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U.S. Shatters Daily Record of COVID-19 Cases; Trump Rants About Dishwater; British PM Announces New COVID-19 Guidance for England. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired July 17, 2020 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[10:00:22]
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: America endures its most ever COVID-19 cases in a single day. This as hospitals simply run out of space.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Dishwashers, you didn't have any water, so the people that do the dishes, you press it and it goes
again. And you do it again, and again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And the president though seems distracted by dishwater.
But we may be witnessing a breakthrough in the global hunt for a vaccine. I speak with a man leading one of the world's most promising trials to find
out more.
(MUSIC)
All that and much more ahead. I'm Becky Anderson. This is CONNECT THE WORLD. We are live from the CNN's Middle East programming hub here in Abu
Dhabi, itself home to one of the world's fastest moving development vaccine programs. More on that to come.
Right now, the scale of the coronavirus and the pace at which it is infecting America is unprecedented, anywhere else on the face of the
planet, and the country's president seems either unwilling or unable to lead.
The U.S. recorded more than 77,000 new cases on Thursday. That is a staggering number. It follows day after day after day of record numbers. In
fact, it's the ninth time in just the past month that the U.S. has reached a new daily high in cases. And it's more than triple the new cases reported
one month ago today. Look at the numbers here.
In mid June, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence declared that America is, quote, winning the fight against COVID-19 under the leadership of President
Donald Trump. Well, instead a month later, we see this.
The case total on Thursday was 13 times higher than the new cases in the entire European Union. And the U.S. has just three-quarters of the
population of the E.U. Do the math yourselves.
So some states reporting record hospitalizations and deaths, but President Trump isn't acknowledging any of it. In the White House appearance just
yesterday, his focus was household appliances and shower heads. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: So shower heads, you take a shower, the water doesn't come out. You want to wash your hands, the water doesn't come out. So what do you do? You
stand there longer or you take a shower longer? Because my hair -- I don't know about you, but it has to be perfect. Perfect.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Remember, 138,000 Americans have died from the virus and Mr. Trump referencing perfect hair at the White House.
In South Florida, the U.S. epicenter of this outbreak, the ICUs are now 107 percent of bed capacity. That is well over the limit.
Rosa Flores has more for you from Miami.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Miami hospitals are quickly running out of space as Florida continues to break coronavirus records.
MAYOR FRANCIS SUAREZ, MIAMI, FLORIDA: The situation is dire. I don't want to sugarcoat it or I don't want to downplay it in any way. Our
hospitalizations are at the highest level. The death rate will continue to go up if we don't take any more dramatic measures.
FLORES: With the higher demand of testing in the Sunshine State, there's a need for an efficient turnaround in results. Governor Ron DeSantis blaming
labs not the Florida Department of Health for the current backlog.
GOV. RON DESANTIS (R), FLORIDA: Our state labs can do stuff. But, I mean, they only do a limited bandwidth, but we're trying to expand it.
FLORES: On Thursday, Florida reported nearly 14,000 new cases. Still, DeSantis has yet to issue a statewide mask requirement, leaving it up to
local leaders.
Meantime, in Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp signed an executive order banning cities and counties from enforcing facial coverings, even suing Mayor
Keisha Lance Bottoms over her mandate in Atlanta.
MAYOR HARDIE DAVIS JR., AUGUSTA, GEORGIA: What we can't do is use executive orders to divide the state of Georgia and take an apolitical
public health crisis and turn it into the political football.
FLORES: Colorado's governor making masks mandatory statewide, saying it will encourage more people to cover their faces.
GOVERNOR JARED POLIS (D), COLORADO: The party has to end if we're going to keep our businesses open, keep our economy open and save lives.
FLORES: It's one of at least 38 states experiencing an uptick in new weekly coronavirus cases.
[10:05:04]
Texas hospitals are becoming more and more overwhelmed and with cases skyrocketing, preparation for the worst. A refrigerated truck now spotted
in Dallas serving as a makeshift morgue. In Washington state, the first epicenter of the virus in the U.S., the governor sending this warning to
residents if new infections keep rising.
GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE (D), WASHINGTON: We cannot rule out the potential for another stay at home order this year and perhaps not in the too distant
future.
FLORES: Dr. Anthony Fauci once again reminding young people the seriousness of the virus.
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES: You can get the mindset that, well, listen, if I'm infected I
don't know I'm infected, who cares, I'm not bothering anybody else. That is incorrect because by allowing yourself to get infected, you are propagating
the pandemic.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, you heard Rosa reporting that the governor of the state of Georgia, Brian Kemp, is suing the mayor of Atlanta and the city council
members personally over their requirements for people to wear masks in public. Governor Kemp argues the rule hurts businesses.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP (R), GEORGIA: Mayor Bottoms' mask mandate cannot be enforced, but her decision to shutter businesses and undermine economic
growth is devastating. Atlanta businesses are hurting. Violent crime is up and families are rightfully worried.
