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Texas Counties Issue Curfews To Slow COVID-19 Spread; Americans Celebrate Thanksgiving As Hospitalization Rises; COVID-19 Creates Greater Need For Food Assistance This Thanksgiving; Professor Shares Thanksgiving Dinner With Her Students; NFL Postpones Thanksgiving Game After Ravens Confirm Cases. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired November 26, 2020 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:00]

ELIE HONIG, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: And, look, this idea of how much validity, how much they prop up the First Amendment is going to play out in a lot of different angles, including we have a case on the docket. This term about LGBTQ rights, and the religious angle and religious freedom is going to conflict with that. So watch for that later this term as well.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN HOST: We will. Elie, you're the best. Thank you so much. Happy Thanksgiving.

HONIG: Thanks, Brooke. Have a great Thanksgiving.

BALDWIN: Thank you. We have new details now about the law enforcement swirl surrounding a sitting senator whose election fate may decide the balance of power in the US Senate. The New York Times revealed Wednesday that the Department of Justice pursued an insider trading investigation into Senator David Perdue.

That investigation was triggered in March at the start of the pandemic after Senator Perdue sold a million dollars' worth of stock in a company Cardlytics. Purdue then bought most of it back after the company's stock price bottomed out six weeks later. And so, the DOJ later determined that Senator Perdue did not act on any nonpublic information and eventually closed the case without pursuing any charges.

Coronavirus hospitalizations are spiking across the country. Hospitals warning, they are running out of beds and critical care equipment. Miami becoming the latest hot spot, that is next.

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[15:35:52]

BALDWIN: Texas is facing a surge of new coronavirus cases. In fact, the state just hit an all-time record high for new daily cases. Health officials reported more than 14,000 infections just yesterday. In response, the San Antonio and El Paso areas both have curfews in place through Thanksgiving weekend. And CNN's Ed Lavandera is live for me in Dallas. And so, Ed, tell me more about these curfews.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, city officials in San Antonio and in the El Paso, Texas area say that they're concerned about this Thanksgiving holiday weekend. They say over the last several holiday weekends, in the week after that or so, they saw a surge in new coronavirus cases. And they're hoping that these curfews will help limit that surge.

So that is why they're saying they're instituting this curfew from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am. Restaurants are supposed to be shut down by 10:00 takeout and delivery is still possible. But the urge here is to really keep people from congregating as much as possible.

And this comes Brooke as the state of Texas finds itself in the midst of the most severe surge that we have seen in this state throughout all of this pandemic. Remember, we talked a lot back in July when we were seeing cases, new cases reported around the 10,000 mark daily. And as you mentioned, just yesterday, the state of Texas set a new record for the number of new coronavirus cases at about 14,000. So these are startling numbers and a real indication of that this state finds itself in the most severe surge of this pandemic.

And this also comes at a time where, just recently, the state of Texas has surpassed the number one mark in the terms of overall cases. Texas has more cases than any other state and second in the number of overall coronavirus deaths. So all of this comes at a very troubling time as the country battling coronavirus, fatigue and entering into this holiday season. A great deal of concern about what this surge is going to look like here in the coming days and weeks, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Huge concern, Ed Lavandera talking about Texas. Ed, thank you very much. From Texas to Florida where the number of COVID patients needing ventilators in Miami-Dade County is now up by 44 percent just in the past two weeks. That is just one example of the enormous strain on hospitals across the nation as COVID-19 numbers continue to rise from coast to coast. CNN's Rosa Flores takes a look at how hospitals are holding up, Rosa.

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Brooke, medical experts warned us about this and here we are. The number of COVID-19 cases in the United States is surging. Just yesterday, the US reported more than 181,000 cases. And now the number of hospitalizations is nearing 90,000. And when it comes to the death toll, the number of Americans were dying each day from COVID-19 continues to increase yesterday. It was nearly 2,300.

Now, what we're seeing around the country is that some states are reacting. They are doing, for example, rolling back some of those reopening plans, that's the case in Louisiana. They're also tightening their mask rules, that's the case in North Carolina. And others are imposing curfews, that is the case in Bear County by San Antonio, Texas.

Now, what we're seeing here is that the hospitals around the country are getting tested. We're hearing that from officials in Rhode Island and also in Washington State. And right here in Florida, where I am, in Miami-Dade County, according to county data that was released yesterday, the number of hospitalizations has increased by 25 percent in the past two weeks. The number of ICUs that are being used now to treat COVID-19 patients has increased by 43 percent during that same time period. And the number of ventilators in use has increased by 44 percent.

