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Boris Johnson Stands Firm On Lockdown; Italy, Spain Ease Restrictions; Young Children Allowed Outside With Parents In Spain. Aired 10:00-11a ET
Aired April 27, 2020 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HALA GORANI, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome, everybody. I'm Hala Gorani. It is the start of a new week around the world. We will bring you the very latest
from around the world on the coronavirus pandemic. This is the moment of maximum risk. The warning from Boris Johnson after his return to 10 Downing
Street today.
Meanwhile, two of Europe's longest running lock downs aren't finally easing up. Spain and Italy are getting back on the streets, albeit slowly.
And restaurants open up and at least one American state where doctors are warning it is
way too soon. We have a live report.
And from Norway to New Zealand, countries are at different stages in the fight against COVID-19 but no one is completely out of danger.
Welcome everybody. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson is finally back on the job after a sick leave and having been sick with
COVID-19 for several weeks. And Boris Johnson returned to work this morning at 10 Downing Street ready to tackle, he says the deadly pandemic and while
some countries across Europe have decided to ease their coronavirus restrictions. Boris Johnson warns the U.K. isn't there yet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BORIS JOHNSON, PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM: And I asked you to contain your impatience because I believe we are coming now to the end of
the first phase of this conflict and in spite of all the suffering, we have so nearly succeeded.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Well, there is a promise to reach 100,000 tests. The health secretary of the United Kingdom is saying that this could happen by
Thursday. One scientist at least says it will be at least another two to three weeks. And you're seeing there some of those test sites that have
been erected in parking lots around the country. Our Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward joins me now live from 10 Downing Street.
So, Boris Johnson is saying be patient. And I found it striking that -- but first of all, he looked pretty well. And the tone was he was trying to sort
of convey, you know, confidence, the idea that the government now has a plan is in -- and is on track.
CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I think absolutely. That's what he wanted to convey. And certainly people were reassured by his
appearance, as you said he appeared to be in good health. And later on, we saw Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary leaving 10 Downing Street behind
me. We asked how the Prime Minister was, he said he was on good form. He's also been called that -- described as being raring to go.
So all of these things will be reassuring to the British public, Hala. I think he also though, wanted to nip in the bud any speculation that the
U.K. is getting ready to lift the lock down in some way, shape, or form. And there has been a mounting chorus of pressure on the government, not
just from the British public but also from certain influential conservatives who would like to see the economy getting back up and
running.
Who would like to see a sort of gradual lifting of that lockdown, or who at the very least would like to see it articulated in terms of what the future
plan might be, what a lifting of the lockdown might look like. Boris Johnson basically saying, hold on a second. We're doing really well. We're
close to defeating this. But we're not here that -- we're not yet -- there yet. And actually, we're at a moment of what he called maximum risk, saying
that essentially, these restrictions need to stay in place in order to prevent a second wave of infection.
That is the real fear here for the U.K. So, no word yet if the public was waiting to hear some inkling of how long this will go on for certainly the
Prime Minister wasn't giving it away, Hala.
GORANI: And in terms of the lockdown, so obviously, the Prime Minister is saying, be patient, this is a time of -- this is the time to be careful,
don't lift restrictions too soon. But I wonder with so much forward warning, I mean, the U.K. was ahead of Italy and Spain by many weeks. How did the country end up -- still end up with over 20,000
deaths?
WARD: This is the question that people are asking themselves and, you know, lots of people have different theories on this but certainly one of the key
components when you look at why the U.K. has done so badly, relatively speaking, compared to Germany, for example, or Denmark, for example, even
proportional to the size of the population.
[10:05:14]
WARD: The key that you hear over and over again from experts is the lack of testing. The United Kingdom has consistently failed to meet its own targets
with regards to doing sort of mass testing on people for the coronavirus. And of course, we're coming up as you mentioned, in your introduction to
this very important milestone when the government says at the end of the month on Thursday, they should be at capacity to test 100,000 people a day.
Well, just to give you a sense of perspective, Hala, in terms of how far off the U.K. still is from that. As of Saturday, less than 30,000 people
were being tested a day. That is a huge discrepancy and it remains unclear how the government is going to try to sort of narrow the gap. Right now the
government is saying, well, even though less than 30,000 people were tested, the capacity is there to test for more.
Well, capacity is just one part of the equation, Hala. If you don't have the actual facilities, whereby those people can get the testing, then of
course, it's essentially null and void. So there will be a lot of pressure, a lot of people waiting to see, will the government actually start to test
100,000 people a day by Thursday. Right now, it looks like it will be pretty tough for them to make that deadline.
