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Connect the World
#MyFreedomDay; Global Pandemic; U.S. Stocks Sell Off in Volatile Session; Harvey Weinstein Sentenced; Biden Takes Command of Democratic Race. Aired 11a-12:00p ET
Aired March 11, 2020 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: The United States has now reported at least 1,000 confirmed cases.
ANDREW CUOMO (D), GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK: This is literally a matter of life and death.
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: As a nation, we can't be doing the kinds of things we were doing a few
months ago.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody who has even minor respiratory tract infections or a fever should be self-isolating.
DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hubei province and its capital, Wuhan, the folks there, in some cases, have been sealed inside their homes for
nearly seven weeks. It's a balance between effectiveness in containing the spread of the virus and, quite frankly, mental health.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): And this hour, we are covering the very latest on the coronavirus connecting you to everywhere that matters.
And we are also watching Joe Biden's growing lead in the race for the White House.
We will, of course, be getting you through the latest on the news stories this hour and doing something that is extremely close to our hearts here at
CNN and that is My Freedom Day.
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ANDERSON: Students in Kenya using their voices to speak up against human trafficking. It is a massive global problem, as you know, that affects
millions of people and you can help raise awareness to stamp it out. Tell us what freedom means to you by posting on social media and tagging it with
#MyFreedomDay.
Despite drastic measures in place, the novel coronavirus is not stopping and some world leaders warn it is going to get worse. German chancellor
Angela Merkel says up to 70 percent of the German population could get infected. The number is stark and it is coming from one of Europe's top
politicians, who is usually quite measured.
But there are a few things to bear in mind here. This is in line with what scientists have been saying for a while. And crucially, most people will
have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
Well, meanwhile in Italy, we have seen an allocation of $28 billion to fight the coronavirus crisis. The entire country under lockdown to curb
what's been the worst outbreak outside of China. More than 160 people died in just one day with more than 10,000 confirmed cases in Italy so far.
And the number of confirmed cases also soaring in the United States where it's now at least 1,000. Health officials calling for all hands on deck as
the country scrambles for more testing kits.
Michigan and Massachusetts have joined more than a dozen other states in declaring emergencies. And some parts of Washington state will ban mass
gatherings.
In the U.K., a minister in the health department has tested positive for the coronavirus, joining a growing number of politicians around the world
who have gone into self isolation. She became ill last week, had reportedly come into contact with hundreds of people in Parliament and in Downing
Street.
We have reporters covering all angles of what is this global story. Ben is in Bologna, Italy, the country with the biggest cluster and lockdown
outside of China. Brynn Gingras in New Rochelle, New York, cordoned off due to a rapid spread.
Julia Chatterley keeping tabs on the market reaction on what's been a roller coaster session and week for investors. And we'll hear from David
Culver in China, where new cases are slowing down.
I want to start with Ben and Brynn.
Ben, with Italy in lockdown, you have been at a hospital, speaking to doctors about just how they are coping.
What have they told you?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, really, what we are hearing is that they're dealing with a tsunami of new patients, that in
the northern part of Italy, which has the best public health services in this country, which has a very good public health system, that it is just
steps away from collapse.
[11:05:00]
WEDEMAN: This country's public health system is dealing with its biggest crisis since the Second World War.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WEDEMAN (voice-over): Inside the intensive care unit in a hospital in northern Italy, doctors and nurses struggle with what they say is a tsunami
of new patients. Every day brings ever more new cases, ever more deaths.
Despite it all, the few tourists left in the northern city of Bologna pursue la dolce vita, though many sites are now closed.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Italy is so beautiful outside but I think inside is better. But I have next trip, I think.
WEDEMAN (voice-over): This country of 60 million souls is now, in theory, under lockdown. Movement is restricted. Schools and universities closed.
Public gatherings prohibited and all sporting events canceled.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Every day, this main square is full of people that stuck (ph) with each other, very close, kissing, handshaking. You don't see
that now. So, of course, it's like the plague.
