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Coronavirus Death Toll Climbs Past 1,100 Worldwide; Bernie Sanders Wins New Hampshire Primary; Roger Stone Trial; Turkey Threatens Syria; Amazon Priest Shortage; Forty New Coronavirus Cases on Quarantined Cruise Ship; Comedian Uses Trump Campaign Hat As People Repellent. Aired 11a- 12:00p ET
Aired February 12, 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]
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LYNDA KINKADE, CNN HOST (voice-over): This hour, cleared but not out of the woods. Thousands of people recover from the coronavirus. We ask if we
are close to the turning point.
Also New Hampshire rejects a cup of Joe. Former Vice President Joe Biden stumbling yet again.
Welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Lynda Kinkade.
The big picture this hour, recovery. China reporting over 4700 patients have beaten the coronavirus and have been discharged from the hospital.
That's a fraction of the over 45,000 people infected worldwide. It's more than the 1,100 deaths we've seen.
Many of those who died were elderly or had preexisting illnesses. It comes as China reports the lowest daily numbers of since late January. Doctors
here are under enormous pressure to care for patients.
Does the reduction in new cases offer a glimmer of hope or should we be skeptical?
David Culver reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With a rising death toll and a growing number of confirmed cases, these are the images most often
associated with the novel coronavirus. Firsthand accounts confirm the deadly virus can be beaten.
Chinese state media shifted much of the coverage to these images, showing patients who survived the illness, flowers in hand as they leave the
hospital, their faces blurred as even Chinese state media acknowledges the stigma associated with those infected even after they have recovered.
CULVER: We connected with two patients not part of the media op. They asked that we not reveal their identities. But CNN did review their medical
records, showing they had been diagnosed and since recovered from the coronavirus.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First my results, it's positive, so I have been (INAUDIBLE).
CULVER (voice-over): This 21-year-old college student, who asked we call him "Tiger Yi," says he was attending language courses near the Wuhan
seafood market. He started feeling sore and sick to his stomach in mid- January. Initially he tried treating it with cold medicine but it got worse with each passing day.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I realized maybe something wrong has happened. So my dad urged me to get back home immediately.
CULVER (voice-over): He started running a fever and went to the hospital.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a real mess. It's a lot of people. A lot of nurses and doctors in the fever (speaking Japanese).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Fever clinic.
CULVER (voice-over): He eventually found a less crowded hospital willing to test him. His positive diagnosis gave him quick access to anti-viral
drugs, which he says proved effective. Within a week, he said he was already feeling better.
Video chatting with us from a nearby city, this 31-year-old Wuhan engineer describes his initial diagnosis.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I was scared and fearful, having contracted this disease.
CULVER (voice-over): He said getting tested took days because of scarce hospital testing resources. When his case was finally confirmed and he was
admitted for treatment, he felt confident he could battle through the illness.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I think for the young and the strong, the disease is more like a heavy cold, only it's highly contagious,
so it causes panic.
CULVER (voice-over): The road to recovery varies for each person. Both men we spoke with said they finished their treatments but no flower bouquet
sendoff back home. They're current in government monitored hotel quarantines, getting tested regularly to make sure the illness does not
return.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Let's bring in David Culver joining us live from Beijing.
David, the Lunar New Year holiday was extended to keep people home. They're expected to return to work next week.
What's the fear that we'll see a surge in cases?
[11:05:00]
CULVER: Think about the holiday as the reality that tens of millions are usually migrating. It's the largest human migration each year. Here we are
on the back end. It was extended. So it gave us a little bit more buffer time. And perhaps there were waves of people moving.
But they're still estimating 160 million people. The concern is, of course, the congregation of masses, people being close together. One of the things
they're doing has to do with the railways.
And they're limiting seats that are sold quickly. That's the standing room only seats for obvious reasons. They don't want people face to face and
potentially breathing or touching one another when the exposure risk would go up.
And so the containment effort is moving forward. They still have lockdowns in place in 15-plus cities involving tens of millions of people but you're
getting back to life as what's supposed to be normal. It's going to be far from that in reality. But people are trying to get back to businesses and
starting up again where they left off.
KINKADE: All right. David Culver for us in Beijing. As always, good to have you on this important story. Thank you.