GORANI: All right. Thanks very much. Clarissa Ward is at 10 Downing Street. 100,000 a day they're not there. And by the way, some people, the frontline
health care professionals might need to be tested more than once obviously, if they go back to work. One week from today, and we spoke about Italy
which is one of the hardest hit countries in the world. One week from today. Italy will start lifting it's nearly two-month lockdown across the
country.
The Prime Minister's plan comes though with a warning to be careful where there could be a second wave of infections and the country will have to
start all over again. Our Senior International Correspondent Ben Wedeman joins me now live from Rome. So what will life look like in about a week
then in Italy?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's a very good question. Because this phase two, this very gradual reopening of the
country, keeping in mind, of course, that the lockdown began on the 12th of March is going to be very slow and very deliberate. So next Monday, what
we're going to see is construction will begin again, manufacturing will begin again, things like fashion production will resume.
But they're going to be watching very carefully the numbers if there is a research of the virus, if the numbers start to spike again, then there may
be a change of plans. However, if the numbers are stable, if the current decline in the numbers continues two weeks after next Monday, things like
museums and libraries and stores selling non-essential goods will be allowed to reopen. However, there are going to be a variety of guidelines
to guarantee that not too many people go into these museums, libraries, and other stores.
And perhaps if things continue to improve in terms of the outbreak on the first of June, bars and restaurants may reopen but also under very strict
guidelines. Now what's important about next week's reopening of construction and manufacturing is that this involves people who cannot work
from home. So they will be able to work and earn a living once again.
But the Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte did say during this live press conference, if you love Italy, keep your distance. Hala?
GORANI: Yes. And I'm sure people are nervous. I'm sure people will -- without being asked to keep their distance from other people. No need to
unnecessarily brush up against anyone you don't know in the street or anything like that.
Mafia bosses I understand, some Italian Mafia bosses have been released from prison and placed under house arrest because of the COVID emergency.
What is that about?
WEDEMAN: Well, in order to reduce the crowding in prisons in Italy, 6500 prisoners have been led out. Those who have just 18 months or less left to
their sentences, and among them were three bosses of the Sicilian, the Neapolitan and the -- and another mafia boss have been led out. And there
have been some very loud protests from Italian politicians at this because these three particular mafia bosses were being kept in isolation.
[10:10:02]
WEDEMAN: Barred from any sort of communication with the outside world. Well now they're at home. They have access to all sorts of communication. So
this has caused a good deal of consternation, but nonetheless, they are trying to reduce the crowding in the prisons. But this comes at a rather
high price. Hala?
GORANI: All right. Ben Wedeman, thanks very much. Reporting live from Rome. So from Italy, we take you to Spain and children are probably breathing a
huge collective sigh of relief because they'll be allowed to finally run free after months endure. And I think the relief will be felt not only by
the kids but also by their parents across the country. Our Scott McLean is on the ground.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is the moment that Alejandra Granados' family has been dreaming of. It's the kids' first time
outside in six weeks.
For families like theirs, lockdown has meant trapped inside a thousand square feet. Alejandra and her husband had been working from home, juggling
their six and three-year-old sons, Alex and Andres and regretting their decision to buy an apartment and not a house. We spoke a few days before
the kids were allowed out.
ALEJANDRA GRANADOS, MOTHER OF TWO BOYS IN LOCKDOWN: You feel sad because you feel trapped. You're at home.
MCLEAN: In Spain, adults have had some excuses to leave their homes. To walk the dog, go to the store, or in some cases, work. Kids have had no
excuse to go out at all.
GRANADOS: Psychological, yes, I think it's a big impact for me and my family. We are always fighting and yelling at each other and sometimes at
night, I cry before going to bed because I feel a lot of frustrating myself.
Come on Alex, burpees.
MCLEAN: Stuck inside, the kids have had few outlets to burn off their energy.
GRANADOS: Sometimes I notice that Alex doesn't want to talk at all. He just goes to his room and he's just staring out the window. And I think the
coronavirus is, after all, showing us something that we haven't seen before. But we are frightened.
MCLEAN: On Tuesday, the government promised kids some freedom. But the trip to the store with their parents was not with what a restless public had in
mind. Facing widespread backlash, the health minister agreed to allow kids under 14 to play outside for an hour a day. It doesn't seem like much. But
after six weeks inside, it's a sign this national nightmare might soon be over.
GRANADOS: It feels great. It feels like you get a lot of space around you. Freedom.