WEDEMAN (voice-over): The bubonic plague killed thousands here in the 17th century. Bologna survived and went on to prosper.
The cafes in the city's normally bustling central Piazza Majore are emptier than usual yet the few patrons are hardly panicking. Life must go on. The
dogs still need to get out.
Two dark clouds hover over Italy at the moment. Of course, there's coronavirus. But many people here are, in fact, more worried over the long-
term impact the virus will have on the economy.
Business has all but evaporated. If draconian measures are what it takes to bring it back, some say, so be it.
"We have to face the emergency with the strictest measures, like they did in China," says this woman. "It is a dictatorship but they did the right
thing."
Across the street, this person says more should be done.
"I would be fine with a total 20-day shutdown," she tells me, "because people are afraid and work is going badly."
It's bad but this city has seen worse.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WEDEMAN: And we are hearing a growing chorus across the political spectrum here for even harsher measures to try to bring this outbreak under control.
Some politicians suggesting that all commercial activities, with the exception of the really most basic things like food stores and pharmacies,
should close down to try to stop the spread of coronavirus across this country, which is spreading rapidly day by day.
ANDERSON: Ben, of course, Italy part of the European Union. Some criticism not least from the former prime minister, Matteo Renzi, today about the
lack of coordination across the E.U.
Are you hearing that reflected by people that you are talking about, this sense to a certain extent that Italy's sort of on its own in sorting out
how it tries to contain and stop the spread?
That this isn't a coordinated European effort at this point?
WEDEMAN: Yes. Until now, it has not been a coordinated effort. Each country's dealing with it on its own. The borders still remain open. Some
politicians have called for the borders to be closed to try to stop the spread of this disease.
But yes, until now, people here feel that they're alone in dealing with this crisis and there is a growing call because it's spreading. You look at
the U.K., Germany, France. The numbers are growing day by day. So what is Italy today could very well be France, the U.K., Germany, Spain tomorrow.
ANDERSON: Stark warning by the German chancellor Angela Merkel just earlier. Ben, thank you.
Brynn is in New Rochelle in New York.
Brynn, an area that's been cordoned off due to a rapid spread of the coronavirus. Just explain what's going on where you are.
BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, the governor says it's likely the biggest cluster of coronavirus cases in the entire United States. Now this
containment, which is a mile radius around a synagogue here in this city.
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GINGRAS: It is not a lockdown like you're seeing in Italy. Basically people can come and go, go about their daily lives unless they have orders
to be quarantined.
Even still, it is a big deal and we're seeing a lot of changes here. We already have. Some schools are shut down. We'll see places of worship shut
down. Basically the governor wanting not large gatherings to happen.
And we'll see the National Guard coming in to town. You know, people are concerned. The number of cases has doubled within the state just since
Sunday. And, you know, most of those cases are happening here, where there's also about 1,000 people under quarantine.
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GINGRAS (voice-over): Just outside New York City, the governor launching an emergency effort to stop a rapidly growing number of coronavirus cases.
CUOMO: It is a dramatic action but it is the largest cluster in the country and this is literally a matter of life and death.
GINGRAS (voice-over): Creating a one-mile containment zone in the city of New Rochelle, surrounding the center of the outbreak cluster.
MAYOR NOAM BRAMSON, NEW ROCHELLE, NY: It is very important to clarify that this is not an exclusion or quarantine zone. No one is prohibited from
entering or leaving the area.
GINGRAS (voice-over): Here, places like schools and houses of worship will be closed for two weeks. The governor deploying the National Guard to
assist with cleaning public spaces within the area.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's prudent because, as we see in other countries, they have taken measures to do containment and it seems to be
effective.
GINGRAS (voice-over): Westchester County, which contains the city, has at least 108 reported coronavirus cases so far with most believed to be
connected to a 50-year-old lawyer who tested positive last week.
Two days later, his wife, two children and several others connected to the man also testing positive. By March 7th, 23 other people infected.
