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Connect the World
Stimulus Talks Stalled as Millions of American's Struggle; South Florida On Brink Of Eviction Avalanche; Hunger Supersedes COVID Worry In Parts Of Venezuela; Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Live On CNN; Saudi Arabia Approves Use Of Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine; Debate Grows Over Safety Of Skiing In Europe. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired December 11, 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]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: And tonight, on the one hand salvation does seem near. On the other, the curse of this year only gets worse. We have
been learning that just last few hours that American regulators, the FDA, are ready to grant emergency use authorization in the states for the Pfizer
BioNTech vaccine after an advisory panel there recommended, they do just that less than a day ago.
The urgency for this vaccine, the absolute necessity of a working way to get people immune to this terrible virus is clear as ever in these latest
numbers. CNN analysis finding intensive care units in one third of all- American hospitals are now filled to at least 90 percent capacity 9 out of every 10 beds full.
More Americans are in the hospital right now, 107,000, than at any time since the pandemic began that is a leading indicator. First, more cases
then, more people in hospital. Then, sadly, more people lose their lives. Death is everywhere amid this plague.
Nearly 2,800 more Americans died from COVID-19 in the last day alone. Well, even after the expected FDA authorization for emergency use, the Pfizer
BioNTech vaccine still has one more administrative hurdle to cross.
A committee for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet this weekend to give its own OK for it. After that, it can start
getting moved to the places that need it most and into the arms of the people most at risk of catching the virus. Our Senior Medical Correspondent
Elizabeth Cohen is here, tell us more about just who will get the vaccine and when, Elizabeth?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: So, let's talk about this Becky. When this vaccine comes out on the market, it is not going to
be the usual kind of situation where just anyone who wants it can go to their doctor or go to a pharmacy and get it. There will be specific groups
that will be getting it first.
So, let's take a look at what the order will be? So, what we are being told is that first it will be health care workers and folks who are residents of
nursing homes. After that, it will be other elderly folk's people who are essential workers, firefighters, police officers and those with underlying
medical conditions.
And then later everyone else and Becky when we say later, we mean probably the spring where some people might even have to wait into the summer to be
able to get the vaccine. Becky?
ANDERSON: It seems pretty clear that this approval will now come through. Correct?
COHEN: It does. But there are steps that need to be taken so you mentioned that yesterday an advisory committee to the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration voted to recommend approval. So that's just one vote and then there's more that needs to happen.
So, let's sort of go through what will be probably a very busy weekend. So, starting with that on Saturday we expect that the FDA will give emergency
use authorization, that's what we're being told. It might be today, it might be Sunday, but we are told that Saturday is likely the day.
And then at the CDC, at the Centers for Disease Control after that - is issued, an advisory committee will vote on whether to recommend the vaccine
and who should get it? And after that then the CDC has to sign off, the agency itself has to see off on that committee's recommendations which
we're told will happen within hours.
So that last part is really in many ways the most important part. We are told Sunday afternoon to expect that the CDC will sign off on this Pfizer
vaccine which means that shots at that point can start going into arms. So, we're expecting to see the first vaccinations in the U.S. as early as
Monday, Becky?
ANDERSON: Which, of course, couldn't come soon enough, the current situation, a new CNN investigation revealing that some 200 hospitals have
reached capacity? What is considered breaking point, Elizabeth? Are we close or there yet?
COHEN: You know, I think what hospitals do, is those workers just keep working and keep fighting. We saw it for example in New York City at the
beginning of the pandemic and unfortunate they're working under very, very difficult circumstances but they always make it work.
My colleague Sarah Snider told the story yesterday of a hospital that had to open up in a parking garage because there was no other place for them to
go. But let's take a look at some of these hospitalization numbers because they are, Becky, you used the word sobering and I think that really is the
best word.
So, Thursday, yesterday, hospitalization numbers hit a record high in the United States to the point where over 90 percent of ICU beds are occupied
in a third of hospital.
[11:05:00]
COHEN: So, in one third of hospitals over 90 percent of those beds in the ICU are taken up. Now as if there were any mystery as to why there is so
much occupancy? Coronavirus patients are taking up 46 percent of ICU beds and that is a significant increase over a few weeks ago. Becky?
ANDERSON: Elizabeth Cohen is on the story for you in the states, Elizabeth, as ever, thank you. So, a vaccine, yes, it is on the way. That is
exceptional news but for most American families at least as for what quite frankly many families around the world actually getting that vaccine is
still likely months away if not more.