Just like sending in the National Guard to protect those living in our capital city from crime and violence, I refuse to sit back and watch as
disastrous policies threaten the lives and livelihoods of our citizens.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms spoke to my colleague Alisyn Camerota just earlier on. This is her response to Governor Kemp.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS (D), ATLANTA, GEORGIA: For him to say that we are closing businesses in the city of Atlanta and costing people money is a
blatant lie. These are voluntary recommendations. We have not closed any businesses. And it's unfortunate that in the midst of this pandemic that
the governor of our state who didn't know that this virus could be spread by asymptomatic means is continuing to spread misinformation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Indeed, as a reality check here, the facts are simple on this. Wear a mask.
Let's bring in CNN's Dianne Gallagher.
It sounds -- it's a bit of a battleground state it seems for how to handle this virus. Dianne, Governor Kemp himself recognizes that masks are
effective and yet, he's still pushing Georgians -- well, he didn't sue Savannah, Georgia, or Athens, Georgia, which also mandated masks. So, why
is he targeting Atlanta?
DIANNE GALLAGHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, look, the mayor of Atlanta feels this is something that was political. There was one aspect of the
lawsuit and look, again, he is targeting her and the members of the city council personally. Not the overall city of Atlanta here.
But the lawsuit mentions the mask mandate but also the fact that the governor recommended that Atlanta go back to phase one of reopening. The
governor hit mostly on that when he was speaking about it, saying that this was something that just could not happen for businesses. It could not
survive another round of having to shut down or alter the way they operate.
Now, keep in mind that the state of Georgia was one of the very first to reopen back when the U.S. thought that they were dealing with the peak of
the pandemic in the early spring.
But Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has also developed a much higher profile politically across the nation. She has been mentioned as potentially
someone that the presumptive Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, may be looking as a vice presidential or as a running mate for him.
So her profile has risen nationally and she has been pretty strong in speaking out against the Trump administration -- the administration that,
of course, Governor Brian Kemp is pretty well-aligned with.
Now, you mentioned he's not anti-mask. In fact, he's quite the opposite. He is always seen with a mask. He literally flew around the state of Georgia
to six different cities two weeks ago when the numbers were not nearly as serious as they are now, encouraging people to wear masks, and he mentions
that at just about every chance he can get.
He says this is about the city taking authority that it does not have, but of course, we have people here who are getting sick, dying, who are
hospitalized at alarming rates, Becky, and they're squabbling over language about masks that they both agree that everyone should wear.
[10:10:13]
ANDERSON: What sort of political reality did Donald Trump face on his early trip to Atlanta this week?
GALLAGHER: So the president came here to talk about something that had nothing to do with COVID-19. He was rolling back some environmental
protections. So that the review process when it came to the environmental issues would go quicker so businesses that had federal government programs
-- or projects could move along more quickly.
He was visiting a UPS distribution hub near the airport. And so, it was honestly a pretty friendly crowd. They were happy about what he was doing
because it was going to allow them to get a highway project going.
But at the time he landed, look, we're dealing with record number of new infections in this state of Georgia, a record number of deaths and
hospitalizations. Just this morning, a member of the governor's task force said that new hospitalizations are up 39 percent this week alone.
So when the governor -- when the president landed here he was greeted by political friendlies, but the state that he landed in is in crisis at this
point. It has not seen numbers like this even back when everything was shut down. He mentioned briefly the virus and how everyone's going to fight and
win, but that was about it.
And the state of Georgia is now dealing with a lag in testing results which is making contact tracing even more difficult. Some people waiting more
than two weeks which is outside of that incubation period. So, the tests in some cases are worthless. The president didn't mention any of that.
ANDERSON: Dianne Gallagher is in Atlanta, for you -- thank you, Dianne.
And while politicians battle each other and sometimes public health officials, some major retailers are filling the leadership vacuum, forging
ahead with their own guidelines for their customers. The list of stores and grocers making it mandatory for customers to wear masks include Publix,
Target, CVS, Walmart and Kroger. These are big retailers.
And you will recognize the names if you spent any time in the states. Big retailers have hesitated to make the move previously in fears of upsetting
shoppers who actually refuse to wear masks.
But the U.S. coronavirus outbreak gets out of hand, President Trump talking about dishwashers. Yes, that's one of the issues Mr. Trump focused in on a
speech on Thursday. It was meant to tout deregulation.
