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Northern Italy Locked Down to Contain Coronavirus; Church Life in Italy Turned Upside Down; Collapse of Hotel Used for Quarantine Kills at Least Seven; U.S. Officials Tracking Second Cruise Ship; Senior Saudi Royal Family Members Detained; Refugees Refused at Turkey's Border with Greece; Nearly 6,000 Virus Tests Completed by U.S., CDC, Labs; Fight over Toilet Paper in Australia; Call to Action; International Women's Day. Aired 11a- 12p ET

Aired March 08, 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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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live from CNN Atlanta, this is CONNECT THE WORLD.

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN HOST (voice-over): Hello and welcome to our expanded edition of CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Lynda Kinkade. Good to have you with us.

Desperate measures have been taken in Europe to stop a virus outbreak that shows no signs of stopping. At this hour, Northern Italy, most of it, is

under lockdown and that's home to some 16 million people, about a quarter of the country's population.

The so-called red zone is subject to strict measures like the cancellation of all public events as well as school closures. In Vatican City, Pope

Francis delivered his Sunday prayers via video in hopes of preventing the spread of the virus. He did appear at his window to bless the few who

showed up in St. Peter's Square.

Here in the U.S., the number of coronavirus cases has hit 450. It's claimed 19 lives. CNN has learned the cruise ship that's been quarantined off the

coast of California will indeed dock on Monday. We know that 21 people on the Grand Princess have now tested positive for the coronavirus.

In Southeast China, 10 people have died after their hotel collapsed. It was being used to house people from high-risk areas. Dozens have been rescued

but crews fear more people are buried in the rubble. No word yet on what caused that collapse.

We have got reporters covering all angles of this story. Sarah Westwood is traveling with the U.S. president. David Culver will join us from Shanghai.

First, I want to start with Ben Wedeman.

Ben, seriously, drastic measures there. You're about an hour and a half's drive from Milan. We heard that much of the north of Italy is under

lockdown. Give us a sense of what you have experienced so far and obviously, your reaction to the fact we are seeing a lot of changes now

with the way people celebrate religious occasions.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we heard early in the morning, Giuseppe Conte, the Italian prime minister, coming out with

this new decree, which would impose draconian measures on millions of people in really the economic heartland of Italy.

But it appears that they have yet to be implemented, at least in terms of the restrictions on the movement of people in the country. We've been

driving for about, as you said, an hour and a half south of Milan. We did come across a checkpoint but that was for a previously existing red zone.

What we're seeing is that, on a Sunday afternoon, there are people in this piazza, in this town, and it doesn't appear that the rhythm of life has yet

changed dramatically. I think as these measures are put in place -- and we don't have a clear timetable as to when that will be -- things will start

to change dramatically.

But we did have an opportunity in Milan to visit a church to see how the changes brought about by the coronavirus are impacting the rhythm of life

there.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BROTHER MARCELLO, CHIESA SACRO CUORE DI GESU: Buongiorno. Buongiorno.

WEDEMAN (voice-over): Brother Marcello greets the first arrivals at a Milan soup kitchen. Every day at 11:30 in the morning, volunteers hand out

more than 1,000 meals to those in need.

To avoid a crowd, they now pass through, get their bag lunch and leave.

The rhythm of church life has changed for Marcello and the other brothers of the Capuchin order at the Chiesa Sacro Cuore di Gesu, the Church of the

Sacred Heart of Jesus.

As the cloud of the virus that hovers over Italy grows ever darker, he sees a silver lining.

"This is a bath in reality," says Brother Marcello. "It's a moment of great humility because we are reminded that we are human. We are not omnipotent.

We are fragile we become sick. What is beautiful is that we see how much we need one another."

The last mass here was February 22nd.

[11:05:00]

WEDEMAN (voice-over): How does he feel when he sees the church empty on Sunday?

BROTHER MARCELLO: (Speaking Italian).

WEDEMAN (voice-over): "Not well," he repeats four times.

"Sometimes it's said the priests, the clergy, the church are a power. At this moment it is clear to us, what is a priest without his flock?"

Perhaps priorities are shifting back to basics.

