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Internal CDC Doc: Delta Variant Spreads as Easily as Chickenpox; NYC Business Owner Warns; First Group of Evacuated Afghan Interpreters Arrives in U.S.; New U.S. Gymnastics Star Suni Lee Wins Gold in Tokyo. Aired 6-6:30a ET

Aired July 30, 2021 - 06:00   ET

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

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to our viewers here in the United States and all around the world. I'm John Berman with Brianna Keilar. It is Friday, July 30, and we do have breaking news this morning.

[05:59:18]

The war has changed. That is the chilling takeaway from an alarming new internal CDC document that states that the Delta variant likely causes more severe disease than the earlier strains of COVID. And it's just as infectious as chickenpox.

The CDC slide presentation obtained by "The Washington Post" and confirmed by CNN confirms the variant spreads faster, easier than SARS, Ebola, the flu, the common cold. The document also contains unpublished data that says vaccinated people may spread the virus as easily as unvaccinated people when breakthrough infections occur.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: This is the data behind CDC officials making their latest controversial decision on masks. The full data will be published today, and the internal presentation tells us that the CDC has come to the conclusion that it must revamp its public messaging to emphasize vaccinations.

Joining us now is William Haseltine. He's the president of Access Health International and is a former professor at Harvard Medical School. If you could, I mean, there is a lot that we have learned from these slides and this "Washington Post" report, but if you would just give us your biggest takeaway from this CDC document.

WILLIAM HASELTINE, PRESIDENT, ACCESS HEALTH INTERNATIONAL: The biggest takeaway is we have to look at COVID, not as an episodic fight but as a major change in our environment.

It's pretty much like climate change. It doesn't help to fight one fire at a time. Or the weather change, to prepare for one hurricane at a time. This is something that's going to come at us again and again.

It's changing. It's like the flu, but it's much more deadly.

You know, some of us had predicted that this would happen with the virus. We've underestimated it from the very beginning: that it wouldn't come to our shores; that our borders would be protective; that it would not really spread and it would go away; that it would -- our vaccines would be totally protective. We've underestimated this.

And it's time to consider this as a very long haul. We can do it. Vaccines will work to protect you from dying. They will work to protect many people from being infected.

But we need multi-model approaches. A whole system approach and a global approach, and we haven't got it yet.

BERMAN: And Professor, I think you leaned into what is one of the most important takeaways is this. The vaccines are more important than ever. Herd -- this notion of herd immunity, where we are with COVID right now, the Delta variant dispels the idea that we can just beat this into submission and make it go away. It's here. Why does it make vaccines even more important?

HASELTINE: Because vaccines protect your life. They do provide a very good barrier, just like flu. We know that you can die from flu if you don't get your vaccine.

So yes, annual vaccines. But that doesn't mean that flu has gone away. It means we have to keep vigilant.

And I hope that this experience with us is going to change our overall approach to infectious disease, so we get ventilation for our schools. We get ventilation for our office buildings. It really makes a difference.

That in the winter we begin to wear masks to stop colds and flu. We've got to up our game in terms of research. So we really have a series of drugs that, when you're exposed, you pop a pill. We have one of those for flu now. We need those for many different diseases. We need to have an all-society approach.

And I think the analysis is right. This is a different game. It's not a battle. It's a war.

KEILAR: There's one CDC slide in here that was obtained by CNN that says the Delta variant vaccine breakthrough cases may be as transmissible as unvaccinated cases. I think a lot of people had been acting as if, and the guidance, quite frankly, reflected that, if you were vaccinated, you couldn't spread this. But that is not the case here.

HASELTINE: Right. There's two things that aren't the case. One, you can't spread it. And two, you're not going to get sick. Some people have gotten very sick who have already been vaccinated. And I think it's only a matter of time before some people die.

What happens with the vaccines is they give very good protection for a few months, and then it begins to fade. And the viruses that are changing make that even worse.

This isn't the same virus the vaccine was designed to fight, just like last year's flu virus vaccine isn't the vaccine that's designed to fight this year's flu. We have to keep up with this. It's a full-court press. It's going to

be a lot longer struggle than many of us believed. It doesn't mean that we give up. It means we fight harder, and we get to where we want to be. And we all participate.

BERMAN: No. I think it shows how much more important the fight really is, that the vaccines are the key to keeping people healthy and safe. And I do understand that breakthrough infections happen, but it's still a small number, right? Talking about 35,000 --

HASELTINE: That is really not --

BERMAN: Hang on. Hang on. Hang on, Professor. Because I understand they're measuring 35,000 symptomatic infections. There are probably far more than that. Far more that aren't being measured now, and maybe they should be counted right now.

But the story still is that that's, you know, that's not the majority of cases here. It is a small percentage of cases that are causing symptomatic infections. And, yes, some of the vulnerable, some of the immunosuppressed may fall, even if they are vaccinated. But the story is how important the vaccines still are.