Well, a team of scientists in the U.K. have begun animal testing of a possible vaccine using Chinese research and data. Joining me from Oxford is
Peter Drobac, a global health expert.
Peter, good to have you with us. We are seeing some good news from the data that we have in that, while the cases are growing, the rate of infection
seems to be slowing and the death rate isn't as high as we feared.
What do you make of the data we've got?
PETER DROBAC, GLOBAL HEALTH EXPERT: Perhaps the most encouraging sign is the number of new cases being reported daily in China has been declining
over the past week. It peaked at 4,000 new cases in one day last week. Today it's closer to 2,000.
That suggests we may be getting to a point of moving toward some leveling off in the number of new cases. By no means, out of the woods.
Outside of China while the number of cases remains small, we're seeing an increase in the number of new cases. So really still a time for the highest
level of vigilance.
KINKADE: What do you make of the measures that have been taken, the containment, shutting down of cities and also what we're seeing, the
quarantine and the cruise ship off the coast of Japan, where we continue to hear about new cases of the coronavirus on that cruise ship?
Is keeping people in such a confined space the best response?
DROBAC: Well, you know, any time that you have a lot of people in a close, confined space, those are conditions where a virus like this coronavirus
can thrive. Of course, this is a difficult situation. However, passengers have been isolated and confined to their cabins and are under surveillance.
It's now been seven days they've been in isolation. It should be seven days where passengers who remain free of illness should be able to be released.
I think it's really important to make sure the crew, who cannot be isolated because someone has to serve the passengers, are both well cared for and
able to protect themselves.
KINKADE: You have to wonder if the last case of this is confirmed late next week that people that are then released from the ship, that can get on
an international flight and head home, might have the virus but not yet be showing symptoms.
DROBAC: If people have been isolated for 14 days, we know the incubation is between two and 10 days, the outer limit 14. So if people have been in
isolation for 14 days show no signs of illness, that risk should be very low.
KINKADE: Right. In terms of the information we are getting out of China, we know of reports, where people in Wuhan, the epicenter of this outbreak,
have essentially died in their home, never tested for the virus.
We also know many cases of people who say they have symptoms of the virus but have never been tested because we know there are not enough tests.
Do we really have a clear picture of the numbers?
DROBAC: I think it's improving every day. But you're right. I think estimates are that the real number of cases may be well over 100,000
because of the challenges of testing, particularly in the epicenter of the epidemic and also because some cases are mild and may not come to medical
attention.
And so all of our information is imperfect. I think as the capabilities to screen and care for people in central China improves, we should see more
accurate data. But the real picture is probably worse than the numbers suggest.
KINKADE: Right. And Peter, the WHO, the World Health Organization has only just been welcomed into China. This virus was first identified back in
December. And this outbreak we've been reporting for well over a month.
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KINKADE: What do you make of China's transparency and willingness to seek international experts?
DROBAC: There have been some troubling reports that, early in the first weeks when there were signs of a SARS-like disease that was being spread in
Wuhan, that information didn't get out in time and may have been suppressed. That's very concerning.
That then shifted dramatically to an incredibly aggressive response, quarantining essentially an entire province. We know the public health
response really relies on international cooperation and collaboration. I think we've seen that with the scientific community. It's important to see
WHO and experts being allowed to enter China and offer additional support.
KINKADE: Help, at least we know scientists are working on a vaccine, but a long way away from getting anything that might be viable to work on humans.
DROBAC: That's right. There's incredible work underway. With the scientific tools we have that we didn't have even a few years ago, we may
see a new vaccine in record time. But in reality with the safety testing that needs to be done, as of yesterday, WHO estimated it could still be 18
months away from an effective vaccine.
KINKADE: All right. Peter Drobac, great to get your perspective, your expertise. Thank you for joining us.
DROBAC: Thank you.
KINKADE: The coronavirus outbreak has reached the world of sports. China has postponed the Formula 1 Grand Prix scheduled for April. I want to bring
in Amanda Davies.
This was set to start April 17th, Shanghai. It's now postponed but not yet cancelled.
AMANDA DAVIES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No. Absolutely. Formula 1 have said they're keen to do everything they can to find a solution and reschedule
this race, because they see China as such an important market, not only in the present day but also in terms of the future developments of Formula 1.
The Mercedes team was talking earlier this week, talking about the fact that China was a race that was sold out, so popular among fans last year.