Right now, millions of people in the states are struggling with something even more urgent. Paying their bills and buying their food and the kind of
help many, need can really only come from one place and that is Capitol Hill. Real problem, well, they can't get the act together. I'm talking
about lawmakers and strike a deal to help the many who need it.
CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich is in New York and Rosa Flores is in Miami joining us now to connect us on what is going on. To you first Vanessa, if you
will, please just explain what's going on? What it means that these stalled talks are having such an impact on the average American? What do we mean by
that?
VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it is unwelcomed news for millions of Americans whose unemployment benefits are slated to run out at
the end of this month. Additionally, federal protections are designed to protect them are expiring at the end of this year. So, we spoke to one
unemployed woman and her family to find out how they're making ends meet this holiday season and beyond.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANGELA KEARNEY, FURLOUGHED FROM JOB DUE TO PANDEMIC: I would describe this as the last nice memory that I had.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): Angela Kearney stands in front of her tree at home in Pottstown, Pennsylvania reminiscing with her aunt and longing for last
Christmas.
KEARNEY: This was when I received the new job. I was going to be able to buy a home for my family.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): The new job was as a paralegal after she put herself through school in her 40s while recovering from surgeries to fix a
disability racking up $63,000 in student loans. With a new salary of $55,000, she was finally able to provide for her children.
KEARNEY: That is more money than I have ever seen in my life. I promised them we would get a house. I promised them that they would be normal
children and then the pandemic hit. And I can't keep those promises anymore.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It looks like everybody's dancing.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): Just four months after landing that job, Kearney was furloughed in March and her weekly unemployment of $300 does little to
cover the bills for her and her three children living at home.
KEARNEY: I have to take the bills and throw them up and pick the ones and hope that they total the amount that I have.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): Her unemployment has leaded to run out in January, along with 12 million other Americans and dozens of programs designed to
protect them will too.
AMY CASTRO BAKER, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SOCIAL POLICY, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA: First student loan, you know, payments have been halted. So
once that expires, that's a new bill that's going to hit people quickly. You have local eviction bans that will expires and then of course, the
expansion of unemployment insurance. As that's going away, we're seeing more people not put back to work.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): For years, Kearney and her family were on several government assistance programs, including disability and food stamps. Last
year, she finally got off them.
KEARNEY: A lot of it was determination on my part, to climb this mountain. And we got showed off the mountain.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): Which sent them right back on food stamps.
How much money do you get on that card?
KEARNEY: We get 400 a month.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): Does that cover it?
KEARNEY: It has to, right.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): Congress is negotiating a stimulus bill that could drastically shape the next few months for families like the Kearney's, but
significant long-term relief may not arrive until President-Elect Biden is inaugurated in late January.
BAKER: For a lot of families waiting until after the inauguration is just going to be too late.
YURKEVICH (voice-over): Christmas will look different for many American families, including the Kearney's.
KEARNEY: What do you think of our lights this year?
YURKEVICH (voice-over): This year, she's prioritizing paying the electric bill just to keep the lights and Christmas spirit alive.
KEARNEY: The bills won't be paid for December because Santa is coming to town. Santa will be here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:10:00]
YURKEVICH: And Angela's story is really so representative of what we hear from many American families that they're having to choose between paying
bills and buying their children Christmas presents and one of the things we've heard is that so many American families have really tried to get out
of debt and have gotten out of debt in this last year and we are now finding themselves right back in it.
Angela, you heard from there was really trying to make a special Christmas for her and her family but she also has to go to court next week that's
because the credit card companies are calling. She is late on her payments. But she says she simply doesn't know where she is going to get the money
Becky to make those payments.
ANDERSON: Yes. It is absolutely heartbreaking, Vanessa. Thank you. Rosa, you have been speaking to families in South Florida who are now phasing
eviction due to their financial woes. Just how tough are things at this point?
ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, the situation is really dire, Becky. Here's the hard, cold truth in America. Millions of Americans are
about to be homeless because the Centers for Disease Control and Protection eviction moratorium is about to expire. It expires on December 31st and
relief is not in sight because of the dysfunction in Washington.
And so, while Capitol Hill drags its feet, millions of Americans including John Ayers who you are about to meet they are counting the days until
they're out on the street. Since his wife died in 2012, John Ayers counts his blessings, like Bella and Bear and his job as an insurance agent.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FLORES: You are earning good money.
JOHN AYERS, UNEMPLOYED AND FACING EVICTION: Just making a salary.