But at one point, he went after water preservation rules.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Dishwashers, you didn't have any water so you -- so the people that do the dishes, you press it and it goes again. And you do it again, and
again. So you might as well give them the water because you'll end up using less water. So we made it so dishwashers now have a lot more water.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Meanwhile, the White House continues to push for reopening of schools across the country. Many experts say a nationwide one-size-fits-all
approach is not the way to go. The White House press secretary argued Thursday that science supports the case for reopenings. But that's after
suggesting that science is overrated.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAYLEIGH MCENANY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: When he says open, he means open and full, kids being able to attend each and every day at their
school. The science should not stand in the way of this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, for more, Joe Johns is joining us from the White House.
The United States just recorded more than 77,000 new cases of COVID-19. That is the most ever in a single day, Joe, but President Donald Trump
wanting to talk about dishwasher reform.
Why is he so reticent it seems to lead at this point?
JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: That's a great question, and just a little while ago, his counselor, Kellyanne Conway, was out here
in the driveway and they really kind of pressed her on that very issue. What is it about the president that makes him do event after event, speech
after speech and really not focus in on the problem that is affecting most Americans?
And there are a million theories on that. She really didn't give me much, although, for example, she talked about the event that you just referred
to, the deregulatory event yesterday. It was really about regulation, but buried in that, were some references to how deregulation helped people
particularly on their health care in dealing with coronavirus.
[10:15:01]
So she suggests that sometimes there is information in these events that is buried, that's about coronavirus. But one of the theories of course which
nobody can really confirm is that the president essentially is pushing on the economy because he thinks that is critical for his re-election and
hoping that there will be a vaccine that comes down the road early enough to give him some buoyancy when we hit November. But, of course, that is --
if not unlikely, certainly very difficult to foresee, Becky.
ANDERSON: Yeah. And the vaccine trials -- the global race for a vaccine is something we will discuss later this hour. It's incredibly important, but
November does sound like an unrealistic date at this point. Thank you, Joe.
The dishwasher statement not the first head scratcher Mr. Trump has given us during the pandemic. Back in April, he suggested injecting people with
disinfectants or somehow getting UV light inside the body could be a cure.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Supposing you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or in some other way, and I think you said you're
going to test that too? Sounds interesting.
Right. Then I see the disinfectant that knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that? By injection
inside or almost a cleaning? Because you see it gets in the lungs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Donald Trump, he's got one eye on China, of course, at this point. Beijing pushing back against a possible new U.S. travel ban on
Chinese communist party members. "The New York Times" first reporting that the White House is considering such a ban and it would affect tens of
millions of people, including top Chinese business executives. Well, in response, China says the move would make no sense.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HUA CHUNYING, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN (through translator): If the report is true, then the U.S. is publicly choosing to be in
opposition with 1.4 billion Chinese people, publicly in opposition with Chinese people who are one-fifth of the world population. This completely
violates the will of the people in the U.S. and in China and in the 21st century. This is very absurd.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Democrats in the States are further scaling down their upcoming presidential convention. Their presumptive nominee, Joe Biden, of
course, is still expected to make his acceptance speech in Milwaukee next month.
But the party is now telling members of Congress not to plan on coming. State delegates won't be there in person either. Instead, much of the
convention business will be done virtually.
Well, E.U. leaders are themselves getting together, trying to hash out a deal to save Europe's struggling economies. Can they put their differences
aside? We'll discuss that just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:20:20]
ANDERSON: In London, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced new guidelines for worker and local authorities, encouraging people to
think about returning to their jobs and offices after August 1st.
Now, these new outlines also give local authorities more power to enforce lockdowns and local councils, for example, to try to contain outbreaks more
quickly. And the National Health Service, NHS, will be given an additional $3.7 billion ahead of a feared second wave of COVID-19 infections.
Well, CNN's Salma Abdelaziz joins us now from Downing Street in London. Just what specifically has the prime minister announced today and how does
this affect the lives of those in Britain?
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: Well, Becky, essentially the prime minister wants a return to normalcy by Christmastime. So what he's laid out here is
a series of measures that will be rolled out over the course of the next weeks and months to slowly and progressively get the country back to
normalcy by Christmas as we said. And he did say all of this is, of course, contingent upon the numbers, contingent upon the rate of infection, all of
this can be changed if people do not abide by the guidelines and we begin to see a higher rate of infection.
