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Governor Cuomo Criticized For His Restrictions Aimed At Religious Institutions; Residents In Long-Term Facilities Have Made Up Eight Percent Of All Cases In The U.S.; Ravens Vs. Steelers Game Postponed Due To An Outbreak Of COVID Cases On The Ravens Team; Many Americans Still Facing Economic Effects Of The Coronavirus; Salvation Army Doubling Its Outreach This Year For Meals. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired November 26, 2020 - 13:30   ET

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

[13:30:00]

BROOKE BALDWIN, NEWSROOM HOST: Imposed earlier this year by New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, that the groups said were unfairly aimed at religious institutions. And so, this ruling gave us an idea of what to expect from this new justice, Amy Coney Barrett, who sided with conservatives in the 5-4 ruling. Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the more liberal justices. So to our CNN Justice Correspondent, Jessica Schneider, and Jess Schneider, Happy Thanksgiving first and foremost to you.

JESSICA SCHNEIDER, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Thank you.

BALDWIN: We know that this was the first - the third case of its kind to get to the Supreme Court. The other two actually went the other way. What do you take away from this ruling?

SCHNEIDER: Well it's the difference in the court's makeup ever since Justice Ginsberg's death and Amy Coney Barrett replacing her. So really, Brooke, this ruling is our first glimpse at how consequential the president's pick of Amy Coney Barrett will be for the future of the court. Here she was critical in giving the conservatives the 5-4 majority since it was Chief Justice John Roberts who once again sided with the liberals as he had this past summer when Justice Ginsburg was still on the court. And when they actually sided 5-4 against the houses of worship who are fighting these restrictions, so that's the flipside of what we're seeing here now with this next - this new court makeup. So this late-night decision on the eve of Thanksgiving a very stark reminder of the split we will see on consequential cases moving forward. And as such we saw some unusually critical language.

We saw this from Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She said, "Justices of this court play a deadly game in second guessing the expert judgment of health officials about the environments in which a contagious virus now infecting a million Americans each week spreads most easily, but yet on the flip side the unsigned opinion from the majority conservative justices it really seemed to punch back." This is what the unsigned opinion said. It said, "Members of this court are not public health experts and we should respect the judgment of those with special expertise and responsibility in this area, but even in a pandemic the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten." So the conservative justice majority really seizing on the religious liberties that the Constitution affords in this case, and Brooke, like I mentioned for the first time Justice Amy Coney Barrett being the key vote here to side with those churches who challenge these restrictions. It could be just a glimpse of what's to come as we move forward in the Supreme Court's term, Brooke.

BALDWIN: That is why elections matter and these appointment matter. Governor Cuomo, he's responded to this. What has he said?

SCHNEIDER: Yes. So the governor, he was roundly criticized for putting these restrictions into effect, so now the religious institution's affected. They're really celebrating this as a big win, but Governor Cuomo, he spoke out this morning and he pointed out. He said, look, the restrictions, they've already ended. So he believes that there was really no reason for the court to even rule on these cases and that's why he criticized the court. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

GOV. ANDREW CUOMO (D-NY): It's irrelevant from any practical impact because the zone that they were talking about has already moot. It expired last week. So I think this is really just an opportunity for the court to express its philosophy and politics. I fully respect religion and if there's a time in life when we need it, the time is now. But we want to make sure we keep people safe at the same time. And that's the balance we're trying to hit especially through this holiday season.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

SCHNEIDER: So Brooke, Governor Cuomo thinking that the court is already getting too political. It's something that the Chief Justice has really tried to insulate the court against these criticisms of politicization. So we'll see, you know, this is just the latest battle in what could be a very long year for the court, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Indeed. Jessica Schneider, thank you so much. Vulnerable senior citizens in nursing homes across the country are facing Thanksgiving day without their families and giving up holiday traditions they hold so dear in the midst of a nationwide surge in coronavirus cases. Many seniors will spend the day without being able to hug their sons, their daughters or grandchildren. CNN's Brynn Gingras tells their story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CATHY COREY, RESIDENT, BEECHWOOD LONG-TERM CARE: That's Egmore Island (ph) at my sister-in-law's house.

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Since the pandemic began it's the physical connection with family Cathy Corey and other residents at this Connecticut nursing home ache for.

COREY: It's like my heart get ripped out sometimes.

GRACE BARNUM, LIVED AT BEECHWOOD LONG-TERM CARE: I'm just waiting.

GINGRAS: Waiting for what?

BARNUM: Yes, to be able to hug again.

GINGRAS: Especially this time a year.

COREY: The holidays are all about memories with our family. It's hard enough not being with your family but when they can't even come up and eat a meal with you or anything or visit, it's hard.

[13:35:00]

GINGRAS: In the spring, the coronavirus ravaged the northeast. Nursing homes may have paid the heftiest price. To date residents in long-term care facilities make up 8 percent of all cases in the U.S. but nearly half of the country's total deaths.

BILL WHITE, OWNER, BEECHWOOD LONG-TERM CARE: It's like being in a battle. It's the same - it's the same mentality.

