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Connect the World
COVID Vaccinations Underway Across The U.S.; Doctor On Front Lines Of U.S. Vaccine Rollout Speaks With CNN; European Commission Chief: EU To Start Vaccinating December 27th; Turkey Coming To The End Of A Potentially Turbulent Year; The Smashing Success Of "Yoga With Adriene" In Lockdown; UNESCO Adds Couscous To The Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Aired 11a- 12p ET
Aired December 17, 2020 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson.
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BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to the show. Just breaking in the last few moments, the United States now has more than 17 million registered
cases of COVID-19. It's had a million cases in just the last five days. That is about as long as it's taken to add a million cases for the last 6
million or so.
For context though, the first million taking more than three months to get two, and you'll know that cases are a leading indicator first cases, then
more people in the hospital, then, unfortunately, people dying. Just yesterday America seeing its highest single day of deaths from the virus in
all, 3,656 people lost their lives.
That will make it one of the deadliest days ever in American history, just a hurricane and a civil war battle ahead of it. It's easy to become almost
numb and when we say this on a regular basis, to these super high figures. That's where we are right now, I'm afraid. Warlike death tolls every day,
and it's only getting worse.
The CDC predicting just three weeks from now the total number of deaths from this pandemic in the U.S. will go up to 391,000 people, almost
400,000. We've also learned more Americans woke up in hospital with COVID yesterday than ever before.
In addition, more than 247,000 new cases were reported on Wednesday, another record. Remember, first more cases, more people in hospital and
more deaths. I cannot reinforce that more. But there is light at the end of what seems like a very long tunnel.
The newly authorized Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is rolling out across the U.S. and at this hour and advisory committee is reviewing the Moderna vaccine
and that means we could see a second vaccine in the states in a matter of days. But still the U.S. Surgeon General says it's still too early to let
one's guard down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. JEROME ADAMS, U.S. SURGEON GENERAL: My message to America is that the finish line is in sight. The last couple of miles are the hardest, but
we've got to keep running, because even if you're not worried about COVID, your loved one who is in labor may not have a hospital bed. Your loved one
who is having a heart attack or gets in a car accident may not have a bed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, still skepticism does run deep these days. U.S. leaders planning to set an example Vice President Mike Pence and his wife plan to
get vaccinated on camera on Friday, and President-Elect Joe Biden will get the vaccine next week.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't want to get ahead in the line, but I want to make sure we demonstrate to the American
people it is safe to take. They're working on that plan right now, and when I do it, I'll do it publicly so you all can actually witness my getting it
done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I want to kick off this part of the show with Dan Simon who is in San Francisco where a stay-at-home order has been issued. How are people
coping where you are?
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Becky, first of all, cases throughout California are soaring. The state recorded more than 53,000 cases in a
single day. That also includes a few days of backlog, but that just gives you a sense in terms of the sheer testing that is still taking place.
In the meantime, we are in front of UCSF Medical Center right behind me there, and they are administering the Pfizer vaccine. There is some
optimism now that the vaccine is going into arms. Here in California, a shot of hope. As nurses, doctors and other essential health care workers
receive the first dose of the Coronavirus vaccine.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. MEDELL BRIGGS-MALONSON, EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN, UCLA HEALTH: I'm very proud to stand here and get the first vaccine here at UCLA Health and also
to make sure to spread the message that this vaccine is important for everyone, but especially for those who are black, Latino and other people
of color.
SIMON (voice-over): But alongside the arrival of a vaccine, a dangerous surge with new cases, hospitalizations and Coronavirus-related deaths in
the state setting records according to data from the California Department of Public Health.
[11:05:00]
CHRISTINA GHALY, DIRECTOR, LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: I want to be very clear. Our hospitals are under siege and our
model shows no end in sight. The worst is still before us.
SIMON (voice-over): The entire San Francisco bay area will be under the state's stay-at-home order for the next three weeks beginning tomorrow.
This after the region's intensive care bed availability plunged to just below 13 percent Wednesday.
Across the country many hospitals are on the brink with over 113,000 Coronavirus hospitalizations across the United States, a record. And as new
cases continue to rise, vaccine distribution could, with time, help change the course of the crisis.