But key among these, of course, is what's going to start to happen tomorrow, moving from a national blanket response to a localized one. Take
a listen to what the prime minister said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: From tomorrow, local authorities will have new powers in their areas. They will be able to close specific
premises, shut public outdoor spaces and cancel events. These powers will enable local authorities to act more quickly in response to outbreaks where
speed is paramount.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABDELAZIZ: Now, the other and probably the most key thing here, Becky, will be a change to the stay at home guidance. Starting August 1, companies
will have the right to call in their employees to come back to work, to come back to the offices, if it is safe to do so. And if those companies
can't abide by COVID secure guidelines.
Now, some in the country, of course, overjoyed, excited at the opportunity to reopen businesses, to restart the economy but there's already been some
criticism with some arguing that Prime Minister Boris Johnson rather is not following the advice of the chief scientific adviser who just yesterday
said he doesn't see any reason to change the work from home guidance that the country is currently under. So, again, just as it is with all these
steps at this country eases out of the lockdown, there's some back and forth and some hesitation. And as the opposition Labour leader said a look
to the government for confidence among businesses and among the public in these new measures, Becky.
ANDERSON: Yeah. OK. Selma, thank you.
That's the story then out of Downing Street today, out of the U.K. government. Oftentimes clearly these are recommendations and policies that
are being driven for England, of course, because we have devolved parliaments in other parts of the United Kingdom.
Meantime, European Union leaders are hoping to overcome deep differences on a huge rescue package needed to kick start E.U. economies that have been
battered by the pandemic. The leaders are meeting in Brussels to work out something like $850 billion recovery fund, leaving more money for the
regular budget. The president of the European commission does remain hopeful they can iron it out and come out stronger than before.
This is what he has said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
URSULA VON DER LEYEN, EUROPEAN COMISSION PRESIDENT: We are at the beginning of the summit now and the stakes couldn't be higher. If we do it
right, we can overcome this crisis stronger and emerge stronger from the crisis. All the necessary pieces are on the table and a solution is
possible.
And the solution, that is what our people in Europe expect from us because it's their jobs that are at stake. And the risk of the virus still persists
and the whole world is watching us, whether Europe is able to stand up united and to overcome this corona related crisis strongly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Apologies from me. That was Ursula von der Leyen, of course, the new E.U. president. It's clear that very, very difficult negotiations lie
ahead for the leaders of the bloc. It's very reason for being, you might say, is to work together for the good of the union.
Fred Pleitgen is in Berlin.
And we're talking unprecedented numbers here, something like a $2 trillion E.U. budget and COVID-19 pandemic recovery funds as I pointed out, just
less than -- just less than $1 trillion.
[10:25:13]
I mean, at this point, is this Europe facing an existential threat?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think it certainly is. I think if you listen to people like the French President
Emmanuel Macron, he did say going into the negotiations that he does believe that the future of the European Union is at stake. Now, I'm not
sure it's at a point yet that the E.U. is any way, shape or form at the threat of possibly falling apart, but certainly, these negotiations are
proving to be very difficult.
And I think that while some of these E.U. leaders have hope that they might be able to come to some sort of agreement, none of them are very hopeful
that's going to happen in a very quick amount of time. A lot of people believe that the negotiations are going a lot longer a than people think.
Not many people, Becky, believe they're actually going to be able to come to some sort of result with these negotiations that are taking place or
supposed to take place today and tomorrow. They've already been taking place for a couple of hours.
Angela Merkel, of course, of the European powerhouse Germany, says it's going to be difficult negotiations, but she's really not hopeful at this
point in time. Let's listen in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANGELA MERKEL, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translator): We are not sure if we'll be able to come to a solution yet, though we hope for one.
Nevertheless, we'll look reality in the eye, it will require a great deal of willingness from all of us if we're to achieve something good for Europe
in view of this pandemic and something that's also an appropriate response to the economic difficulties we are facing and therefore, I expect
negotiations to be very difficult.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PLEITGEN: Very difficult and possibly very long as well, Becky. A lot of talk there about this recovery fund, and how that money is going to be
accessible.
And there you have the European rifts that we have had between the southern nations and the northern nations. The southern nations, of course,
disproportionately hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, and, of course, economically as well. They want easier access to around that $850 billion.
They want a lot to be in grants that wouldn't have to be paid back.
Whereas a lot of the northern nations especially known as the frugal four, with the Netherlands and the Austrians being the stronger nations in the
bloc, say, look, they'd rather these be loan and if it is going to be grants, they want to see reforms in the southern nations as well, and they
want there to be some sort of process where they can monitor those reforms. That's, of course, and that's pretty difficult to swallow for the southern
nations.
Now, the two biggest countries in Europe, the two big European powerhouses that often drive a lot of the policy, Germany and France, in this case,
that's something actually pretty rare, are in the corner of the southern nations. They essentially want a lot of the money to be as grants to be as
-- to make it as easily accessible for the countries as possible, because they know this recovery from the economic fallout from the coronavirus
crisis is going to be one that is going to be so big, but are they going to be able to overcome that?