"This is an opportunity," says worshipper Eros Cavernan (ph), "to reflect, to think, to be with your family and more than anything, to slow down our

lives, which I think are going by too fast."

Later, Brother Marcello reaches out to a fellow Capuchin, Alberto, in the red zone, where the outbreak is more intense and exit and entry are tightly

controlled. Brother Alberto is in quarantine with a fever but has yet to be tested for the virus.

BROTHER MARCELLO: (Speaking Italian).

WEDEMAN (voice-over): "First of all, I am sorry," says Marcello.

Yet Alberto's spirits seem high. He jokes that, with all the couples staying home, there will be many new babies to baptize.

In the afternoon, a rare gathering in the church for the funeral of a 67 year old man. He did not die, we are told, from the virus. The number of

mourners is modest but large by today's new standards.

So much is changing in this, Italy's time of trial.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WEDEMAN: And that funeral was perhaps one of the last public ones in Milan now that the decree is in place. Marriages, funerals, baptisms are all

banned. We know that schools and universities were already closed. Malls will be open only during weekdays. Bars and restaurants will only be

allowed to be open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

And customers have to keep one meter apart. The list of all the things involved in this new decree is very, very long and, as they are

implemented, it's going to be ever more difficult for people in this part of Italy.

KINKADE: Certainly sounds that way. Good to have you there for us, Ben. I hope you and your team stay safe. Thank you. Our Ben Wedeman there in

Italy.

I want to go to David Culver now.

Obviously, David, we're speaking earlier about this hotel that collapsed in the southeast of China. And this is a hotel that wasn't housing or

quarantining people with the coronavirus but people that had fled areas where there was an outbreak. We know at least 10 people are dead but still

many trapped.

DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Lynda. And as you point out, they did not have the coronavirus. In fact, they had tested negative

at least by the first round of tests they underwent and were in this hotel that was an observation opportunity medically for them to be monitored and

to do so, really, through the two weeks of quarantine, essentially.

It's interesting, listening to Ben talk about all the lockdown procedures coming into place there in Italy. They have already, of course, been here

in place for several weeks. As part of that are these precautionary moves to have people in hotels that have been government designated to be in

place to make sure they don't develop the coronavirus.

But this tragedy is heartbreaking, especially when you look at the images. These are coming out of a province in the southeastern part of China. In

all, there were about 80 people inside of this structure.

It was a seven-story structure that collapsed around 7:15 local time on Saturday evening. It had about 58 people, who were part of this quarantine

procedure. And people of all ages, families, of course, were among them. They were there, not allowed to leave, under observation.

When the collapse happened, many of them were trapped. We know initially only nine of them were able to get out on their own. Rescuers then were

able to get out several more people. At you point out, 23 remain unaccounted for.

And it was a massive rescue effort, more than 1,000 first responders, firefighters and medics on scene for more than 24 hours now, trying to

assist in this rescue operation and trying to pull out as many people as possible.

[11:10:00]

CULVER: And we do know that they're facing not only the dangers of working around some rubble and the instability that is that structure but also the

reality that some people may have been exposed to the coronavirus.

So these first responders themselves are trying to layer up and protect themselves from any potential exposure. It's a very challenging situation

they're in the midst of right now and just heartbreaking, looking at the images. Social media here in China has been heavily focused on this over

the past couple days.

KINKADE: Yes, it's such a tragedy. We did see some of the pictures of at least one small child and his parents rescued from the building. I want to

ask you whether there's any indication as to why the building collapsed. It was relatively young (sic). My understanding is was only built in 2013.

CULVER: It dates back to 2013; it was converted to a hotel in 2018. There were recent renovations underway that started at the start of this year in

January.

And according to state media, there was apparently, according to some of the workers, some concern with a structure, a pillar, if you will, that was

unstable at some point. And the workers actually phoned the owner of that facility to say, you know, there's some issue here. We need to look into

that.

And shortly thereafter, the collapse happened. And as you point out, the images that we're seeing now are the aftermath, including the young child

being cradled in the arms of the first responders.

As far as any charges, all of that is so early. But we do know state media has reported that the owner of that facility is being detained and

questioned by authorities. And that's likely to continue amidst, you know, what could be a criminal investigation on top of what is a recovery

operation.