In just hours, an FDA panel is expected to discuss emergency use authorization for Moderna's candidate. If cleared, federal officials say
around 6 million initial doses will be shipped.
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: If Moderna gets the EUA, which I hope they will, and you will, by
the time you get to the end of December, have 40 million doses for 20 million people to be able to administer.
SIMON (voice-over): While there have been important issues with vaccines administered so far, Alaska health officials reported one health care
worker had an allergic reaction of Pfizer's vaccine Tuesday, despite having no history of vaccine allergies.
DR. LINDY JONES, PHYSICIAN, BARLETT REGIONAL HEALTH: I was concerned about an anaphylactic reaction so gave her a standard treatment of dose of
intramuscular epinephrine, and she responded immediately.
SIMON (voice-over): Health experts say the occasional case is to be expected and urge Americans with allergies to check the vaccine's product
label.
DR. PAUL OFFIT, MEMBER, FDA VACCINE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: What we need to find out is what specifically seems to be inducing this allergic reaction.
Remember, even for this patient or a person who has never had an allergic reaction for, she would have been instructed to stay around for 15 minutes,
during which time if you're going to have a severe allergic reaction, you have one.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SIMON: Well, there is of course a lot of optimism with the vaccine now being distributed in California and throughout the country. There is some
grim news unfortunately we have to report in the state. We just learned that the state had to buy an additional 5,000 body bags and acquire at
least 60 portable refrigerated units because of the rise in death toll. Becky?
ANDERSON: Terrible. All right, Dan, thank you for that. Well, the State of Nevada just starting to immunize health care workers and the elderly living
in nursing homes. The state lost 57 people to Coronavirus on Wednesday, more than ever before.
The Governor tweeted that's another 57 Nevadans who will be missed by loved ones this holiday season. Well, the state still seeing the fallout from the
Thanksgiving-induced surge. Restrictions have been extended there until January 15th.
Well, joining me now is someone who is in the thick of the vaccine rollout, Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell own hospital in Reno, Nevada is at capacity, and
she currently runs urgent care for the entire hospital system. We applaud you for your work.
Thank you. You are really in the thick of things running urgent care for the entire system in Reno. You describe your job in a few words. How have
things been for you over the past few weeks?
DR. BAYO CURRY-WINCHELL, RUNS URGENT CARE FOR RENO, NEVADA HOSPOTAL SYSTEM: First and foremost, I just want to say thank you for having me. For the
past few weeks, we have been really, as a whole system, trying to provide the best care, which we are, under very tight strains.
As far as capacity in our hospitals as well as in our urgent care as well. So as a physician, I am doing my best to, you know, provide the best
quality care, but, of course, with the increase in patient volumes that we're seeing, as well as the increase in acuity due to patients not wanting
to go to the hospital, it's really been a new dynamic.
ANDERSON: Explain that to me, because that I know you've seen an increase in severe cases of COVID because patients have been delaying their care in
fear of going to the hospital. Just explain further, if you will.
CURRY-WINCHELL: Great question. So, what's happening, unfortunately, when patients are having difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, they're electing
not to come and seek care right away, just because they're afraid, first and foremost, will I get COVID at the emergency room or in the hospital?
Another big concern is, you know, if I'm admitted, will I be able to have my loved one visit me? And, unfortunately, another major concern is, you
know, will I be able to walk out of the hospital? So, there are several things that are involved with the fear and delay of care.
[11:10:00]
ANDERSON: CNN's U.S.-based reporters have been covering the pandemic tirelessly as have our international colleagues. This isn't just a U.S.
story, of course, this is a global story. And governments around the world face real dilemmas. One of our U.S.-based reporters, though, Sara Sidner,
did just visit a hospital in Reno that has a COVID-19 unit in a parking garage. I want you to have a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was scary. We don't expect to go to work and be working out of a parking garage. We've made take hospital. We don't even
consider it a garage anymore.
SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Did you ever think that in America they would have to treat people in a parking lot?