Very difficult to see at this point in time. Sort of ruminations that the negotiations might go a lot longer and talk are talking about them going
into Sunday, Becky.
ANDERSON: Well, they will go as long as they must, I guess. With these deeply troubled times for Europe, it's -- the leaders -- it's up to the
leaders to clearly get together and make some decisions. Thank you for that.
Coming up, the number of COVID-19 cases has exploded to more than 2 million in Brazil. We're going to take a look at how the Latin American countries
is handling the fast spreading virus.
And India follows the path of the U.S. and Brazil as the third nation to see more than a million COVID-19 cases. We're going to get to both of those
countries for our reports on what is going on on the ground after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Wherever you're watching in the world, you are more than welcome. This is CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi for
you.
Well, the numbers can get overwhelming it comes to the coronavirus pandemic, but they illustrate the direction at least that the U.S. is
heading when it comes to containing it. A new high for coronavirus cases was set again on Thursday with more than 700 -- sorry, let me start that
again -- more than 77,000 reported.
To put that into perspective, it's more than triple the daily cases the U.S. was reporting just a month ago, when Vice President Mike Pence said
that the U.S. was winning the fight against the invisible enemy. It's also 13 times the number of cases reported in all of Europe on Thursday.
Well, we've also learned that the CDC is delaying the release of the new guidance on how to safely reopen the schools and that was supposed to come
out by the end of this week.
We touched on the U.S. and indeed we've been in Europe for you for this hour. Let's get you a snapshot then of where the pandemic stands elsewhere
in the world.
CNN's Nic Robertson has this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice-over): Brazil's President, Jair Bolsonaro announcing he tested positive again, for COVID-
19, saying, he is doing better.
But it's his country isn't. His anti-lockdown speeches help trust his Latin-American nation to second worst in the world after the United States,
surpassing two million cases, Thursday, and 76,000 deaths.
Fellow BRIC nation, India, also in the worst throes of the pandemic. Third in the global ranking of cases, recorded its highest daily infections
Thursday, 32,695, more than 24,000 dead so far, and more than 400 million people there reentered lockdown conditions this week.
And on yet another continent, Africa, South Africa facing rising caseloads, overwhelming, under-resourced hospitals. Some staff short of PPE, refusing
to show up, fearing for their lives.
Developing nations are being the hardest hit. Latin America, and the Caribbean, the worst, 3.5 million infections, 150,000 deaths.
Peru, which, this week, reopened domestic flights, second to Brazil, nearly 4,000 new cases, Thursday. In Chile, some reason for hope. New vaccine
trials could begin, August.
Half a planet away in Japan, fears of a second wave. Tokyo going on to its highest state of alert, as hospitalizations rise.
Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong, facing a possible third wave, over 60 new cases, Thursday. Social distancing measures eased.
Australia's Victoria state, also facing a new wave of infections. Had its worst daily rise, 317 cases.
Meanwhile, Europe, on the downside of its first wave, facing rising unemployment. More than 600,000 lost jobs in the U.K. alone, as experts
forecast nearly 120,000 U.K. COVID deaths this winter. Local, not national lockdowns here becoming the norm.
[10:35:02]
And finally, the P.M. commits to an independent inquiry into his handling of COVID-19.
JOHNSON: Of course, Mr. Speaker, we will seek to learn lessons of this pandemic.
ROBERTSON: This, as some leaders, facing protests over their handling of COVID-19. For several days, Serbs in Belgrade took to the streets, angry at
their government's handling of lockdown.
And in Israel, the P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu facing protest, as a second COVID-19 wave buffets its tiny nation. He promises massive government
handouts as infection rates hit a new daily record.
In Spain, Thursday, the nation paused to remember their COVID-19 losses. As much-needed tourist nations got drunk, ignored social distancing, forcing a
resort to shut.
Nic Robinson, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, as mentioned in the report, coronavirus cases sweeping across Brazil. In just 27 days, the number of infections has doubled to
more than 2 million.
The virus has now migrated to Brazil's southern and interior states, which had been spared the worst of the outbreak. Some of the state's cases have
doubled or quadrupled in the span of a month.
And our Shasta Darlington has more on the growing crisis in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SHASTA DARLINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yet another grim milestone for Brazil. The total number of COVID-19 infections now over 2 million. The
South American nation registered more than 45,000 new cases on Thursday and 1,322 additional deaths, bringing the total death toll to over 76,000.
