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New Day Sunday
Americans Flock to Public Places As Death Toll Nears 100,000; Trump to Attend Arlington Wreath Laying Tomorrow; Hong Kong Police Fire Tear Gas at Pro-Democracy Demonstrations. Aired 7-8a ET
Aired May 24, 2020 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[07:00:01]
CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: We'll be right back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The first summer holiday since the start of the COVID outbreak and Americans are flocking to beaches from coast to coast.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We've been quarantining for a while.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We haven't gone to coffee. We've cut everything off. And this is the first time we've come out.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've seen, unfortunately, you know, throughout the country, we just have opened a tremendous amount of irresponsible behavior.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: While Americans may not be paying their respects in person, this Memorial Day weekend will not go by without Americans in various ways honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It wasn't a question of are we going to do something or aren't we going to do something. It was a matter of how can we still honor these fallen men and women while at the same time protecting our visitors and folks who might want to come out?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY WEEKEND with Victor Blackwell and Christi Paul.
PAUL: Beautiful day there coming up with the sun in Atlanta. I hope it's the same for you, wherever you might be right now. Thank you so much for being with us.
I know that there is a lot of reconciling to be done right now as we're trying to merge two different realities that are playing out. We've got people across the country, we know. I know you're just trying to make the most of Memorial Day weekend, getting out and about, but you have to remember this devastating milestone we're hitting as well -- 100,000 lives lost to COVID-19. BLACKWELL: Look at the video, if you haven't seen it on social media
yet. This is what we're seeing along each coast, East and West, sunshine pulling people out to the beaches, luring them to the parks.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, up first. Crowds just stretched along the coast here.
Up next, Ocean City in Maryland. This is the boardwalk, packed. Masks there are recommended, not required. You see a few in the crowd, not many.
To Virginia Beach. Beach ambassadors -- you see them there in the bright yellow -- they were there to enforce social distancing, but staying six feet apart. Not easy in gulf shores, Alabama, for at least some people. The water there packed, the beach there packed as well.
PAUL: Yes, the pictures you're seeing here matter because health officials have a real fear of a new surge of cases. In the South, there are signs that that could be what's happening. North Carolina reported the single highest one-day total of new cases just yesterday. And in Arkansas, the governor says his state is seeing a second peak, so he's reminding people how easily the virus can spread.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ASA HUTCHINSON (R), ARKANSAS: A high school swim party that I'm sure everybody thought was harmless -- they're young, they're swimming, they're just having activity -- and positive cases resulted from that. And so, it's just an encouragement for us to be disciplined in our activities.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL: And of course, today churches will be opened for services in good chunks of the country.
CNN's polo Sandoval is outside St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.
I understand that Sunday mass is not happening there yet, though. Is that correct?
POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, remember, on Friday, the president called for houses of worship across the country to be opened by this weekend. Yet, here in New York at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Christi, those iconic doors remain closed. Church leaders here in New York saying they're still going to continue to be careful and follow the state's directive to keep faith services to at least ten people or less.
But, Victor, you just showed us pictures across the country. People are out and about this Memorial Day. But health authorities continue to stress, they should still be careful.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SANDOVAL (voice-over): The first summer holiday since the start of the COVID outbreak, and Americans are flocking to beaches from coast to coast.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We've been quarantining for a while.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We haven't gone to coffee. We've cut everything off. And this is the first time we've come out.
SANDOVAL: In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, many seem to be adhering to social distancing guidelines.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The people are being real respectful. They really are. Even on the beach.
SANDOVAL: Images from shorelines in other parts of the country show people closer than health officials would like to see.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've got an infection in my spinal cord. But I also got a Jesus that's a lot larger than any virus that hits this earth. So, if it's my turn to go, I'm going. If not, I'm enjoying life.
SANDOVAL: While local governments keep a keen eye on beaches, faith leaders are tasked with keeping their houses of worship from overcrowding, should they choose to reopen. On Friday, President Trump declared houses of worship as essential.
Also this weekend, a sign of progress in New York state, once the epicenter of the American coronavirus pandemic. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the daily number of COVID-related deaths fell below 100 for the first time since late March, a figure that once reached nearly 800.
