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CNN NEWSROOM

A Death Nearly Every Minute, the Lives Lost to Coronavirus; Fear as Bikers Rally Expects 250,000 People without Mask Rule; Postmaster General Says, Election Mail will not be Slowed Down. Aired 1-1:30p ET

Aired August 7, 2020 - 13:00   ET

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

[13:00:00]

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: I'm Brianna Keilar and I want to welcome viewers here in the United States and around the world.

Every 70 seconds, that is nearly once a minute, an American is dying from coronavirus. And there are lives behind the numbers, the charts that we report every day. And there's so many more that they leave behind, their the lives forever changed.

Keith and Gwendolyn Robinson, married 35 years, four children, ten grandchildren. They died 11 days apart from the coronavirus. Gwendolyn passed away while saying goodbye to her family on FaceTime. Their son says that they were like Noah and Allie from The Notebook.

Eugene and Angie Hunter only in the 50s and they also died just days apart. They leave behind a 17-year-old son who lost both of his parents within a week.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUSTIN HUNTER, LOST BOTH PARENTS TO CORONAVIRUS: They really lived with no regrets.

My dad, he told me in situations like this, I have two choices. The first choice is I can sit here, cry, you know, feel sorry for myself and just kind of be useless and not do anything, or I can cry, realize what happened and accept what happened and move on from what happened and do everything in their name and do everything for them from now on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: And Allan Seebach Jr., a member of the Tappan Fire Department for more than four decades, he recently fulfilled his dream of opening a model train store in his hometown. A vintage fire truck carried his casket to the cemetery behind the house where he grew up.

Valentina Blackhorse, 28 years old, the middle sister of three, she won her first pageant when she was just 11 years old. Valentina was an emotional and financial rock for her parents, according to her sister.

Joseph Costa, a doctor who died the virus, his husband, David, explains why he took off his PPE during those final moments to say goodbye.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID HART, LOST HUSBAND, DR. JOSEPH COSTA, TO COVID-19: I contracted COVID from Joe at the time he was dying. I was just not going to not be able to touch him with my bare hands, with my cheek. So I took everything off. I just took it off. I know I wasn't supposed to do that. But at that point, it was what I wanted to do for him to help support and comfort him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Joe Lewinger, just 42, his wife, Maura, says, Joe wrote her love letters every morning and left them in her lunch box. In his final moments, the doctors held the phone over him as Maura played their wedding song.

And Rolando Aravena, a father of five, just 44 years old, he died on his twin daughter's tenth birthday.

Leslie Leake, Nikki Leake and John Leake, a mother and her two children, all gone within a month. And Byron and Mikayla (ph), brother and sister, they were just starting life in their 20s, their mother struggling to make sense of why they were taken so soon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MONETE HICKS, SON AND DAUGHTER DIED FROM CORONAVIRUS: Honestly, I can't say where they got this virus from because they basically was home bound. I mean, the only thing he said, we went to Orlando for a vacation. And, all of a sudden, they came home sick.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Now, the number of cases, it doesn't tell the whole story, like Miracle Larry, who is just one case, one survivor, he spent 128 days in the hospital and 51 of those on a ventilator.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY KELLY, SURVIVED 128-DAY BATTLE WITH CORONAVIRUS: They pulled my family in, my brother, my daughter, my wife, pretty much against protocol to come to the glass to pay their last respects. And they were strongly suggesting taking me off life support. And then my daughter and my wife strongly opposed that and said he would want to live.

The last text message I sent to my wife right before I was vented, I said, I promise I'll never stop fighting. And I kept that promise.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: And while you've been listening to this, three Americans have died. That is not just a number that we have been putting on the screen. These are Americans. They're our parents and our grandparents, they are kids and neighbors, they're people. And six months into the pandemic, the coronavirus testing situation is getting worse, not only are results taking too long, more than a week in some cases, but 29 states are doing fewer tests this week than they were last, and that is more than half the country.

The COVID tracking project says recent storms and technical problems have contributed to the testing decline nationwide, which is down 10 percent.

Dr. Jake Deutsch is an E.R. doctor. He is the founder and clinical director of Cure Urgent Care.