ROSALIA MARTINEZ, COVID-19 PATIENT: I apologize for what I'm going to say. When they started building this, I laughed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Look, remarkably, that unit is absolutely functional. It is safe and sanitary for patients. But I put to you what Sara put to a couple
people in that report. Did you ever believe that you would see units like that in a parking lot in Reno?
CURRY-WINCHELL: I never thought I would see something of the sort. The only thing I can say on a positive note, I am so proud of my community that they
have responded, you know, appropriately and adequately, and especially efficiently to provide care to our community.
ANDERSON: How difficult is that? We've seen similar setups in other places. A parking lot used Israel for example, and then you know the Nightingale
Hospital in the U.K. set up at an events environment. Just for our viewers' sake, I mean, it seems almost inconceivable that these units would be fully
functioning. How tough is that for you and your colleagues to ensure that those places are adequate for the sort of patients that they will see?
CURRY-WINCHELL: It's extremely tough, you know, but again, the system responded, and we were able to implement all of the things that we do
inside the hospital in a different way. And we are making patients comfortable we're providing amazing care, but just in a different format.
But it is difficult.
ANDERSON: Not one that you would want to make a sort of regular care environment, I'm sure.
CURRY-WINCHELL: No.
ANDERSON: Look, I know that vaccinations started yesterday in Reno, many medical workers saying they had tears in their eyes once the vaccines
arrived. I know that you're scheduled to receive your first dose tomorrow. How are you feeling at this point?
CURRY-WINCHELL: I am elated to receive the vaccination. I feel that is going to be the start of a new era as far as ending the pandemic. So, I am
excited to receive it tomorrow afternoon, and my colleagues who have started to receive it as early as yesterday, they are just very grateful.
I can tell you we are grateful to the scientists to just take the time to produce something in such a quick manner so we can end this pandemic.
ANDERSON: We are hearing reports of some people developing allergic reactions, or at least one in the U.S. and I think one in the U.K. from
this vaccine. Should we be alarmed? You're a clinician. What would doctors or nurses do to help a patient who is having an allergic reaction to this
vaccine? How common should we expect this to be?
CURRY-WINCHELL: So, we have set up, and this is happening across the nation. When you receive that vaccination, we have you wait a time period
of 15 to 30 minutes to ensure that, unfortunately, if you do have an anaphylactic reaction, we are able to respond to it. And so those are the
things that we have in place to make sure that every patient who receives the vaccination and may have a reaction, we can respond accordingly.
ANDERSON: I'm just wondering, are you seeing any post-COVID complications in the urgent care that you're involved with that will affect peoples'
long-term sort of prospects, or, indeed, their ability to return to work?
CURRY-WINCHELL: I am, Becky, thank you for asking that question. We are seeing complications such as chronic coughs, shortness of breath, extreme
fatigue as well as loss of taste and smell. And it's important to mention this, because it affects your ability to return to work as well as your
daily activities, and when you talk about taste and smell, that is an important pleasure in life.
[11:15:00]
CURRY-WINCHELL: And so, when that has been taken away, that can really, you know, have an impact on your everyday life. These are the things we're
seeing in the urgent care.
ANDERSON: Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, you are seeing the upshot of people being determined to get together for Thanksgiving. I know that you believe
that you have cases as a result of those who got together and perhaps didn't socially distance over Thanksgiving. What is your message to those
who may be watching in the U.S., and indeed, to our viewers around the world as we approach another holiday season?
CURRY-WINCHELL: My message is to really take in the guidelines of social distancing, have small groups and wearing a mask. That is so important to
help us you know return to normalcy. And so, although it's hard not to be together during these holidays, it's very important to just continue safety
measures that we have in place.
Yes, we are currently responding to the Thanksgiving surge, and so our concerns as a medical community, what will happen, you know, for Christmas
if people gather? So, it is a concern for all of us in the community.
ANDERSON: Finally, how is your medical community coping because this has been an extraordinarily long year for what we will call our global health
care heroes?