CUOMO: There were then a number of convenings in that community, bringing several hundred people together for celebrations. And it took off like fire
through dry grass.
GINGRAS (voice-over): There are at least 1,000 coronavirus cases across 38 states and the District of Columbia, according to the CDC, state and local
governments. And officials warn this is just the beginning.
FAUCI: It doesn't matter if you're in a state that has no cases or one case. You have to start taking seriously what you can do now that, if and
when the infections will come and they will come.
GINGRAS (voice-over): Even as voters cast their ballots on Super Tuesday, both Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders canceled their primary night events over
virus concerns. The White House task force hesitant to say if future government rallies should be put on hold, including President Trump's next
campaign event in Wisconsin next week.
MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm very confident that the campaign will take the very best information and make the very best
decision going forward.
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GINGRAS: Yes, and the big question is, is this decision actually going to work or are more measures needed to be taken?
We've talked to people who live here. One said they'll go about their day and day-to-day next two weeks and treating it as if it's the flu. One other
person wants more measures taken. Her son's school is not shut down and she thinks they all should be to make sure the virus is contained.
ANDERSON: Brynn Gingras reporting there.
And in New York where, excuse me, one-time Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has just been handed a 23-year prison sentence for sex crimes -- this is
breaking news. He was convicted last month of committing rape and a criminal sex act.
All six women who testified at the trial came to court for the sentencing. They sat right up front. Weinstein appeared in a wheelchair and in
handcuffs and is yet to be tried on similar charges in California. More on that as we get it.
Back to our top story, the coronavirus pandemic hitting the travel industry particularly hard and that very much includes a number of major airlines.
U.S. carriers like American and Delta significantly cutting back.
And we are seeing similar stories for airlines around the world. But the impact elsewhere far worse. Case in point, the president of Korean Air
warning his airline may not survive. Its capacity cut about 80 percent due to the virus related travel restrictions.
These are turbulent times. Julia Chatterley in New York for us.
Julia, as we discussed the impact on the airlines, I'm keeping one eye on the New York stock exchange here.
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ANDERSON: And the Dow Jones industrial index down shy of 4 percent. These airlines getting hit. This is messy.
JULIA CHATTERLEY, CNN ANCHOR: It is messy, volatile. The price action is very choppy here, Becky. The key of the president of Korean Air said to me,
though, if the conditions continue. And that's the challenge. We simply don't know for how much longer the capacity cuts, that the companies like
the airlines have put in place at this stage to continue.
And that's the challenge for every company, every individual looking at this situation and trying to analyze it. That plays out real-time in
financial markets. So we're down and trading around the lows. We're approaching losses of some 4 percent in aggregate for the U.S. markets
here.
Compare and contrast to the 5 percent rise that we saw in the U.S. majors in yesterday's trading session, the dramatic drop that we saw the day
before. And we are simply yo-yoing at this stage and that points to the level of uncertainty, trying to get to grips with information we don't
have.
What's the fundamental economic and financial impact of the outbreak, whether in the United States or around the world, going to be?
Goldman Sachs didn't help today. They said that the 11-year bull market is finally over. They think it's going to end. So what we are talking about is
a bear market, a 20 percent pullback from the highs. I spoke to an analyst of UBS, saying that's just guesswork.
But when and how will we bounce back?
In the end markets will go higher. That's the challenge. I guess that's what makes markets. But for now, Becky, we are under pressure.
ANDERSON: Yes. You know, you and I know and those who have studied the markets sort of day in, day out for years will say that they hate
uncertainty. Uncertainty is the nemesis of the bond market and stock markets also equally unnerved when there is no sort of solution, no
concerted action, no sense anybody's got this under control.
President Trump sticking to a pretty tight script throughout this outbreak. We heard familiar lines on Tuesday. Let's just have a listen to what he
said.