FLORES (voice-over): Enough to pay $2,000 on a house in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. And because of a severe arthritis and diabetes--
AYERS: Catch my breath for a second.
FLORES (voice-over): An Uber driver known as fast eyes to get around. But a few months after the pandemic broke, John lost his job, exhausted the
savings on rent, medicines and utilities and was slapped with an eviction notice.
AYERS: I need help. It's the first time I've said it. I need help because I'm about to be homeless.
FLORES (voice-over): Like millions of Americans, John could be homeless on New Year's Day when the CDC's order halting evictions expires.
AYERS: And right now, I can't.
FLORES (voice-over): Well, he can't afford his medications he's not worried about himself.
AYERS: It's the thought of being out there with a dog because I'm not putting my dog down.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a residential eviction for nonpayment of rent.
FLORES (voice-over): County Judge Robert Lee says evictions in Broward County could triple in the first three months of 2021 from 5,000 to 15,000
and in the case of some landlords.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They are almost in the same desperate position as the tenant is.
FLORES (voice-over): To meet skyrocketing demand the court has moved judges who try crimes, medical and insurance claims to evictions.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm with coast to coast legal aid.
FLORES (voice-over): Probe - attorneys are going with the need is great. Food lines to help tenants fight to stay in their homes.
FLORES (voice-over): So, you are looking for a shelter?
But the call volume at this homeless shelter in Miami-Dade County increased from 800 calls a month on average to 1,200 last month and the homeless
population is already growing.
RON BOOK, MIAMI-DADE HOMELESS TRUST CHAIRMAN: The fear of that turning into thousands upon thousands drives me completely crazy. I cannot almost have
the conversation without breaking down over what it means.
FLROES (voice-over): As for John, he's looking for a job.
AYERS: I upload my resume to these places.
FLORES (voice-over): And counting a new blessing. Fast Ice now drives him free of charge.
AYERS: You're a good man, my brother. You are a good man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FLROES: A man desperate for a miracle. And just to give you an idea in the county where I am of Miami-Dade, more than 6,400 evictions have been filed
already in court since March 15th. From talking to the Chairman of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust who has 25 years of experience in this he says
that that translates to about 18,000 people.
And he explains that his biggest fear is that the floodgates of homelessness are going to open up in this community and that thousands of
people including seniors will be out on the street so, Becky, this is such a dire situation.
[11:15:00]
People are counting the days before December 31st because that's when that protection expires and yet there's so much dysfunction in Washington right
now that these people don't have hope that it's - that whatever relief they get is coming from Washington. Becky?
ANDERSON: Yes. Rosa and Vanessa, to both of you, thank you very much, indeed. It is so valuable to see what is going on, on the ground. As you
have just seen it is hard to overstate just how many - how bad things are for so many people out in the real world.
You got do see it to believe it and that's why we took you there. Let me update you on the political dimensions here that are going on in D.C. Rosa
described it as dysfunctional and you might be wondering just what are those dozens of lawmakers and indeed President Trump himself focusing all
their time and effort on, on the problems at hand?
Nope. Not even close. Instead they're signing on to a baseless and by baseless, I mean baseless lawsuit that is trying to overthrow the election
results. You know the one that Joe Biden won. More than half of House Republicans, over 100 of them now endorsing something that they nor anyone
can offer any credible truth about.
Here are their names just rolling this. So, you can see them and so that this sinks in. These are democratically elected lawmakers signing up to a
lawsuit that is going nowhere that has no basis to turn over a Democrat Presidential Debate.
Well, now the suit itself filed by Texas wants the Supreme Court to overturn the vote in four other states. See the irony here? Those states,
those four states are Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin all of which went to Joe Biden.
The lawsuit amounts to an unprecedented request for legal intervention in an election despite there being no evidence of widespread fraud. All four
states named issuing blistering rebukes to the Supreme Court. Pennsylvania calls the effort a "Seditious abuse of the judicial process".
Well, that is the state of play in the USA. Next to South America, Venezuela's poor have had to put COVID-19 on the back burner.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A mother herself can't quite believe how bad it's gotten. We have lots of vulnerable family, she says. Many of whom don't
even have breakfast.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, a look at how the already bad situation there is getting even more dire? And I'm going to get you to Saudi Arabia where officials
there have approved the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine in the hopes of avoiding a second wave. And we speak this hour to the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister as
hundreds of Rohingya refugees are moved to an island off the country.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:20:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ISA SOARES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is the intensive - ward and the reason I'm holding up this light right here is because there's no electricity in
this hospital.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: My colleague Isa Soares reporting from Caracas this earlier week on the dire situation in hospitals there. Venezuelans who have contracted
COVID-19 telling me here on CNN that would rather wait the virus out at home than seek medical attention.