CURRY-WINCHELL: We are working together. I can say the collaboration and just the inner strength that the medical community has, has been extremely
powerful. We are tired. We carry with us every day the concern, I hope I don't bring this home to my family, but we are resilient. And we continue
to work together to provide great care, because that's what we're in it for. I know as a physician. I love helping people. It brings me so much
joy.
ANDERSON: And you are a human being, and I know you've got two little ones at home as well, so understandably you face the same concerns that
everybody else faces. But thank you, from Reno, Nevada today. Your insight and analysis extremely important thank you.
CURRY-WINCHELL: Thank you for having me.
ANDERSON: Thank you. What could be another COVID-19 vaccine in the states and that is great news for doctors like Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell there. We
have got to protect them wherever you're living in the world. Please help protect those who are working in the health care system.
As we speak, advisers to the Food and Drug Administration discussing Moderna's vaccine candidate. They are independent experts who will decide
if the FDA in the states should grant emergency use authorization. You can see how they both work on your screen now, both extremely important. Then
take a listen to Dr. Anthony Fauci on why this matters.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. FAUCI: 2.9 million doses were sent out to 145 locations. Over the next few days to weeks, there will be more and more doses until ultimately we
hope, with a combination of Pfizer and Moderna if Moderna gets the EUA, which I hope they will, by the time we get to the end of December, have 40
million doses for 20 million people to be able to administer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: A powerful winter storm could disrupt vaccine delivery in parts of America. It's blasting through the northeast, dumping heavy snow across
much of New York, Pennsylvania and of New England. Roads are treacherous and flights are canceled.
This is what it looked like in the city of Binghamton in upstate New York more than a meter of snow fell there, an all-time record for the city.
Well, the snowplows are out in force in Boston. That's where we find CNN's Meteorologist Derek Van Dam for a let's call it a snow in town. Today Derek
how are you holding out there?
DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, I bet you I'm than you are there in Abu Dhabi this morning.
ANDERSON: That's fitting.
VAN DAM: Yes Becky, what we're holding up, yes, we're in Boston, we're in the north end of Boston in fact a city that's familiar to big snowstorms.
They're no stranger to it, they know how to handle it, and like you mentioned the snowplows are out in full force, but that doesn't make the
roads any less tricky to navigate.
In fact, we have a phenomenon in the United States with these storms. They're called "Nor'easters" it's called a flash freeze.
[11:20:00]
VAN DAM: So a nor'easter moves along the East Coast of the United States, what happens are warm nodes of air come in from the relatively warm
Atlantic Ocean? So just I just rode along the coast it allows temperatures to hover right around 0 degrees Celsius and that makes the snow that
initially falls very slushy then the cold air starts to collapse in behind the storm once it pours of the coast and draws in temperatures.
I mean, we're talking about a 10-degree Fahrenheit drop in less than an hour here right where I'm standing, and that freezes this on contact
immediately on the ground. So we've already seen the results of a 60-car pile-up across central Pennsylvania, record-crushing snow.
I mean, just look at these vehicles just completely buried behind me. It is certainly a treacherous situation and it's causing havoc on the roads but
also at the airlines as well. Fortunately, the airline industry actually has less traffic these days because of COVID-19.
ANDERSON: Yes, as I understand it, the bad weather is impacting the shipment of vaccines, which is a really big deal. What more do we know at
this point?
VAN DAM: Yes, look, the Governor of New Jersey just held a press conference this morning. He said that there have been minor delays in the distribution
of some of the Pfizer vaccine in his state, but I was able to speak to FedEx, one of the major distributors of the Pfizer vaccine.
The Global Communications Director spoke to me and said that they have contingency plans in place to deal with this new hurdle that 2020 has
thrown at them. They're responsible for one of the largest vaccine distributions, you know, to date.
And they now have a snowstorm to contend with to try to distribute to some of the most populated parts of the eastern U.S. So, a real challenge there.
But they have 15 meteorologists working around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and over 180 personnel coordinating the logistics.
And they've also patented what is called a sense aware I.D. Tag. If you Google that, for instance, you'll understand it's actually a little tag
that they attach to the shipments of the vaccine so they can actually hone in precisely on every single move from Pfizer all the way to the final
distributor.