But the representative from Formula 1, I've been speaking to in the last hour or so, said the problem with this is finding a solution is not
straightforward.
And that is because this year we have the busiest year of the Formula 1 calendar ever, an unprecedented 22 races, which sees Formula 1 crisscross
the globe, starting in March in Melbourne, ending in the final weekend of November in Abu Dhabi.
It's not simple in terms of the logistics, the moving of all the technology and equipment by sea freight and air freight. Also the people. And, of
course, there's even more emphasis on the environmental footprints of Formula 1 in the current climate with the focus on climate change and the
environment.
Formula 1 do not traditionally like to postpone races. Traditionally, they do everything they can to make their events happen, pushing sessions back
hour by hour, day by day because of weather concerns or if freight isn't making it in time.
The last time a race was cancelled was Bahrain in 2011. That was announced only as a postponement, too, a similar early date. But it didn't happen
that year in 2011.
KINKADE: It's going to be hard to squeeze this one in. Thank you so much.
Still ahead on CONNECT THE WORLD, the road ahead for Joe Biden. He struck out in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Can South Carolina salvage his presidential campaign in U.S.?
We'll have more on him and the other primary results in New Hampshire.
And saved by the U.S. president's tweets. We're looking at the reason some say Roger Stone's recommended sentence might be reduced.
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KINKADE: Welcome back.
Two front-runners, two dropouts and a new fight in the moderate lane. The results of the Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire are in.
Bernie Sanders scored a narrow victory. Pete Buttigieg coming in a close second after his win in Iowa. Surprisingly, Amy Klobuchar finishing in
third.
Fifth place caught everyone's attention. Joe Biden stumbling again after finishing fourth in Iowa. Two candidates have dropped out of the race,
Michael Bennet and Andrew Yang.
The race now moves from mostly white Iowa and New Hampshire to far more diverse Nevada and South Carolina. CNN's Abby Phillip has more on how the
candidates are spinning the New Hampshire results and looking ahead.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT) DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This victory here is the beginning of the end for Donald Trump.
ABBY PHILLIP, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With a win in New Hampshire, Senator Bernie Sanders taking control as the Democratic
frontrunner.
SANDERS: No matter who wins -- and we certainly hope it's going to be us - - we are going to unite together and defeat the most dangerous president in the modern history of this country.
PHILLIP: But not too far behind him, Pete Buttigieg.
PETE BUTTIGIEG (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Here in a state that goes by the motto, "Live free or die," you made up your own minds.
PHILLIP: The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor earning a strong second- place finish, once again saying he's a great alternative to voters who may
see Sanders as too progressive.
BUTTIGIEG: Vulnerable American do not have the luxury of pursuing ideological purity over an inclusive victory.
PHILLIP: Despite winning the popular vote in both Iowa and New Hampshire, Sanders is behind in the overall delegate race by two.
SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MN), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Hello, America. I'm Amy Klobuchar and I will beat Donald Trump.
PHILLIP: Amy Klobuchar seemingly appealing to the state's moderate and independent voters.
KLOBUCHAR: Donald Trump's worst nightmare is that the people in the middle, the people who have had enough of the name calling and the
mudslinging, have someone to vote for in November.
PHILLIP: The Minnesota senator ending Tuesday's contest with a surprisingly strong third-place finish and a new attitude.
KLOBUCHAR: We've been strong and we've never quit.
PHILLIP: Senator Elizabeth Warren, who placed fourth, praised Klobuchar for her performance.
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I also want to congratulate my friend and colleague Amy Klobuchar for showing just how
wrong the pundits can be when they count a woman out.
PHILLIP: With a fifth-place finish, Joe Biden left the state even before the votes were counted for South Carolina.
JOE BIDEN (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It ain't over, man. We're just getting started.
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PHILLIP: Eager to quickly put his dismal showings in the first contests behind him.
BIDEN: We just heard from the first two of the 50 states. Now, where I come from, that's the opening bell, not the closing bell. And the fight to
end Donald Trump's presidency is just beginning. Just beginning.
PHILLIP: But Biden isn't the only candidate looking ahead. Sanders is setting his sights on the next states and Super Tuesday.