MCLEAN: Scott McLean, CNN, Madrid.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: All right. Scott McLean reporting there. Now Germany has relaxed some of its restrictions on people across the country, but some states are
asking residents to wear face masks all the time and for everyone to wear face masks as well which to some people could be confusing because I
remember at the beginning of this pandemic, lots of doctors and scientists said no, you know, ordinary people who are not medical professionals don't
always know how to use the face mask.
It could be counterproductive to wear one. Fred Pleitgen is coming to us live from Berlin with more on this recommendation and how politicians are
justifying it. Fred?
FRED PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Hala. Look, you're absolutely right. It is a different situation pretty much every
German state. It's one of the things about Germany's Federal system. If you look at for instance, where I am right now in Berlin, people are required
to wear masks on public transport but at the same time, the City of Berlin which is also a State in Germany is not enforcing that.
So if you look at the trains are going past behind me to keep sort of track of it. I would say on most trains, maybe 60 percent of the people are
wearing masks, most of the others are actually not. And then inside stores here in Berlin, people don't have to wear face masks at all. But if you
leave the city, travel about half an hour, I was in Potsdam which is in a different state here in Germany, you do have to wear face masks inside
stores.
And it's sort of a bit of a patchwork of things. And at the same time, as you said, you have that issue of where these people are going to get these
face masks from. Now Germany received the delivery of about 10 million face masks by a plane earlier today from China, they say they have another 15
million coming. But they also say when they speak about face masks in public places, it doesn't necessarily mean that you need something like a
surgical mask, like I'm wearing right now.
They say people can also make their own face masks themselves. They say even a scarf, if it covers people's mouth and nose is enough for the
authorities to then not find people which happens in some states as well. The Germany calls -- the Germans call is everyday mask, and they said
that's something that people can also wear. So the government per se is not providing these face masks, but they also said anything that people can do
to cover their mouth and nose is something that they say for them is already very helpful.
And well, we've been speaking to people throughout the course of the day in some of these stores and most people say they aren't quite happy with these
new measures.
[10:15:01]
PLEITGEN: They say that it gives them sort of a sense of safety and security when they go into confined spaces, like stores and of course like
trains as well, Hala.
GORANI: All right. Fred Pleitgen live in Berlin. Thanks very much. Well, we continue our world tour here of the very latest on the pandemic. And we
leave Germany and we take you to Norway which is also gradually returning to normal as other Nordic countries after six weeks of studying from home.
Students aged six to 10 are back in school, class sizes have been reduced to 15 maximum.
And most kids seem happy about going back but a Facebook group called my child should not be a guinea pig for COVID-19 has gained 30,000 followers.
Sporting and cultural events are still banned in Norway. So people are still nervous about -- some people are still nervous about sending their
kids to school.
As far as New Zealand is concerned, New Zealand says it has completely eliminated coronavirus from its borders announcing only a few new confirmed
cases within the community and one new death as it begins to ease restrictions. Some stores and schools can open as the country moves from
level four to level three restrictions. But Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says to expect new cases as life returns to normal.
CNN's Ivan Watson is joining us today in -- from Hong Kong. So, Ivan is this down to -- I mean, obviously, it's a much smaller population than
other countries, but it's down to pretty decisive action early on in the pandemic it seems.
IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: If you look at New Zealand as a case study, it does seem to indicate that this could have been
very much a contributing factor to keeping the infection numbers down, Hala. As of a little bit more than two hours ago, New Zealand has gone from
alert level four which was focused on eliminating the coronavirus to alert level three which is now classified as restricting the authorities.
Conceding that they've had some success but that it's far too early to celebrate. Take a listen to what the New Zealand Prime Minister had to say
a few hours ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACINDA ARDERN, PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND: There is no widespread undertake to community transmission in New Zealand. We have won that battle
but we must remain vigilant if we do keep it that way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATSON: So what is New Zealand doing now? After four weeks of this pretty serious lockdown, as the Prime Minister put it, it is opening up the
economy, anticipating some 400,000 Kiwis will go back to work. If you can work from home though, you are urge not to go to work. It is supposed to be
contactless work. So if you have a retail store or a restaurant, you're just supposed to deliver things or give things at the door with no contact
at all.
Children up to the age of 10 can go back to school as of today. And people are allowed to have some form of exercise but they're urged to do this all
locally. Gatherings. And this was an interesting point, the Prime Minister says that the economy is being opened up partially. But social life is not
being reopened. So, gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed for weddings and funerals, for example, but not for parties.