Brooke, this is why medical experts are asking people this Thanksgiving to wear their masks, to social distance and not to gather in large groups.

[15:40:00]

And I want to leave you with this because when you look at the total number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States, it exceeds 262,000. But according to the latest model released by the University of Washington, that number could grow to 471,000 by March 1st.

Now, Brooke, experts say those people don't have to die. But us, all of us here in America, we have to change what we do. Wear our masks, social distance and not gather in large groups. Brooke.

BALDWIN: Truth. Rosa, thank you very much. Rosa Flores in Miami. The pandemic continuing to hurt businesses, large and small. Disney just announced that it's an issue for them. They're going to lay off another 32,000 workers. That's next.

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[15:45:19]

BALDWIN: Disney has announced a layoff 32,000 employees by the end of March as the pandemic continues to batter the company's parks and resorts. The latest round of job cuts comes just months after the company slashed 28,000 jobs in September.

And the pain not just limited to these theme parks, the media giant has been suffering on all fronts including its cruise sailings and film releases. Disney was forced to delay the premiere of "The Black Widow", a movie that was expected to be one of the biggest blockbusters of all of 2020. That is postponed till May of next year.

And I know for so many of you, for many families across this country Thanksgiving is a reminder of how tough it is just to put food on the table. CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich has more on the nation's battle against food insecurity.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The journey to get food, through the cold and COVID-19 has been long and hard for Regina Status.

REGINA STATUS, NEW YORK RESIDENT: Got to take it one day at a time and as long as you have for today, you say for tomorrow when tomorrow get here. Something's going to happen. YURKEVICH (voice-over): And it did just in time.

STATIS: Thank you.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): Days before Thanksgiving, Agatha House Foundation, a local food pantry in the Bronx, New York made a special Thanksgiving delivery. Filled with everything she needs for her and her two teenage daughters.

STATUS: Is just a relief that I don't have to purchase all of that.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): Over 50 million Americans like Regina won't have enough to eat in 2020, in part because of the pandemic. Feeding America, the largest hunger relief group in the US, projects that 8 billion meals will be needed in the next year to feed food and secure Americans.

CLAIRE BABINEAUX-FONTENOT, CEO, FEEDING AMAERICA: About 40 percent of the people who right now are turning to food banks for health around the country, are people who never before relied upon the charitable food system.

STATUS: Onions.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): Regina is out of a job. Her car was totaled months ago and she's not receiving unemployment. She now relies on a once a week delivery from the food pantry.

YURKEVICH (on-camera): Day to day is your pantry stocked or what does it look like day to day?

REGINA: Just survive it. That's all I can say. You just have to survive it.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): The 15th Congressional District here in the Bronx has the highest food insecurity rate among children in the country. In Agatha House, they're hoping to take the stigma out of needing a little extra help.

JEANETTE JOSEPH-GREENAWAY, FOUNDER, AGATHA HOUSE FOUNDATION: We have to look and try to imagine ourselves in the position what we would want for ourselves, not just to give them a cardboard box but to make them feel loved, special.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): This small operation says it's seen a 100 percent increase in need.

JOSEPH-GREENAWAY: Even with the little that they get, hopefully there's someone in their building or then one of their neighbors that they can invite for a plate of food.

STATUS: Yes, I've got to give Ms. Mamie (ph) some stuff.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): Despite her struggles to put food on the table.

STATUS: You're welcome Ms. Mamie.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): Regina is sharing what she has with her neighbor and remains grateful for this Thanksgiving.

STATUS: Even if we didn't get the Agatha House or we will just have a regular chicken every day. Just to say that she was alive to eat it, that's a blessing in itself.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, Bronx, New York.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Speaking of blessings, University of Iowa professor is making sure her students have a taste and a feel of Thanksgiving this year even if the pandemic is keeping them on campus and away from home and family. She is Elizabeth Pearce. She sent this message just a couple days before the holiday to her students in Iowa City. I'll read it for you.

She said, I know this has been a difficult time for a lot of you. I don't want anyone to feel alone at Thanksgiving or to miss out on a home cooked family dinner. So I want to invite you to share my Thanksgiving dinner. I've talked with my kids and we would be happy to make extra portions of everything and drop it by your apartment or residents.