SANDERS: We're going to Nevada. We're going to South Carolina. We're going to win those states, as well.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Well, it seems like just a few months ago that no one even knew how to pronounce the name of the small town mayor with big-time ambitions.
Now he's sprinting to the front of the pack.
Pete Buttigieg's dramatic rise has been catching the attention of the man he wants to replace. President Trump mocking his name and congratulating
him for giving Bernie Sanders a run for his money.
A short time ago CNN's Alisyn Camerota spoke to Buttigieg about his success in Iowa and New Hampshire.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PETE BUTTIGIEG (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, we came in with high hopes and we are thrilled with the outcome. Now top-two finishes in both of
the first two states demonstrating that we have been able to reach out across urban, rural and suburban areas and do well with different age
groups -- people with different educational backgrounds.
This is how we show, not just tell that our campaign has the vision to call more and more people into the majority that will one day defeat Donald
Trump.
And I'm so proud of our organizers and our volunteers but also mindful that this is just the beginning. We are not going to write off one vote and
we're not going to take one vote for granted.
So it's on to Nevada, on to South Carolina and the states beyond to demonstrate in new ways that we can broaden our coalition, earn that win
and make this president a one-term president with a big enough majority that Trumpism goes into the history books along with the Trump presidency.
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk about that new strategy because the -- this is just the beginning message is also what former vice
president Joe Biden was saying last night. He left New Hampshire, he headed to South Carolina. And let me just play a snippet for you of what his
message was when he landed there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, FORMER U.S. VICE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We just heard from the first two of 50 states -- two of them. Not all of the
nation, not half the nation, not a quarter of the nation, not 10 percent -- two -- two.
Now where I come from, that's the opening bell, not the closing bell. And the fight to end Donald Trump's presidency is just beginning -- just
beginning.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CAMEROTA: Mayor, does he have a point that we're just at the opening bell?
BUTTIGIEG: Well, he's not wrong. But it's also true that over the course of the last year, every campaign, every candidate has been here in New
Hampshire and in Iowa campaigning, getting to know voters, presenting our message.
Putting together the organization in order to prove -- in order to show, not just tell our capability to have a good finish at the polls.
And after all these conversations about who's best to -- who's in the best position to go out and win elections, now we're actually having elections.
So these first two states are very meaningful.
But, he's right. The competition moves on now to different states -- new states with different makeups, different experiences.
And we will be competing, making sure that our message reaches every voter and earning that support, especially mindful that we are moving into more
racially-diverse states.
Making sure that our outreach to Latino voters, to black voters who are among those who have experienced most the pain of living under this
presidency and are laser-focused on ensuring that we put together the campaign that will decisively defeat Donald Trump in the fall.
CAMEROTA: Is it fair to say that the road ahead gets harder for you?
BUTTIGIEG: Well, certainly, there is another hill to climb each time and we've got more work to do to demonstrate the breadth of our support.
But just as we came from zero to top-two finishes in the first two states, we believe we will be able to develop, build and grow a fantastic base of
support in states like Nevada and South Carolina. And, of course, Super Tuesday is not far behind.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Certainly is not. With the U.S. president suggesting four prosecutors in the Roger Stone case went rogue. They were recommended to
overrule their recommendation in a series of tweets. Mr. Trump called the case out of control and the recommended sentence ridiculous. CNN's Laura
Jarrett has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LAURA JARRETT, CNN LEGAL ANALYST (voice-over): A stunning development as four federal prosecutors withdraw from Roger Stone's case after top Justice
Department officials overruled their sentence recommendation, calling it too harsh.
[11:25:00]
JARRETT: Stone, a long-time confidant of President Trump, was convicted last year of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing the House
investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia, a case that stemmed from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.
Prosecutors originally told a federal judge that Stone should serve seven to nine years in prison. But then the president expressed his outrage on
Twitter, calling it a very unfair situation, adding: Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice.
Hours later, Justice Department leaders intervened. One senior Justice Department official tells CNN that the sentencing recommendation the
prosecutors made was not communicated to leadership at the department before it was submitted.
ELIE HONIG, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: This seems to be a full scale reversal in a politically charged case by the Department of Justice. I've never seen
anything like it.
JARRETT: The official went on to say, quote: The department was shocked to see the sentencing recommendation. The department believes the
recommendation is extreme and excessive and is grossly disproportionate to Stone's offenses.