And if there are any concerns or logistical problems along the way they can pick up on it and treat it appropriately. It's not only the COVID vaccines.
I'll try to end on a positive note here, Becky. You can imagine there are just so many Christmas packages that are being delivered right now and kids
are counting on them being delivered, especially leading up to Christmas right now. So those ideas are very helpful for that.
ANDERSON: Absolutely, absolutely. Listen, kudos to you. Only Meteorologist Derek Van Dam has the confidence to walk backwards live on global TV on
snow which is on top of what is packed ice. I think you have to be genetically designed to be a weatherman to have the confidence to do that,
superb job. Thank you. The stories are really good.
VAN DAM: --meteorology school.
ANDERSON: Thanks mate. There you go. The Coronavirus, of course, doesn't care who you are or what you do. Just ask the President of France. He has
tested positive and he is showing symptoms. Our live report from Paris is just ahead. And--
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Turkey has had a turbulent year brought not just by the Coronavirus pandemic but a series of moves by the government.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: A turbulent year indeed. We look back at why 2020 will go down as a - let's call it politically volatile one in Turkey?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:25:00]
ANDERSON: Well, France has some of the toughest COVID restrictions currently in Europe, but that hasn't stopped its president from becoming
infected with Coronavirus. Emanuel Macron's office says he has tested positive and he has symptoms, but the extent of those symptoms is unclear
at this hour.
What we do know is that he's isolating and will be isolating for the next seven days. You couldn't make this up. Mr. Macron had lunch with the
Spanish and Portuguese Prime Ministers and the European Council President this week. Now they are also quarantining.
Well connecting you in Paris is CNN's Melissa Bell. Let's start with President Macron, what do we know so far at this point?
MELISSA BELL, CNN PARIS CORRESPONDENT: Well, there were symptoms Becky. That's why he got tested and was found to be positive that announcement
from Elysee early this morning. And yet he is to take part digitally far away at a distance in a meeting this afternoon that should be filmed, so we
should see pictures of him.
He's not sick enough to be bedridden he will still be working from Elysee this afternoon. But yes, as per French regulations Isolating for seven
days, as well as France's First Lady, although Brigitte Macron has not shown symptoms the French Prime Minister also isolating for several days
although we understand that a test has shown to be negative rather.
And you mentioned of course there are strict restrictions it was precisely because social distancing restrictions were in place inside the Elysee that
the French government ministers with whom Emmanuel Macron met yesterday will not be contact cases all those distancing measures were observed and
that has prevented them of course from having to isolate as well.
ANDERSON: News, some would say, finally of a vaccine rollout in Europe. Have we gotten any further details on that?
BELL: Well, that at last having watched the British, the Americans beginning to get their vaccines, Becky, the Europeans will be able to get
there on the 27th of December, 27th, 28th and 29th, is slightly ahead of what we would expect since we expected the Europeans make medicines agency
not to be able pronounce itself on the Pfizer vaccine until the 29th so some good news there.
It is Europe's moment tweeted Ursula Van Der Leyen the President of the European Commission, I think really the fact that so many French leaders,
but not only French leaders you mentioned a moment ago the Spanish and Portuguese Prime Ministers are isolating as a result of their contact with
Emmanuel Macron this week.
A reminder really that it goes right to the top, and that these infection rates here in Europe that are really not being brought down or back under
control in a number of countries. It is with great anticipation, of course, that European leaders will be looking ahead to those dates for the vaccines
to be available here.
ANDERSON: Yes, and Melissa Bell is in Paris for you. Melissa, thank you. Well, still ahead, clashes the pandemic and alliances turning sour. Let me
explain what caused so much turbulence in Turkey in 2020.
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[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: Well, we've been reporting on the Coronavirus crisis in Europe for you. Let's just turn our attention, and of course that goes all the way
to the top of the French government, no one immune, of course, through this crisis.
But I want to connect you now and turn our attention to Europe's southern neighbor, Turkey, where 2020, quite frankly, has been a roller coaster of a
year not only because of the pandemic, also because of political moves that has pushed the envelope with some western countries and long-time allies
this report from Arwa Damon.
ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Turkey has had a turbulent year brought on not just by the Coronavirus pandemic but a series
of moves by the government from converting this, the Hagia Sophia, from a museum back into a mosque to more dramatic ones that put it increasingly at
lager heads with the west from Greece to France, to the United States.
Earlier in the year Turkey irked with being abandoned to shouldering the refugee burden on its own, said it would no longer close its port and
encouraged refugees and migrants to head north to the land crossing with Greece.
It's quite chaotic, it's quite intense. People are just trying to bust through towards what they think is going to be a better life. Their
desperation was played as a pawn. Greece forced them back, often violently.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Greek ship is moving toward its own waters. It's now fleeing towards Lesbos.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAMON: In the sea in the summer months, Greece drew Turkish ire with its pushed back policy pushing back migrants and refugees into Turkish waters,
stranding them in motors less dinghies. Greece repeatedly denied those allegations despite evidence to the contrary.
And further south, Turkish and Greek Navy stood off over gas exploration rights around disputed islands. The Eu rallied around member state Greece
against NATO ally Turkey. Turkey has expanded its military footprint punching above its weight some analysts would say, continuing to be at odds
with Russia and Syria, and upping its footprints in Libya supporting the UN backed government in Tripoli while Russia, and to a lesser degree, France
support the army of run Commander General Khalifa Haftar.
On the subject of France, tensions moved from politics and war zones to religion. And saw Presidents Erdogan and Macron trading insults, with
Erdogan saying Macron needed his head checked accusing the French President of an Islamophobic agenda after Macron said Islam was in crisis and refused
to condemn cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.
And when it comes to U.S. Turkey relations those continue to saver over Turkey's purchase of the Russian S400 defense system resulting in towards
the end of the year sanctions being slapped on Turkey's Ministry of Defense.
When it comes to COVID-19 Turkey managed to handle the first wave of the pandemic, relatively speaking, well. It managed to avoid a full shutdown,
lessened the economic blow and even salvaged its tourist season. But as 2020 comes to an end, the Lira continues to lose value relations with
nations that were once allies well, they are faltering, and the second wave of the pandemic is hitting even harder than the first. Arwa Damon, CNN,
Istanbul.
[11:35:00]
ANDERSON: Well, some news just into CNN Israel's daily Coronavirus case count just going beyond the threshold to trigger new restrictions. More
than 2,800 cases reported on Wednesday, and that means, folks, a third lockdown is now possible there. The country's so-called Coronavirus cabinet
is going to meet this Sunday to decide on the next steps. More on that, of course, as we get it.
What you might hear certainly in Turkey or other places in the Middle East or other parts of the world indeed and I want to ask what it means to you?
Baklava, if you think the only meaning is a sweet, famous meaty pastry dish, well, prepare to think again. We'll explain why, up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:40:000]
ANDERSON: Namaste, as the year comes to a close, we can all agree it was unusual and a very tough one for so many people. As a coping mechanism,
people have picked up some new hobbies like baking and cooking and new kinds of exercise.
Now, yoga isn't exactly new, is it, but it's become an important pastime for many during this year's lockdowns. That is in large part because of
YouTube Star Adriene Mishler. She has almost 9 million subscribers practicing and one of her routines has become a daily habit for many. Have
a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADRIENE MISHLER, FOUNDER AND HOST, YOGA WITH ADRIENE: Hello, everyone and welcome to Yoga I'm Adriene and this is Benji and today we have a fiery
practice for courage. So hop into something comfortable and let's get started.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Adriene Mishler joining me now live. It has been quite the year. Firstly we saw your dog Benji in that clip. I can see him with you. Yes, I
can see him with you now. Hello, Benji. He's become a huge part of your videos and your images. Was that always the plan?
MISHLER: No, it wasn't always the plan, however, he would saunter in and out as a puppy, and as soon as he kind of earned his way more into the
room, we started to align him to stay. To my great surprise he became a really big character sharing the yoga bringing people saw us and mile. It
just making it feel more real at home.
