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United States Testing Lags World Numbers; Clay and Suzy Bentley's Coronavirus Quarantine Continues; U.S. Sports Leagues Cancel and Suspend Play Over Coronavirus. Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired March 13, 2020 - 10:30   ET

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

[10:30:00]

ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH: -- what you are asking for, that is a failing. The idea of anybody getting it easily, the way people in other countries, are doing it, we're not set up for that. Do I think we should be? Yes, but we're not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The lack of testing is so bad, some firefighters in suburban Seattle fear they've been exposed yet can't be tested unless showing symptoms.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have a number of friends that have told me they've been in quarantine and have not been able to be tested.

GRIFFIN (voice-over): Health departments say they are following CDC guidelines, which call for testing if someone with symptoms has been to a foreign country affected by COVID-19, or has had close contact with someone diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Dawn Clements in Largo (ph), Florida has been sick since Friday. Her daughter went through it two weeks ago. She has all the symptoms, no flu, and can't get tested.

DAWN CLEMENTS, FLORIDA RESIDENT: I didn't meet criteria because I did not travel out of the United States to one of the countries. In the meantime, I'm immunosuppressed with some health conditions and I live at an ALF and I don't know what virus I have. I'm running a fever and I have chest congestion, and nobody can test us here.

GRIFFIN (voice-over): Florida Health Department official confirms tests are being prioritized; would not say if that's because of a shortage, only that Florida is trying to focus on those most likely to have COVID-19.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN: Jim and Poppy, we've talked about these statistics already. South Korea has tested nearly a quarter of a million people. As of yesterday, the United States' public and CDC labs have tested just 13,000. Why? JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR, NEWSROOM: Yes, yes.

GRIFFIN: Where are the tests? Congressman Wasserman Schultz told you, she asked those same questions to the guy who should know, he does not know.

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR, NEWSROOM: Yes.

SCIUTTO: Yes. And by the way, we have six times the population -- actually more than six times the population of South Korea, and just so far behind. Drew Griffin, thanks very much.

If you have questions about coronavirus -- I'll bet you do -- CNN's new podcast has answers. Join Dr. Sanjay Gupta for "CORONAVIRUS: FACT VS. FICTION." Listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

HARLOW: Yes. It is a great one.

OK, so next, you're going to want to see this. Living with coronavirus: We brought you Clay Bentley's story just two days ago, as he recovers in the hospital under quarantine. The response has been immense. The vice president called him after our reporting, and the response has come from all over the world. We will check in with him and his wife Suzy (ph). She is also under quarantine, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:37:14]

HARLOW: Welcome back. Well, right now, Clay Bentley in Georgia is living with coronavirus and double pneumonia. Two days ago, we talked to him right here on the show from his quarantine hospital room in Georgia.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLAY BENTLEY, CORONAVIRUS PATIENT: Nobody can come see me, I can't even walk out of the room. Hopefully, I'll be out of here soon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: Well, his story was so striking that it quickly caught the attention of so many of you, including the vice president Mike Pence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I talked to a man names Clay Bentley in Rome, Georgia. His personal strength and his faith have sustained him through this, and it was inspiring to talk to him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: That is true. Clay is still in the hospital. His wife Suzy is under quarantine inside of their home. They both join me now. Thank you both so, so much for doing this. And, Clay, let's just begin with you. How are you feeling this

morning?

C. BENTLEY: Well, I'm feeling much better now. I feel like -- you know, I've rounded third base now and I'm headed home. So I'm believing that in a few days, I'll be back with my wife and back with my family.

HARLOW: I am so, so, so, so glad to hear that. I understand after we talked -- you talked to Jim and I on Wednesday morning -- you got a phone call from the vice president. Can you tell us about that?

C. BENTLEY: Yes. The vice president called me the very day, Mike Pence, and told me that he saw my story, told me that he'd been praying for me, that he was going to continue to pray for me. And you know, it just really makes me proud to be an American, to know that our government really cares. He cares. I mean, he has a compassionate heart and he's been here for me and it just makes me feel great.

But I will say this, that I've received e-mails and phone calls from all over the world, from people who, you know, have been encouraged through this fight. It's been a fight, but I've gotten through it.

HARLOW: Clay, I would just -- and I'm so glad that that call made you feel better and all the staff there taking care of you. Just remind people who may not have seen your interview on Wednesday, though, what you went through. I mean, you initially went to get tested and you were turned away?

C. BENTLEY: That's right. I came to the hospital, it was on a Monday, very sick, flulike symptoms and they tested me for the flu, which came back negative. They -- they kept me all day, putting fluids through me. They wound up sending me home that night. And said, well, just -- you know, it's negative for the flu, so we're just going to send you home. So they sent me home.

Well, over the next four days, it got really bad. And I called the hospital back on Friday, and they told me to come back in. And that's when they decided to get with the CDC and test me for the coronavirus --

[10:40:06]

HARLOW: Yes.

C. BENTLEY: -- which (inaudible) --

HARLOW: You know, Suzy, Clay described that to us just a few days ago, saying he felt like, in his words, he was sent home to die. And when he went home, over the next four days, you were there, you were taking care of him, you saw this play out firsthand and now you are quarantined at home. How are you doing?

SUZY BENTLEY, WIFE OF CORONAVIRUS PATIENT: I'm good. I have no symptoms (inaudible) for that.

HARLOW: You know, I'm having a hard time hearing you. Can you hear me OK, Suzy?

S. BENTLEY: I can hear you. Can you hear me?

HARLOW: I can now. You are under self-quarantine at your house for two weeks. Is that right? And can you tell me what that's been like?