[07:05:01]
GOV. ANDREW CUOMO (D), NEW YORK: The number of lives lost is down to 84. Eighty-four is still a tragedy, no doubt, but the fact that it's down as low as it is is really overall good news.
SANDOVAL: Now, concern is shifting to states like Arkansas, where Governor Asa Hutchinson is warning of an ongoing second peak in COVID cases. And North Carolina reported its highest single day increase in cases only a day after moving into phase two of reopening.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANDOVAL: With Arkansas, North Carolina, at least six other states still seeing increases, it's certainly not all good news on this Sunday morning.
And then there is, of course, that U.S. death count of coronavirus cases nearing 100,000. "The New York Times" with this headline out this morning, or at least its front page. You won't find those headlines, you won't find graphics or photos, only what it describes as a solemn list of 1,000 people on the front page of "The New York Times."
Think about it. That's just 1 percent of those people who have lost their lives in the United States to COVID. Here in New York, you just heard the governor say 84 lost Friday. Yes, it is, as he described it, a heinous number, but still, it offers hope for reopening, including places of worship like here, certainly a time when prayer is badly needed right now -- guys.
BLACKWELL: Certainly is. Polo Sandoval for us there in New York. Thank you, Polo.
PAUL: Wow, that's something.
And, of course, President Trump is moving ahead with his Memorial Day plans. First off, he's going to be at the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery tomorrow.
BLACKWELL: Yes, then he and the first lady will be going to Baltimore to visit Ft. McHenry. Mayor Jack Young there does not want the president and his entourage, Secret Service, to come.
CNN's Boris Sanchez has more on how Memorial Day ceremonies are being changed because of COVID-19.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Even at a time of great uncertainty, there are still efforts under way this Memorial Day weekend to honor those Americans who lost their lives serving their country, though this Memorial Day weekend will be very different than in years past, with officials weary of having large crowds at memorials because of coronavirus. Many ceremonies, including wreath- layings, are going online.
The annual observance at the Arlington National Cemetery will be live streamed and closed to the public, though on Thursday, about 1,000 old guard soldiers were allowed to continue the annual tradition of placing small American flags near each headstone. More than 240,000 in all. The cemetery only allowing family members visiting their loved ones' grave sites this weekend, and everyone will be required to wear face masks. Hoping to avoid big gatherings at monuments across the nation's capital, the national parks service also planning to broadcast wreath-layings online.
MICHAEL LITTERST, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE: It wasn't a question of are we going to do something or aren't we going to do something. It was a matter of how can we still honor these fallen men and women while at the same time protecting our visitors and folks who might want to come out?
SANCHEZ: Meantime, the national Memorial Day concert will not have an audience on hand this year. It will just be a virtual one.
Though Americans may not be paying their respects in person, this Memorial Day weekend will not go by without Americans in various ways honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Boris Sanchez, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PAUL: And thanks to Boris there.
Sarah Westwood is with us now from the White House.
So, Sarah, let's talk about what we're going to see from the president over the weekend. Victor mentioned it earlier, the mayor of Baltimore not really on board with some of those plans.
SARAH WESTWOOD, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: That's right, Christi. The Baltimore mayor is suggesting that president Trump might want to rethink his trip to Baltimore on Monday, and that's because stay-at- home orders are still in place in Baltimore. In fact, the city is still encouraging people to avoid gathering in groups larger than ten. Obviously, that is not going to be possible with President Trump and the first lady visiting Ft. McHenry on Monday.
The president has a busy week of travel. He'll also on Wednesday be going to Florida for the SpaceX launch. That will be the first time American astronauts are being launched into space from American soil since 2011. Vice President Pence also expected to attend that.
And it also comes a day after President Trump went golfing for the first time in a while. It with a beautiful day here in Washington yesterday. He took that opportunity to golf, and that's something that the Biden campaign quickly seized on, with former Vice President Joe Biden tweeting that nearly 100,000 Americans have died, and yet, President Trump is off golfing. The Biden campaign also quickly put out a video, hitting President Trump on his decision to golf.