KINKADE: Yes. All right, David Culver, good to have you on the story. Thanks so much.

I want to go to Sarah Westwood now for the political reaction and the U.S. response here.

We know that the U.S. president went to a conservative political conference and we now know that someone who attended that has tested positive for the

coronavirus. It wasn't just the president. Also the vice president there.

SARAH WESTWOOD, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Right, there were many senior officials from the Trump administration who attended the

Conservative Political Action Conference last week. President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence obviously included among them.

But the White House is downplaying concerns about whether the president or the vice president or any other cabinet officials were exposed to the

coronavirus while there.

Now the American Conservative Union, the organization that puts on CPAC, has said the attendee who subsequently tested positive for the COVID-19

virus did not enter the main ballroom where the president and the vice president spoke and that they didn't have any interaction with the

president and the vice president themselves.

But still, this is coming amid growing concerns about President Trump and Pence continuing to be out on the road, continuing to be among crowds, when

other organizations across the country are starting to cancel events that put people in close proximity to one another.

I want to read you part of the statement from the White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, downplaying worries.

"There's no indication either President Trump or Vice President Pence met with or were in close proximity to the attendee."

Last night at his resort here in West Palm Beach, Mar-a-lago, the president appeared beside Brazilian President Bolsonaro and said he was not concerned

about coronavirus getting close to the White House. Also last night, we learned the first coronavirus case has appeared in D.C. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Say it, what?

QUESTION: Are you aware that the virus is getting closer to the White House?

TRUMP: No, I'm not concerned at all. No, no, we've done a good job. Thank you very much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WESTWOOD: Now the administration is touting its ability to test more and more people as they have expedited the process for developing these

coronavirus tests.

The FDA briefed reporters at the White House yesterday and said more than 5,800 tests have already been performed and that more than 1 million tests

were distributed to hospitals, to health facilities across the country by Friday night.

KINKADE: And the other big story we have been covering in the U.S. is the cruise ship off the coast of California that has at least 21 people that

have tested positive to the coronavirus. That ship is now going to dock tomorrow. But we understand from the vice president that there might be

another cruise ship with coronavirus concerns.

WESTWOOD: Without naming the boat, Vice President Pence said yesterday that the administration is keeping watch on another cruise ship that may

have shared crew members with either the Diamond Princess or the Grand Princess cruise ships. Both of those obviously had coronavirus outbreaks

onboard.

[11:15:00]

WESTWOOD: So the potential for exposure for another cruise ship could present more issues for an industry hit very hard by the outbreak of the

COVID-19 virus. Pence said in Ft. Lauderdale yesterday the administration is taking decisive action on this unnamed ship. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We are tracking at this point a ship that may have shared crew with the Diamond Princess or the

Grand Princess. We have taken a decisive action to hold until we do a full medical assessment of that crew on that ship. We'll just continue to lean

into this effort.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WESTWOOD: Now Vice President Pence sparked a little bit of a backlash this week when he announced that 21 passengers or crew members on the Grand

Princess had tested positive for the coronavirus, evidently, before those people were notified directly about the fact that they had tested positive.

So here we saw the vice president not giving away too much information about which ship they're monitoring. But it shows the challenges for the

cruise ship industry and the travel industry at large as the coronavirus inspires people to stay home when they're seeing headlines like this.

KINKADE: Exactly and cancel cruise ships, cancel flights. Sarah Westwood for us in West Beach Palm (sic), Florida. Thanks so much.

Well, I want to get you up to speed on some other news we are covering on our radar right now. Now Iran's interior minister is echoing the warning of

many other countries because of the coronavirus; that is, don't travel. Now the country is taking measures to disinfect public areas.

In all, 194 people have died from the virus there. The number of cases is now past 6,500.

And a cruise ship in Egypt has 45 passengers that have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, 19 are foreigners.

Officials say the quarantined ship is now docked in the southern city of Luxor and all the infected passengers are going to be isolated in a

hospital. The newly discovered cases bring Egypt's nationwide total to 48.