ANDERSON: Well, it's wonderful to see Benji. Listen, I just want to get a sense of how your yoga journey began, and how this year has impacted you?
And let's be frank, the business of yoga practice.
MISHLER: Absolutely. Well, I think it was always the goal to be able to provide as much free yoga to as many people as possible with the yoga
Adriene YouTube Channel. It started off as an experience, a project, to just see how many people we could reach, truly?
But I think for me, personally it was also important to communicate that this is a very ancient practice that can be quite suitable for modern day
in terms of attending to all parts of you. You're physical, yes, but also, you're mental health and your emotional health, too.
As you mentioned, it's a big year for us because I think a lot of people have been greatly thrown off balance, and this is a practice that we can do
at home that tends to bringing us kind of back into that balance state in every way, really.
ANDERSON: Never work with children and animals though he is back there you go. Look, you make a very, very good point. Listen I know, quite frankly, a
lot of people will have been relying on you this year. I know a number of my producers are among some 8 million YouTube subscribers.
I just wonder how you think this year might impact how people go about their health and wellness going forward; you must have been considering now
what this means for the future?
MISHLER: Absolutely, very much so because this has become my life, my passion. It wasn't long ago that I said to my partner, my collaborators
that you know I hope that when I'm a grandma this practice at home yoga particularly not the gyms, not the studio but really being at home in your
comfy clothes in your own home.
I really hoped that would become our maintaining that we could do by brushing your teeth, taking a shower, seeing you grow, writing in your
journal, whatever it is for you, but I thought that would be a long time from now.
So now that the time is now, I'm considering what that can mean for the future in a really positive way and potentially, also in an interesting way
for the future of yoga itself.
[11:45:00]
MISHLER: I'm trying to be really mindful and respectful of that as well.
ANDERSON: You said in a recent interview with "The New York Times," and I quote you here, when I think of the wellness industry, I think of a culture
that intentionally or unintentionally markets to your weakness. Explain what you mean by that.
MISHLER: Because I think it's a delicate subject but a very important one that I want to start addressing because it feels like sometimes the
wellness industry is potentially offering us practices or tools or even products, of course, that market to our feelings of weakness or not feeling
good.
And instead of kind of embracing that and giving us the tools to deal with that and accept that and process those feelings, instead sometimes I feel
like they don't actually address how we don't always feel good all the time.
We have a mantra to feel good in the community, and it certainly doesn't mean you're going to feel good all the time. I think we have to acknowledge
that we're going to have days we're going to fall, we're going to have days where we don't feel good, painful moments, and these are inevitable on part
of life, so providing the tools instead to hope let's manage and process and be really proud of what is, I think, is a little more valuable.
Sometimes in yoga I feel like the guy or the person leading the practice can empower you to have an experience that's true for you, but rather,
again, trying to entice you to kind of have what's unattainable. It's a complicated conversation to have and really good one, and I'm glad you
brought it up.
ANDERSON: I'm just losing you a little bit. That is the nature of these streaming platforms, but we're very grateful for them during this period.
Finally, I wonder, would you just like to do a little restorative pose demonstration for us, something that you feel might be useful to those who
are watching? I'm not asking you to go through a full practice, but just a little pose if you have one.
MISHLER: I think this is the best time to kind of talk about how sometimes less is more, right? Simple is better. And I'm not trying to be cute or
clever here, but I would choose either sitting cross-legged on the ground or on your couch or even in your desk chair.
I would just invite people to sit up nice and tall and think about the spine as maybe a highway for your energy for the day. If you're comfortable
or sad, that's OK but may be bring you some awareness to just sitting up tall and taking a deep breath.
And then seeing what happens from there, maybe some movement with the head or neck, maybe a gentle twist from one side to the other. It is kind of
pointing to you it doesn't have to be a lot, sometimes it's a simple act of noticing where you're at.
What I love about "Yoga with Adriene" YouTube Channel particularly, its great way to check in and see how you're doing again physically also
mentally and emotionally each day. Because each day is a new, right?