But this is all coming as aides and allies of President Trump are encouraging him to get back out there on the road to help project the message the White House has been pushing for a few weeks now, which is that it's time for the country to reopen.
[07:1:07]
It's safe to do so. And the hope from President Trump's aides and allies there is that seeing President Trump get out on the road might help encourage public confidence in returning to some semblance of normal, Victor and Christi.
BLACKWELL: Sarah, before we let you go, explain this decision from this U.S. district court judge who's hired a law firm to help him respond to an appeals court. This is the Flynn case.
WESTWOOD: That's right. Former national security adviser Michael Flynn in his case, just another unusual twist in a case that has already seen a number of them. But this is Judge Emmet Sullivan. He is the judge that oversaw the case.
And he has hired a prominent D.C. trial lawyer to help him respond to an appeals court and explain his decision not to drop the case after the Justice Department suggested, requested that the court drop the case, that the charges be vacated. Judge Emmet Sullivan declined to do that immediately. And so, Flynn's lawyers went essentially above his head to the appeals
court. The appeals court is asking Judge Sullivan to defend that decision by June 1st, and he's retained this prominent lawyer to help him do that, a very unusual move, Victor and Christi.
PAUL: All right. Sarah Westwood, always appreciate it. Thank you so much.
And later this morning on "STATE OF THE UNION," Jake Tapper is joined by White House senior economic adviser Kevin Hassett, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Florida Senator Rick Scott and Florida Congresswoman Val Demings with him as well. "STATE OF THE UNION" airs today at 9:00 Eastern.
BLACKWELL: We've got more on the breaking news out of Hong Kong. Police fired tear gas at pro-democracy protesters.
PAUL: Now, thousands of people are in Hong Kong demonstrating against Beijing's controversial security proposal for that city.
CNN's Anna Coren is following the latest from Hong Kong.
Anna, it looks like there are more people out with you now than there were last hour. What's happening?
ANNA COREN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Christi, we've moved into a different location, and there is a bit of a standoff going on here between police and protesters. There have been thousands of protesters throughout the course of the day taking on the police protesting against this very controversial national security legislation that Beijing has announced it is going to push through the Hong Kong legislature.
This is unprecedented. They're basically going above local authorities in saying that this law, which would ban decision, secession, and subversion, as well as treason, international interference, that will come into play here in Hong Kong.
Now, a little bit earlier, the protest anthem was played, people cheered. There's been multiple rounds of tear gas that have been fired throughout the day. The signs have gone up in the last few minutes, but we're yet to see the police fire that tear gas, but we've also witnessed dozens of arrests. And according to the police, they've arrested over 40 people.
It gives you a sense, Christi and Victor, that authorities are not really showing much restraint. The protesters turn out, the sign goes up, tear gas is fired. You know, obviously, last year we saw violent protests that paralyzed Hong Kong. They started off in June. And the only reason they settled down was because of the outbreak of the coronavirus.
This is the first real protest for 2020. And the concern, obviously, of Beijing, is that Hong Kong will once again be embroiled by these protests, by enforcing this national security law, something that authorities tried to do back in 2003, but there was such a public backlash, they didn't go through with it. They're hoping by enforcing this law that that will stamp out these protests, because public demonstrations where you are voicing your opposition to the government, opposition to the communist party, opposition to Xi Jinping, that will be a criminal offense.
As to the details, what it's going to look like, we don't know. We understand that China will be allowed to have branches of the police or military here in Hong Kong. So perhaps once that law is enforced, which we're expecting to happen this week at the national people's Congress in Beijing, that perhaps we'll then see Chinese forces on the streets of Hong Kong. This is something we just don't know.
But speaking to the pro-democracy lawmakers, the activists, they say that Hong Kong as we know it is now dead. It is one country, one system.
PAUL: All right. Anna Coren, please stay safe there, you and your crew. Wishing you all the best. Thank you so much for the latest from there in Hong Kong.
BLACKWELL: Let's go to San Francisco now, where the people are praising and thanking the firefighters for defending a piece of history.
[07:15:04]
About 150 of them saved this -- it's a living museum, really, the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, from that huge fire behind it. One firefighter was hurt, but we're told that he will be OK.