Bahrain's Formula 1 Grand Prix race is the latest big sporting event to be affected by the coronavirus. Organizers say no spectators will now be

allowed to watch the race, which is scheduled to take place two weekends from now. At the present time, allowing thousands of international

travelers and local fans to interact is not the right thing to do.

China is reeling from the coronavirus outbreak and one store is offering a safe way for customers to go food shopping. But they must keep their

distance. That story is coming up.

Plus, migrants coming from Turkey have been trying to get into Greece for weeks. The new reports claim they're being met with abuse and brutality. We

have all the details for you when we come back.

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[11:20:00]

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KINKADE: We have a developing story out of Saudi Arabia this hour. Three senior members of the Saudi royal family, including a brother of the

current King Salman and a former crown prince are being detained. That's according to a source with knowledge of the arrests.

Now CNN's international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson has been in touch with his Saudi sources on the ground.

Nic, what can you tell us?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, you know, it's been interesting over the past couple days; a lot of attention focused on

the rumors and reports and understanding we have of the arrests of Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, a younger brother of the king, and the arrest of a

former crown prince, Mohammed bin Nayef.

Of course, the focus on both of those men, specifically because when the current king passes, they would be the most likely in the past to have been

in line for succession. However, since the current king came to power and his son, Mohammed bin Salman, became crown prince, those two have been

forced out of the running.

There's been a lot of evidence, if you will, and sort of understanding. And I heard this from sources within the kingdom, an understanding that both of

these men, Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, have been under house arrest for the past couple years.

But over the weekend, I have been talking to government sources, who say that the situation hasn't changed. They're not aware of any change in the

situation.

However, a source close to people who have been arrested this weekend say that both princes have been arrested; indeed, the younger brother of Prince

Mohammed bin Nayef has been arrested with him and some of the sons of Prince Ahmed have been arrested.

And rather than now being under house detention, they have been taken to another detention facility, where one of the sons of the former king, King

Abdullah, one of his sons, Turki bin Abdullah, is being held.

So you know, it's in this environment where government sources are not aware of a change in their standing. Sources outside of the government say,

no, these men have been arrested but moved to another facility.

And because of their positions within the royal family, having previously been -- Prince Mohammed previously deemed the crown prince and essentially

forced out of that by the current crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, a lot of speculation has evolved over the weekend, why they should be put into

detention and none of that is clear.

None of this situation is clear whatsoever. But that does seem to be the situation. These senior royals, who previously would have had lines of

succession, have been now detained fully.

KINKADE: All right, Nic Robertson, certainly interesting developments there. Thanks for staying on it for us. We appreciate it.

Turkey's president has ordered its coast guard to stop migrants from attempting to cross the Aegean Sea, citing the dangers of the journey. This

comes as tensions remain high on the border with Greece after Turkey opened up its side of the border to allow migrants to get through to Europe.

E.U. officials praised the Greek government and pledged nearly $800 million in aid to help keep its border secure. For now, Greek forces are being

accused of using brutal tactics to push back refugees and migrants. Jomana Karadsheh reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They were desperate for Europe but Europe didn't want them. Sent back to Turkey, stripped of their

clothes, ID documents and their dignity.

These men from Pakistan, Morocco and Syria say they were violently pushed back by Greek security forces. We can't verify the conditions which in this

video was filmed.

But human rights groups have documented dozens of similar testimonies from refugees in recent years.

KARADSHEH: Thousands have made it across this river to Greece. Many of them have come back with shocking accounts of what they are been through.

KARADSHEH (voice-over): Twenty-year-old Abdulazeez has been walking for hours, barefoot. We found him and him friends on the road in the Turkish

border city of Adena (ph).

[11:25:00]

KARADSHEH (voice-over): They say Greek security forces caught them shortly after they crossed into Greece illegally.

"It was the military or police," he tells us. "They were carrying weapons. They took all our clothes. We were left in our underwear. They took our

phones, our money and documents. They burnt the IDs and clothes," he tells us.

He claims they were beaten up, lined up on the ground and kicked with combat boots. Greek authorities have repeatedly denied using these brutal

pushback methods or excessive force. The government says Greece has the right to defend its borders from illegal crossings. It's also doing so on

behalf of Europe.