Ultimately, the presiding judge in the case will have the final say on Stone's sentence.
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN CHIEF LEGAL ANALYST: The idea that this was just adjustments on the sentence that are somehow routine, nonsense. This is
nothing routine about this.
Now, the one thing I would add is that I do think that the seven to nine years recommendation was very high. I was surprised by it.
JARRETT: A Justice Department spokesperson insists that the White House was not involved in overruling the prosecutors.
TRUMP: I thought it was ridiculous.
QUESTION: Did you ask the Justice Department --
TRUMP: No, I didn't speak to the Justice -- I'd be able to do it if I want to. I have the absolute right to do it.
JARRETT: Still in a series of tweets overnight, the president continued to rail against the prosecutors, the judge and the case, saying: It's all
starting unravel with the ridiculous nine-year sentence recommendation.
Democratic leadership in Congress outraged by the president's rhetoric.
SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-CT): I have called for an investigation by the Office of Inspector General.
This political interference by the president of the United States using the attorney general as his henchman is not only an insult to the career
dedicated prosecutors but also to the jurors, ordinary Americans who served on that jury and convicted Roger Stone of nine serious felonies.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Well, Laura Jarrett reporting there for us.
A mob scene at Caracas airport coming up. Venezuela's opposition leader is returning home. He says he has a road map for democracy.
And Turkey is upping its posture in Syria after a series of deadly attacks. We're going to go live to the border next.
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KINKADE: After a bloody conflict in Syria, violence is still ongoing between the warring sides. The Turkish defense minister says at least 51
Syrian forces were killed in Idlib in retaliation for the killing of five Turkish soldiers. Turkey's president said he's ready to set aside past
cease-fires and strike anywhere.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, PRESIDENT OF TURKEY (through translator): By the end of February, we are determined to push the regime forces to the lines of
the Sochi agreement to beyond our observation posts by any means necessary by air or ground, without hesitating, without stalling.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: The Syrian government responding saying the threats are, quote, "hollow and separated from reality." CNN's Arwa Damon is at the Turkish-
Syrian border.
And the Turkish president not backing down, saying, the more they attack our soldiers, the heavier price they will pay.
ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. And Turkey most certainly seems as if it is upping the ante when it comes to military
involvement.
There have been convoys going in. Turkey saying it's going to more actively assist the forces to push regime troops back to what was the originally
demarcated line meant to create a deescalation zone in Syria but it never happened.
The situation is extraordinarily dire there. Many of those living through it and even those observing it struggle to find adequate words to properly
describe just how catastrophic the situation really is.
Now I'm joined by Mark Cutts, the U.N.'s humanitarian coordinator for the Syrian crisis.
Thank you so much for joining us.
How do you put into words with the civilian population is going through there right now?
MARK CUTTS, U.N. HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR SYRIA: Well, this is a massive humanitarian crisis. We haven't seen anything on this scale in
Syria during the nine years of this war.
There's more than a million civilians who had to flee their homes in northwest Syria in the last year, 700,000 of them in the last two months
alone. These are people, many of them had fled from Aleppo and Homs and other parts of Syria during the long war.
They came to this area thinking they would be safe and now they themselves are under attack. It's a shocking situation on the ground today.
DAMON: And it's freezing even right here where we're standing.
I mean, how is this further compounding the risk for these people, for these families, for the children?
CUTTS: Well, it's freezing where we are right here. For people who are living in tents and out in the open, people sleeping on the backs of trucks
and in schools without heating at the moment, it's horrific. We're already getting a lot of stories about babies and elderly people who are dying as a
result of this cold weather.
It's snowing today. There's ice on the ground. We hear stories of people, they're burning shoes and plastic bottles and they're sewing up car fires
to stay warm. They're inhaling toxic fumes and dying of that. It's a desperate situation.
DAMON: The big question is, where is all the aid?
You were saying you are sending in around 1,000 if not more trucks a month. But then we talk to people inside who say they're not receiving anything
and there's a severe lack of humanitarian assistance.
CUTTS: They're right. The needs are so enormous and they far outstrip our capacity to respond.
[11:35:00]
CUTTS: We have a massive aid operation, more than 1,000 trucks have released supplies, going in every month. But when you have a crisis of this
scale, 1 million people who fled their homes in the last year, we need to scale this operation up a lot more.