PAUL: Yes, the ship you see there is from World War II. It helped transport people and supplies to Normandy's beaches for the D-Day invasion. But that fire yesterday destroyed a quarter of Pier 45 at the popular Fisherman's Wharf District. Still no word on the cause, however.
So, we know that big chunks of the country are opening back up, right? Well, the Navajo Nation is under a strict lockdown. We're talking to one doctor on the front lines of her community's coronavirus outbreak. Why she says the struggle is even tougher for her tribe than it is in other places in the country.
BLACKWELL: Plus, I know this is a question that you have asked yourself or maybe others -- when will it end? I'll talk with a historian from Harvard University about what history has taught us about the endings of pandemics. Hear why he thinks we are in for a long, difficult journey.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:20:11]
PAUL: Nineteen minutes past the hour right now.
And today, all 50 states are in some stage of reopening, but in stark contrast to that is this -- the Navajo Nation. It's in the midst of a weekend lockdown. Under one of the strictest orders in the country, no one's allowed to leave home unless they're an essential worker or it's an emergency.
BLACKWELL: Yes, the Navajo Nation is fighting what is the highest per-capita rate of infection in the country, ahead of New York, ahead of New Jersey. The 2010 census says that there are about 173,000 people on the territory, which spans several states, and yet, they have more infections than Oregon or South Dakota.
As of Friday, there are more than 4,500 cases with 149 members dying from the coronavirus.
PAUL: Dr. Michelle Tom is one of the few family doctors who is on the Navajo Nation. Dr. Tom, thank you for being able to be with us today.
DR. MICHELLE TOM, FAMILY PHYSICIAN ON NAVAJO NATION: Hi.
PAUL: We appreciate it so much.
TOM: Good morning. Thank you for having me on.
PAUL: Good morning. Absolutely.
Talk to us about what life is like right now on the Navajo Nation and how concerned you are about the people who are getting what they need.
TOM: So, it's obviously our -- we have the strictest lockdown rules in the country. We've on the fifth weekend now that we've done that, complete lockdown. So, life is obviously different than anywhere in the country.
We even have citations, like if you're caught driving. It's a $1,000 fine. Other places recommend not to do anything, but there is no enforced citations and so forth.
And I think it's accordingly done for the best interests of the Navajo Nation of people, especially even my own family that reside on the Navajo reservation. The urgency's still very much there. We are still seeing a lot of cases, a lot impacted by, you know, the family unit, you know.
You have five people. You know, the other day, I had patients and -- well, this week, I should say -- I have a young gentleman, 45, and his grandfather and uncle had already passed.
And then you have other ones where another man came in and he was 75, you know. He was older, came through car triage. Looked OK but wasn't eating, so we got a chest x-ray and asked more questions, and we had to fly him out within the hour down to the valley. And his wife and his son were asymptomatic, completely asymptomatic but were positive. So, yes, different.
PAUL: When you talk about -- when you talk about how you treat people, I want to show a picture. I think we have it ready, of some pilots who came in to give you goggles. These were from goggles for docs. But I also understand while you're getting that, you only have two ventilators that you can work with as well.
What is your most urgent need to help these people at this moment?
TOM: I think our most urgent need anywhere on the reservation is just critical care docs. That's probably the most way to keep the mortality/morbidity low. And the reason I say that is because, you know, great -- we have specialists. That's the point. These are critical care patients.
And once you can intervene with expertise and having the tools to do that, it's better than flying them out for two hours or one hour away. If we can keep more of them local with critical care physicians, cardiologists, pulmonologists and having the infrastructure to actually have an ICU, that helps us tremendously.
PAUL: So, I understand that there are many families that don't have running water. Your story is so compelling, I think in part because you were a basketball player at Arizona state university. You made the decision to go back to Navajo Nation and to serve these people, to come back to your community.
What is it like for you right now to see what's happening?
TOM: It's -- it's a daily -- it's hard, emotionally, spiritually. You know, I'm very tied to the people and to the land. Being Navajo, we're very matrilineal. We have a very strong unit of extended families.
[07:25:02]
So, you know, I always seem to know someone every day or every other day of someone who's been infected or someone who's been intubated, and someone who's dead. And these are not just people I don't see. These are people I know.