And it does seem like New Zealand's approach to this has attracted a lot of support from the population. One poll says that some 87 percent of those
surveyed support how the government has dealt with this crisis. And that national pride is actually jumped from the beginning of the month from 47
percent to 62 percent. That said, Jacinda Arden says it's too early to open up New Zealand's shores and borders to the outside world, even to Australia
and other Pacific nations. Hala?
GORANI: All right. I'm sure some politicians around the world see those numbers and are quite envious. Thanks very much, Ivan Watson live in Hong
Kong. A lot more ahead on the program. And some business owners are welcoming customers but they're doing so with a sense of trepidation. And
now not everybody is happy about those developments, especially in some U.S. states.
Plus, the coronavirus outbreak is under control in the city where it first began but if Wuhan, China really getting back to normal? We'll have that as
well.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:21:45]
GORANI: Welcome back. Away from the coronavirus pandemic there are rumors that continue to circulate about the health of the North Korean leader Kim
Jong-un. There are big questions about it. Kim missed paying respects to his grandfather on a 15th, the founder of North Korea. It is the most
important date in the calendar for that country and that is what is causing so much speculation about his condition.
A former high-level North Korean diplomat turned defector says it will be very hard to get information on the matter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THAE YONG-HO, FORMER NORTH KOREAN DIPLOMAT: The only people who can confirm his real condition might be Kim Jong-un's wife or his sister or his close,
you know, the aides, those rumors of where he is now, whether he has any surgery. I don't think, you know, that is really based on the facts.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: All right. I make it this way you will but North Korean state media says that Kim Jong-un sent a letter dated Thursday to South Africa's
president. I'm not sure what that confirms or not but this is an apparent effort from at least state media in North Korea to indicate that Kim Jong-
un continues to carry on with his duties.
Now, Saudi Arabia's Human Rights Commission says that a royal decree has been issued ending the death penalty for minors in the kingdom. Officials
in Riyadh have faced massive criticism from the international community for using capital punishment on minors or on individuals who are minors when
the alleged crime was committed. Just last year, CNN reported on the high profile case of Murtaja Qureiris seen here riding his bike with other kids
shouting the people demand human rights.
Saudi prosecutors say it was a crime and thought the death penalty but after international backlash, he was given prison time instead. Remember
he's definitely a minor and was a child. He is just one case that puts a face to the policy of sentencing minors to death. Sam Kiley is following
this announcement. So, is this part of an effort, a continuing effort by the kingdom to soften their image, Sam?
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think you're absolutely right there, Hala. It is not only about image, but it's also
about kind of solving the conundrum of how do you modernize without liberalizing to the extent that you risk the future of your own regime. In
this case, the regime of the -- or the kingdom of the House of Saud. One of the principal elements of opposition in that country is not liberals.
It is Wahhabi's hardline people who believe that all in any of these sorts of reforms, a pact with the devil. So the Crown Prince there is trying to
balance that level of pressure to maintain these ultraconservative rules and regulations and laws against his vision, what he calls for 2030 for a
highly modernized country and which is why you often produce these very inconsistent behaviors.
[10:25:06]
KILEY: So for example, they have decided to abolish flogging when flogging is optional, and the non-Sharia law when it's an optional punishment that
could be meted out by a judge that has just been decreed, but because they follow Sharia law flogging under Sharia law will continue as indeed will
the death penalty quite widely, Hala.
GORANI: Yes. And, of course, as you mentioned, it is a tightrope that Mohammed bin Salman is walking but in this case it's one step forward, but
you still have, you know, female driving rights activists in prison. So it's one step forward and sometimes two steps back here.
KILEY: Yes. I mean, Saudi was dealt itself, a catastrophic blow with the murder of Mr. Khashoggi just over a year ago. At a time when the Saudis had
been campaigning very heavily led by the Crown Prince to give this impression of modernity. Llately they've been trying to purchase Newcastle
United, they've invited female wrestlers from the WWE franchise to come and wrestle one another.
They -- so lifted degree of visa restrictions, social media campaigning has been going on very aggressively. But as you say, then they have these
strategic snafu as effectively. So for example, in terms of their international standing, deeply undermining themselves with the Trump
administration up until now deep, very passionate supporters even during effectively the Khashoggi debacle with a RAO, with Russia that produced a
surge in oil production from Saudi Arabia and the collapse in the price of oil even prior to the collapse. Of course that has been reinforced by the
COVID lockdown, Hala.