Experts have said they don't expect the pandemic to peak in Brazil until sometime in mid-August. Nonetheless, we have seen a shift from big cities
like Sao Paulo to smaller cities and towns. Indigenous communities have been particularly hard hit, but even rural states in the West are facing
crisis. The government there says they have run out of intensive care beds.
Meanwhile, Brazil's most famous patient, President Jair Bolsonaro, remains in semi-isolation at the presidential residence. He posted a video on
social media this week saying he's taking the controversial malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and he says doing very well. Nonetheless, he tested
positive a second time when he took another coronavirus test. He says he's take a follow-up test in the hopes of getting back to work.
Shasta Darlington, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, the Brazilian president says he hopes Donald Trump gets re-elected in November. Mr. Bolsonaro's response to COVID-19 has appeared
to mirror that of President Trump. Bolsonaro, who has been called the Trump of the Tropics and has been heavily criticized for the dismissive-ness
toward the severity of the virus, says he's hoping to strengthen his relationship with Donald Trump.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAIR BOLSONARO, BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): We are getting closer and close we are the United States. Yes, I will not interfere in
anything, I can't. But I hope for Trump to be re-elected.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, as cases continue to rise at a startling rate in Latin America, the consequences are just as extreme.
The World Food Programme chief, David Beasley, a regular guest on this show, tweeting, quote: Hunger is spreading in Latin America and the
Caribbean and an alarming 269 percent increase in severe hunger due to COVID-19 lockdowns is on the horizon if we don't act.
Alarming news out of India which has the most COVID-19 cases after the U.S. and Brazil. The country now reporting more than a million cases and more
than 25,000 deaths. Indian health officials say more than 630,000 people have recovered from the virus so far.
CNN's Vedika Sud has the details for you from New Delhi.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VEDIKA SUD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On March 24th, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the country's first lockdown to counter
the spread of coronavirus. India had recorded over 500 COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths until then. Three and a half months later, according to Johns
Hopkins University, India has the third highest number of cases in the world.
Dr. Rajesh Parikh who has coauthored a book on the pandemic says India's 1.3 billion population is just one of the many reasons for the rising
numbers. He says India needs to aggressively ramp up testing.
RAJESH PARIKH, CO-AUTHOR, "THE CORONAVIRUS": There are the unique challenges in India the inequity in healthcare, the penetration of testing
services. So, there are multiple variables.
[10:40:01]
But if there is one that we could clearly identify, I would still say it is testing.
SUD: While India's capital New Delhi has recently reported the highest COVID-19 numbers among cities across the country, its government claims the
situation is slowly improving.
Delhi was expected 225,000 cases by the 15th of July but we are in a much better situation than what the mathematical projections were indicating,
says Delhi's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
But Dr. Deven Juneja who works on the frontline at the top private hospital in Delhi advises caution in the coming weeks.
DEVEN JUNEJA, MAX SUPER SPECIALTY HOSPITAL: We cannot let our guard down. Until we start seeing the community immunity going up, until that point of
time there is always going to be a risk of resurgence.
SUD: Despite an extended lockdown across the western state of Maharashtra it remains the worst effective state in India. Its capital and India's
richest city Mumbai has recently seen a dip in COVID-19 infections, which according to experts could witness another surge after lockdown rules are
relaxed.
SHIVKUMAR UTTURE, PRESIDENT, MAHARASHTRA MEDICAL COUNCIL: We can talk about the peak only when we completely open up the lockdown and especially
when the lifeline of Mumbai that is the railways starts.
SUD: With over 26,000 daily infections been reported since the 9th of July, some states and cities in India are reentering lockdown conditions.
Currently, the movement of over 400 million people across the country has been restricted.
PARIKH: This is the pattern. You will see cases going down in some areas, cases coming up in other areas, and we will have to be vigilant.
SUD: It took India just four days to add roughly 100,000 cases to its COVID-19 tally this week. The big challenge will now be to control new
infections after areas under lockdown open up.
Vedika Sud, CNN, New Delhi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, up next, it was born in a golden age of flight and now, the Boeing 747 is being shown the exit by British Airways. Our expert in
all things aviation, and my colleague, Richard Quest, will join me to talk about the queen of the skies, right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, once billed as the "queen of the skies", now, the Boeing 7 47 is being dethroned, caught in the COVID crisis that is crushing the
global aviation industry, proof of more pain coming from Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong's flagship carrier now warning it expects the first half loss of
$1.3 billion.
Now, the pandemic also pushing British Airways to make some moves. B.A. says it is retiring the fleet of Boeing 747 jets, four years earlier than
planned. The carrier says it wants to use more fuel efficient aircraft as it braces for a long COVID slump.
So, it's a picture painted in bold strokes. The coronavirus is a jumbo problem for the world's first jumbo jet.