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DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It will go away. Just stay calm. It will go away. We want to protect the shipping industry, the cruise
industry. Cruise ships. We want to protect our airline industry. Very important. But everybody has to be vigilant and careful. Be calm. It is
really working out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Stay calm and carry on. That's a very British term, isn't it?
Do you get the sense people are, as he urged, staying calm?
CHATTERLEY: It's a great question. I think the challenge here, and you put it perfectly, is leadership.
What kind of policies can we put in place here to caution the blows?
We saw from the U.K. this morning stimulus coming from the government, the central bank cutting rates, as well. When the government like the United
States government, President Trump, starts talking about supporting the oil sector, supporting workers, potential payroll tax cuts, it sounds great in
theory.
And what markets do, investors question how does that happen in practice?
If the measures come and I think it will support us. But I think for individuals, Becky, life goes on and still using the subway in the United
States. People are still trying to do their jobs. Many of them, like the financials in particular -- and we have been discussing this throughout
programming -- are putting in measures to allow people to work from home if that makes them feel more comfortable.
And we have to assume we'll see more and more of this. Many tech companies, too, the financials and the tech companies are meeting at the White House
today. So on the surface it looks like discussions are at least being had and we have to draw some level of comfort from that. These discussions are
important.
How best can we cushion the blow?
ANDERSON: Yes. You have to wonder whether these measures which in the past we would have considered extreme, work from home, don't come in, social
distancing, will become the new norm to a certain extent. We'll see.
You made a very good point. Thank you. That the fiscal stimulus, the budget we saw from the U.K., very impressive. Has to be said. Doesn't matter which
side of the divide you are on. The chancellor applauded today for the efforts that he has made to provide some leadership for the U.K. economy.
As you rightly point out, 50-basis point cut by the Bank of England, which has very little left in its tool box, to be honest, good move, as well. We
are yet to see what will happen in Europe from the ECB tomorrow.
And indeed as you rightly point out, what may come out of the discussions that the U.S. president is having with industry at present.
[11:20:00]
ANDERSON: All right. Julia, thank you for that.
As Italy struggles to cope with the massive coronavirus outbreak, hospitals are on the front lines. Going to hear from an Italian surgeon speaking to
us live from his hospital in Milan.
Plus, it was a big night for U.S. presidential hopeful Joe Biden.
But where's the rest of the audience?
Look behind him. Canceling rallies over coronavirus isn't stopping his momentum. We'll dig into the numbers of the race for the White House with
CNN's poll man. That's coming up.
And the coronavirus outbreak forced multiple school systems around the world to shut the doors but that hasn't hampered the excitement of this
year's My Freedom Day.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Freedom is allowing me to answer questions (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Freedom is the right people have to do what they want, when they want and how they want to do it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Freedom is being able to express my feelings without fear.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Freedom means being able to move like you want without fear of being kidnapped and tortured.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To me, freedom means being able to make my own choices for my life (INAUDIBLE).
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Freedom to say no to slavery.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Freedom to say no to hunger and starvation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Freedom to say no to coronavirus.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Freedom to just be better.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Freedom is to be expressing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Those are students at the Royal Orchard First School (ph) in Nigeria, saying no to the coronavirus and a resounding yes to freedom. That
is a sentiment shared by all of us, surely, and an important one on the fourth annual My Freedom Day, a CNN initiative when we partner with
youngsters across the globe to act as a disinfectant to the ugly practice of human trafficking.
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ANDERSON: Forty million people currently are living in modern-day slavery from sex trafficking to bonded labor. And we have had enough. And we have
heard from people in 110 countries, posting messages on social media, telling the world what freedom means to them.
Well, freedom is a human right that is taken for granted by so many people around the world. But the reality for many others is far from different.
CNN's Farai Sevenzo spoke to a young lady in Kenya, determined to make her dreams of an education a reality.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FARAI SEVENZO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: If girls went to school and they finished and they were 13, what were they expected to do?
FAITH CHEROP KIPKEMOI, EDUCATION ACTIVIST: To be married.