During our time at the border, we heard many similar stories.

KARADSHEH: Everybody from Afghanistan?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Speaking foreign language).

KARADSHEH (voice-over): We met this group of Afghan refugees, exhausted yet determined. Hameed (ph) carried his baby boy through the river and

fields. After walking for five hours, he says they were caught by Greek security.

HAMEED, AFGHAN REFUGEE: They beat us with -- like it was a stick. And then they deport us.

KARADSHEH: Did they beat you up?

HAMEED: Yes. My wife, they beat this person.

KARADSHEH: So they hit you and they hit your wife?

HAMEED: Yes, everything.

KARADSHEH (voice-over): Hameed says people don't choose to become refugees.

HAMEED: We want to, my children, become big in a good area and to have good life.

KARADSHEH (voice-over): In their pursuit of that good life, thousands have found themselves pawns on a political chess board between Turkey and the

E.U.

HAMZA, PAKISTANI REFUGEE: (INAUDIBLE). I try one time. (INAUDIBLE) say go back, go back to Istanbul. Take all our money, (INAUDIBLE). We come here,

we don't (INAUDIBLE).

What is this?

We are all likable and both countries are like a bet (ph). They're playing games with us.

KARADSHEH (voice-over): No one here knows how this game will end. But they say nothing will stop them from trying to make it to Europe -- Jomana

Karadsheh, CNN, on the Turkish-Greek border.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, coming up, a cruise turned from paradise into hell for some passengers. While the ship is nearing port, no one is going home anytime

soon. We're going to talk to two passengers who are onboard the Grand Princess when we return.

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[11:30:00]

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KINKADE: You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Lynda Kinkade.

We're, of course, tracking the coronavirus. And Italy is the site of the largest coronavirus outbreak outside of Asia. And it's putting a fourth of

its population, some 15 million people or so, under lockdown.

Now there have been more than 1,200 new cases reported in just one day. And as you can see here, the streets of the financial capital look almost

abandoned.

And in China, containment efforts have ended in tragedy. A hotel being used to house people coming from high-risk areas has collapsed, killing at least

10 people. And a desperate search is under way for almost 2 dozen others.

In the U.S., the White House has been under fire for a lack of a coherent message. It isn't even clear how many people have been tested. The surgeon

general told Jake Tapper there are only 75,000 tests available right now.

But by the end of the week, there should be closer to 4 million. But that's for a population of 330 million people. Jerome Adams is confident the

situation is under control.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. JEROME ADAMS, U.S. SURGEON GENERAL: Some parts of the country have contained it, just like when you look at the flu. When we look at the flu

tracker, some parts of the country are having much more severe flu seasons. Some are having a very mild flu season.

The same thing for coronavirus. So you want to first try to keep it out of your community. Once you know it's in your community, you want to take the

steps to prevent spread within the community and keep those most at risk safe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Well, passengers aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship off the coast of California are cheering a long-awaited announce announcement from

the captain. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As part of our ongoing coordination with federal, state and local authorities, an agreement has been reached to bring our ship into

the port of Oakland tomorrow.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank God.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Thank God indeed. That was one of the passengers clearly responding to that news. The Grand Princess is finally expected to dock in

the U.S. Monday, as you heard, at a California port not normally used for passengers.

Now we know at least 21 people onboard have tested positive for the coronavirus and passengers will be transferred to U.S. military

institutions for screening and a 14-day quarantine before they can return home.

Well, Vicki and Bill Fisher are from the U.S. state of Indiana. They're retired school teachers and passengers onboard the Grand Princess. They

join us now on the phone.

Thanks so much for your time today. Just first give us a sense of how you're feeling. I can't imagine this is what you expected when you set out

on your cruise.

VICKI FISHER, QUARANTINED PASSENGER: No, it's not. But we're feeling fine because we don't have any symptoms. We're healthy and, therefore, you know,

you have to be happy about that. So no complaints, you know, yes.

(CROSSTALK)

KINKADE: That is good to hear because we do know, obviously, there are 3,500 people onboard; 21 people have tested positive on this cruise ship.