GORANI: Right. Thank you very much. Sam Kiley reporting from Abu Dhabi. Lebanon is beginning to lift some of its coronavirus restrictions but it
had so many economic issues, so much anger in the streets. You'll remember all these demonstrations over the last several months that this coronavirus
situation has just added one more layer of anxiety and frustration. New protests in the country over bleak economic conditions have broken out in
recent days.
People are saying that the restrictions and closures have made a very bad situation even worse. Take a look at some of what's coming out of Lebanon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALI HAIDAR, LEBANESE ACTIVIST (through translator): We are here to say that amid the coronavirus crisis, the state left us with two choices. We either
die from hunger or die from the disease. So since it is death anyway, let us die while at least taking a stand.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Well, the virus response measures will not be lifted across Lebanon in three phases over the course of several weeks. So it won't be an
immediate from one day to the next thing. Coming up on the program. Now Wuhan says it's down to zero coronavirus cases. But the fear lingers on
more than two weeks after the lockdown was lifted. Our David Culver sends us a report after the break. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:30:48]
GORANI: Well, the City of Wuhan in China where this pandemic started was the first to go into total lockdown. Now things there are starting to
return to normal but it's not really business as usual. David Culver is on the ground in Wuhan and sent us this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's Tuesday, April 21st. And after what I guess is about 2-1/2 months.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
CULVER: We are leaving Shanghai.
Our journey back to the original epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak required weeks of planning. While, within China, some cities are
easing travel restrictions, new hotspots can suddenly surface and so too new lockdowns, which could trap us mid-travel for an unknown amount of
time, but all layered up. And we felt this was the moment to return.
And this is our ticket here, might be reversed, but you can see it. Take a picture as you can see it, our destination set for Wuhan. This is going to
be about a four-hour train ride.
We've noticed it's relatively full so far. I'd say at least maybe half full, which is pretty significant given next to no one was traveling for
several weeks. Let's get on board here.
On board, the train attendants collect our passports. They try to place CNN Photo Journalist Justin Robertson's accent.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where are you from?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm from London.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: England?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: England, yes.
CULVER: It is not just friendly conversation, because they want to be sure that we've been in the country for at least two weeks so that we're not
potentially importing the virus from other areas. The threat to China now thought to be external.
Arriving in Wuhan, I'm quickly reminded of the last time we were here, almost three months to the day. We had spent just 29 hours on the ground
when we abruptly learned that Wuhan was going on lockdown. CNN shared that scramble out of Wuhan with you.
A rush check-in sparked by a 3:00 A.M. phone call.
Our rush right now is to check out, get out.
We headed to the train station as soon as we got word.
As we arrived, crowds already lined up for tickets stretching out the door.
4:15 in the morning here, and the only way to buy tickets at this hour is in person.
From there, was off to a Beijing hotel, quarantining before the rest of the world realized you'd soon be doing the same, 14 days in a hotel room to
make sure we had not contracted the virus. We continued our live reporting from quarantine, then we relocated to Shanghai. And here we were three
months later headed back to Wuhan.
The lockdown was over but the hesitation remains. As we interviewed an American who has lived in Wuhan since 2009, we also experienced the
increased skepticism towards foreigners like us and the growing distress of western media. A crowd of police questioning us.
What did he say?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where are you from?
CULVER: You speak English. I'm from -- I'm from the U.S. but I live in Beijing.
It was not our only interaction with authorities when we returned to what some Chinese scientists believed to be the source of the outbreak, the
Huanan Seafood Market and started recording, police stepped out of a nearby tent to ask us why we were there.
Okay. What did he say?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just be quick.
CULVER: Perhaps the most sensitive spot on our visit, this funeral home and crematorium. Normally, you do not find police posted outside. But last
month, Chinese media published a report claiming more urns were distributed than reported coronavirus deaths, calling into question the official
figures. We wanted to investigate. But even as we were across the street, police quickly approached us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Show him who we are.
CULVER: We just attempted to go to one of the funeral homes in hopes of seeing some of the grieving families and hearing from them, their
perspective of what transpired over the course of the lockdown and losing their loved ones. As we were there, the police didn't like that we were
there. They happened to be positioned right outside. Held us there for a little bit, didn't let us leave. And, finally, after a few minutes, we were
able to continue on our way.
Given that many medical experts believe the virus transmitted from wildlife to humans, we wanted to go to another wet market to see what they were
selling.
[10:35:05]
CULVER: It's pretty much fine markets, scenes like this all across China. This is actually a normal one. You've got a bag full of toads, some fish on
the chopping block over there.