SEVENZO: At 13?
KIPKEMOI: Yes. Most of them, 13, 14, 16. When I saw all my sisters got married it was like, it was shattered and I had to stood up by myself and
prove that also girls need to be educated.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: What an inspirational voice.
More happening this year in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, of course. CNN's Kristie Lu Stout spoke to students of Hong Kong to overcome
the obstacle of closed schools to still make a difference.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR: Here in Hong Kong, My Freedom Day feels different this year. Instead of being at a school, I'm in the studio,
talking to students via video chat. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, schools are closed here for at least two months but that has not diminished
the activism.
KATE CHEONG, STUDENT: Freedom means to me being able to go out, being able to travel. I have a lot of family, friends overseas, who have experienced
xenophobia, especially in Italy.
I had a family member travel there and there were a lot of xenophobic remarks so I think freedom to me also means being able to be accepted
anywhere.
ESTHER LYNCH, STUDENT: I think a big freedom that's important to me is freedom of speech. Even though school's been closed, through these online
platforms we have been able to continue these discussions and maintain that freedom.
KAITLYNN LO, STUDENT: I think at this current time I think we should be very grateful for our opportunity and freedom to continue learning.
STOUT: What you have learned about the problem of modern-day slavery and how you're choosing to respond to it.
MAXIME EVRARD, STUDENT: One big statistic that I saw recently in the news was one in 200 people is a slave. That surprised me because I thought was
something that only happened 200 years ago and I thought like it was astounding.
ELIZABETH JOY YEE, STUDENT: I think in Hong Kong we have a form of modern- day slavery in the abuse of migrant workers and helpers. Recently we have done a mask drive, where we donate sanitizing products and masks to support
them throughout this coronavirus period, especially when they don't get support they need.
NICOLE XIANG, STUDENT: And due to the coronavirus, a lot of migrant workers have been asked by employers to stay at home during the 24 hours
instead of going out. The lines between getting their rest and continuing to work becomes quite blurred.
STOUT: The world is already dealing with so many challenging issues from the coronavirus outbreak to the climate crisis.
I mean, how optimistic are you that we could end modern-day slavery?
KATIA SHEK, STUDENT: To be perfectly honest, I do feel very optimistic about the situation. I think that our world now is much more aware of human
rights.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Education is kind of the first step forward that I think we'll be able to make. Obviously I would hope that we would be able
to end it but I think that the more realistic first step is educating youth and motivating them to try to make a change in their lifetime.
JESSICA POON, STUDENT: Like our generation seems quite responsible but also motivated to want to make a change and that's why I would like to keep
that hope and that optimism that's (INAUDIBLE) like, have a difference.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: This is a truly global project and CNN will have special coverage of My Freedom Day throughout today and we're going to hear from
youngsters all over the world in what's a half-hour special program, 4:30 pm in London, 8:30 pm in Abu Dhabi.
It's not too late to be part of that. Tell us what freedom means to you. Share your story on social media with #MyFreedomDay. Looking forward to
hearing from you. We'll be back with more news after this break. But first, this My Freedom Day message of students in the United Kingdom.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's having a choice.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My freedom means having my rights upheld.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My freedom is having a stay in all matters.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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ANDERSON: Want to get you back to the breaking news this hour from the Harvey Weinstein rape case. The former movie producer sentenced to 23 years
in prison. CNN's Jean Casarez is outside the court following this for us. She joins us now.
So 23 years sentence here.
Was this a surprise?
JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is at the higher end of the range. Let's break this down for everybody.
Criminal sexual act in the first degree which he was convicted of, which is a serious sexual felony. The range was 5-25 and the judge sentenced him to
20 years in prison so that's almost the maximum. And this is with someone that has no criminal history at all.
And then rape in the third degree. It is probation to four years and the judge sentenced him to three years. And the terms are to run consecutively,
one after the other so that's 23 years in prison.