Let's bring in my colleague, plane aficionado, none than other Mr. Quest.
I'm old enough to remember the first days of the 747. Forgive me for saying that but I do think it's true, isn't it?
RICHARD QUEST, CNN BUSINESS EDITOR-AT-LARGE: Well, the earlier days, it was '68 when it rolled out, and '69 when it first flew.
ANDERSON: Correct.
QUEST: My first one was in '83. People's Express.
So B.A. said today, the proposal to retire the entire fleet of these iconic aircraft is nothing short of heart breaking. But it's an economic
necessity, Becky. They relied on high number of premium passengers. They were fuel efficient because of their age. They were large, so you had to
have a lot of passengers.
And since everybody agrees that aviation won't be even close to back to normal until maybe two or three years from now, even then, who knows? So,
the planes have had their day. But for an airline, Becky, to announce 31 wide bodies, gone, immediately, that tells you something about the state
for the industry.
ANDERSON: It was one of the most recognizable aircraft in the world and at the time as I understand it, it was -- it represented a milestone in
aviation design. It did go into service in 1970. Did you know which livery it carried at that point? Who?
QUEST: Of course. It went to Pan Am. Pan Am, the first flight, which Pan Am was the launch customer. They bet the airline and they bet the -- they
bet the airline and Boeing bet the company that they were going to be able to do it.
It was New York to London. And the first flight was delayed after the plane and the first plane broke down.
ANDERSON: Yeah. You have fond memories of flying that jumbo jet, don't you?
QUEST: Oh, yeah. 1983 was the first time that I flew it. People's Express where you actually had to pay on board.
The last time I flew it, now in hind sight, probably the last time was in December where when I flew back from London to New York.
There was a funny thing about -- you do it right in the nose, all right, first class, if you're right in the nose, the wheels were immediately
underneath the cabin. And when they would retract it would sound like -- it was shaking and like something was being strangled as the whole thing came
together.
It was wonderful. The spiral staircase -- look, I could wax lyrical on this until the top of the hour.
ANDERSON: You've got another couple of minutes so you're welcome to.
Listen, I mean, you know, I love hearing you talk about this. You have such fond memories. I told you about you being aptly poetic about your trip back
from New York to London the other way. You felt quite emotional about it.
You know, this is a really big deal. I have read some -- go on.
QUEST: Well, thanks. The problem is that the 747, the 747 suddenly didn't have a market. It was too expensive to operate. The 380, four engines,
massive, that doesn't have a market.
The era of very large gas guzzling jet has gone. It's now 350s. 787s. 777s. Are they as magic as the super liners? Probably not. But you know
something? Those big -- big birds have had their day.
ANDERSON: I do remember seeing my first 747 had BOC livery on it I believe. I live very close to Gatwick Airport when I was a kid and those
are the days of British Caledonian, of -- talking back in the day.
My dad used to take my to plane spot. I don't think he couldn't find anything better to do with me on a Saturday morning. We used to have to
wait until the planes came in. I'm really taking myself back at this point.
Richard, let's talk about the industry.
QUEST: We are --
ANDERSON: Because, is it a mess?
QUEST: It's a challenge.
ANDERSON: Yes.
QUEST: It's a mess. It's a challenge for the aviation industry now. Wherever you look, and in the part of the world where you are, with
Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, the ability of these airlines to thrive. Some of them -- you know, they will survive because they have government
money behind them.
[10:50:03]
B.A. has chosen not to take government money. It wasn't offered. Lufthansa has got $8 billion or something like that, similar amounts for Air France
and the U.S. carriers. And I know it's fashionable to say, well, they shouldn't have paid dividends, shouldn't have done this, but they did in
the past.
And the reality is those planes are the backbone of economies. And I'm afraid to say we have to support them because we've got no choice. Without
them, the economies will simply go down even further and faster. So the airlines I'm afraid to say are -- no, I'm not afraid to say, the airlines
are a fundamental part of the global economy and it's a terrible shame and sadness to see them as they are.
ANDERSON: Richard Quest in the house, in his house, in fact. He's in quarantine at present. He's quarantining after his trip back from the U.S.
Good to see you well, sir. Thank you.
Real Madrid are quite used to lifting trophies but never like this. The most successful team in Europe captures the Spanish league crown in the
most unprecedented of times. Patrick Snell with your "WORLD SPORT" is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. It is just before 5 to 7:00 in the evening here.
Real Madrid fans celebrating a 34th La Liga title for their team this Friday, the club's first Spanish crown since 2017. Their triumph means that
Barcelona's reign is now over.
With more on that, let's bring in CNN's "WORLD SPORT", Patrick Snell.
