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Coronavirus Outbreak; Trump on Trial; Trump Middle East Plan; Australian Fires; Super Bowl LIV. Aired 3-3:30a ET

Aired February 02, 2020 - 03:00   ET

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

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MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Hello and welcome. Live from Studio 7 at the CNN Center in Atlanta, I am Michael Holmes.

And ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM, a growing outbreak, what is being done to fight coronavirus and stop it from spreading further.

The next steps in the impeachment trial when it resumes on Monday.

And Super Bowl security: the work to keep the players and the fans safe.

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HOLMES: A warm welcome everyone.

The United States set to impose a new travel ban on people who have recently visited China. It is part of the effort to keep the coronavirus threat from growing inside the U.S.

Meanwhile, the virus proving lethal outside of China. Philippines health officials say a coronavirus patient in Manila died on Saturday. It is the first such death beyond China's borders, where more than 300 people have now died.

In the U.S. a strict new travel ban takes effect on Sunday that will deny entry to foreign nationals who recently visited China. Americans who visited Hubei province will be quarantined for two weeks. CNN's David Culver joins us now live from the Chinese capital, following this from the very beginning.

Speak first about what China is up against in terms of shortages of things, medical supplies. You've been hearing a warning about the food chain as well.

DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is an interesting one. My team and I here have been in touch with health care workers on the ground within Hubei province, the lockdown area that includes some 60 million people. This is the epicenter of the outbreak.

Now what we were hearing from them over the past several days is that there are dire shortages when it comes to the face masks, the protective suits. They are really on the front lines of this and many of the health care workers are telling us that either they or their colleagues are getting infected essentially.

What happened today was that we heard from the premier. He was talking to folks at a command center. He was stressing that they need to step up production of these medical supplies.

It was interesting because one nurse had told us that this was like going into battle without armor. The premier used the same analogy and said they need to build up their arsenal to go and fight the epidemic.

In regard to the food supply, it was quite alarming. He said there may be challenges going forward getting daily necessities. That's why he wants to make sure that the food supply lines remained open -- Michael.

HOLMES: You reported earlier on these hospitals, basically pop-up hospitals. I think the first one is completed.

When will it be up and running?

CULVER: That's right. It was completed today, according to state media. Just after over a week or so. That is something that state media has put out quite frequently so we could follow the progress.

It is supposed to be taking patients starting tomorrow, up to 1,000 will be accommodated within that facility. Just a few days later, a second hospital, which started a week ago in construction, that is expected to hold another 1,600 patients -- Michael

HOLMES: All right, David Culver, and the team on top of things for us in Beijing. Thank you, David.

At least eight people are now confirmed to now have the virus in the U.S. CNN's Polo Sandoval has more on what the U.S. is doing to try and stop the number from rising further.

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POLO SANDOVAL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: As the eighth case of coronavirus confirmed in the United States, airport officials continue to screen passengers who are traveling into the United States from affected regions.

Come Sunday evening, you can expect much of the attention to focus on six specific airports. They include Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, here in the New York area, JFK as well as Atlanta Hartsfield International. That is where authorities will be focusing much of their efforts.

Members of the Trump administration saying all flights from China will be funneling through so that those incoming passengers will be screened by CDC officials, who will be on the lookout for those symptoms.

This will be part of this announcement that was made by the Trump administration on Friday. This also includes a temporary travel ban on all foreign nationals who are not immediate family members of U.S. citizens or permanent residents who traveled to China in the last two weeks.

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SANDOVAL: Additionally, any U.S. citizen who has traveled to what is considered the epicenter of this outbreak will be subject to a 14-day quarantine, one of the latest moves by U.S. officials to try and contain any potential spread.

Again, when you hear from authorities who are closely monitoring these numbers, at least eight confirmed cases in the United States, they still say that the risks of contracting the coronavirus in the United States is still low -- Polo Sandoval, CNN, Newark, New Jersey.

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HOLMES: Joining me now from Boston is Summer Marion. She is a global health policy research fellow at Northeastern and Harvard Universities.

It's great to have your expertise. The numbers keep going up, that is to be expected.

But what do you make of the various travel restrictions both within China and within other nations clamping down as well, is it effective?

Is it smart?

SUMMER MARION, GLOBAL HEALTH POLICY RESEARCH FELLOW: Sure, Michael. Thanks for having me on. There's a lot we still don't know about this virus. We do know that when it comes to these travel restrictions, we certainly have better policy tools at our disposal.

The public health emergency of international concern issued on Thursday by the World Health Organization. This designation is the result of a decade and a half of work by a large community of well informed professionals who have developed a set of recommendations for how the global community can respond to just this kind of outbreak.