HASELTINE: John, I don't want to change that story. That is the ultimate sine qua non that without that, nothing. Vaccines are absolutely critical. But we have to add other components to the fight.

[06:05:08]

With respect to how well vaccines protect you,, it's a matter of both how long you've been vaccinated -- because it fades over time and it fades faster for older people -- and what variant is out there. It's not an absolute.

So, we've got to keep our eye on the ball. And that's what is happening. We're learning more and more about what's going on. It isn't the stories (ph) that's changing. It's a situation that's changing. And we have to adapt.

Vaccines, again, as you have said, are absolutely critical. But that isn't enough.

One thing I said is we need to start getting prophylactic drugs. So that if you're exposed, you can be contact traced and everybody who's been in contact with somebody infected can pop a pill. That could happen today with flu. Drugs exist today for flu.

We need to have such drugs to add to what I call multimodal therapy, multimodal COVID control. Vaccines, drugs, and good public health behavior, as well as a global cooperation, because this is a global fight. Just like climate change.

KEILAR: Yes. I think we're seeing the areas where there is a -- it's essential that we improve in many of these areas as a country and really just across the world we're seeing that.

Professor Haseltine, thank you so much for being with us this morning.

HASELTINE: You're welcome. Thank you.

BERMAN: New York City mayor Bill de Blasio says more guidance -- new guidance on indoor mask use in New York City will come as soon as Monday. It was only back in May that New Yorkers were allowed to go mask-free indoors after a year of restrictions and lockdowns. Hit businesses hard.

The prospect of indoor masking is not sitting well with Eli Klein, a New York City art gallery owner. He tweeted out, "A mask mandate is a slow-down for all indoor entertainment venues, stadiums, gyms, theaters, concert halls, clubs, malls, stores, et cetera. People don't want to do these things if they have to cover their face."

And Eli Klein joins me here now in studio. Very nice to see you.

ELI KLEIN, NEW YORK CITY ART GALLERY OWNER: Thanks for having me, John.

BERMAN: Thank you for being willing to speak out about what you feel and what you're seeing, and to come on and talk about it now. You really don't want to go back to masks indoors in your gallery.

KLEIN: Well, it's not just about my gallery. It's about New York City generally. If we are subject to sweeping mask mandates now in the summer, you know, let's be honest there. We don't know when COVID levels will ever be lower than they are now in New York City.

And that could put us on a slippery slope to all kinds of the same restrictions that we were subject to last year. I mean, things like micro-cluster targeting and capacity limits and business shutdowns. It's not just the mask.

And I think, you know, none of us have a problem just putting on a mask. It's really much more than that. It's -- it's a blueprint for indefinite government restrictions in New York, which you know, we've had vaccines available for everyone 12-plus for many months. And that -- there has to be an end game. There has to be an off-ramp.

BERMAN: We'll talk about vaccines again in just a second. I just want to know because you've been listening. You've been here for the beginning of the show. You've heard the news about the Delta variant, how much more contagious it can be and the fact it could make people even sicker. Does that have any impact on your view?

KLEIN: No. I think it's obviously catastrophic news. And it's something that we should all take very seriously. We've been taking, you know, COVID very seriously since the beginning. And -- and it doesn't impact my -- my view with respect to reimplementing restrictions.

The fact of the matter is that these vaccines are widely available. They're extraordinarily effective. And you know, it's a matter of, obviously, there's issues with, you know, personal risk tolerance and whatnot, but it doesn't change the fact that -- that reimplementing mask mandates in New York City would stunt our recovery, would diminish tourism and many aspects of life. It would crush businesses that have already been crushed.

BERMAN: OK. So you don't like the idea of mask mandates. What about vaccine mandates?

KLEIN: Well, vaccine mandates is a different question. I think the main problem that I have in New York City, for example, is -- is the discriminatory aspect of it, to be honest. I mean, it's -- what happened in New York is we really -- these lockdowns pushed the burden to essential workers and to minorities who are --

BERMAN: But the vaccines are available to everybody.

KLEIN: Yes, but they were infected disproportionately. They're vaccine hesitant disproportionately. Over 60 percent of -- of blacks in New York City aren't vaccinated.

But they have higher levels of natural immunity, of infection- conferred immunity, that isn't -- isn't considered vaccinated by the CDC when the data is clear that it should be.

[06:10:03]

BERMAN: Why not hang a sign on your gallery that says, You can come in here unmasked if you're vaccinated or if you test negative for COVID?

KLEIN: Well, I mean, I think people know the rules.

BERMAN: But no. Would that -- would you be OK with the situation where you can come in unmasked, you don't have to wear a mask if you're vaccinated?