No wildlife here but some snakes, lots of frozen poultry, along with an array of fresh vegetables and spices all under the same roof.
Scenes like this appear to show the city of 11-plus million residents coming back to life, folks enjoying a game of badminton or just soaking in
the stillness knowing that after weeks sealed inside your home, this is a luxury.
And while many of the businesses here remain closed, the ones that have reopened are changing up the way they operate, keeping customers outside,
bringing the products to them. Hotels, like ours, spraying down everyone who walks inside with disinfectant. The elevators are marked with a safe
social distance. They provide a tissue to keep your bare fingers from touching the buttons. All of this as the testing has become streamlined
here.
Before we left, we had to get ours done too, an easy appointment to make, a quick throat swab, $35.00 fee to expedite the results, and 24 hours later,
we were handed the paperwork showing we were negative. And with that, we could then safely depart.
A far less rush checkout this time leaving Wuhan compared to three months ago. We're getting in the car and headed to the train, we're headed to
Shanghai.
On the train back, police carefully examining our passports and test results, allowing us to return to Shanghai without having to do another
quarantine. Once again, leaving behind Wuhan as it slowly awakens in this post-lockdown era. The people left a bit shell-shocked, navigating this
uncertain moment with a cautious optimism.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CULVER: And a story now finds us back here and Shanghai. A lot of folks will ask what life is now like in Wuhan given that they technically read
opened on April 8th. The reality is they're still far from open. Many businesses still remain closed by our guests. More than half based on what
we saw driving through many of the commercial streets. A lot of the folks are still hesitant, uncertain about what they believe might come assuming
that could be a second wave. David Culver, CNN Shanghai.
GORANI: Well, that is China. In the United States to the delight of some to the disbelief of others some U.S. states are allowing non-essential
businesses like tattoo parlors and massage centers, some restaurants to reopen. Martin Savidge is in Atlanta and I believe you're in front of a
waffle house, Martin. What's it been like this morning?
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Hala. Well, it's been slow. It's been very slow. The restaurant has been open for takeout throughout the
whole coronavirus period but today as you know in Georgia it's the first day that restaurants were allowed to offer dine in once more. Since they
opened at 6:00 a.m. only three people have taken advantage of that. The rest of those who have gone in about a dozen more have decided they're
carrying out. Thank you very much.
It's a slow start, but it's a beginning. And Georgia no longer is the only state that is making these small steps.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: This morning, restaurants and theaters are allowed to resume business in the state of Georgia, joining salons, tattoo parlors and gyms
already able to operate. Some local leaders fear Governor Brian Kemp is encouraging workers to return far too soon.
KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS, MAYOR OF ATLANTA: I hope that the governor is right and I'm wrong, because if he is wrong, more people will die. And this
notion that we can somehow deal with more people who are sick is ludicrous. Because we don't have a cure.
SAVIDGE: Georgia is one of at least a dozen states where some businesses are starting to reopen, including Colorado, where services such as curbside
delivery at retail stores and elective surgeries are allowed to resume today.
The governor says he's still encouraging residents to avoid unnecessary trips.
GOV. JARDEN POLIS (D-O): We're all worried about a potential for a second spike, whether it's in the fall, along with flu season, in September,
October.
SAVIDGE: Nationwide, people are starting to lose patience staying indoors. Weather tempting many in Orange County, California, to flock to the beach
this weekend as a heat wave hit. Now the Newport Beach City Council will consider closing their shores for the next three weekends.
Florida's governor faced some scrutiny for being one of the first to allow local leaders to reopen beaches. But he says he's in no rush to fully
reopen the rest of society.
GOV. RON DESANTIS (R-FL): I'm less concerned about a specific date than I am about getting it right.
SAVIDGE: The White House's coronavirus task force coordinator says social distancing is likely needed through the summer, until there are major
advances in testing.
DEBORAH BIRX, WHITE HOUSE CORONAVIRUS TASKFORCE COORDINATOR: We have to realize that we have to have a breakthrough innovation in testing. And I
know corporations and diagnostics are working on that now. We have to have a breakthrough.
[10:40:05]
SAVIDGE: With the President dialing back on his daily briefings, CNN has learned the White House is planning more economy-focused events that could
include round tables with CEOs and workers to highlight efforts to spur an economic recovery.
Aides believe Trump is better positioned to drive an economic message rather than a health one.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: Waffle house is a chain of restaurants. Before coronavirus they employed 40,000 people. Today that number is 12,000. Just one example of
how coronavirus is the devastating economic impact on the lives of so many people. Hala?
