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Student's Suspension Reversed over Picture of Crowded Hallways; Rod Bradley, Meade County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman & Hotel Owner, Discusses this Weekends' Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, Precautions He's Taking; S.E. Cupp Responses to Criticism on Editorial Saying She'll Vote Based on Biden's V.P. Pick. Aired 2:30-3p ET
Aired August 07, 2020 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[14:32:53]
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: In a major reversal, a Georgia high school that suspended a student after she took this photo of a crowded hallway and shared it on social media, has reversed the suspension, the student's mother tells CNN.
That student, Hannah Watters, says she took the photo because CDC guidelines were not being followed and she was concerned for everyone's safety. The school superintendent says that picture was taken out of context.
CNN's Evan McMorris-Santoro joins us now.
Evan, I do not know how a photo can be taken out of context. Seems to show what's going on. But you tell us what's going on here.
EVAN MCMORRIS-SANTORO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think we're learning something about the power of civil disobedience in this enterprise. Hannah Watters called her photo "good and necessary trouble." She knew it may run afoul of the rules, but it was worthwhile to do it.
Everyone wants to see what the inside of school is going to be like in the fall. It showed a crowded hallway with kids not wearing very many masks and she thought that was damaging.
The official at the school originally said that, look, yes, as you said, this is taken out of context, a five-minute period between classes. But they also told parents that this isn't a very good photo. And we're trying to make changes to the way we're doing things.
So, in the battle between Hannah Watters and the school system, she appears to have won. At first, they said, OK, this is bad, but it did violate the rules, so you're suspended.
And her mother telling CNN the suspension will be lifted and nothing on Hannah Watters' record.
In my opinion, this is a story about a COVID hero -- Brianna? KEILAR: And I think we thought they were standing that close all day
in school. I think we're pretty clear this is them moving through the hallway there.
Evan, thank you so much. Really appreciate it.
And 250,000 people are expected to attend a motorcycle rally in South Dakota this weekend despite concerns from health officials. I'll speak to one hotel owner about precautions he's taking.
[14:35:06]
Plus, just in, a new study suggests that heart attack victims may be dying because of coronavirus fears. The Providence Heart Institute says people have stayed away from emergency rooms with acute heart attack symptoms and that many have died as a result. Stand by for more.
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KEILAR: Despite warnings from health experts, one of the largest motorcycle events in the world will kick off today in the city of Sturgis, South Dakota. The 10-day rally is expected to draw more than a quarter million people to a city with a population of 7,000. And masks are not required. The mayor says he cannot stop people from coming.
Joining us now is Rod Bradley, the vice chairman of the Meade County Board of Commissioners. And he lives in Sturgis and owns a hotel there.
Rod, thank you for joining us to give us your perspective on the ground.
[14:39:59]
I know you're in a unique position because you're an elected official and a business owner. I wonder if you think this should be taking place in the middle of a coronavirus pandemic.
ROD BRADLEY, VICE CHAIRMAN, MEADE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA, BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS & HOTEL OWNER: Let me say, first of all, the Board of Commissioners had no authority to say yes or no whether we would have a rally or not.
The state left it up to the city. The city made the decision that they did. So, from the county's perspective, there wasn't any decision to be
made from that perspective.
From the business-owner's perspective, my opinion is that with the people are coming anyway. It was our responsibility to prepare for the people that came here. And that includes the public safety aspect of it, law enforcement, dispatch. We need to be ready for the people who chose to come here. KEILAR: Look, we know this is something your city depends on, when it
comes to economically. I mean, this is where it's at. This is the event for the whole year.
But what precautions are you taking?
BRADLEY: So, in the hotel, we follow the CDC guidelines. We've taken the recommendations from the State Department of Health in the city, as far as reducing occupancy, spacing tables, extra sanitizing. Those things that are pretty well published, we're following.
KEILAR: And what about masks?
BRADLEY: That's a choice of the employee if they want to wear one. They're welcome to. If not, we're not requiring it.
KEILAR: Are they choosing to wear them?
BRADLEY: About half.
KEILAR: About half. OK.
So, you own the facility and -- I mean, I know you're saying it's a choice. But for the people who are wearing masks, their resistance to catching coronavirus is actually quite diminished when they're around other people not wearing masks. Are your employees aware of that?
BRADLEY: That's pretty well published. Everybody's aware of what's going on with the coronavirus. And I think it's a personal choice -- how you decide to handle it.
KEILAR: South Dakota has just over 9,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. This is actually among the lowest -- it's one of the lowest state tallies in the country there. Are you worried the case numbers might spike after this?
BRADLEY: Yes. They could tick up. But South Dakota, at the direction of our governor and the plan she put together for our state, we've been a pretty open state for the whole time throughout this whole thing.
And we've held large events recently. I think we had the first sports event with the bull riding. And we had the fourth of July celebration just recently without too much uptick, if any.
If we can get through this one, too, it will be a positive step forward to reopen America.
KEILAR: Rod, can you tell, what does it mean, not only to you, but there are a lot of business owners in Sturgis. What does it mean, overall, for business owners in Sturgis, if you cannot have this huge event?
BRADLEY: Yes, so it's a big piece of the economy the way it's evolved and grown. From the county's perspective, there are buildings and property values in Meade County that wouldn't be anywhere close to where they're at now without the rally.
So, it effects the -- all the public budgets and not to mention the business owners, the employees and downtown, too. So, it's a big deal.