Well, we heard from many in Venezuela who say if you get COVID-19 you are quite frankly on your own and unfortunately that extends to the country's
poor as they deal with the even more pressing issue of hunger.
Many people must survive on one or two dollars a month and clean running water there is a luxury. You can see why the pandemic that has gripped the
rest of the world is still so much worse in Venezuela. Isa Soares met several families who have been left to fend for themselves.
SOARES: Life has come to a standstill for many on the streets of Caracas, Venezuela after decades of corruption, economic pain and violence, the
pandemic's now robbing many here of even a minimal income intensifying one of Venezuela's most pronounced ailments, extreme hunger.
This woman tells me she lost both her boys to gun violence 16 years ago shot just a few streets away from her home. There was so much war. They
killed without mercy she says. Today she's fighting a different battle trying to make her $1 pension amid hyperinflation last the month.
I eat rice and sausages if there's any, she says. Today there isn't much. She has what three sausages, a tiny bit of rice up here frozen water. And
then if I open here, she has got plantain and leftovers those now swarming flies.
The water, too, is in short supply here. A result of Venezuela's deteriorating infrastructure after decades of mismanagement under President
Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro. The little that does flow out she uses to fill these up. Avoiding COVID-19 is the last thing on her mind.
When there's water we store it so it lasts. When there's money we buy bottled water, she says. Down the road I meet 80-year-old - who behind her
smile hides a world of pain. She tells me she has no fridge broken as a result of blackout that has plagued the country more frequently over the
last few years.
She shares this house with her two sons and her resignation adorns its every corner. A report last year found that 96 percent of Venezuelans are
living in poverty. Nowhere is that more evident than - Venezuela's biggest slum.
Here children quietly line up for their only meal of the day. Run by NGO, this soup kitchen alone feeds 80 children. A volunteer - a mother herself
can't quite believe how bad it has gotten. We have lots of vulnerable family, she says.
Many of whom don't even have breakfast. With hunger comes malnutrition and in Venezuela there are 639,000 mall nourished children under 5 years of age
according to a national survive so it's no surprise that this NGO worker who remains anonymous that fear of government would - has so many are
knocking on the door.
We were feeding 14,000 children and now since the pandemic she says we have 25,000 children. Prominent Venezuelan nutritionist and activist Susana
Raffalli says what Venezuela is witnessing is a crisis of great proportions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Do you think Venezuela will end up having a lost generation or even two lost generations here?
[11:25:00]
SUSANA RAFFALLI, NUTRITIONIST AND ACTIVIST: I wish I don't have to say this but we're looking at two lost generation. We have seen an exponential rise
in prostitution, of transactional sex for food. We have seen an exponential rise in child labor, in exchange for food.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Back at the slums, I feel this weight being carried with all I speak to. Including this health care worker who'd now also has to worry
about water. Everything is bad, she says. I have my mum bedridden and I have to have water.
Exhausted, she's struggling to make ends meet amid a backdrop of hyperinflation where even her job lost the value. How much do you earn a
month? $2 her mother who she looks after, her pension is $1 so this family right here $3 per month.
Overburdened with life, I ask her if it's all taking a toll. Everything we're living through is so tough, she says. It makes me not want to live at
all. Heartbreaking words that will no doubt resonate with many here a country where poverty and hunger are eating away at Venezuela's soul. Isa
Soares CNN, Caracas, Venezuela.
ANDERSON: Human rights violators in Venezuela are among those being targeted by the United Kingdom. The UK freezing assets and banning travel
to UK of those involved in torture and murder Britain crossing many continents to uphold human rights violators in Russia, Pakistan and Gambia
will also be hit with sanctions.
We are shining a light on human rights concerns. In just a moment we want to tell you what you are looking at your screen right now and why hundreds
of lives are hanging in the balance because of it?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, authorities say this is voluntarily. Human right groups say otherwise. You are looking at a part of the move of more than 1,000
Rohingya refugees to an island in the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh says the island can hold up to 100,000 refugees and that the shelters have been
built to withstand cyclones and flooding.
Its navy says the people there will be safer than at their current home. Caucuses bizarre, that the world's largest refugee camp of course. The
group Refugee Internationals says the island is a mass detention center and that is what is happening there is inhumane.