DAMON: And your teams on the ground and are also facing challenges.
CUTTS: Well, it's very difficult for them to respond at the moment. We had three of our humanitarian workers were killed in the last two weeks. A
humanitarian warehouse was bombed and destroyed. Hospital workers have had to flee.
More than 70 hospitals and health centers and medical facilities have stopped functioning in the last two months because of the fighting. This is
a relentless campaign of airstrikes and shelling and ground forces, emptying out entire cities and towns and villages. It's just on an
unimaginable scale.
DAMON: Thank you so much for joining us and helping us try to better understand what's happening.
And as you're hearing, this is a conflict perhaps unlike any that, at the very least, those in Syria have had to go through up until this stage.
There is a desperate need for more support from the international community, for more money to be sent for the humanitarian effort and for
all parties who have the capability to do anything to stop the bloodshed to take those actions.
But the sad reality has been that, when it comes to Syria, every one has failed. Countries that could have done something to try to reduce, if not
end, the bloodshed have failed to do so.
And those who have been responsible for the bulk of the bloodshed, the Syrian regime backed by the Russians, backed by the Iranians, have shown no
desire to do so. Right now, those who are trapped in Idlib province have nowhere left to run.
KINKADE: Really desperate situation, Arwa Damon. Good to have you there, especially with the United Nations representative, Mark Cutts, to get that
perspective. Thank you very much.
Well, Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido was mobbed at the airport by both supporters as well as groups backing Nicolas Maduro. He returned
from a global tour to drum up support for his pro democracy campaign. Last week he was a surprise guest of President Trump at the State of the Union
address.
More than 50 countries recognized Guaido as the Venezuelan interim president. He has not yet been able to take over the reigns of power. Let's
go to Stefano Pozzebon live for more.
After this international tour to build support for his vision, this man which 50 countries recognize as the interim president of Venezuela has
returned, certainly met with a huge response there.
STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, exactly. And frankly, the response at least today here in an event where I am at, where Guaido is
actually speaking, is not really, as you just -- many would have expected. Definitely not as huge as people probably in the White House and in the
European capitals would have expected.
It lays bare how big of a challenge Guaido now has. He received a triumphant reception in Davos. He could meet with international leaders,
Boris Johnson, Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel. He was a guest of honor at the State of the Union.
And also couple that with massive rallies in Madrid and Miami. But when it comes to Caracas, right now you can't see more than a couple hundred people
here listening to him. And behind me is Guaido speaking.
He denounced, for example, the fact that his uncle has been detained, was detained yesterday by the government of Maduro. But I think it's worth
pointing out the differences between the international reception that Guaido had abroad and the very precarious situation he finds himself in
here in Venezuela, where for a return to street protests like the ones we saw last year, the road seems very long ahead.
KINKADE: Yes. Major challenge. Stefano Pozzebon in Venezuela, thank you.
The pope has rejected a bold proposal that would have allowed some married men to serve as Catholic priests. The decision comes in a long-awaited
document on the Amazon region, which faces a severe shortage of clergy.
[11:40:00]
KINKADE: The pope also turned down a plan to ordain women as deacons, suggesting they should have access to positions that are, quote, "proper to
women." The document focuses on environmental and cultural issues in South America. In it the pope highlights the survival of the rain forest and its
people.
In Lebanon, the new government won a vote of confidence in parliament. A majority voted for the cabinet led by prime minister Hassan Diab. The move
comes after months of demonstrations. Police clashed with anti-government protesters Tuesday as they blocked parliament. Hundreds of people were
injured.
And since then people have been flooding the streets. They have been flooding them since October, voicing their anger against corruption and
government mismanagement as well as the economic crisis.
Still ahead, another week of quarantine for passengers stranded on a cruise ship off the coast of Japan. The crew members are still required to work,
giving them more potential to be exposed to the virus. We'll hear from one employee who is already showing symptoms.
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KINKADE: Our top story: the death toll from the coronavirus has jumped to more than 1,100. All but two of those have been inside Mainland China.
Worldwide, there are more than 45,000 cases confirmed across four continents.
But there does seem to be some good news. China on Wednesday recorded the lowest number of cases since late January. It's too soon to say if it's a
trend.