Now when the judge announced that sentence, Harvey Weinstein had a blank stare on his face. But on the other side of the room, all six women who
testified against him in this trial were seated and the prosecution side on the front row, they all started crying, crying to each other.
And Annabella Sciorra, a very successful actress, was seated next to Gloria Allred and she began to sob and Gloria Allred hugged her. So you saw the
emotions that permeated the courtroom.
And before the sentence was announced Harvey Weinstein was given the opportunity to speak to the judge and he did speak to the court. I don't
think anyone believed he was going to say what he said. He said that he is very remorseful, that he will spend his time in prison to become a good
person.
[11:35:00]
CASAREZ: He will reflect on that. He said that his life has been hell on Earth since all of this happened, that his five children, his older
children, have not contacted him since a "The New York Times" article came out. He doesn't know where they are and what they're doing.
He said this has been hell on Earth for me. He said he believed the relationships he was in with these women -- and they were relationships --
that they were consensual. He also said that because of the emails that came in as evidence back and forth, wonderful things the women said to him,
that that made him feel that everything was fine in their relationship as they kept going on this.
But no reaction when that verdict came down. And the victim impact statements, very emotional by two of the accusers. Mimi Haley said that in
the last two years, she's lived in paranoia, she thought there would be someone to get her because she was going to be an accuser in this trial.
She said she is grateful for the conviction and she now feels safe and also believes women in this country and internationally will also be safer
because Harvey Weinstein is behind bars.
ANDERSON: Well, he will have some time to reflect on his actions.
Is it clear where he will serve his sentence?
And just how long he will actually serve at this point?
CASAREZ: Two good questions. First of all, now he is in custody of the Department of Corrections. So New York Department of Corrections will be in
charge of processing and they'll do an assessment at a prison upstate to determine all of his needs and there is an infirmary request because of his
medical condition.
He had heart surgery last week so that is the first thing that will be done. But let's not forget there are Los Angeles criminal charges that were
filed on the first day of jury selection here. So this is not going to be an easy 23 years and, yes, there is good time credit in New York because he
is going to have to face those charges.
Conceivably there will a trial in Los Angeles. We'll see how that works out. But charges have been filed and he needs to go before a judge, his
constitutional right, to understand, appreciate the charges that have been filed against him by other accusers in Los Angeles.
ANDERSON: Jean, thank you. The very latest on the Harvey Weinstein sentence.
This hour, Italy is on lockdown, where the government is scrambling to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The Italian senate announcing
suspension of all floor sessions for one week starting on Thursday. And the country's finance minister says Italy has allocated 25 billion euros to
confront the crisis, about $28 billion.
Here's what the prime minister had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GIUSEPPE CONTE, ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER (through translator): 25 billion means 25 billion of a financial resource not to be used immediately. But
certainly, to be used to face all the difficulties we are facing in this emergency. That, as I've always said, is both an economic and a health
emergency, clearly with a big social impact.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Italy just saw the biggest one-day jump in coronavirus deaths since the outbreak began and there is a massive strain on health
workers there.
Like my next guest, Dr. Lorenzo Menicanti, who's head of cardiac surgery at a hospital in Milan and his department has been shut down by the government
to focus on the coronavirus, joining me now live from that hospital.
Doctor, thank you for joining us. You head the cardiac surgery department. When the government shut it down, you said, and I quote, "My day has been
completely destroyed."
What did you mean by that, sir?
DR. LORENZO MENICANTI, IRCCS RESEARCH HOSPITAL: Good morning. That means that this is the most active center for cardiac surgery in our country and,
because of the emergency of virus, that the program of cardiac surgery was completely shut down, except for cardiac surgery for the children.
But the big, big issue is the cardiac surgery for adults. It is completely shut down. Our ICU and our work was changed, was closed and reopened for
patients that are positive for COVID-19. And of course, our life is completely changed.
[11:40:00]
MENICANTI: And the program of the government of this region is to open a hub, in reality are three hubs, where we have to bring our patients when
there are the emergency.