The travel restrictions we've seen from the U.S., from Australia, among other states, are directly contradictory to these recommendations. One of the reasons we've heard from these countries for the travel restrictions is that they want to protect their economies.

Just for that same reason, the World Health Organization has designed mechanisms for international cooperation in order to contain these outbreaks while mitigating damage to the global economy.

HOLMES: With the SARS outbreak, no one knew what it was for some time and that aided the spread. This time there is more knowledge.

How big the risk of significant further spread at the moment looking at the signposts? MARION: It's hard to say of course. The information is changing daily or by the minute as you know.

But I would say we know the best way to mitigate the spread is by information sharing and transparency, which is one thing that the global community was very critical of China over, after the SARS outbreak.

The World Health Organization to this point has been very laudatory of the Chinese government's actions thus far. We also know that, by sharing information through the mechanisms we have available, we can keep medical supply chains open. We can protect human rights.

And we can hopefully provide aid to the people in need while preventing the disease from spreading.

HOLMES: At the moment it seems most countries are reporting cases involving people who have traveled to China. I suppose the risk comes when it becomes self sustaining in those countries, spreads, contact to contact in those countries, right?

MARION: That is correct. That's why, as the director general of the World Health Organization stated, when they issued this emergency declaration, it's because of what is being observed in countries other than China.

And so when it comes to travel bans, I think, disease does not discriminate based on nationality. We do not need policies to discriminate based on nationality, either.

Instead, we need transparency and openness. That is both from governments and from traveling individuals. So the best thing the people can do, while they are traveling during this time, is to be forthcoming with their health care professionals about their travel history, about any symptoms they may be experiencing.

HOLMES: Obviously a lot of concern around the world.

Is it important?

You're looking at the fatality rate and the spread rate. In the U.S. alone, the flu kills 35,000 people a year, 8,000 this current season according to the CDC.

Do you think it is important that people maintain some perspective in context on this?

MARION: Sure. I think that question comes up a lot. We again don't know very much about this virus.

And I believe that one thing the differentiates it from the flu is that we now do know from reports this week that it is transmissible by individuals who are not showing symptoms.

So what is important in this sort of crisis situation is to stick to the facts and to make policy based on the facts as they become available to us. This is why information sharing is so important.

HOLMES: Finally very briefly, are you worried?

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MARION: I think this is something we've known would happen, it's a challenge that we will be facing as a global community in the future. We've planned for this. It's important to cooperate both internationally and within our communities and stick to our plans.

HOLMES: Summer Marion, thank you so much, we appreciate your expertise.

MARION: Thank you very much for having me, Michael.

HOLMES: France has confirmed at least six cases of coronavirus. Health officials say the most recent case is a French doctor who had been in contact with a patient in Asia. Now people in France of Chinese and other Asian origins are reporting a racist backlash. CNN's Melissa Bell reports from Paris.

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MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The first French citizens to be evacuated from Wuhan landed in France on Friday, one week after the country declared its first case of coronavirus. The evacuees are being quarantined in this holiday center near Marseille.

But already the fear has spread and is being felt by France's Asian community. Zhao Huang has been in self imposed quarantine since returning to Paris from China on Monday. Just the train ride home gave him a taste of what other Asians are feeling.

ZHAO HUANG, FRENCH RESIDENT: I feel like everyone is looking at me like a monster or stranger. Just like that. You know, I remarked they are very confused at facial expression.

BELL (voice-over): He says the feeling is widespread within France's Asian community. #ImNotAVirus emerged in response with tweets like this, "First of all, all Asians are not all Chinese. Second of all, Chinese are not infected with the virus."

One French newspaper which has since apologized even ran the headline "Yellow Alert."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I was in the metro going to work. I sat down on the seat and the person sitting next to me moved over by a few centimeters. If he could've moved a few meters, he would've done. But at least it was a few centimeters and he covered his mouth with his scarf.

I was shocked, I was speechless. I did not know why and I did not want to fan the flames so I did not say anything. But I really wanted to tell him that what he had done was not OK. It's the first time this has happened to me. BELL (voice-over): The feeling is widespread within France's Asian

community, with story similar to Zhao's. Racism against Asians is not new but there is a feeling that this is a new outlet for it, from Canada to the United Kingdom.

Where one columnist wrote this week that his ethnicity had made him feel like he was part of a threatening and diseased mass.

ZHAO: This is an international issue. A white man or African friends could be infected by the virus. This is not really just Asian people who got the virus.