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: Well, there are also concerns from the U.S. and U.N. which says has not been allowed to conduct a technical and safety assessment
especially because the island is flood prone. U.S. State Department adds that the relocation should be "Fully voluntarily and based on informed
consent without pressure or coercion".
Well, Bangladesh says it is only transferring people who are willing to go and that the move will ease chronic overcrowding in camps with huge
concerns over COVID-19, particularly at this point. Well, Professor AK Abdul Momen is the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister and he joins us from the
capital Dhaka.
And it is good to have you sir; there are a number of questions not least that being asked by the U.S. Can you guarantee that every individual being
transferred will be transferred at their own will?
A.K. ABDUL MOMEN, BANGLADESHI FOREIGN MINISTER: Yes. Yes. There are so many information gaps. First, yes. We have identified those who would like to go
there voluntarily so the 1,600 of those who have gone they all went on their own willingly and once they've gone there, they're really happy.
There is information gap in terms of the Bhashan Char the island is a floating island. That's a total false. There are around 75 islands we have
in this area. And this is one of the islands which initially were there in 1983 and it has been there for years.
During the last 30 years it's never been inundated that much and there are other which are really close to. If you're ever in New York, you'll find
hundreds of people are on those islands they work there. Now--
ANDERSON: Let me, sir. Go on.
MOMEN: The question is that, you know, Bhashan Char is it? Will it be flooded? No. Even in the last - when we had the big tidal wave, all people
in Bhashan Char there didn't inundate Bhashan Char. In fact, neither the electricity or anything went out and these--
ANDERSON: OK.
MOMEN: You know - what the fisherman they took shelter in Bhashan Char. It's a very--
ANDERSON: OK. Let me stop you there for one second. I have heard what you have said, and it is important to just interrogate what you said. Why is it
then that the UN has said it is not been allowed to conduct a technical and safety assessment especially because they say--
MOMEN: They say--
ANDERSON: Hang on, sir. It is because they say--
MOMEN: Last year--
ANDERSON: --this is an island prone to flooding.
MOMEN: --talking the U.N. and have been inviting them to visit and see but unfortunately, U.N. have never gone to Myanmar - whether they have any
conducive environment in Rakine. Our number one job is - of them to back to their country.
Myanmar agreed to it, Myanmar agreed to provide safety and security. They agreed to provide conducive environment and U.N. should go there in the
Rakine to do the assessment. Unfortunately, I don't know whether they have went on?
We have got in 6,000 square feet - now it is around - 1.2 million Rohingya too many highly congested. Two years, three years ago there was little
monsoon and as a result was a landslide. Many people died. Immediately entire media was up on us we don't want to see the same scandal.
ANDERSON: I understand.
MOMEN: So, to reduce the condition and to reduce the risk of life we have planned to move around 100,000 of them. If I allow people--
ANDERSON: Let me stop there because what you haven't answered is whether you can guarantee that every individual being transferred will be
transferred at their own will. Sir, it is important that you answer that question because the view of many refugees themselves and humanitarian
workers is that some of the Rohingya are being coerced. Hang on, sir. Hang on. Some of the Rohingya are being coerced on to the island.
MOMEN: You see, those who have gone to the island they went on their own choice and once they have gone there, there are some international
organization they don't want to go there because of the personal interest. Interest is like if they stay in the current area, they get additional
allowances and the risky area. So they don't want to go there. They stay in four and five star hotels in the resort city of - and they don't want to
leave those. You see that's why they are--
[11:35:00]
ANDERSON: This is your accusation. This is your accusation of these agencies. You are saying it is not in their interest to move people of the
Cox's Bazaar? Is that what you're saying?
MOMEN: One British company known - they have identified that it's very stable and after they we build all these housing up there. So, it's not
that there are international agencies that have - assessed the island and build those--
ANDERSON: OK. Let's try and move this on because I do want our viewers to get a sense of the island. And I want you to give us a sense of the
conditions there. Your team sent us some video which to be honest it shows kids playing soccer and your teams say this was filmed on the island of
Bhashan Char on Monday. Sir and we're having a look at that. With respect, I have to ask you, does this truly paint a sort of--
MOMEN: That's--
ANDERSON: --reality of what is going on, on the ground?
MOMEN: You know, the centers how congested those and how difficult life there? These Rohingya have only one solution for a better life and it is
they must go back to Rakine State but just to help and prove their living and also to allow them - like agriculture, like fishing, like cows, we have
more on their own willingness around 2,000 now total.