But of course, the patient that can wait are put away or wait least and we'll see what happens in the next weeks. So it's really an uneasy
situation for us, for the patient, for the hospital because, to stop so large a program of cardiac surgery is really difficult because we have to
think that after that we have to reopen all things and sometimes not so evident.
ANDERSON: So are you telling me that people's lives are at stake, people with cardiac issues are now not getting the help that you would expect to
give them?
MENICANTI: Yes. I means that the people that need immediately care are rushed to these hubs and the people that can wait also for avoid the
commission with a patient with the virus has to wait.
Of course, sometimes not -- it is not possible to wait so long time because we don't know when we finish this catastrophic situation. And if this
situation would last longer than three or four weeks, of course, we will ask the government of our region to reopen at least a minimal surgery
activity in our hospital.
Of course, the hubs that are identified are very good hospitals, there's no question. But you know, it is not exactly the same for the patient, for the
people, for the team to change hospital. So the other hospital can fill up in certain time. So it is a really very bad situation. Our epidemic --
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: How many patients a week -- sorry. How many patients a week would you normally see, sir?
How many people are we talking about?
MENICANTI: Not many.
ANDERSON: Not getting the service they would normally get.
MENICANTI: Normally we operate eight patients a day. So it is around 40 patient, 35 patient a week. And this activity is completely, completely
blocked.
Our epidemiologists, I think that the peak of infection will be in 10-15 days. So we open, we hope that this is true and we hope to resist (sic) to
that because the necessity of beds of intensive unit care at that moment will be very high.
This is the reason for what the government of the region is cutting programs that are not related with the infection. So we hope to resist
enough for two, three weeks at least.
ANDERSON: If you had a message for people watching this who will be living in other parts of the world where perhaps -- or certainly they haven't seen
the sort of extreme measures that Italy has taken -- what would your message be, sir?
What is the warning?
MENICANTI: The warning is, the warning to follow the indication of the government and avoid, absolutely, the interaction with other persons
because we know that the infection comes from the -- make a bubble (ph) that we put away with our respiration.
So the real warning is that to stay home and to avoid the massive congregation of persons. This is a very relative -- relative very easy
situation but it's very probably the most safe and effective.
We have seen in China and the part of our region which the rules were very strict, two sites in our region, where the people cannot go out house and
cannot go outside the village. And there is the army that controlled that.
And again, after two weeks, there is no more infection, no more new cases of the infection. So the system in this way works.
[11:45:00]
MENICANTI: And this is the reason for what the center of government of Italy decided to close all Italy.
So for us impossible now to travel to Rome, for example. That it's for us very difficult to understand because Milan is the economic heart of our
country. So the connection are no limits of connection.
And they are closing airports. And the numbers of flights from only one airport that is open are reduced to 35 a day. So it's really difficult
situation.
What we have done, that I think is correct, that we are prepared to have beds for that patient and this is the most frustrational (ph) of the
commitment of the government of our region. And so, if the program is fulfilled we will have enough number of beds for this type of a patient.
ANDERSON: OK.
MENICANTI: So I think that at the end we will have success. But surely for the moment it is bad for every person. Also for the person that have the
disease. But of course, the fact that there is infection but the people is continue to have coronary artery disease, heart disease.
So we can't resist for a couple of weeks. After that, we are to decide what must be done.
ANDERSON: Yes. With that, we're going to leave it there. Sir, we thank you very much indeed. I realize that times are very, very hard and you are
extremely busy and we do very much appreciate your time. Thank you.
MENICANTI: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Earlier I spoke to a family in lockdown in Milan and asked them how they think politicians are handling the crisis. Have a listen to what
they told me.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UGO PALUMBO, MILAN RESIDENT: Well, the rules -- I mean, this is an emergency and is unprecedented, of course. So it is understandable that in
the beginning it was a little bit clouded, what was right and what was wrong.