Another difficult day for passengers on crew on a cruise ship docked in Japan. Another 40 cases on the Diamond Princess were reported bringing the
total number of infections to 175. Some 2,000 others stranded on another cruise ship will finally get to disembark in Cambodia.
The Westerdam was turned away from four ports, despite having no confirmed cases of the virus.
Meanwhile, passengers on board that ship in Japan have another week of quarantine and crew members who were exposed to the virus are worried they
will be the next ones to be infected. CNN's Matt Rivers has the latest from Japan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: With another 40 cases now on board that ship, you know, the numbers continue to go up in terms of the number of
people infected and we continue to talk about this concept of the quarantine on board. And to be sure, there are a lot of people under
quarantine.
But what about the people who aren't?
There are some 1,400 crew members on board this ship that are currently not under any quarantine restriction. And because of that, there are people
that we've spoken to today who are nervous. They are nervous that there is a system of the haves and the have nots on board this ship.
[11:45:00]
RIVERS: The ones in quarantine and the one who are essentially supposed to serve the ones in quarantine, to make the food, to clean the ship. And
they're worried they're more exposed to the virus than anybody else on the ship. That was the concern that we heard when we talked to one worker on
board the ship earlier today.
CPT. STEFANO RAVERA, DIAMOND PRINCESS: We are doing everything in our power to maximize your comfort during your extended stay with us.
RIVERS (voice-over): A Wednesday announcement for passengers aboard the Diamond Princess as the captain seeks to reassure them all is OK, saying
the air on board is clean. But amidst his crew there is palpable fear that the virus is spreading.
CNN spoke with a crew member aboard the ship, Sonali Thakkar. Speaking behind a mask, her message is urgent.
RIVERS (on camera): Are you concerned that the virus is spreading amongst the crew right now?
SONALI THAKKAR, DIAMOND PRINCESS CREWMEMBER: Yes, because the number of crew members who are infected is also increasing now.
RIVERS (voice-over): At least five crew members have already tested positive for the virus. Sonali said she's had a fever and chills since
Monday. She says her boss told her to stop work and stay in her cabin. She's scared she's got it, too.
RIVERS (on camera): And how does that make you feel?
THAKKAR: We just want to get back home safe without this infection. That's all we want.
RIVERS (voice-over): When we talked, she'd been waiting to see a doctor for two days. Meanwhile, about 1,000 of her colleagues kept working because
there's over 2,600 passengers on board that have been put in mandatory quarantine by Japan's government, forced to stay in their rooms most of the
day.
But the ship still needs to run. So the crew works side by side wearing masks and gloves. Though Sonali says mealtime is most dangerous.
THAKKAR: We all remove our masks and gloves when we are eating. So we are all sitting in the same place, having food and it can spread.
RIVERS: CNN has spoken to multiple infectious disease experts who express skepticism that the current quarantine system is the best way to contain
the virus.
DR. PETER HOTEZ, BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE: I think a lot of thought went into what to do with the passengers but it puts the crew at increased risk.
RIVERS: Japanese authorities continue to defend their actions saying they believe anyone who tests positive contracted the virus before the
quarantine went into effect. Anyone who tests positive is brought off the ship and sent to local hospitals. Earlier this week, we asked a Japanese
health official if the crew was safe.
RIVERS (on camera): Is everyone on board the ship being treated the same way?
What do you say to their concerns?
GAKU HASHIMOTO, JAPANESE VICE MINISTER OF HEALTH (through translator): We are trying to treat all the people equally. However, we also know that crew
members don't have private rooms like the passengers have and they still have to work and help people on the ship.
So it's not all equal. However, we're giving everyone on the ship guidelines for prevention.
RIVERS (voice-over): Princess Cruises is saying it's following Japan's quarantine guidelines saying, quote, "Japan Ministry of Health has been the
lead defining the testing protocols for all guests and crew."
But the fact is, as long as Japan continues to insist on quarantining passengers on board the ship, the danger will remain because the crew has
to keep working.
There is mixed reaction from passengers on board.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The crew are being so good and I know they're worried as well.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I do not feel the quarantine is working. It's a failed quarantine.
RIVERS: During our phone call with Sonali on Wednesday, she had to hang up.
RIVERS (on camera): Are you still there?
RIVERS (voice-over): A doctor had finally come to test her for the virus. She'll find out soon if she tests positive.