You see? We would like to move more. I'm sure now we are getting more response. People want to go there. But international agencies--
ANDERSON: You said and I have been listening to what you've been saying and you've said that this island would accommodate 100,000, for example. But
you have also said there's - hang on, please, sir. Hang on so I can just get the question out. You've said that there are some 2 million at Cox's
Bazaar so - these numbers--
MOMEN: --move them.
ANDERSON: Are - let me just ask you this. These numbers, even if you were to move 100,000, is that really going to make a difference in the
overcrowding that we see in Cox's Bazaar?
MOMEN: Of course it will make a difference. It will make a difference. What do you think? In Bangladesh is the most crowded country in the world while
you have got in the U.S. only 36 people lives off - we live 30,000. And it's not easy.
In this polythene shelters level shanty homes these people lie. Why you people are against having better life for the Rohingya. This is my
question. Human rights should try to help improve the life and living of the Rohingya.
ANDERSON: Please, please don't accuse me of something. I am just trying to conduct an interview with you and put some questions to you that have been
posed by critics of this process. Let me ask you this. Is this meant to be a short or long-term solution?
MOMEN: No. It's a short-term solution. The long-term solution is repatriation of Myanmar.
ANDERSON: And when do you expect that to happen?
MOMEN: I hope it will happen if the global community helps us, it will happen. Myanmar agreed to it but only they needs some help from the rest of
the world and if they do it will happen. We have--
ANDERSON: Thank you very much, indeed, for joining us.
MOMEN: --there 253,000 Rohingya came but Myanmar to dialog and discussion--
ANDERSON: OK.
MOMEN: Even in 1917, Rohingya came in Myanmar so we have the history. Myanmar is our friendly country.
ANDERSON: OK.
MOMEN: And they have the history--
ANDERSON: OK. We'll leave it there.
MOMEN: This year--
ANDERSON: So I have to take a break. Thank you very much indeed for joining us. Well, two concerns now about election rights in Uganda ahead of a
presidential race there. The nation votes to January 14th to decide whether the President Yoweri Museveni gets another term.
Earlier in the week my colleague Christiane Amanpour spoke to the opposition candidate Bobi Wine who said the elections are not free and
fair. He also said he has been the target of assassination attempts in the past fortnight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOBI WINE, UGANDAN OPPOSITION PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: As you mentioned I have to put on a bullet-proof for me to be able to campaign. I have
survived two assassination attempts in the last two weeks where bullets have been shot in my car on the tires and in the wind screen. Tear gas
canisters are thrown at us every time. We are tear-gassed and brutalized and even shot with live bullets by the police and the military. That is the
world that the President Museveni calls legal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:40:00]
ANDERSON: The story of Uganda from the opposition candidate. Well, following the interview Representative Elliot Engle called on the U.S. to
implement sanctions on human rights abuses in Uganda. Well, now Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has tweeted saying that the U.S. is paying close
attention to those who want to impede the democratic process adding that the U.S. expects their partners to live up to their obligations to hold
free and fair elections.
Well, some places already giving out the first Coronavirus jabs around the world. Countries in Latin America just struggling to get the vaccine in the
first place we will get you there up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, a quick look at our top story this hour. The looming authorization of the Pfizer BioNTech Coronavirus vaccine for emergency use
in the United States, a government source there tells CNN that should happen on Saturday. After it does a committee for the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention will hold its own vote to recommend the vaccine.
The shipments and jabs in arms likely happening next week. Well, of course, several other countries have approved the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine ahead of
the U.S. including Saudi Arabia. CNN's Nic Robertson went to Riyadh to gives us a look at what Saudi Arabia is doing to avoid a second wave?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: At the Saudi government's new state of the art COVID-19 Command Center all eyes watching for a possible second
wave.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. NAWFAL ALJERIAN, MEDICAL DIRECTOR, NATIONAL HEALTH COMMAND CENTER: How many days until we breach the ICUs.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): Artificial intelligence analyzing real time data from COVID-19 tests to hospital beds to medicines to PPE to personnel.
ALJERIAN: We have a red and then this region is red and we have to do--
ROBERTSON (voice-over): It is a virtual finger on the pulse of the nation.
ALJERIAN: With focusing on where the outbreaks are, where the super spreaders are, where the events are.
TAWFIG AIRABIAH, SAUDI HEALTH MINISTER: We are watching and saying we are part of this war. Second wave can happen in Saudi Arabia like what had
happened in other countries.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): The cost to the kingdom has already been high. Although the number of deaths based on population is lower than the global
average. The country shut its borders temporarily barring millions of Muslims from pilgrimage to Islam's two holiest sites Mecca and Medina and
stopped Saudis from leaving.