And it continues to be so. So, you know, it's been difficult.
PAUL: Yes, we're so sorry for what you're dealing with. They are lucky to have you, Dr. Michelle Tom. And we are lucky to hear your story. Thank you so much. And we're wishing you everything good.
TOM: Thank you so much for having me on. You guys have a great day.
PAUL: You as well.
BLACKWELL: Christi, that moment where she started to talk about being connected to the people, connected to the land, you could really feel --
PAUL: Yes.
BLACKWELL: -- that, you know, and beyond the conversation about the resources needed, the compassion there in her voice.
PAUL: It's one thing to treat a lot of people. It's another thing to treat people that you know personally so well.
BLACKWELL: Yeah, yeah.
Coming up, we're going to have a conversation about your finances in the crisis. Personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary is back to talk about finding work during the pandemic, and she's going to show off this! I'm not even going to tell you what it is. I'm not going to tell you why it's important, but you want to watch this segment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:30:35]
VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is due in court today for his criminal corruption case.
CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, he's facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He strongly denies all charges. The trial clouts his victory last weekend after he was sworn in for the fifth time as prime minister.
Here's CNN's Oren Liebermann.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OREN LIEBERMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Oren Liebermann in Jerusalem for the unprecedented start of the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The first time in Israel's history a sitting prime minister has been indicted and is on trial, will be sitting in the defendant's seat in the state of Israel versus Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has maintained his innocence all long. His government ministers and allies have attacked the investigative process, the attorney general, and the legal system in this case, and there are expected to be protests outside of Jerusalem district court today, both in favor of and against Netanyahu.
In terms of what happens today in court, frankly, the answer is not all that much. Today is about making sure the defendant, Netanyahu, understands the charges against him. He's not required or expected to enter a plea, and he may not even say anything at all, allowing his lawyers in this case to do the talking.
The rest is arguments about scheduling, about timing, about evidence. The actual trial itself, the presentation of evidence, the hearing of the 333 witnesses in this case, that is still months away.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLACKWELL: Back here in the U.S., we're seeing states begin to reopen, and a lot of people want to know how this, when this might end.
Dr. Allan Brandt, professor of the history of medicine and science at Harvard University, says defining the end will be a long and difficult process. Professor, thanks for being with us.
I want to get to that characterization in a moment, but first, the pictures we're seeing of the beaches full, the boardwalks full, pools filling. We know there will be a medical end to the pandemic, also a societal or socio political end, when people just decide we're not staying in anymore, we're going out. When you see this video, is this what the societal end looks like?
ALLAN BRANDT, PROFESSOR, HISTORY OF MEDICINE, HARVARD UNIVERSITY: Well, I think that we can, you know, say this is over, let's go back to the way things were, but what we really know is that there is a fundamental relationship between the biological, an epidemic, and the social ends.
So, if we return to business as usual, if we want to say, let's go back to the way it was, we will have a big impact on the biological, the medical, and the public health aspects of the epidemic. So, I tend to think about them not so separately as biological epidemics and social epidemics, but in a way that's really interrelated. And one of the terms we use in the history of medicine is biosocial, that one is fundamentally depend on another.
So, even though we wish we could go back to how things were last fall, there will be no going back, and there will be a series of medical and public health and social struggles about how to constitute a safe environment for people to work and live.
BLACKWELL: So, let's talk about that interdependency and the struggle, because the head of the CDC, Dr. Redfield, tells us that there's a potential that a surge of cases in the fall could be worse than what we've seen over the last several months. So, if we are seeing this decision socially, to get back out, to get back to the beaches and life, as normal as possible -- if the surge comes, how does the medical metric -- is it as influential? And is it even harder to get people to go back to some type of mitigation protocol after they've made the decision that we're not staying in the house?
BRANDT: Well, I think it could be very difficult to get back to mitigation, but I also think that when and if there are surges or, you know, rising rates again of infection, rising rates of death, as we've seen over these last three months, then public health authorities and science will have to make a strong argument, but there will always be resistance.
[07:35:12]
And we might like to think that we can separate science and politics, but again, they're deeply connected. And we see that now in debates about how we count the disease, who's really at risk, can we go back?