But right now what I think, this past weekend, with the drop of the decree, it's not that the kind of firm guidance, firm leadership we're looking for.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Our chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has a brand new podcast, "Coronavirus, Fact Versus Fiction." This is well worth a listen.
Learn about the virus, from where it came and how to prepare yourself for a busy travel season if that is what you have.
We are taking a short break. Back after this.
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Many have, the pundits, declared that this candidacy was dead.
[11:50:00]
BIDEN: Now we're very much alive. The character of the candidates, the character of the nation is on the ballot. It's more than a comeback in my
view, our campaign. It's a comeback for the soul of this nation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: His campaign was widely believed to be dead in the water. Now Joe Biden looks unstoppable after another winning night of U.S. primaries
has taken command of the Democratic race for the White House.
Is this the end of the line for Bernie Sanders?
It was a long night for Biden's main rival and any hopes of a comeback seemingly gone, especially after losing Michigan, a key state he won in the
2016 primary.
Sanders flew back to his home state of Vermont instead of making a public address. Harry Enten is in the house, a CNN Politics senior writer and
joining us from New York.
What do the exit polls tell us?
HARRY ENTEN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: We spoke about this yesterday, what was the key in Michigan?
White working class voters, white voters without a college degree.
Back in 2016, what did Bernie Sanders do?
He won the voters overwhelmingly, a 15-point margin against Hillary Clinton. I warned you yesterday that the poll numbers suggested that Biden
would do better than Clinton and guess what, he did. He won every county in the state of Michigan. It was a blowout. Just a huge win for Biden in
Michigan, no doubt about it.
ANDERSON: You've dug into the numbers.
What did Bernie Sanders do wrong?
ENTEN: Well, I mean, a lot of things he did wrong. But I think the number one thing, you know, if you look back what he did poorly in 2016 was he
lost African American voters. Right?
Look at what happened in three states. Michigan, Mississippi and Missouri that voted yesterday. And look at how he did in 2016 and then look at how
he did in 2020.
He actually lost ground among black voters. And the fact of the matter is, they are the heart and soul of the Democratic Party. Bernie Sanders had
four years, four years to fix this problem. He couldn't do it and, therefore, he lost all those states and he lost all those states by major,
major margins.
ANDERSON: Other people say it's not over until it's over but is this a done deal at this point?
ENTEN: I went back and looked at this. Right?
What did I find?
Candidates like Joe Biden leading at this point after Super Tuesday have the delegate lead, what's happened since 1988?
And what do we see?
We see that pretty much all of them, they have all won and this I think is the key number you see. There it is right there. Look at that. Joe Biden is
right in line with all the candidates, all the nominees who won the nomination.
And I think that is just so important. And that graphic that you showed before which I think is also key is the fact is that Joe Biden, at this
particular point, he has the delegate lead but it's also about the states that still haven't voted yet.
He has a 31-point lead in those states. There's just -- I just don't really understand how Bernie Sanders can come back. He's behind, going to fall
further behind going into the later contests.
ANDERSON: Harry Enten, the way you pronounce or use 1988, it sounded like it was 100 years ago. Some of us remember it. Thank you, sir.
ENTEN: For me it was. But whatever.
(LAUGHTER)
ANDERSON: Fantastic stuff.
ENTEN: Be well.
ANDERSON: Thank you. Going to take a very quick break. Back after this.
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[11:55:00]
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ANDERSON: Before we go tonight, a minute for you, an important message across CNN today, My Freedom Day, we're asking youngsters, what does
freedom mean to you?
Here are some of the answers from students here in Abu Dhabi.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're (INAUDIBLE) of the middle school student council and we are here regarding #MyFreedomDay.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What freedom means to me is being able to do anything I want without prejudice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What freedom means to me is doing everything I want whenever I want.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Being freedom to me is being able to work in a nice state (ph).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All right. We'll be covering this worldwide event special all day. I'm Becky Anderson. That was CONNECT THE WORLD. Thank you for
watching.
END