[13:05:00]

Doctor, thanks for coming on to talk to us about this. Why are we here at this point? And where should we be?

DR. JAKE DEUTSCH, E.R. DOCTOR: Well, those stories -- I mean, I was just getting teared up myself and we are really in a situation that people are disconnected from.

KEILAR: Yes.

DEUTSCH: Unless you can really identify somebody who's had a situation like that or you, yourself, were sick. There is just not a connection to what's really happening. And testing really is the key link. If we can't get people tested, if people aren't aware that asymptomatic carriers are a large portion of the population, we just have a major disconnect in this country. And that is the problem that we're really facing.

KEILAR: I definitely agree. You see that number climbing and We have to try not to become immune to what that number means, right? The number is so big.

DEUTSCH: People are frustrated, you know? The time to get results are taking longer. What's the incentive for somebody who doesn't have symptoms to get tested? If we don't really educate people that it's important to identify and test and make it easy and be efficient and we really aren't going to do anything to move in the right direction.

KEILAR: Yes. Or some people, they could be discouraged from testing because they say, look, I'm going to let people who have symptoms get that test, like we were doing at the beginning.

But 24 hours ago, we were reporting that the governor of Ohio, Governor DeWine, had positive test results after he had taken a rapid screening ahead of the president's visit, but then hours later, there was a tweet that came out and said, the governor took a more sensitive test and it was actually negative, which brings us to the question, are these tests, these quick tests that the White House are using, are they reliable?

DEUTSCH: We've got great inequities between the different type of testing. So rapid antigen testing, not so sensitive, some reports below 90s, but others down to 50 percent. It's kind of unfathomable that they're using that type of test to have somebody in close proximity of the president of the United States.

And the longer test, the PCR test, more accurate but the delays, and it actually is about a six-hour test if you have swab to on the machine to get the results. That's in the best case scenario. But we're seeing delays on the national level, seven, ten days. That's just not going to be efficient. That's not going to give us accurate results. We need to have a process. We need to have a plan in place to get testing in a widespread basis and make it very, very accurate.

KEILAR: The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, just announced that all school districts in the state can actually reopen because the numbers are even better than expected. There's hospitalizations that have dropped to 536, which is a new low since March. And Cuomo says that the number of tests that are positive is at just 1 percent. I mean, that's a pretty good number. Can the state keep this up after schools open though, do you think?

DEUTSCH: You know, there needs to be a plan. Again, opening schools is a possibility if we see low numbers. But what does that look like when things change and how are we monitoring it? Just opening the schools and not having a real plan in place to accurately test is only going to lead to problems.

And we have to remember, the number of asymptomatic patients can range from 20 percent to 30 percent some of the times. So if we don't test and we don't do it in a widespread basis, we're going to be in trouble. And especially as we see an increase number of positive cases among young adults. That's the most vulnerable population when you're talking about students and teachers. We really need to address this with a critical plan in place. That's my recommendation.

KEILAR: All right. Dr. Jake Deutsch, thank you for being with us.

DEUTSCH: Thank you.

KEILAR: Now, to this breaking news first on CNN, we have learned that Elizabeth Warren and a group of other Democratic senators have sent a letter calling for the inspector general to look into what's going on at the U.S. postal service. There's growing concern the Trump administration is working to degrade the postal service ahead of the expected surge in mail-in ballots for the November election.

I want to bring in CNN's Jessica Dean. Tell us about this letter.

JESSICA DEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brianna, this is coming from a group senators and members from congressional oversight on the House side as well. And what this is doing is asking the USPS, the U.S. Postal Service's inspector general to get involved.

As you'll remember, we have been reporting over the last week or so that since he took over, the new postmaster general, who was a President Trump loyalist and former fundraiser, has put into place some operational changes that critics say and postal workers and also union members say have slowed down service. This is about cutting back on overtime, not being able to make extra trips and that's degrading the service that the postal service provides. This letter asking the inspector general to look into several things, those operational changes that I just mentioned, why did those happen, what's the reasoning behind them? Also, they want the inspector general to look into potential conflicts of interest, financial conflicts of interest, that the new postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, might have.