GORANI: All right. And those are -- many of them, people who were living in some cases paycheck to paycheck. So a really difficult time for them and so
many others. Thanks very much. Martin Savidge in Atlanta.
Now health officials have repeatedly said since the beginning of this pandemic that something called contact tracing is essential to containing
the spread of the virus. That means coming --0 counting and tracing back all the people that someone infected had contact with. Sarah Sidner has
more on what this means and how easy that would be to implement.
AMY DRISCOLL, SURVIVED CORONAVIRUS: This was painful.
SARA SIDNER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Amy Driscoll says coronavirus had her in a vice grip that wouldn't let go for weeks.
DRISCOLL: Every breath, every movement, every, you know, raising your arms, rolling over in bed, every single thing is painful.
SIDNER: Less than two hours after arriving home from the hospital, her phone rang. It was the county health department, asking lots of questions.
DRISCOLL: Who have I seen in the last two weeks, where was I in the last two weeks, who was I in contact with, where do I work.
SIDNER: The Health Department was doing what is called contact tracing.
GOV. ANDREW CUOMO (D-NY ): You have to trace every person who comes up positive. Trace means investigate. Investigate all those prior contacts.
SIDNER: Driscoll traced her steps. She'd gone to work. Her boss and staff had to be contacted. She went to a restaurant for lunch. She went to her
hair salon. They had to be contacted.
She went to a Cleveland Cavaliers game. All her family members who sat with her were contacted. This kind of contact tracing is happening across the
country and the world. And those suffering through the deadly COVID-19 outbreak in New York to those connected to the first major U.S. outbreak in
Washington State, to California, the first place where a statewide stay-at- home order was announced.
Experts say without contract tracing and enough testing, America and the world cannot reopen safely.
JOSHUA MICHAUD, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR GLOBAL HEALTH POLICY, KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION: We're going to be at risk of resurgence of this disease, not
just in the fall, but going into next year.
SIDNER: So you're saying without contact tracing, a massive amount -- without testing a massive amount, we could find ourselves right back where
we started?
MICHAUD: I think we could find ourselves very much at risk of another resurgence.
SIDNER: But the U.S. does not have enough people to do the tracing. State health officials estimate there are about 2,000 people doing this work now,
but Johns Hopkins University warns we need at least 100,000.
For now, contact tracing is only as good as your memory. This is hard. I mean, before stay-at-home orders, can you remember all the people you had
close contact with over a two-week period, say, at the coffee shop? Or at the grocery store? Or at a restaurant? Or at your child's school?
And that's where big tech like Google and Apple are jumping in. They will soon have an app you can voluntarily download built with health departments
so they can see detailed location data from your cellphone. But the public may be skittish about it due to privacy concerns. Still, contact tracing
requires serious legwork. L.A.'s mayor is pushing for Federal help.
MAYOR ERIC GARCETTI (D-LA): We're probably going to need hundreds of thousands of people who would be put to work. It should be funded by the
Feds by enacted locally.
SIDNER: As for Driscoll, her contacts have been found. The Health Department tells her that none have symptoms so far. But testing is still a
problem.
DRISCOLL: I've had no additional testing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: And that was Sarah Sidner reporting. The United States is bracing for some major food supply disruptions because the coronavirus pandemic has
affected meat production facilities across the country. The concern is so great that Tyson Foods took out a full page ad in the New York Times and
Washington Post. Its top executive warns the food supply chain is breaking and he's calling for urgent measures.
Dianne Gallagher joins me now live with that story. So how is the food supply chain being impacted negatively by this pandemic?
DIANNE GALLAGHER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. So, Hala, first and foremost, the food supply chain is vulnerable right now but it's not
necessarily in crisis unless you're a farmer or a worker inside that plant.
[10:45:09]
GALLAGHER: And what we're seeing across the country right now are more than a dozen plants that have shut down because of coronavirus outbreaks in
their employees. We're talking hundreds at one plant more than 1000 cases connected to just one single plant in South Dakota. And so they're shutting
these facilities down because their workers are getting sick. That puts a kink in the food chain supply because the farmers have nowhere to send
their livestock.
So farmers right now are dealing with the financial repercussions of this and in some more extreme cases, they're beginning to consider euthanizing
the animals that they have on hand because they have nowhere to send them and no more room to keep them at their facility. So we're looking at a
significant problem on the front and middle end of the food chain. Now when it comes to the grocery stores and that warning from the Tyson Foods Board
Chairman.