KLEIN: There's no government guidelines right that are forcing me to do that, so I --

BERMAN: You could. There's nothing stopping you from doing it.

I could do anything. We could always do things to be more safer [SIC].

BERMAN: But if your concern is that people don't want to come into your gallery, which I hear is wonderful, by the way --

KLEIN: Thank you.

BERMAN: -- masked, well, then have them come in unmasked but vaccinated.

KLEIN: I just want to be clear that my concern isn't selfish. It's not based on people coming into my gallery.

My concern is I'm a lifelong New Yorker. I was born and raised in Greenwich Village. My concern is for New York generally and reimplementing these restrictions --

BERMAN: Mask restrictions. KLEIN: Mask restrictions lead to every restriction. And we know that.

We've seen it.

BERMAN: Do you consider vaccine requirements to be a restriction?

KLEIN: I mean, are they technically a restriction, you know, I suppose so. If someone is checking, you know, vaccine status upon entry, it is. And I think my biggest problem with that is that that effectively bans 60 percent of black people in New York from -- from my gallery, for example.

And am I prepared to ban the majority of black people from visiting my gallery? Absolutely not, John.

BERMAN: Well, let's hope we get more people vaccinated.

KLEIN: I agree with you completely.

BERMAN: All right. Eli, thank you very much for being with us. Really appreciate the discussion. It is an important discussion to be having.

KLEIN: I appreciate you having me. Thanks so much.

BERMAN: All right.

To breaking news. Right now the first group of Afghan interpreters who helped Americans arriving in the U.S. as they face execution back home. We are there live.

KEILAR: Plus, does Congressman Mo Brooks admitting that he wore body armor on January 6th impact his defense in the lawsuit filed against him?

And new overnight, Simone Biles admitting what she's going through at the Olympics, a case of the twisties. This is NEW DAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:16:16]

KEILAR: The first group of evacuated Afghan interpreters arriving in the U.S. overnight. They, of course, face threats from the Taliban after serving alongside American troops and diplomats in Afghanistan, and they're now eligible for the special visa immigration program.

CNN's Kylie Atwood, live for us at Ft. Lee in Virginia.

Kylie, this is where the interpreters will be coming today.

KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, they're going to be coming here today, about 200 of these interpreters and their families that have been flown to the United States.

President Biden said in a statement this morning that this is an important milestone as the U.S. works to fulfill their promise to these interpreters who worked shoulder to shoulder with U.S. troops and diplomats in Afghanistan.

I want to read to you a line from his statement this morning saying, quote, "Most of all, I want to thank these brave Afghans for standing with the United States, and today, I'm proud to say to them, 'Welcome home.'"

But frankly, this is a treacherous journey that many of them have gone through to get here, because of the threats that they are facing at home from the Taliban.

And we spoke with a few of them this week who underscored just how urgent it is that they get out of Afghanistan. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If I don't go out of Afghanistan, I'm counting down my end of life.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely, we need to get out of the country. They are looking after us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our future will be dark. They're going to cut our heads, too.

My family hides me and told them Ramish has gone somewhere. Then they searched our house, and I was hide inside the oven in my yard. They burned my house. And nothing remined to us. All our materials burned by them.

ATWOOD: They burned your house?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. They burned my house.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ATWOOD: Now, there are about 20,000 Afghan interpreters who have applied for these special immigrant visas to the United States. The 200 of those and their family members who are arriving today are in the final stages of that application process.

So, all that they have to do here at Ft. Lee is to go through medical screenings, and then they will be relocated to cities across the United States.

But there are still thousands and thousands that are waiting in Afghanistan. The Biden administration still working effortlessly to try and find a plan to relocate them while they go through the final stages of their visa process.

KEILAR: All right, Kylie. A big day there at Ft. Lee. Thank you so much for that report.

Simone Biles posting a new video overnight showing that she's still suffering from what is known as the twisties.

BERMAN: Plus, celebration in Minnesota after gymnastics superstar Suni Lee wins gold.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:23:20]

KEILAR: Simone Biles says she still has the twisties. In a now-deleted series of Instagram posts she shows how scary it can be. The big question is will she compete in the four individual events starting Sunday?

Coy Wire live for us in Tokyo this morning. Those videos may have given us a hint, Coy, because she says they're affecting all of the different moves, not just a couple of them as they've affected her before.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR/CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right, Brianna. And these posts remind us just how dangerous and scary gymnastics can be, especially if the mentals aren't there, as Biles called it.

She said it's petrifying and that her mind and body are simply not in synch. She posted these videos from here in Tokyo at this morning's practice session saying, quote, literally cannot tell up from down. It's the craziest feeling ever. Not having an inch of control over your body. What's scary is since I have no idea where I am in the air, I also have no idea how I'm going to land or what I'm going to land on: head, hands, feet, back," unquote.