RIVERS (on camera): How do you feel now that the doctors came to your room?
THAKKAR: I'm still scared because I don't want it to be positive.
RIVERS: The Diamond Princess will remain in quarantine until February 19th. Until then, the crew will keep working, more exposed to the virus
than the passengers they're taking care of.
So Lynda, we asked when she's expecting to get the test results back and she doesn't know at the moment. She says she's just kind of waiting with
bated breath. On the one hand, she doesn't want to test positive.
Who would want to have any type of this coronavirus?
But on the other hand, what happens if she tests negative?
Does then she go back to work?
And she's nervous about that. If she goes back to work, then is she just working around people who might be infected?
We know that some of her colleagues have already tested positive. Presumably, there could be others and she's worried about that. Let's say
she tests negative and goes back to work.
Could she catch it because some of her colleagues have this virus?
They haven't shown symptoms yet but they have it and she could eventually get it because no one is under quarantine. This is the issue she's facing,
not just her but hundreds of other crew members. And yet, there is no change in sight at this point. The situation with these crew members goes
on as planned.
Japanese health officials have shown no sign of changing their tactics. They believe this quarantine will continue. It's scheduled to end on
February 19th.
[11:50:00]
RIVERS: This is just a very tense situation not only for the passengers who are in quarantine but the crew members, who are kind of inarguably more
exposed to this virus.
KINKADE: Tough time for all on board that cruise ship. Our Matt Rivers reporting there.
President Donald Trump's campaign hats stick out in a crowd. Now a Hollywood comedian is using the notoriety for something different. That's
ahead. Stay with us.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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KINKADE: Now to a favorite topic of many, a space mystery. A massive spiral galaxy about 0.5 million light years away may be trying to get
Earth's attention. Canadian researchers wanted to get to the bottom of some radio waves they've detected.
Random, fast radio bursts are not unusual in space but what's puzzling here is that these have taken place precisely every 16.4 days. Fascinating.
President Donald Trump is widely known for wearing and giving out hats bearing the slogan Make America Great Again. Now they're being used for a
decidedly unintended purpose. Here's Jeanne Moos with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Who knew that a Make America Great Again hat could be a protective device?
Larry David knew. In a scene tweeted out by President Trump, Larry cuts off a biker.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What the (INAUDIBLE) you're doing?
What the (INAUDIBLE) you're doing?
LARRY DAVID, COMEDIAN: Oh, God.
MOOS: Amid a torrent of profanity, Larry reaches for a MAGA hat.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You little (INAUDIBLE).
DAVID: I'm sorry. I didn't see you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just be more careful next time, OK.
DAVID: Will do.
MOOS: Turning the biker into a pussycat, the fact that President Trump tweeted this prompted fans to say, so refreshing to have a leader with a
grand sense of humor, while critics lashed out it's a joke on you, idiot. It's not in favor of you.
About five minutes after that scene, came one President Trump didn't tweet, one that wasn't a feather in his cap, the hat has come in handy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a great people repellent.
MOOS: Larry uses it.
DAVID: Hey, Bill. Good to see you.
MOOS: The cut short lunch he did not want to have in the first place. This is L.A., where the rarely cited MAGA hat might be a magnet for dirty looks.
DAVID: Phil.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, no, no -- we'll -- something.
MOOS: At a sushi bar, it keeps the empty seat beside him unoccupied.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know what actually, I think we prefer to sit at the table, please.
MOOS: In a real interview, Larry David was asked if he's worried about alienating MAGA hat wearing fans.
DAVID: Go and alienate, you have my blessing. No, I don't give a (INAUDIBLE).
MOOS: After all, this is a guy who has been playing Bernie Sanders on ""SNL"" for years.
DAVID, "BERNIE SANDERS": Oh Hillary, I will miss that lack of charm.
[11:55:00]
MOOS: No one would expect him to be charming to President Trump when it comes to controversy. It seems like this never gets old hat.
TRUMP: It is the hottest thing out there.
MOOS: Oh, it's hot all right -- Jeanne Moos, CNN --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You little (INAUDIBLE).
MOOS: -- New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: We all need laughter.
I'm Lynda Kinkade. That was CONNECT THE WORLD. Thank you for joining us. See you back here the same time tomorrow.