As well as the Smithfield CEO, the company that runs that plant in South Dakota said we are perilously close to the edge of our meat supply in the
United States. We've talked to experts who say that it's far more likely that Americans are going to see less of a variety at the grocery store,
potentially see a reduction in the amount of pork that's available, or maybe specific cuts of meat.
More bone in chicken instead of chicken breasts. But it's not a matter of less meat per se, but less variety in meat, the same brands that are used
to buying. And so people may have to make different choices, but they're not going to not have meat right now. There is concern though, of course,
Hala, on whether or not they're going to be able to keep those farmers financially sound afterward.
And of course, those workers keeping their health safe which is first and foremost, most important.
GORANI: Exactly. It is the most important. A little less variety, if that's the only issue for a lot of people. I think they can weather that. But you
know, everybody just needs to stay healthy. Thank you so much, Dianne Gallagher joining us live from Atlanta.
When we come back, a potential treatment for COVID-19 might be -- might be right under our noses. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: Well, could it be that the A, treatment for COVID-19 was right under our noses, right in our medicine chests all along? Researchers are
exploring a particular drug that is found over the counter and most pharmacies. Our Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is here with
that. What drug are we talking about here, Elizabeth?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Hala, the drug is called famotidine. It's sold as the drug (INAUDIBLE) the United States and has
different names all over the world and astute American doctor treating coronavirus patients in China made an observation about patients who were
taking this drug. It was an astute observation that is now led to a large clinical trial in New York City.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COHEN: Could it be that a medicine on drugstore shelves might help in the fight against coronavirus? Doctors are trying to figure that out.
Researchers in New York City are studying the active ingredient in Pepcid, called famotidine. It's because of something doctors observed in China.
DR. KEVIN TRACEY, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE FEINSTEIN INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH: Patients who were sick with COVID but were taking Famotidine had
a -- had a better outcome.
COHEN: Now doctors at Northwell Health are trying it out in a clinical trial.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You do the hard work.
COHEN: So far they've enrolled 187 patients and expect preliminary results in a few weeks.
TRACEY: There are many examples in the history of medicine where a drug that was designed for one purpose turns out to have an effect in another
disease.
[10:55:01]
COHEN: But Dr. Tracey warns, don't rush out to buy heartburn medicine. The patients in the study are in the hospital, getting mega-doses
intravenously, and it's not clear that it will work.
While the Northwell doctors work on Famotidine, Dr. Anthony Fauci Saturday had some hopeful words for another drug, Remdesivir, for animals with
coronavirus.
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE: It was clinical benefit just reported a couple of weeks ago of
SARS coronavirus 2 in rhesus macaques.
COHEN: And the doctor at the University of Nebraska saying results on a major Remdesivir study in humans could be available in a week or two.
Also over the weekend, the governor of Florida held a press conference, where a doctor said 12 patients had done well on convalescent plasma.
Antibodies from someone who's recovered from coronavirus are given to someone who's currently infected.
DR. SUNIL DESAI, PRESIDENT, ORLANDO HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP: And when we give it to that patient, we essentially are boosting their immune system to help
fight this infection. This is going to be a huge game changer in our arm of (INAUDIBLE) to fight COVID-19.
COHEN: But doctors warn having 12 patients who recovered doesn't necessarily mean very much, since most COVID-19 patients do recover. A
larger study with a comparison group would be necessary. Only the best science to get treatments that really work for COVID patients and their
families, desperate for answers.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COHEN: Now we don't know if this --
GORANI: Elizabeth --
COHEN: Go ahead, Hala.
GORANI: Sorry. I just wanted to -- because to ask you I guess the question on everyone's mind is, should I just go ahead and take pepsin just in case?
COHEN: Right, of course, I'm sure I know that's what everyone's thinking. And so the doctors could not emphasize enough that people should not do
that for several reasons. One, you know, we don't know if it works. That's why we're doing a clinical trial. This could turn out to be nothing that is
possible. Secondly, if you go out and buy these drugs, people with heartburn might not be able to get the medicines that they need.
We saw that happened with Hydroxychloroquine. And thirdly, the people in this study, they're not taking tablets, they are taking intravenously and
they're taking mega doses. So no matter what you do, you're not going to be able to get up to what the people in this study are doing.
GORANI: Al lright, got it. Thanks very much. Elizabeth Cohen for that. That's going to do it for me. I will see you same time, same place
tomorrow. Do stay with CNN. We have a lot more ahead after a quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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