And so, it's very difficult -- and I think historians reflect on this -- to make the separations between biological and social, between scientific and political. And we see the fights playing out, you know, in the White House task force, in the economic advice we're getting. And regrettably, this is going to be a very complicated and hard- fought battle in these months and even years ahead.
BLACKWELL: Looking forward to this conversation, I watched a panel discussion that you participated in at the New York Academy of Sciences back in 2018. Maybe you remember this. It was about science denialism. Denialism, I should say. Yeah.
BRANDT: Yes.
BLACKWELL: And you talked about the influence of industry and politics on science. I wonder, when you watch the politicization of face masks and the president's discussion and pushing of hydroxychloroquine, the anti-vaxxers, how does that impact the lifespan and impact of a pandemic?
BRANDT: Well, it could make a pandemic much worse. And so, you know, this is a time where we really need to be able to trust our scientists and the people who speak from evidence and data. And in a phase which goes way back before COVID-19, we've lived in an era where politics, economic interests, have often contested and undermined our confidence in science. It makes it that much more difficult to really find a path that protects the health of citizens.
So, we've seen this in environmental science. We've seen it around issues of dangerous products, like cigarettes or vaping. And this process of undermining scientific authority, which regrettably has become an important part of our politics and our culture, can really make it difficult for citizens to understand what's happening, what's my risk, how do I keep myself and my family safe.
And so, this is part of the political debate of our moment, and it's an essentially important one.
BLACKWELL: Professor Allan Brandt, thanks so much for being with us as we try to understand how and when this will end and who will decide when this pandemic is over. So good to have you on the show this morning.
BRANDT: Thanks very much.
PAUL: So, when we come back, the nation's top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci has a message for the class of 2020.
Also, personal finance specialist Michelle Singletary, she has advice for graduates looking for work during the pandemic, and she's got a son who she can speak about personally on that issue.
BLACKWELL: You know, we learn a lot about her kids on this show. We've learned a lot about them over the years.
Hey, here's a reminder. You, of course, want to watch CNN's Fareed Zakaria's special as he investigates the moment the pandemic was born. "China's Deadly Secret", it's tonight at 9:00, right here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:43:18]
PAUL: So, the nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, delivered a virtual message to the 2020 graduates at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
BLACKWELL: He called on students to adapt and unite in overcoming the challenges of this pandemic.
Here's a portion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: We need your talent, your energy, your resolve, and your character to get through this difficult time. In the next phase of your lives, whatever professional path you choose, all of you directly or indirectly will be doing your part, together with the rest of us, to come out from under the shadow of this pandemic.
Hopkins has a rich tradition of nurturing scholars who excel in their fields of study, and by extension, enhance the global society in which we live. I have no doubt you'll become leaders in your respective fields and help respond to the many public health and other challenges to come. So, congratulations on your graduation. Keep well. And I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: So, now, graduates are looking for a job, and coronavirus has made the job market tough, even for the most experienced workers. So, for those ready to start a new career, it is even more daunting.
PAUL: Yeah, that would be tough.
Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist for "The Washington Post," with us now.
I know you've got a son who is a senior, and he got two internships. People are going, how did he do that? All right, let us know.
MICHELLE SINGLETARY, SYNDICATED PERSONAL FINANCE COLUMNIST, THE WASHINGTON POST: Well, first of all, he has a mom, you know, me. But seriously, because we required all of our children to have internships that were related to their career the entire time they were in college.
[07:45:04]
So he started looking back in the fall. And what was key to him was two things -- his career office at his school. Because before the pandemic shut everything down, they would recommend they go to different career fairs, and my son went to all the ones that they recommended. He goes to -- I've got to shout out to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and their career office is amazing.
And so, he got an internship, not related necessarily to his field -- he's a math major -- but with a computer company that sets up computer systems for other companies. And it's an hour away from our home. And he was like, I don't know, mom. I was like, you're going to take that job because it's really hard to get a job right now. And he was also applying for a virtual internship with NASA.
So he got the one internship first. You take the bird in the hand. And then he heard about the NASA internship afterwards, before he started. And that's what he did.