KEILAR: All right, Rod. Thanks for coming on.
We have experts who say outdoors is better than indoors. And they support social distancing and masks.
BRADLEY: Yes.
KEILAR: And we know people are going to be making different choices in Sturgis during the course of the rally.
But we appreciate you being with us and telling us what's going on there.
BRADLEY: Yes, I appreciate it. Thanks for having me.
KEILAR: Rod Bradley, we appreciate you.
[14:44:48]
S.E. Cupp getting some criticism for saying she will wait to make her decision about Joe Biden until he makes his V.P. pick. She will join me live to response, next.
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KEILAR: S.E. Cupp is facing backlash over an editorial where she's thinking about voting for Biden but her decision depends on who Joe Biden picks as a running mate.
As she writes, "After four years of Trump's chaos and corruption, racism and authoritarianism and nihilism, I'm considering voting for Biden rather than write someone in, as I did in 2016."
She adds, "As a staunch conservative, who has voted Republican in past elections, I don't take this lightly."
[14:50:00]
S.E. Cupp, the host of CNN's "S.E. CUPP, UNFILTERED," joining us.
S.E., it is great to see you.
Let's break this down. First off, tell us about the backlash. What is it and where it is coming from?
S.E. CUPP, CNN HOST, "S.E. CUPP UNFILTERED": Well, it is coming from the left. Because how dare I ask questions about who Biden is going to select as his running mate. I must vote for anyone. And I think that is really foolish.
For one, Susan Rice, one of the contenders being bandied about and one of two in the top tier, well, Susan Rice is a divisive figure, not just on the far right but on the far left because of her record on foreign policy.
Do a cursory search of her name and you'll find stories in "Politico," "Daily Beast," "New York Post," saying she would be a great pick for Donald Trump. So if you want Joe Biden to win, that seems like a bad calculation.
I think there's a more careful way to look at who will actually be a value add for Joe Biden's ticket and ensure the result that the left really wants.
And for someone like me, in the middle -- I'm center right, I consider myself moderate -- I'm looking for reasons to vote for Joe Biden. And I've mostly found them. Trump is that bad.
But who he selects is important because, let's face it, that person might replace him. And it is a good idea and common sense to ask questions about who that will be.
KEILAR: I don't get the criticism, because when you're talking about both of the candidates, they are up in years and they have health concerns. So it really seems like you should be looking at who the vice-presidential running mate or vice president is.
At the same time, there's also this issue you're talking about, which is it is not just enough for you to say, OK, I'm going to vote. I want someone who is an alternative to Trump and someone I would be comfortable voting for. And it seems like you're getting a lot of pushback for that.
And I wonder, from your perspective, what that means for people who are moderate and in the middle and that Joe Biden might be able to win over, and what sort of this backlash would be to those folks?
CUPP: Look, I think there are some on the left who think I'm voting for whomever. I've heard, I would vote for Kim Jong-Un on the bottom of that ticket to get Trump out of the office.
That is fine if that is where you're at. I don't think that is a majority of where the people are at and not where moderate and center- right people are. They want to know more about, who could be Joe Biden's vice president.
And I don't appreciate feeling bullied into voting for your guy and whomever he chooses. That is not a way to get people out to -- to vote, to cross party lines, maybe, which Joe Biden is hoping for.
Look, Joe Biden is not over the finish line yet. And we know from polling this could go anyway. There's still almost three months left.
I think you should be making overtures to people who are considering voting for Biden or a Democrat for the first time instead of telling them to vote for whoever he gives you at the barrel of a gun. I think that is bad math.
KEILAR: So clearly, you would not be on board with Susan Rice. What about Kamala Harris? What about Tammy Duckworth? And Harry Reid mentions Elizabeth Warren. What about those?
CUPP: I think Kamala Harris has the best shot of getting moderates like me. She has a record that appeals to people like me. I think she would be a solid choice.
KEILAR: S.E., thank you so much. We can't wait to see your show.
CUPP: Thank you.
KEILAR: And it is great to see you. S.E. Cupp.
[14:53:52]
Just in, senior administration official said it is highly unlikely that a vaccine would be ready by Election Day, contradicting the president's claim over the past 24 hours that it would. And it also contradicts Dr. Fauci's optimistic timeline that one will be ready by the end of the year or early next year.
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[14:58:50]
KEILAR: We have breaking news. A new revelation from the Intelligence Community's top election official.
Let's go now no Alex Marquardt on this.
Alex, tell me -- Alex, tell me what we know.
Unfortunately, we're trying to get Alex. We're having some technical difficulties. We'll bring that story to you shortly.
But in the meantime, dozens of NFL players say they will not play the season because of the coronavirus. A spokesperson for the NFL telling CNN that out of more than 2800 players, a total of 66 chose to opt out of playing this season by yesterday's deadline.
The New England Patriots had the most players opt out with eight. Only three teams had no one opting out, the Steelers, the Falcons and the Chargers. The season is set to kick off Thursday, September 10th.
And our coverage will continue right now with Brooke Baldwin.
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN HOST: We'll take it.
I'm Brooke Baldwin. Thank you so much for being with me. You're watching CNN on this Friday afternoon.
[14:59:57]
In just a few days, the U.S. is set to become home to a staggering five million cases of the coronavirus. But that number, as large as it is, may not tell the full story.
