I would give him an A as far as the overall job because he inherited a hot mess from the previous administration.
LEMON: OK.
BALLENTINE: Now, if you talk about leadership. He's reached out to the Republicans more than Bush ever reached out to the Democrats. And the Republicans repeatedly shot him down.
LEMON: OK, Warren. Hey, Warren and Michael, I've got to go. But real quickly and I mean this, I'm going to cut you off.
Give me Iraq and Afghanistan. Are we doing the right thing? Is the administration doing the right thing there? Because we've seen the violence go up and then people are going to be shifted over to Afghanistan.
Michael, real quickly.
MEDVED: I think Afghanistan, he's doing the right thing. And I think he is in the process of reconsidering a rapid withdrawal from Iraq -- and that's right.
LEMON: Warren?
BALLENTINE: I think Iraq, he's doing the right thing. Afghanistan could end up being his Vietnam. I'm very worried about that.
LEMON: All right. Thank you very much, Warren. Don't think I didn't see you get that little plug-in about your radio show.
(LAUGHTER) (CROSSTALK)
BALLENTINE: Get out of here.
LEMON: Very sneaky, but, you know, it takes one to know one.
Thank you, guys.
MEDVED: Thank you, Don.
LEMON: Have a great weekend.
All right. Well, we've graded the president, but what about the first lady? How do her first 100 days stack up?
And also, the swine flu outbreak occurred on the weekend. What will Monday bring? This is very interesting, what retired general -- Army General Russel Honore has to say. He is used to handling emergencies. His response may surprise you.
Back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Well, the next few days should give us a better indication of what we're dealing with, with swine flu. Earlier tonight, I spoke with retired Army General Russel Honore. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. GEN. RUSSEL HONORE, U.S. ARMY (RET.): If the people have been told over the weekend, if you -- if you're not really sick, don't go to the doctor. Rest, wash your hands, isolate yourself. What happens tomorrow morning, when all of those people call in to work...
LEMON: Are going to start calling in sick, right?
HONORE: ... in the New York area, then the numbers, as CDC accurately projected, we can see these numbers go up. So we don't know what we don't know until we get the entire reporting system working tomorrow. We haven't had a death yet in America.
But once that happens, and the cause of it is related to the flu, you're going to see a change in the game plan, because there will be a lot of cautions about airline industry and people -- this could put a complete slowdown to the airline industry, particularly from those regions where the flu has been reported on.
LEMON: And, General, over? You know what? You bring up a very good point. Segue to our next part of the story.
Thank you, General Russel Honore.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That was retired Army General Russel Honore joining us earlier tonight here on CNN.
It's not just President Obama's first 100 days. First Lady Michelle has been almost as busy. We're breaking it down for you, the first lady.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: What would you ask the first lady if you got the chance? Well, some kids got the mike earlier this week and here's what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Every now and then, I have this thing that I like to do with some of my staff members and we sneak out without telling anybody and we go and test out all the fun places to eat in D.C. Like I went to Five Guys and nobody knew it. It was good.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Who knew? Well, some people knew. Some people who've known her for a long time know that she is real. And since we're spending so much time, you know, taking a closer look at what President Obama has accomplished in his first 100 days, let's take a closer look at the first lady's first 100 days.
My guest tonight, Tatsha Robertson, deputy editor of "Essence" magazine. They have compiled exclusive pictures, speeches and moments from the presidential campaign trail and with the Obama family in "The Obamas: Portrait of America's New First Family." So, thank you.
And there's Carl Anthony. He's considered the nation's expert on the political and social power of presidential wives and families.
Thank you both very much.
You have a book as well, don't you? Carl?
CARL ANTHONY, PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN & AUTHOR: A couple of them.
LEMON: Yes. OK. So he's written about the first lady. You have interviewed, both of you, about the first lady.
You know, it's amazing -- Carl, I'll get to you. But, you know, Tatsha sitting right here with me in the studio.
You know, people used to say hey to you, you know, you're from Chicago, you know, you've met the Obamas. I said yes. And they said what's the most unique thing about them and I said, Michelle Obama, this was before she was, because she was a very accomplished woman and everyone around town knew that and, you know, it was different than what he was, you know.
TATSHA ROBERTSON, DEPUTY EDITOR, "ESSENCE" MAGAZINE: I know. She's been amazing. She's a Harvard-trained lawyer. She's a beautiful woman. But now we're seeing sort of a softer side of Mrs. Obama. You know, a very compassionate person. I think the country has just fallen in love with her.
LEMON: Yes, it's amazing, Carl, because if you look at it, even on the campaign trail, it was said that Mrs. Obama, you know, during the campaign, that she was a liability to her husband, she's a loose cannon. And the first 100 days, she is now more popular than the president. How did that happen?
ANTHONY: You know, I think there's an interesting paradox going on, because we're talking about this 100 days, and, really, with the president, you know, he's got well over a year during the campaign to plan policy and what his attitude and views are going to be and what he's doing to report as an agenda.
A first lady really doesn't get up and running until after the inauguration. And in this case, you have a first lady, I think, who came into this role highly conscientious...
LEMON: Yes.
ANTHONY: ... of the power of the symbolism of the role of first lady. Very rare.
LEMON: And here's what -- here's what folks are saying is that she is establishing, and this is sort of the -- what's -- you know, people who are in the know say, you never know.
They're saying that she's establishing a lot of goodwill and, at some point, she's going to use that will to start doing headier issues, maybe policy issues. Do you agree?
ROBERTSON: Absolutely. I do. And she's already looking at really important issues, dealing with military families. She's already asked the community. I mean, these wives are, the single moms right now while their husbands are fighting a war, please, help them out. So she's looking at some really big issues. Education issues.
LEMON: Right. And, Carl, I've got a few -- just few seconds here. Go ahead.
ANTHONY: Yes. And I think what happens is also you have to remember, oftentimes, as first lady's agenda occurs as she sees needs in her role in those first couple of months and begins to respond. And I would agree.
LEMON: OK.
ANTHONY: I think also her experience at the University of Chicago Hospital is very important, not to be overlooked, in terms of the interface between community and that institution.
LEMON: And, Carl, Tatsha's shaking her head agreeing with you.
Tatsha Robertson, Carl Anthony, thank you. And I've read -- the first lady says the president is jealous of her because she gets to do the fun things.
Thank you, guys, very much.
We're back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: I'm Don Lemon in New York. I'll see you right back here next weekend. "PLANET IN PERIL: BATTLE LINES" begins right now. Have a good one.