AIRABIAH: We had to stop it for the safety of all.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): Was that a hard decision for you?
AIRABIAH: Absolutely.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): Saudi's big COVID spike came over the summer when temperatures rocketed and people stayed indoors. Since then, according to
Johns Hopkins University, infections have gone down significantly.
[11:45:00]
Government messaging and actions around testing and controls so far seemingly effective. Demand at Riyadh's drive-in COVID-19 test centers
dropped off staff here are grateful. Dentist turn front line COVID-19 Professional Mohammed Shamri (ph) got the virus in May. His wife, a
hospital surgeon, got it five days later their hopes now focusing on vaccines.
We are especially happy about this vaccine, he says, because we maintain social distancing with family, with brothers, with uncles out of fear for
their safety. How fast Saudis can get them determined in part here at the government's new high tech COVID-19 research lab.
Scientists here already have several years experience studying other strains of Coronavirus partnering with England's Oxford University and are
responsible for picking which of the globally available vaccines Saudis will get. European and American offerings top of the list Russian and
Chinese products so far not making the scientific cut.
DR. AHMED ALASKAR, DIRECTOR, KING ABDULLAH INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER: Well, the three vaccines so far that's been announced recently, the
Moderna, Pfizer and AstraZeneca, all are attractive and all show a good result.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): And now the Pfizer vaccine is approved, rollout the health minister says will be free and should be fast.
AIRABIAH: We have a great supply chain. We have health services across the Kingdom. Once we have the vaccine we have the capacity to deliver the
vaccines in a very short time.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): Until then data at the COVID-19 Command Center is king. Across the world, in rooms like this, tense days still not done. Nic
Robertson CNN, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, countries like Saudi Arabia are able to import vaccines as they become available and indeed great effort is going into such plans but
for many places especially in Latin America distribution plans aren't as simple as that. CNN's Matt Rivers shows us just how hard it is for the
region to even get doses in the first place?
MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: To defeat the pandemic countries need a vaccine which means either producing vaccines domestically and or buying
them from others. Rich countries can do both. Middle income countries usually can afford to buy vaccines abroad but poor countries can do
neither.
Countries like Bolivia with one of the world's highest COVID-19 mortality rates and a suffering economy, but on a video call the country's health
ministry tells CNN help is on the way. He says luckily there are other caring countries that take care those of us with needs and that are the
main principle of the Covax Program.
Covax is the U.N. backed initiative that is aiming to get vaccines into the hands of the world's poorest countries like Bolivia and fast. In Latin
America alone, more than two dozen countries will receive vaccines under the program including ten that will receive them free of cost.
We don't have the resources to get the vaccine on our own. Buying millions of vaccines would be about impossible so this is crucial. But joining the
program is one thing. Physically getting people vaccinated across Latin America is an incredible challenge even in a region with plenty of
experience with vaccine campaigns.
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FELICIA KNAUL, DIR. INST. FOR ADVANCED STUDY OF THE AMERICAS, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI: We have seen how to do this in Latin America but it is not easy and
I think we have seldom had to do it at this scale.
RIVERS (voice-over): Initial vaccines need to be kept cold. Doing that in remote villages, some in the tropics will be very hard. Countries
throughout the region have indigenous communities that don't speak Spanish so language barriers exists and in many places inherit mistrust of national
and local government can make vaccination messages fall on deaf ears.
KNAUL: Distance is an issue. Getting people to move to where the vaccine is, is going to be an issue either way and then making people believe that
the vaccine is actually important, necessary.
RIVERS (voice-over): And this is assuming that all goes right with the vaccine production and the Covax Program. The Assistant Director for the
Pan-American Health Organization says we know in public health emergencies in the past like H1N1 the poorest countries of Latin America and the
Caribbean received the vaccine six to eight months after we started the distribution and in many cases well, after richer countries got the
vaccine.
There is every hope that Covax will work, that vaccines will arrive on time and that people will actually take them but for those in charge of making
all that happen, there will be some sleepless nights until it does.
[11:50:00]
He says the worst-case scenario would be not having access to the vaccine or that it arrives a lot later than predicted that would mean more sick
people, more deaths and even more dangerous and worrying situation. Matt Rivers, CNN, Mexico City.
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ANDERSON: We will be right back don't go away.
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ANDERSON: Well, the festival of lights couldn't be more welcome than it is now in this year of COVID-19. Celebrating Hanukkah is a bright spot of
course for Jewish people in an otherwise pretty dark year. Many have had to cancel their traditional celebrations in favor of saver virtual events.