ANDERSON: Wonderful, wonderful. And if you can get a Benji in your life, that helps for sure. Thank you. It's been a pleasure having you on and the
dog. Let's give that pose a go in the next break. Quite frankly, you'll see in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:50:00]
ANDERSON: We want to turn our attention to a public health crisis raging across the world, one that was here many centuries before COVID-19. It is
the abuse of all kinds that women and girls may face in their lifetime.
The CDC says in the U.S. nearly one in five women has either been raped or experienced attempted rape. One in three were between 11 and 17 years old.
One in eight was under 10. Well, "MeToo" moment in high-profile cases like those against Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein highlighting just a
fraction of that abuse which can also be physical, it can be emotional, verbal, and is often less spoken about here in this region of Middle East.
But the grace of a viral new video is hoping to change that. Have a look at this clip. It's from Lebanon, controversial because it calls out
institutional and everyday sexism encapsulated in a slow that some people might think is just an ordinary, innocent word for a Middle Eastern
dessert.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REMIE AKI, PERFORMING ARTIST & CONCEPTUAL WRITER: (Foreign Language)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The main artist in that video is Remie Aki joining us live from Beirut. This video is incredible it is extremely powerful. I can see why it
found an audience of 1.2 million to be exact in just 24 hours. So we applaud you for that. For those who are new to this, let's briefly explain
what was going on in this and how the idea came about?
AKI: Hello, Becky. First of all, thank you for having me and the campaign on your program. I want to thank the whole team that worked on this video.
Going back to the campaign, I was contacted by women's NGO about - agency to be working on a campaign called "Safety for the safe keepers".
The women who are the safe keepers, actually, the women who have been at the forefront on the streets, the women who are providing safety for their
families, their surroundings in a country, and their region that doesn't give them safety. We did this video to say that we should stop, and we
should feel and be safe in our own skin and in our own country. This is it.
ANDERSON: Remie, this received criticism and backlash. How does that make you feel?
AKI: It's part of the digital world. For me I was expected to be encouraged, I was expected to be encouraged by women and I was expected to
be attacked by some men. So, getting a backlash was something to be expected and normal to me and to - with our taboos and the society that we
live in.
Talking and expressing you as a woman is something to be afraid of. So, raising the voice could be so provocative sometimes.
ANDERSON: The words in this video, my next question may seem a bit obvious.
[11:55:00]
ANDERSON: But I would like you to tell the viewer in a few words how it does feel like to be an Arab woman living in the Middle East today?
AKI: It's beautiful to be an Arab woman. I'm really proud to be an Arab woman, but it's also - it's a responsibility. It's a responsibility to be a
woman, first of all, in this world, and then to be an Arab woman.
Today as an Arab woman, I have responsibility to speak up and to raise my voice to help other teenagers raise their voices, too, without being afraid
or without any - without being afraid and without any fear of the judgment, of the society, of their parents, of their religion of everything.
ANDERSON: We're going to leave it there, but we know that you hope you'll make a difference with this, and like I say, the video is incredibly
powerful, and I do urge our viewers to take a look. We thank you very much, indeed, for joining us today.
AKI: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Well, the United Nations lists many human accomplishments as significant to our shared cultural heritage from Stonehenge to Taj Mahal to
the Great Wall to the historic site of Al-Ain here in the UAE. And the list now includes a little bowl of crushed semolina weight dough. You probably
know it better as Couscous.
A staple of many kitchens and dining tables around the world the dish or Barbar (ph) ethnic origin is being added to UNESCO's intangible cultural
heritage list after joint submission by Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania who by the way all have extremely strong feelings about it.
But as UNESCO said "Traditions define us. Our differences don't matter, we are one". The knowledge, practices and traditions related to the
preparation and consumption of Couscous have just been inscribed on the list of intangible heritage. Rest of its might just say yum, technically,
this is a prop, but it just might be dinner after this.
It is well, 9:00 in the evening here. I haven't eaten, nor has the team. We'll see if we can whether split that. It is a small but mighty team.
Thank you so much for joining us. I hope your next meal is as good as that one looks. Stay well and look after yourselves it is a very good evening
from Abu Dhabi, and we leave you with a snowy New York, and this, the Statue of Liberty.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