So, we were preparing him for that, even before he graduated. And that is the key. Now, if you are ready, you hadn't done that, just be flexible. That is the thing.
A lot of the kids, I know, you're a math major, a science major or something, but take whatever you can for right now, until you can get more experience and get out there. And when things open up.
And the other thing is, I talked about the career office. That is such a great resource, and students should take advantage of that, even as they're graduating.
BLACKWELL: Yeah. The other advice you give is live at home. I'm going to leave that to all the families, to let that marinate in their respective living rooms.
So, let me move on to another topic here. The economic consequences of the pandemic. So many people are feeling them, but you found and have reported in your column that older women are feeling it worse. Why?
SINGLETARY: Yeah, 55 and older. A couple of things. I call it the trifecta effect. Age discrimination, it's there. It's real. It takes them longer to get employment. So they're unemployed for longer.
And when they do get a job, they tend to -- salary is less. And so, when you put all those things together, when you looked at the last employment numbers, they were more -- their unemployment was higher than even men of the same age.
PAUL: You know, sometimes I already have your voice in my head. And now I can get it on my computer. So, you can tell me about my retirement --
SINGLETARY: That's right.
PAUL: We can all do this. Tell us about it.
SINGLETARY: Yeah! So, I'm super excited about this tool that we have at Washingtonpost.com. We call it the Michelle bot. So, Victor, you say this all the time. Like, I can hear you in my ear.
BLACKWELL: Right.
SINGLETARY: So, you literally can do that. So, we created a retirement calculator that looks at how much you need to save from your salary to be ready for retirement. And all along the way, there are little clips of me talking you, cheering you on.
Look, coach, right? It's simple calculator, but it's a start to retirement planning. And we all know, like right now what's going on. The key to what is happening with this pandemic is to plan.
Now, maybe you didn't already, but now you can go forward. Like my son. And women, if you think you're going to be unemployed, you know, saving and making sure things are lined up so that when the storm comes, you're ready for it.
BLACKWELL: Yeah. Your bot has been blinking at me on my second screen all morning while I was prepping for this show.
Good to have the real Michelle Singletary here. Great to have the bot when we need it. Thanks so much for being with us this morning.
SINGLETARY: Yeah! It's a great tool. It's very easy to use.
PAUL: Michelle is the cheerleader for us!
BLACKWELL: Yes. Thank you, Michelle.
We'll be right back.
SINGLETARY: You're so welcome.
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[07:50:18]
BLACKWELL: Listen, we're all spending more time at home and some places, the gyms aren't open yet. Maybe you're not ready to go back.
But in today's "Staying Well", there are some easy ways to add exercise to your daily routine at home.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEPHANIE MANSOUR, HEALTH & FITNESS EXPERT: The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recommends that adults get 2 1/2 hours of moderate exercise per week.
Whether you're standing up or sitting down, you can do some abdominal pulses. So, pulling the naval in toward the spine, holding and then releasing. For about 30 seconds, and then take a rest. This helps to support your lower back and helping improve posture.
Next time you're cooking at the stove or warming up something in the microwave, do some calf raises. Go onto your tiptoes and lower back down. This helps to stabilize your ankle and knee joints as well as give you definition in your lower leg.
Next time you're about to sit on the couch and watch your favorite TV show, turn it into a squat. Sit down, put your feet as wide as your hips and slowly stand back up. Repeat this about ten times. This is going to engage all of the muscles in your legs and it's going to make you feel accomplished and committed to your health and fitness.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLACKWELL: So, this is Memorial Day weekend and it is the unofficial start to summer, but the weekend means so much more.
[07:55:01] This is when we honor the men and women who have died while serving this country, military members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
PAUL: Yes, that statement that freedom isn't free, and we have to remember that. And there are annual traditions that give us comfort. A lot of Americans visit cemeteries and memorials to pay their respects, or they hold, you know, family gatherings, there are parades. I know it's going to look different this year, but we just want to thank you for the service that the people you love gave to us and we will never forget it.
BLACKWELL: Thank you for watching this morning.
PAUL: Yes, thank you so much.
"INSIDE POLITICS" with John King is up next.
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