And we have heard from the U.S. president that he obviously said he wanted passengers to stay put. I want to play some sound for our viewers, if you

want to take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: They would like to have the people come off. I would rather have the people stay but I would go with them. Where told them to make the final

decision. I would rather, because I like the numbers being where they are. I don't need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn't our

fault. So I can live either way with it. I would rather have them stay on personally.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: So Vicki and Bill, obviously, the U.S. president would have preferred you to stay on the ship. What do you make of those comments?

[11:35:00]

FISHER: I (INAUDIBLE) but when the option is a military institution, that doesn't sound very attractive, either. So, you know, it's hard to get room

service. How can you do it (ph) if we could get up and walk. But if you can't walk and you're confined to your room, possibly getting off the ship

sounds like a better choice.

(CROSSTALK)

KINKADE: Right. Vicki, we're just looking at some of the visuals.

FISHER: I'm a little nervous about the word military institution.

KINKADE: Yes, I bet. I mean, at this point in time, are you suggesting you would prefer to stay on the ship rather than going to a military base?

We are looking at vision you sent through of the room where, I guess, you have been confined to now for some days.

FISHER: Right. Like, the balcony is definitely a saving grace item. And of course, on the TV, we have the latest TV shows and movies. And food

delivered, too. Three times a day. So that's always nice.

I heard from another passenger who knew someone who was sent to Omaha and from the Diamond Princess, who doesn't even have TV, I believe. So that

would not be -- that would really be boring. And especially (INAUDIBLE) the institution where you end up. The word institution is definitely a negative

connotation. So cruise versus institution (ph).

(CROSSTALK)

KINKADE: Yes. Can't imagine the conditions are going to improve too much over the coming two weeks for you and Bill.

Did you consider canceling the cruise at all?

Have you been on many cruises in the past?

Obviously, this coronavirus you knew about before the cruise began.

Did you ever think, maybe we shouldn't go on it?

FISHER: Yes. Even we were on the Royal Princess in January on a Caribbean cruise and we went down to ask about (INAUDIBLE) we would have lost 75

percent of your cruise. And that didn't seem like a great idea. Pat (ph) emailed us and warned us to bring an extra two weeks' worth of medicine

just in case.

But you usually start out with a positive mindset, thinking this won't happen to you. And we really didn't anticipate that there would be a

problem. We've sailed on at least 10 Princess cruises and another four on a variety of cruise ships. And we never encountered an issue. So now, with

our experience, we were just planning for the best.

KINKADE: Right, right. And obviously, we heard from the surgeon general earlier that 80 percent of the people who get the coronavirus experience

pretty mild symptoms. I understand you said you have been feeling well. I'm wondering, have you actually been tested for the coronavirus?

FISHER: Pardon?

I didn't hear the end of that.

KINKADE: Have you been tested for the coronavirus?

FISHER: No, we have not been tested. I think they're going to save that for people with symptoms first, make sure the higher priority people get

tested. And when we do dock and we go to isolation facilities, they will monitor us then and possibly test us at that time. So we haven't heard any

more details on that procedure.

KINKADE: All right. Vicki, we'll leave it there. We wish you all the best, especially as you disembark tomorrow and head into this military

institution. Let's stay in touch and hopefully we can catch up with you over the coming days.

(CROSSTALK)

KINKADE: All the best. Obviously, a lot of concerns there over what's going to take place over the coming weeks. People right around the world,

obviously, are pretty concerned about the coronavirus. It really is panic mode in parts of the world.

We are seeing these sort of images, empty store shelves, in the rush to buy food, medical suppliers and hygiene suppliers. The U.S. government is

telling people to stop buying masks in bulk so they're available for health care professionals treating patients. Things got really bad in Australia.

[11:40:00]

KINKADE: Obviously, there was a huge buyout of toilet paper and two women ended up fighting over toilet paper when one of them filled their entire

shopping basket full. Now both women are facing charges over that skirmish.

Well, some stores in China are doing things a bit differently. The country's only Costco superstore is creating a more sterile shopping

experience for its customers. Our David Culver got in line to show us what it's like.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CULVER: In the U.S., when you're stocking up for a hurricane, a blizzard or a viral outbreak, you tend to buy in bulk.