Patrick, how did (INAUDIBLE) do it?
PATRICK SNELL, CNN'S WORLD SPORT: Yeah, well, the short answer is ten straight victories would you believe? They just powered their way to the
title. And the head coach, Zinedine Zidane, real glory for him coach and the squad and at the same time, as you rightly said, preventing the old
foes Barcelona from making it their third consecutive title.
Thursday night, Real beating, guess who setting them on the way, prolific French striker Karim Benzema with two on the night for him. Here's the
first of them, drilling it home after being played in by Luka Modric. He would have a penalty later on. Real winning it 2-1 in the empty Alfredo
Stefano Stadium.
The win though was enough for Madrid because what happened to Barca they lose shockingly at home. And the celebrations they were still joyous, look
at the images. You can see the delight on the players' faces and the head coach. They have been in relentless form since La Liga resumed after being
halted for months due to the global pandemic and they deserve their success, no question.
Well, Real's third domestic league title this decade, the first since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from the club. Barca have won eight titles in
the last 12 seasons, but it is Los Blancos who they sit alone at top Spanish football with 4 titles to the Catalans' 26.
Even Zidane himself, no one to have to get overly excited shall we say, he was thrilled and he called it one of his best days as a professional.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ZINEDINE ZIDANE, REAL MADRIG MANAGER (through translator): This is how I am. I think it's true that I'm not the most expressive person. But inside,
I'm really very happy. I have always told everyone we still haven't won La Liga but today we have. So I can show off my best smile, because today,
it's allowed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[10:55:06]
SNELL: He was thrilled in his own unique way. Well, Real now with seven- point lead with Barca with one game left. They can't be caught.
And normally the heart of the Spanish capital would be packed full of tens of thousands of fans but that wasn't the case on this occasion. Somewhat
muted celebrations.
Fans to be applauded though I have to say for that. They respected requests not to gather en masse due to the coronavirus pandemic. Police were on hand
just in case to remind those who were out there to wear their masks.
Now, here in the U.S., Tiger Woods back in competitive action for first time since February and at this hour, America's golf's superstar in round
two action in Ohio. In the build-up to this event, the 44-year-old Woods speaking out and praising the black lives matter movement which he called
fantastic. Tiger also well aware he can break Sam Snead's 55-year-old record of 82 PGA tour wins if he wins this week.
That is motivation as I said he's on the course right now. But on day one, Thursday, he struggled a bit at times with the winds exceeding some 30
miles an hour, but a decent showing as he cards a 1 under 71 to end it five shots back. No fans in attendance, so what did he make of his return to the
sport in the global pandemic era?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TIGER WOODS, SEEKS RECORD 83RD PGA TOUR TITLE: No, it's -- I definitely didn't have any issue with energy and not having the fans, you know,
reactions out there. I still felt the same eagerness, edginess, nerviness, starting out. And it was a good. It was a good feel. I hadn't felt this in
a while.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SNELL: Tiger Woods there.
And the international tennis calendar put on months long hold due to the pandemic, but the next grand slam that is currently scheduled, that's the
U.S. Open in New York City due to start in late august.
But, Becky, I wanted you to look at this. As we build up to that slam, I want to show our views some cool video. This is from the German capital of
Berlin, where bett1 Aces event is taking place. A hangar there at the city's Tempelhof airport, that's the hard core venue where fans will be
observing strict safety protocols, potential for up to 300 spectators at this venue alone.
Well, out on the grass court option that's the famed Steffi Graf stadium, a potential for 800 there and the event has been featuring Austria's world
number three Dominic Thiem, and two-time Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova among the field there in the German capital.
Becky, back to you.
The German capital, of course, the city we know well, recall it fondly from a certain 2006 World Cup there. Back in the day.
ANDERSON: Don't we -- I'm just thinking the next time we will be together is possibly 2022 in Qatar. I don't know. I seem to be showing my age on the
show. I have done -- in my conversation with Richard, now with you. Now, that was amazing, wasn't it? 2006 World Cup.
SNELL: Yes, looking forward to it. Great to see it happening in Berlin as well.
ANDERSON: Good.
SNELL: Thanks, Becky.
ANDERSON: Fantastic.
For the first time in months, Britain's Queen Elizabeth has made a public appearance. The occasion -- well, to knight the Captain Tom Moore, the war
veteran who raised more than $40 million for the National Health Service.
The captain who turned 100 in April was awarded the insignia of Knight Bachelor.
Earlier today, Moore told reporters he was absolutely overwhelmed to meet the queen.
Good on him. Well deserved.
Up next, my interview with the world leading vaccine expert. Do stay with us.
See you on the other side of this very short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