The 24-year-old added that when she's had the twisties in the past, it's taken two weeks or more, Brianna, for them to go away.

Now, Biles was watching the women's all-around gymnastics from the stands on Thursday. I can see her across the way, barely sitting still at times, cheering on her teammate and new individual all-around champ Suni Lee, stepping up huge on the sport's biggest stage, extending a run of five golds for the U.S. in this event.

Lee grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, trained in the backyard on a wooden beam that her dad built for her. Lee missed two months in 2020 with a broken bone in her foot, two months with an Achilles injury. Dad was paralyzed from the chest down in 2019. She even lost an aunt and uncle due to COVID last year, Brianna.

She says she felt like quitting at times, but she persevered through it all. It all came down to the floor routine, and she crushed it.

[06:25:06]

Suni strong, an emotional win after going through all that she's been through. This is her moment, and she says she's embracing every bit of it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SUNI LEE, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST: With COVID and my family and everything else, this medal definitely means a lot to me, because there was a point in time where I wanted to quit. And I just didn't think I would ever get here, including injuries and stuff.

So there are definitely a lot of emotions, but I'm super proud of myself for sticking with it and believing in myself.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: Eighteen years old, Brianna. Favorite book is Harry Potter. Favorite movie, "Finding Nemo." And how does she want to celebrate this big win? She just wanted some pizza, and she says she got her pepperoni. You deserve it. Awesome, awesome stuff.

KEILAR: Oh, she so does. It's amazing. You know, she's been known for her uneven bars, and it turns out she's got it all. She's the whole package, Coy. It's amazing to watch.

Thank you so much, live for us from Tokyo.

WIRE: You got it.

BERMAN: So when Suni Lee was in Tokyo clinching the gold medal, her family and friends were gathered thousands of miles away in Minnesota.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: The 18-year-old beat a packed field to become only the sixth American woman to reach that peak.

Joining us now and one of the screamers there, her sister, Shyenne Lee.

Shyenne, it's so nice to meet you. I have to admit, when I found out that your sister won the gold, I screamed. And I've never met her. So what was it like for you at that moment?

SHYENNE LEE, SISTER OF SUNI LEE: Oh, my God, it was crazy. We had our whole family gathered around. And we were just in awe. We are so proud of her. We didn't expect gold. Like, that's just something that she's been dreaming about forever. And it was just unreal.

KEILAR: What did your parents think? We had your parents on earlier this week to talk about your sister ahead of winning gold in the all- arounds. And, you know, your dad, he's kind of the Suni whisperer, right? He's -- he must be so incredibly proud. Tell us about your mom and dad.

LEE: Oh my God, they're both super proud. They've been, like, living the gymnastics life forever, too. And just seeing Suni along this entire journey and, like, her living her dreams, they're just super proud. And I know that everything they've done for Suni to get here was well worth it.

BERMAN: You know, Coy Wire ran through it moments ago. It's been a -- it's been a heck of a few years for the United States, right, and this country and the world. It's been a really challenging year or so for you and your family.

And among other things, I heard that, with all the violence against the Asian-American community in the United States, your father at one point told you guys not to go outside alone. I just wonder if you can talk about all the emotions that you've been feeling.

LEE: It's a lot. Like, of course with all, like, the stuff going down here in Minnesota, especially, there's like a lot of protesting of, like, the Asian-Americans, which I'm totally, like, rooting for.

But it's also dangerous, as well. And you know, my dad just wants all of us to stay safe and not get too involved in, like, arguments. And, like, just trying to be more in than out, because you never know what's out there.

KEILAR: I mean, that -- It's sad that you have to think about that, Shyenne. It's sad that your sister and your siblings have to think about that.

And it's clear talking to you, kind of the range of emotions that you've experienced here just in -- in the last several months. So this is amazing that you are experiencing this huge high as you watch your sister. I know that she -- she facetimed with you after she won. What did she tell you?

LEE: If I'm being honest, I can't really remember. It was so hectic and so much adrenaline going around. But I think she was saying how I wish you guys were here. And I was just telling her to breathe, because I can tell, like watching her, she like, holds in her breath and that she can't breathe.

So I was like, girl, you did it. Now is your time to breathe. And now she's seeing how proud I am of her. But it was a really good moment.

BERMAN: Just what kind of a sister is she? You know, spill the beans here.

LEE: Suni?

BERMAN: Yes.

LEE: She's an amazing sister. I'm so grateful for her. She -- she's always here for me, and I'm always here for her. And we just have a clique (ph) like no other.

KEILAR: Unbelievable. Twelve days apart you are, right? Just 12 days apart.

LEE: Yes. A week and a half.

BERMAN: All right. Shyenne lee, congratulations to your entire family. We appreciate you being with us this morning. We're so happy for your happiness.

LEE: Thank you, guys. I'm so happy for her.