One appears the students was so moved by the gesture she actually shared the letter in a tweet. Her student framed it this way, "My professor is absolutely too pure for this world."

Professor Pearce is with me now. Professor, wow. Talk about gratitude and generosity, happy Thanksgiving to you. Welcome.

Elizabeth Pearce: Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Why do this and how many students took you up on your gracious offer?

ELIZABETH PEARCE, COMMUNICATION PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA: Well, I did it as I said in my email because I didn't want anybody to be alone and sad in Thanksgiving, and not to have a home cooked meal. I think it's a really, it's been a really hard time semester for the students. Many of them have been sick, many of them have lost jobs and I just didn't really didn't want them to be alone and sad.

[15:50:10]

BALDWIN: How many miles (ph) have you fed today?

PEARCE: Well, I fed nine miles (ph). But the good thing is, since the tweet went viral, a lot of people who saw the tweet have been responding to food banks and have made donations to food banks, so hopefully many miles (ph) have been fed today.

BALDWIN: I love that. I love that. For the students who did take you up on your offer, what was it like for you and your kids to drop off those meals and share that experience? Will you indulge me in a story?

PEARCE: Sure. It was lovely. I was able to elbow bump one of the students. She'd been in one of my face to face classes last year, and it was really good to see her face, even though I only saw half of her face. And then, one of the other students who's vegan, adopted a turkey and named after my daughter who's vegan. So the turkey is now in a sanctuary with my daughter's name. So that was really quite lovely too.

BALDWIN: That's so sweet. You mentioned how this has been so tough for these students and how so many of them have been sick. How are these students dealing with everything?

PEARCE: I think they've been dragging. I think they've had family members who've been sick. They've been sick themselves. They're trying to juggle work with maybe feeling not 100 percent. And I've had a lot of them who have said, ask for extensions for papers and sort of said, I'm so sorry but I'm just not able to keep up. Can I have an extension? And I'm like, of course, you can. I just want you to do your best, take as long as you need.

BALDWIN: The president-elect and his wife wrote in op-ed on cnn.com today specifically thinking educators, such as yourself, as something or someone they are thankful for on this Thanksgiving. Professor, final question to you. Who or what are you thankful for today?

PEARCE: I'm thankful that my son who have COVID is better, and he just got a negative test. So I'm very thankful for that.

BALDWIN: Thankful for you, thankful for all the teachers. Professor Pearce, thank you very much.

PEARCE: You're welcome. Have a happy Thanksgiving, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Thank you. The NFL is postponing tonight's game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers after the Ravens report multiple positive COVID cases. That's next.

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[15:57:20]

BALDWIN: Tonight's Pittsburgh Steelers Baltimore Ravens game has been postponed after multiple members of the Ravens organization tested positive for COVID. CNN's Carolyn Manno was following the details for us. And so, Carolyn, what's happened?

CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Well, the NFL is postponing tonight's primetime match up 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 bye 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 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.

BALDWIN: Carolyn Manno, thank you so much for the update there. And other sports headlines, Alabama coach Nick Saban will miss Saturday's Iron Bowl game against Auburn after testing positive for COVID for a second time. In a statement, the top ranked Crimson Tide said Saban is experiencing mild symptoms and is self-isolating. The 69-year-old tested positive back in October was asymptomatic. That result was considered a false positive as Saban tested negative for three straight days.

Donald Trump Jr. now says he has been cleared after being diagnosed with COVID last week. The President's oldest son posted the news on Instagram and said he looks forward to being with the family for Thanksgiving. He announced the positive diagnosis last week and said he was isolating in a cabin. The Trump family is expected to gather somewhere in Washington for Thanksgiving after the President canceled his usual trip to Mar-a-Lago for the holiday.

And I just want to thank all of you for being with me for hopefully hoping on the last three hours here on CNN. Quick, because I am obviously not with my family today and I have a very special viewer who is five whole years old.

Bridger, I know you're watching. Hi, Bridger, I love you, and Hudson and Ryan and Raniel (ph), happy Thanksgiving there in Atlanta. I'm sorry I can't be with you but we'll do it next year.

And thank you all for being with me, I'll see you tomorrow. In the meantime, coming up next the CNN's Special Report, "Fight for the White House: Joe Biden's Long Journey."