GINGRAS: Bill White is the owner of Beechwood Long-Term Care in Connecticut.

WHITE: What are you doing for Thanksgiving?

GINGRAS: To keep residents safe, White put in place a strict, multi- layer system of checks to prevent COVID-19 from infiltrating these walls.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Have you been through a hotspot state in the last 14 days?

GINGRAS: A health questionnaire and testing requirement for visitors. Beechwood has gone through periods of denying visitations outright to allowing them with restrictions.

WHITE: You don't know what works, and at the end no one's going to care if you keep it out.

GINGRAS: So far Beechwood's had just 14 cases since March. Three of them residents, the rest staff. A success by all accounts.

BARNUM: We were really lucky to have such precautions taken. We didn't see that everywhere and the people really paid the price.

GINGRAS: In the last week alone, Connecticut saw 306 confirmed coronavirus cases of nursing home residents. 39 people have died, a sign of where the state may be headed. Last week this once abandoned nursing home became fully operational again. It's reserved for COVID- 19 positive long-term care residents. They're moved here to mitigate the virus spreading like a brushfire inside their home facilities.

NICOLE SHEEHEY, DIRECTOR OF NURSING, WESTFIELD CARE AND REHAB CETNER: The amount of referrals that we're getting and, you know, people calling asking can we take patients. You know, it's been very consistent since the day that we opened. I mean, we haven't really had a slow moment.

GINGRAS: With help from the National Guard, the state first opened this facility in April. It was one of four like it needed in the spring to get control of cases. It closed in the summer when the numbers went down. For now, the state is relying on just this building, but it hasn't ruled out the possibility of needing more space as cases surge. On this day, eight sick elderly patients were expected to arrive. We talked to Charles Miller who was one of the first patients admitted. He's Beechwood resident who tested COVID positive while recovering from a stroke at the hospital.

CHARLES MILLER, BEECHWOOD LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENT: It's tough on the elderly, but I think it's tough on everybody.

GINGRAS: Miller tried to keep a good spirit.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You look good.

MILLER: I feel great.

GINGRAS: Because this Thanksgiving will be the first away from his wife and family.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have next year.

MILLER: Yes, we sure do.

SHEEHEY: Seeing their loved one's face even if it's just via a FaceTime visit is sometimes a critical piece in their care.

GINGRAS: Miller's goal is to fight the virus.

MILLER: That's what (ph) we're going to do our part.

GINGRAS: Get back to Beechwood, and join the family these residents have become as they stick together and stay healthy, all anxiously waiting for that one thing.

You'll give them a hug after this is all over?

COREY: I will, indeed. A lot of hugs.

GINGRAS: Brynn Gingras, CNN, New London, Connecticut.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: So important to tell all those folks' stories. Brynn, thank you for doing that. Coming up, the NFL postponing tonight's game between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers after multiple players on the Raven's team tested positive for COVID. That's next.

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[13:42:57]

The NFL is postponing tonight's game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers after the Ravens confirmed multiple cases of COVID. CNN's Carolyn Manno is following the details for us. And Carolyn, so what's going on?

CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Brook, the NFL is postponing tonight's primetime matchup to Sunday afternoon after a worsening of a widespread outbreak of coronavirus within the Ravens organization. At least seven Baltimore players have now either tested positive or have been identified as close contacts. Several coaches and support staff have also tested positive. The scheduling change comes after the Ravens disciplined a staff member for conduct surrounding the team's recent virus cases. Baltimore's facility is now closed with all team activities happening virtually. Shortly after the scheduling announcement, several Pittsburgh players expressing their disappointment on social media. Wide receiver, JuJu Smith-Schuster, tweeting, "First the NFL takes away our by week because another team can't get their COVID situation together. Now they take away our Thanksgiving primetime game for the same reason. Shaking my head." This is the second time that the 10 and 0 Steelers have been affected by the virus. Their week four game against Tennessee was moved after a Titans outbreak, and Brooke, that sentiment was echoed by Steelers and Ravens fans for that matter. Everybody hoping to see the two divisional rivals square off, but two games this afternoon and plenty of turkey. Hopefully enough to hold everybody over until Sunday afternoon's meeting. Brooke -

BLADWIN: Carolyn Manno, thank you so much. Still ahead here on CNN, food banks continue to report a massive surge in demand this holiday season. Up next I'll talk to an official from The Salvation Army who says their outreach has doubled.

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[13:49:00]

So many Americans are facing just devastating economic impacts from the coronavirus pandemic this holiday, including the increased need for food assistance. COVID-19 is also changing how nonprofits help families. Atlanta's Hosea House is celebrating its 50th Thanksgiving meal this year, but unlike events in years passed with, you know, big sit down buffest, volunteers are instead out and about handing out boxes of food that individuals had to preregister for and the need to pick up curbside. CNN's Ryan Young is live in Atlanta. So first and foremost, Happy Thanksgiving to you, my friend. And secondly, I am so glad you've been out there all day, you know, shining a light on something that is so important on this holiday. What have you seen? Tell me some of the stories.

RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's been so amazing. First of all, Brooke, this is your hometown, so you know about this. Hosea Feed the Hungry feeds thousands of people throughout the year, and one of the organizers told us this was like Katrina happening for months and months at a time because so many people in this community have needed food assistance and they're worried about where they're going to live.

[13:50:00] I mean, there have been people showing up here to get food that are going to eat Thanksgiving in their car, and that's tough when you see families struggling like this. And this is one of the outreaches that's been helping them. There have been trucks that just left here now to go feed more people who are throughout the community who couldn't show up here, but you've seen these massive operations that they've had all day. Cars started lining up here at 6 a.m. We'll show you some of this video from earlier because that's when the massive lines started showing up and people really needed that assistance, Brooke. When you - when you talk to people who have been volunteers in years passed who are now coming here for the assistance that they used to give other people, you understand how this pandemic is having a ripple effect through this out in this area. And they've been doing this for 50 years. Hosea Williams, of course, was in the inner circle with Martin Luther King, so there's a long history here in the city of Atlanta of this community effort. We talked to one veteran, though, who said he's really dealing with a tough time and this is one of the outreach programs that he can count on for providing him a safe meal during this time. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CARLOS ALANIZ, ATTENDIGN FOOD DISTRIBUTION: I'm just truly grateful. There are - there is still people and organizations that help, you know, when you need help. You know, survive - try to survive. I worked the day labor jobs, you know, make a little money, and when I need help I go to these events.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

YOUNG: I think the one thing we should mention, Brooke, before we leave here just because Thanksgiving ends today doesn't mean people stop being hungry. You can still donate. You can still reach out. Especially so many of us that have food tonight. You got to think of all the others how are less fortunate.

BALDWIN: Thank you for saying that.

YOUNG: It's just sad to see the ripple over and over. Absolutely.

BALDWIN: No, it's awful. It's awful, and all the - you know, the kids and the parents and the stigma around, you know, just even asking for help. Hosea House an extraordinary place there in Atlanta. Ryan Young, thank you so much for all of that.

The coronavirus pandemic is also putting more demand on groups like The Salvation Army. The organization has already doubled its outreach this year. Normally The Salvation Army serves more than 52 million meals. This year it has already served more than 100 million meals and provided more than 1.6 million nights of shelter for people in need. So joining me now, the commander of the Salvation Army, Commissioner Kenneth Hodder. And so, Commissioner Hodder, bless you for all that you do. Happy Thanksgiving, and welcome.

COMMISSIONER KENNETH HODDER, NATIONAL COMMANDER, THE SALVATION ARMY, USA: Thank you so much, Brooke. It's great to be with you today. BALDWIN: There are more people in need because of COVID-19, and I know it's changed the way you reach out. How are you keeping up with demand?

HODDER: Well it's no exaggeration to say that since the beginning of the pandemic The Salvation Army across the country has seen a tsunami of human need. The figure that you quoted a moment ago of 100 million meals served, that was as of the end of September, so that figure has grown even further since then, and we're anticipating that there will be about a 155 percent increase in the number of people coming to us for Christmas assistance. Everything from food to clothing to rent assistance to toys. The need out there is enormous. You undoubtedly are aware of the Columbia University study that says that eight million people have fallen into poverty across the country since the middle of May. It's certainly the case that The Salvation Army is seeing the results of that.

BALDWIN: As I'm trying to just take all of this in, and I wrote down 155 percent, I think of Salvation Army, Commissioner, and I think of this time of year, you know, the Red Kettle Campaign, right? The ringing bells and the donations that passers by provide, except that there aren't that many passers by right now. And so, how concerned are you that this holiday season, you know, because so many people also are so strapped that you won't get that you normally do?

HODDER: This is an extraordinary time for The Salvation Army. We've never faced anything like this in our history. Not only do we have overwhelming need, but the Christmas Kettle Campaign, which has always been a mainstay of what we do, is at risk. Last year we raised at those little kettles on the corner of America's streets about $126 million and we anticipate at this point that we will realize about 50 percent of that figure this year. So The Salvation Army is trying to do everything it can to address what could be described as a perfect storm, increasing need and a challenged means by which we can find the resources to address that need. So at the kettles which will still be out, we're going to provide electronic means by which people can donate. They can tap their phone to the sign rather than putting money in the kettle itself. People will be able to donate via Alexa. They can donate by texting the word kettle to 91999.

[13:55:55]

But the big resource for us this year will be a website that we're calling RescueChristmas.org where people can put in their own zip code, find out what The Salvation Army is doing there. The Salvation Army is in every zip code across the country. They can find out what's happening there. If they need help we want them to come to The Salvation Army.

BALDWIN: Yes.

HODDER: If they can help us meet those need, please make a donation.

BALDWIN: RescueChristmas.org, so everyone fortunate enough to be, you know, ladling the gravy and making the cranberry sauce today - and I'm talking to myself, too - you know we all need to help out those less fortunate. Commissioner Hodder, thank you so very much for coming on and Happy Thanksgiving.

HODDER: Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Thank you. Still ahead here on CNN, why health experts are fearing another big surge in coronavirus cases at the worst possible time.

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