BELL: As in other cities, Paris has its own Chinatown, until now a vibrant and well integrated part of the French capital. But with the virus, a new shadow has fallen upon it as fear leads to suspicion and discrimination -- Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris.

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HOLMES: They may never be considered evidence in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump but they are causing quite a stir. What we're learning about dozens of emails involving the president, why they suddenly surfaced and why they probably won't impact his acquittal.

And we will find out how law enforcement officials plan to keep football fans safe during one of the biggest sporting events in the U.S.

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HOLMES: Welcome back.

Furious campaigning underway in Iowa, ahead of the first votes being cast for the 2020 race for the White House. Iowa kicks off the primary season on Monday with its caucuses. And the Democratic contenders crisscrossing the state to make their final pitches.

The field remains crowded, still 11 candidates in play. The outcome will give us the first glimpse into who may end up taking on Donald Trump in the general election. Trump preparing for his likely acquittal as his impeachment trial wraps up. It was set in motion after the Senate voted to block witnesses and documents.

The subsequent revelation that the Trump administration is blocking pertinent emails that just surfaced, that's not going to make any difference at all. Here's Manu Raju with a look at what the next steps will look like.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How does it feel to be leaving during the trial after no resolution?

MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A bitterly divided Senate taking a break as Republicans push for a swift end to President Trump's historic impeachment trial.

After ignoring Democratic complaints that they are holding a sham trial, Republicans have set a schedule that will virtually ensure Trump is cleared a day after his State of the Union address next week.

Monday at 11:00 am, closing arguments from the Democratic impeachment managers and the president's lawyers for two hours each. After that, regular Senate business, allowing senators to deliver floor speeches about their decisions over whether to convict the president.

Culminating Wednesday at 4:00 pm Eastern. The final vote on whether to remove or acquit President Trump on charges of high crimes and misdemeanors.

Democrats' emotions still raw after Republicans voted along party lines, refusing to hear from witnesses or to issue subpoenas for scores of documents blocked by the White House.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeting, "It is a sad day for America to see Senator McConnell humiliate the Chief Justice of the United States into presiding over a vote which rejected our nation's judicial norms, precedents and institutions which uphold the Constitution and the rule of law."

In Friday's dramatic vote, two Republicans, Mitt Romney and Susan Collins, voted to hear from witnesses, including former national security adviser John Bolton.

CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS, U.S. SUPREME COURT: The yeas are 49. The nays are 51.

RAJU (voice-over): But the other 51 Republicans voted to block the effort with many arguing that no matter what the witnesses said or what the president did, it would not amount to an impeachable offense.

SEN. LAMAR ALEXANDER (R-TN): I think he should not have done it. I think it was wrong, inappropriate, improper, crossing the line.

And then the only question left is who decides what to do about that?

CHUCK TODD, NBC HOST (voice-over): Well, who decides?

ALEXANDER: The people is my conclusion. I think what he did is a long way from treason, bribery, high crimes and misdemeanors. I don't think it's the kind of inappropriate action that the framers would expect the Senate to substitute its judgment for the people in picking the president.

RAJU (voice-over): But many Republicans and the White House wanted Trump to be cleared so he could use the State of the Union address to boast about his acquittal. Some Senate Republicans and most Democrats demanded a chance to speak on the floor. That means President Trump will still be on trial while delivering the

nationally televised address. The delay also allows the four Democratic senators running for president to campaign in Iowa ahead of the crucial Iowa caucuses Monday night.

Now the focus is on whether any senators buck their party on the final vote, including three moderate Democrats who have not ruled out acquittal.

SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): It's the most serious decision that any senator will ever make in their career. And every senator wishes they did not have to make this decision.

RAJU (voice-over): Manu Raju, CNN, Capitol Hill.

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HOLMES: It has already been slammed by Palestinian leaders. Now President Trump's Middle East plan is being rejected by the Arab League.

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HOLMES: The group issuing a statement after a meeting in Egypt on Saturday, calling the plan a setback and saying it will not cooperate in any way.

President Trump announced that plan with the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday. It allows Israeli sovereignty over West Bank settlements and the entire Jordan Valley. It also requires any future Palestinian state recognize Jerusalem as the undivided Israeli capital.

Iraq's president has appointed a new prime minister, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi will serve until early elections are held. He is the former communications minister and he is inheriting a government facing widespread protests.

He vows to hold people responsible for violence, accountable, also asking for support from demonstrators at the same time.

MOHAMMED TAWFIQ ALLAWI, IRAQI PRIME MINISTER DESIGNATE (through translator): Without your sacrifices and your bravery, the country would not have effected any change. I know that you have suffered a lot and have been tremendously patient.