[13:10:00]

And then also too, how all of this might impact the 2020 election and vote by mail.

I want to read to you a part of this letter that the Congress people go on to say that, as of the date of this letter, the responses from postal service officials have been seriously lacking. While we have every intention to continue to press for answers, Mr. DeJoy's actions call into question his willingness to keep Congress informed and we believe a postal service inspector general review can help ensure Americans obtain the answers they need and deserve about the quality of their mail service.

You will remember Louis DeJoy, the new postmaster general, was on the Hill earlier this week meeting with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, both of them expressing their frustration that they didn't get the answers they were looking for from him.

He spoke today to the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, Brianna. It's the first time we heard him speak publicly since all of this has happened. He said that while he has a good relationship with President Trump, he's not doing this at any direction from the president or the Trump administration. He also said that the USPS will be able to do what they need to do for vote by mail. But more to come on this as the days and hours roll on.

KEILAR: Yes. We are getting close to the election and the post office is going to be essential. Jessica, thank you for the report.

Stimulus talks on the brink of collapse as millions face evictions and the small business relief ends.

Plus, it's slated to be America's largest event since the pandemic, 250 thousand people at a biker rally starting today. We're going to take you there.

And did the president's attacks on Joe Biden's faith go too far?

This is CNN's special live coverage.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:15:00]

KEILAR: Despite warnings from health experts, one of the largest motorcycle events in the world will kick off today in the City of Sturgis, South Dakota. The ten-day rally is expected to draw more than a quarter-million people to a city with a population of just 7,000. CNN's Ryan Young is joining us now on this. What more can you tell us about the event and how it is playing out this year, Ryan?

RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So far, people are starting to roll in. I can tell you, we've asked a few folks are they worried about COVID? I haven't seen a lot of people wearing mask in this area. One of the things they've been talking about consistently, it's about that it's so much open air and they handled the Mt. Rushmore event so well during the 4th of July.

Just take a look from above and you can see how expansive this is. When you know at this camera, you know that 250,000 people are expected to come in this weekend. It's $800 million shot to the economy in this area. And as you can understand, there are people here who, of course, have concerns about COVID. But when you think about how rough and raw it's been for so many people across this country when it comes to the economy, you know that an area like this could use a shot in the arm.

We have been talking to vendors who said they have come as far away as Florida to be here because this might be their only chance to get even close to making their year. In fact, listen to one of the organizer talk about the reason why this event should take place.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROD WOODRUFF, OWNER, BUFFALO CHIP CAMPGROUND: I don't mean to make light of it but I mean to be damn serious about the freedom aspect and that means they're freedom-loving people, they're not going to give it up. Our governor said, the government's duty is not to control people's lives, it's to give them the information so they can make their own decisions. That's what these people are doing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

YOUNG: So, we have been talking to people all across this area just about what they plan to do over the next few days. There are a lot of people who, especially when they go inside, they do have their masks in hand. You see the signs up all over the place. There's talk about social distancing.

And when you think about some of the events, they're on this 600-acre area. So there's obviously a spread. But I think the big shock here is there's a pent-up frustration from all across the country that is bringing people this direction. So you see plates from as far away as New York, to Florida, to Connecticut.

You understand that they believe the numbers will show up in the next few hours. It's just getting going and we're told maybe in the next 24 hours or so, especially when the concerts start, that's when all the people will really start rolling despite the large crowds that are already here.

KEILAR: All right. Look, we hear from experts. They say outdoors is better than indoors but they still worry about gatherings, and certainly one of this size. Ryan, thank you for that report from Sturgis.

New York is unveiling its new quarantine checkpoints for out-of-state drivers. We'll take a look at how they work.

Plus, a Republican candidate accused of racism for selling an anti- China mask.

And as the president sues Nevada over its mail-in voting expansion, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will joins us live, plus, who he thinks Joe Biden should pick for his running mate.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:20:00]

KEILAR: Today, the postmaster general told the Postal Service Board of Governors he will not slow down election mail this fall. A Trump donor himself, DeJoy also assured the board that he will not act based on any partisanship. But Democrats are weary and they are calling into question his ability to not politicize the postal service.