Well, one of the cornerstones of Hanukkah celebrations is lighting the menorah each of the eight nights of the holiday. Don't forget the potato
pancakes and the doughnuts they're absolutely wonderful, too. Well, the holiday season will be different this year on Europe's ski slopes.
The sport and economic lifeline for so many but several major countries are quite frankly keeping the season off limits trying to contain the
Coronavirus outbreak. One exception though is Switzerland. CNN's Melissa Bell hit the mountains there to find out why.
MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Some come for the spectacular views and the fresh air, but many come for the sports. Each year the European ski
industry brings in _34 billion in revenue half the world's total according to an industry expert, but not this year.
Ski lifts will be at a standstill this Christmas in many of Europe's top skiing destinations because of COVID-19 restrictions. And that means
trouble beyond this ski industry. Entire villages like Megeve and the French Alps are up in arms.
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CATHERINE JULLIEN-BRECHES, MEGEVE MAYOR: The ski list here in Megeve will lose _8 million in turnover. And we know that _1 spent on lifts mean _7
spent in the village so that gives an idea of the extent of the economic damage for villages.
BELL (voice-over): But by early December after much debate and mutual pressure, France, Germany, Austria and Italy decided not to open their ski
lifts. A decision met with incomprehension by those whose livelihoods depend on them.
MICHEL CUGIER, DIRECTOR, MEGEVE SKI LIFTS: It's an outdoor activity and I think in terms of big crowds, we are not confronted with the same crowds
you see in the metro in a big city.
BELL (voice-over): But just 60 miles away across the border here in Switzerland, the ski lifts are open. With resorts like Verbier putting
places special restrictions like masks that need to be worn on the lifts and social distancing put in place as well, in order to make sure that
people can ski as safely as possible.
Laurent Vaucher, who runs Verbier's piece ski lifts says that much has been learned since the Austrian ski resort - was identified by health officials
as a major cluster during the first European COVID wave.
LAURENT VAUCHER, DIRECTOR, VERBIER SKI LIFTS: Last spring, we didn't have any measure in place we didn't have any mask, didn't have any social
distance. So now that the game is different, we are pretty much sure that we can do a good work in order to keep the ski resort to safe.
BELL (voice-over): Measures are being taken on the slopes and in the village. Switzerland's infection rates are rising and local leaders say
they want to leave nothing to chance.
SIMON WIGET, DIRECTOR, VERBIER TOURISM: It's not only to save the Christmas holiday, but it's to save the winter. And it's to save as well the
reputation because we know that everybody is watching at us. And if we make a mistake, and afterwards due to the mistake, we have a Corona cluster, we
will be appointed as the bad organizations.
[11:55:00]
BELL (voice-over): The conditions here in the Alps this season are incredible loads of snow, plenty of sunshine, and the fear was that people
might be tempted to flock to Switzerland to try and make the most of these slopes. That's why several European countries have put in place
restrictions to prevent our nationals from doing just that. Melissa Bell, CNN, Verbier.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, for many this time of the year is about giving back and the 14th Annual CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute is saluting the people who put
others first in what has been such a turbulent year. Have a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's been a year of challenges and change, but it's also been a year of hope. This year's CNN Heroes is a celebration of everyday
people doing extraordinary acts during two of the biggest stories of 2020. Join Anderson Cooper, Kelly Ripa and celebrity guests.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tonight is about hope. It's about decency, and it's about compassion.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And a salute to the people who keep our spirits lifted.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We need to see the world differently.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Anyone can have an impact no matter their age.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Plus the viewer's choice for this year's most inspiring moment at a special musical performance by Tony Grammy and Emmy winners
Cynthia Erivo, CNN Heroes an All-Star Tribune, Sunday at eight on CNN.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And again, that is CNN Heroes live Sunday December 13th 8pm Eastern Time. That's eastern coast time in the states. Monday at 5am Abu
Dhabi time. 9am in Hong Kong. It is a special night of inspiration which we do hope you will join us for.
We all have the opportunity to be heroes every day and I don't mean that in a daft way I really meant it. It's heroic to wear a mask as we saw in a new
model today. It can do more to save lives over the next few months than vaccines even, so be a mask hero.
Be nice to those around you because, of course, life is short and precious. Be a kindness hero. Look after our planet. Be a climate hero. You can do
this, I'll promise you, and you can do this every day. Connect do the best version of yourselves and look after yourselves. Stay well.
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