Shanghai residents, flocking to Costco's only location to do that, we join them for shopping of our own.

This is a long line. Moving at a good pace. We have heard several announcements. Essentially, they're telling people keep your distance from

the person in front of you.

The store only allows 1,000 customers in at a time. The wait outside, about 10 minutes.

All right, we're going in. So they told us to come into this one line that's clearly going to take our temperature here.

Carts sanitized one by one but some shoppers adding a layer just to be safe. All employees, customers and their little ones wearing face masks.

Plastic used to protect the apples from germs and plastic even used to shield kids.

Can you hear, there's a loudspeaker. Essentially, they're telling people to keep one meter apart from each other. But as you look around, folks are

definitely getting a lot closer than that.

If you did not catch that warning, this guy will keep you in line. There are other options for folks looking to avoid stores altogether. One company

launched this mobile grocery van before the outbreak. Since, it's gained a loyal following, mostly older crowd.

You can see the folks lined up here. They get essentially a menu of items they can pick from. And the idea is, they're not going into a store.

They're not congregating with other masses. Instead, they hand off the paper with what they want. And folks who are inside do the preparation and

then pass out their food.

You can check it out. I mean, it's seeming to be pretty popular here. The company behind it says over the course of a week, the mobile grocery visits

20 neighborhoods, serving more than 40,000 Shanghai residents.

The project manager says they get fresh produce daily and they make sure it's all fully sanitized. But a van can only hold so much. For shoppers

looking for a taste of normalcy and plenty of options, like pallets of hand sanitizer, it's back to Costco.

But if you decide on a cooked meal or a beverage like I did, it's now a to- go purchase only.

They said you have to eat and drink everything you buy in there outside of the store, keep your mask on at all times. They're also telling folks to

get in and out as quickly as possible. You don't hear many stores telling their customers to rush. But they're doing that here.

An effort to minimize exposure and maximize what you can stock up on -- David Culver, CNN, Shanghai.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Still to come here on CONNECT THE WORLD, climate change is an international crisis. We're going to learn more about a top policymaker who

uses her power to fight that crisis.

Plus, after leaving North Korea, a group of women are expressing themselves and protesting the regime with beauty products. We'll meet them coming up.

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[11:45:00]

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KINKADE: Well, on this International Women's Day, we're celebrating the promise and progress of women working to create change and make an impact

right around the world. Well, as part of our "Call to Earth" commitment, we're making exceptional women who are sharing solutions to critical issues

impacting our environment.

We profile one of the world's top climate policymakers, who says the next decade will determine our future.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

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CHRISTIANA FIGUERES, U.N. CLIMATE CHIEF: We're no longer in the land of doing a little bit.

ZAIN ASHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Christiana Figueres is one of the world's leading voices on climate change.

FIGUERES: We are now facing the challenge of having to do only what is truly enough to make a difference, not just, you know, my best.

No, no, no. We all have to do what is necessary.

ASHER (voice-over): In 2010, she took on the role as United Nations' top climate negotiator. Credited as an architect of the 2015 Paris agreement,

she was instrumental in securing commitments from governments around the world to limit global warming.

Her book, "The Future We Choose," offers an alarming picture of what will happen if humanity continues on the path it's on.

ASHER: If we don't correct course over the next 10 years, you write, the planet will survive in changed form but it will survive. The question is

whether or not we will be here to witness it.

Does it frighten you that more people aren't alarmed by that?

FIGUERES: Yes, which is why we wrote the book because it is -- actually, it sounds like hyperbole, exaggeration, but it's not. The fact is we now

have 10 years to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to one-half of where they are now.

And only if we do that do we stand a chance of actually moving into a much better world. The frightening thing is, that if we get to 2030 and we

haven't done that, there is no way that we can put that destructive genie back in the bottle.

ASHER (voice-over): She believes it all starts with the individual, like me and you.

FIGUERES: I have yet to meet a government in any country, city or state that is not made up by individuals. I have yet to meet a corporation that

is not made out of individuals.

So to say that this is the responsibility of governments and corporations as though they existed outside of the human race is actually interesting,

right?