This is all coming as the president continues to sow doubt in the mail-in ballot process.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Florida is different in a sense that they had been doing it had two very good governors, frankly, and they an infrastructure that's taken years to build. But Nevada, they start voting very soon and he just threw it out there, and the other thing is the votes don't have to be counted or tabulated until seven days after November 3rd. So that means if we're waiting for one state, and it's a very great, important state, big state, if we're waiting for that state, you don't know what the answer is going to be until after maybe seven days. But it's not going to be seven days. It's going to be months or years.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is joining us now.

[13:25:00]

Sir, thank you for coming on to speak with us. I'm so glad to see that you're doing well.

FMR. SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): Thank you. Glad to be with you.

KEILAR: I want to ask you about the Trump campaign, which is suing your state for expanding mail-in voting, which is something that Nevada did to avoid those hours long lines, up to seven or eight hours, we saw in some cases, at polling stations during the primary in June. But then when it comes to Florida, he says that mail-in voting is safe and secure. What do you make of that? REID: Mail-in voting goes back to the revolutionary war. We had mail- in voting then. We had mail-in voting in the war of 1812. We had mail voting during the civil war. So it's nothing that's new. And it's -- we have learned from our Republican secretary of state that all the time she's been secretary of state, there's not been one fraudulent vote cast. That's the way it is around the United States.

It is a safe method and it's just an effort by Trump and the Republicans to stop people from voting. But it's a system that is fail safe and we're very happy in Nevada with the pandemic sweeping Nevada like it is, the rest of the country, that people have an alternative.

The legislature did a good job. Not only will people be mailed a ballot but will have expedited voting in person, will have extra places to vote, early voting, and they provided money so that the local official will have the money to take care of that. So it's making a big hullabaloo out of nothing.

KEILAR: Why do you think he singled Nevada out or do you see it that way that he singled Nevada out?

REID: Well, I'm happy that he singled Nevada out if he has a problem because we have a system that's really, really good and has been proven so over the years. And he's got a business here, maybe that's why he does it. He has a Trump Tower here. Maybe he needs a trip here to play golf or something. I don't know. But it's -- he's raising concerns that are nonexistent.

KEILAR: And you raised the issue that he's trying to stop people from voting, in your perspective. Do you think that this is going to undermine mail voting or his argument trying to undermine mail voting that it could affect voter turnout and maybe even affect Trump voter turnout?

REID: Yes. I believe that this is focusing attention on voting by mail. I think we will have more vote by mail. I think it's going to improve voter turnout. And you have Republicans that are looking at what Trump are saying, they're saying, what in the world is he doing this, Marco Rubio from Florida, Jon Thune, second line Republican in the Senate, says this is foolishness. So he's really out alone because it's -- what we need to do in America today is make it easier to vote and that's what we're trying to do.

KEILAR: You certainly are someone who knows the difference that 400 votes or so, give or take, can make. Mail-in voting is something that could be the difference here in this upcoming election. If it's chaotic, you know, so many ballots, so little time, do you foresee it possibly throwing this election into -- I don't want to say maybe question or just into such a messy process? Do you see that happening?

REID: I see the Trumpites trying to do this, but I don't think it's going to work. We have a system here that is really going to work extremely well. It's going to, I think, add to voter turnout. And as we have learned around the country, it's nothing that's new. Vote by mail is something we have had since revolutionary times.

KEILAR: Let's talk now about the presumptive Democratic nominee. I wonder do you want to see as Joe Biden's vice-presidential running mate. And do you think it's

essential that he picks a woman of color?

REID: Well, he's already said he's going to pick a woman. And there is a big field of women out there who would be good. There are a number of people of color, we've heard a lot, especially today, Susan Rice and Kamala Harris, we have heard a lot the last week or so, Tammy Duckworth, Elizabeth Warren. So he's going to pick somebody that's good.

And the reason I feel good about this is that he's approached this in the right way. He's had Chris Dodd, who is revered member, former member of the Senate, to help him work through vetting some of these people.