But I do believe in you. That is why I'm asking you to continue protesting, because if you are not by my side, I cannot do much alone.

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HOLMES: In Australia, some of the fire activity near the capital, Canberra, has eased but authorities are telling residents to remain vigilant. The Australian capital territory has been under a state of emergency since Friday.

CNN's Lynda Kinkade with more on the battle confronting firefighters.

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LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Holding back the flames, firefighters near Canberra work to contain bushfires stoked by high temperatures and strong winds that are coming too close for comfort to the country's capital.

Airplanes are flying over most of the intense fires, dumping fire retardant on sites to try to slow the pace of the blazes. On Friday, officials declared a state of emergency in the territory, saying this is the worst fire threat to the area in nearly two decades.

GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN, NEW SOUTH WALES PREMIER: We cannot be complacent when we have this much fire activity on a day when the conditions are going to continue for the foreseeable next couple of hours.

KINKADE (voice-over): Authorities have closed roads and told residents to be prepared to evacuate; with their homes in the line of fire, many people have no choice but to wait it out and hope firefighters gain the upper hand.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. we will wait and see. The boys are doing what they can.

KINKADE (voice-over): Lynda Kinkade, CNN.

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HOLMES: One of the biggest sporting events in the U.S. is just hours away. Up next we will take a look at some of the challenges facing law enforcement during Super Bowl LIV. We will be right back.

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HOLMES: Today's a big day for fans of U.S. football. Super Bowl LIV kicks off just hours from now in Miami, Florida. And with all the excitement comes a lot of security concerns. The major sporting event creates enormous challenges for law enforcement officials. CNN's Rosa Flores takes a look at some of them.

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ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hosting Super Bowl LIV in paradise is a security nightmare. The NFL says the hundreds of thousands of fans are expected at three venues in three south Florida cities along an international border that is invisible and a known corridor for illegal sex, drugs and merchandise.

LT. BRANDON EARHART, U.S. COAST GUARD: Basically, right about here is where the cruise ship security zone begins.

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FLORES: The law enforcement presence begins miles away from Hard Rock Stadium over water, with the big guns of the U.S. Coast Guard in full display.

EARHART: That is a deterrent as well as if we have an actual threat, they could go to disabling fire and actually remove the engines.

FLORES: At Miami's Bayfront Park, one of the concerns is hidden in the skyline.

Since the Las Vegas shooting, the urban landscape is considered a potential threat.

THOMAS JONES, ASSISTANT SPECIAL AGENT, FBI MIAMI: The team members can stand on the handrails.

FLORES: And while the FBI doesn't disclose tactics.

JONES: In regards to high rise buildings, no, those security concerns are being addressed.

FLORES: The agency says it is sharing intelligence with local, state and federal partners like Customs and Border Protection, who alongside Miami-Dade police have been training for the unthinkable.

ALEJANDRO RODRIGUEZ, MARINE INTERDICTION AGENT CBP: A terrorist threat, a terrorist threat is going to be our biggest concern.

FLORES: That's why the fully armed agents are trained to rappel into packed venues from Blackhawks.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: See what we got here.

FLORES: Meanwhile, other agents are intercepting counterfeit merchandise, mostly from China, by the boxload.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Counterfeit Super Bowl rings, caps, jerseys, you name it, anything that goes along with the big game itself.

FLORES: While the full security strategy is secret, Florida's attorney general has one message for criminals:

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're going to get you.

FLORES: Rosa Flores, CNN, Miami.

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HOLMES: Now during the Super Bowl, there's also a plan to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant, the basketball great. His 13 year old daughter, Gianna, and seven other people, of course, were killed last Sunday when their helicopter crashed just outside Los Angeles.

Singer Jennifer Lopez and Colombian pop phenom Shakira will star in the halftime show. In a new recent news conference, both performers talked about the heartfelt moment meant to honor the basketball legend.

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JENNIFER LOPEZ, SINGER: We think about Vanessa as a mom and losing her best friend and partner and losing her child. And I think, you know, how awful that must be for her right now.

SHAKIRA, SINGER: I think we will be all remembering Kobe on Sunday and we'll be celebrating life and celebrating diversity in this country. I'm sure he will be very proud to see we're going to -- the message that we are going to be trying to convey onstage.

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HOLMES: Now J.Lo said she didn't want to give too much away but she said the halftime performance would be packed with what she calls "awesome moments."

Thanks for watching CNN NEWSROOM, I'm Michael Holmes. I'll have your headlines in just a moment. Awesome.