We're all individuals. And this is about being able to understand that, all of us, certainly in different ways, because some have more influence and

some have much more control over capital that is deployed or what policy that is designed.

But all of us have an opportunity to actually make a difference.

ASHER (voice-over): For Figueres, gender equality plays a important role in the climate conversation and the decisions that will help determine the

future of our planet.

FIGUERES: If you only see an issue from one perspective, let's call it the male perspective, you only reach a number of decisions that all reflect

that perspective.

If you complement it and have 100 percent of humanity represented around the table, you are definitely going to get wiser decisions.

So finally, finally, we're waking up to the fact that we all do better by ourselves if we have 50 percent and 50 percent of men and women at

everything, because, honestly, our voices are being much more appreciated and, where they're not, that's exactly where we need to press more.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Good message there. We are going to continue showcasing inspirational stories like that as part of our "Call to Earth" initiative.

Please let us know what you are doing to answer the call, using the hashtag #CallToEarth. We'll be right back.

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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:50:00]

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KINKADE: Well, "No matter how small you feel, you have a voice."

Those words from Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, marking International Women's Day in East London. She is on her final round of appearances as a

senior royal. And she visited a high school and paid tribute to local female sewing machinists, whose 1968 strike led to the Equal Pay Act.

Well, the fight for equality can take different forms in different parts of the world. Some women from North Korea are waging it with their faces.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE (voice-over): For some, it's a common cosmetic. For others, an unlikely tool of resistance.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Speaking foreign language).

KINKADE (voice-over): She fled her home country in 2015. Since her defection, she enjoys a form of self-expression strictly forbidden in the

Hermit Kingdom.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Speaking foreign language).

KINKADE (voice-over): Inside one of the most secretive regimes on Earth, government rules dictate every aspect of daily life, including the physical

appearance, especially for women. A state-issued guide even outlines female hair styles approved by the supreme leader. Those who don't comply may face

grave consequences.

SOKEEL PARK, LIBERTY IN SOUTH KOREA: If somebody is wearing clothes or has dyed their hair in a way that seems basically too foreign, too exotic, too

capitalist in the North Korean view, then those people may get in trouble. Their clothes may be ripped up, may be burned. They may go into detention.

KINKADE (voice-over): The threat of punishment has not always stopped the curiosity of what lies beyond, creating markets of foreign goods brought in

illegally.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Speaking foreign language).

KINKADE (voice-over): The women who spend most of their lives under the close eye of a totalitarian regime, new colors, perfumes and creams from

the outside world tempt a kind of defiance.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Speaking foreign language).

PARK: There are real restrictions on the way that people dress and do their hair and so on. But people still try and push those boundaries,

signify some level of, you know, rebellion or, you know, divergence from the traditional or official culture.

KINKADE (voice-over): Although beauty products like makeup may seem superficial to some, they help fuel an interest in self-expression and, in

turn, liberation.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Speaking foreign language).

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, for more of an in depth look at this story, visit cnn.com/style.

[11:55:00]

KINKADE: There you can also visit CNN's new beauty section, where we explore image as a source of power and influence, cnn.com/style.

Well, the power and influence of young people are celebrated on My Freedom Day. We are just three days away from the global day of action against

modern day slavery. We are asking everyone, what does freedom mean to you?

Here is one woman. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THERSA CHABLANI-WONG SWIE SAN: My freedom is to love and to live in a cultural diverse society in Suriname, where everyone can experience their

rights as human beings.

My freedom is to speak what is on my mind and to be heard as a woman, as a mother, as a member of our modern society.

My freedom is that me and my beloved husband are equal persons and that our daughter of 2 years old can grow up to be a fine young adult, that she can

be educated and establish her dreams as an equal member. My name is Thersa Chablani-Wong Swie San, a citizen from Suriname, and I support freedom.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Tell the world what freedom means to you. You can share your story using the hashtag #MyFreedomDay. Get on social media and share your

views.

Well, I'm Lynda Kinkade. You can connect with me on Instagram and Twitter @LyndaKinkade. That was CONNECT THE WORLD. Thank you for joining us. Have a

great week.

END