S. BENTLEY: It's been very quiet in the house, but I'm grateful that I can move around a house, knowing that Clay is sitting in one small room that's -- I'm OK. I'm OK, I'm fine. I have been very touched by so many people who have reached out and care about what's going on. And that means a lot.

HARLOW: Let's talk about that. Because, you know, we talk about the medical impact, which is so important, right? I'm so glad Clay seems to be recovering. But talk about the emotional toll on you guys, and what you might have to say to other couples across the country and around the world who are going through this right now, Suzy. It's incredibly lonely and isolating.

S. BENTLEY: It can be. I am very grateful for the technology we have, that has just made a huge difference. But I would just -- I just hear loudly, all week, that -- I'd just say the word. Any time that any fear comes or loneliness or anything that is negative, with all that's going on and all the changes that are going on, I stand on His word, I stand on His promises that no weapon formed against us can prosper, and I give him praise.

In the meantime, I know that He's got my husband. I know that he will come through this, and I just don't rely on what everyone else is saying. Find out what God has to say, and stand on His word. That's the -- what is getting us through, and that is how I've been even encouraging others that are so worried for Clay that maybe aren't as hopeful or more worrisome.

It doesn't do any good to be afraid or worried. You've got to find something to put your hope in, and it' solid.

HARLOW: I'm so glad your faith is helping you guys through this. I know it's been very helpful to Clay as well.

Clay, what are your doctors saying to you?

C. BENTLEY: Well, I wanted to add to what she said. You know, I just had a doctor yesterday, he told me they did some X-rays of my lungs, and said that my -- that my lungs were in worse shape today -- this is yesterday. That your lungs are in worse shape today than they were when you came in. But sometimes, that pneumonia, it gets worse before it gets better.

But I will say that, you know, I heard the voice of God inside of me, telling me, no, you're getting better, you're getting better. And I think it's what we -- what we begin to hear. I think that's why this country, you know, we walk in fear because we hear these fear stories, and it causes pandemonium.

But, you know, if you're hearing the right voices and you follow those voices, because God began to tell me that I was getting better. And look at me today, I feel better. So.

HARLOW: Wow. And very good that you went to get help, that you went to get -- you know, help from medical professionals.

C. BENTLEY: Yes.

HARLOW: I know they turned you away, but you went back to get the aid that you needed.

Suzy, have you been tested for coronavirus?

S. BENTLEY: I have not been tested. Since I don't have symptoms, I am, during my quarantine, taking my temperature twice a day and notifying the Board of Health of any symptoms that would change or arise or anything that would come about, any cough or any flu or -- not flu, but temperature change or anything like that. So I'm in contact, that's how they're keeping up with that.

And I know lots of people have asked, why haven't you been tested? Don't you want to be tested? And I get it. To me, if I'm tested and I'm negative now and were to develop during this -- another week, to possibly show up then, then I'd have to be tested again. That doesn't make sense, to waste a test and wait on the test. So it makes sense to me. Until you have, you know, more severe symptoms, that you shouldn't be tested. So that's OK with me, I'm fine.

HARLOW: Check in with the medical professionals as you get close to the end of your quarantine again in terms of the testing. Because you were around Clay for a long time -- days, when he had this. So stay safe, both of you. Thank you for coming on. And, Clay, we're just thrilled that you're feeling better.

C. BENTLEY: Well, I just thank this network because I feel like this network was the door that was opened for the world to be able to see, you know, what exactly is going on with this coronavirus.

And I'll just say that love was poured out when darkness came to my life, I mean, love was poured out from all over the world and if we just continue to follow love, if we just continue to follow God, everything's going to be all right.

[10:45:11]

HARLOW: We're glad we could help on that front. We'll be here every minute of every day. Thank you guys, both.

C. BENTLEY: Thank you.

HARLOW: -- very much. Clay Bentley --

S. BENTLEY: Thank you.

HARLOW: -- and Suzy. Thank you.

Right now, there are a lot of charities working to fill the gaps for so many families impacted by this and their schools closing. But they need your help. Here are two ways that you can help people most in need during this: Feeding America and Save the Children.

Go to CNN Impact, you can see it, they're both working to provide meals and food to low-income families. Visit FeedAmerica.org and SavetheChildren.org. You can also see a full list at CNN.com/impact. We will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:50:18]

SCIUTTO: Organizations, communities across the country, deciding now how to deal with this outbreak, how to bring about social distancing to reduce the spread, sports world among them. Just moments ago, we learned both the Masters golf tournament and the Boston Marathon -- two big events, draw lots of spectators -- have been postponed.

HARLOW: Huge. They join a long list, a growing list of sporting events, delayed or cancelled in just the last two days. The NCAA, NBA, Major League Baseball, soccer, all affected by this pandemic.

With us, sports columnist for "USA Today," CNN's sports analyst Christine Brennan. Christine, instead of going through the laundry list of not happening, talk to us about the big picture here.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: Poppy, I think the big picture is that sports led the way. It's been very difficult, obviously, to cancel anything, and it's heartbreaking. You think of those seniors in college that, last spring semester, the last spring season. Of course, the men's and women's basketball players. Immediately, this is all yanked away from them.

It pales in comparison, obviously, to the actual concerns over the virus, those who are dealing with it, those -- sadly -- who have passed away from it so that's -- sports is separate. But sports usually is an escape for us. And at this moment, sports became a proud civic citizen. And sports said, we've got to stop.

And when -- especially the NBA. When we saw that news on Wednesday night, the NBA was postponing and suspending operations, I think that jolted everyone who hasn't had any involvement yet with the coronavirus, to say, this is serious. And so I think sports has led the way. And has -- as sports has spoken, so has the nation followed.

SCIUTTO: Christine, you know, I don't have to tell you, of course, sports has enormous resources that average Americans do not. I mean, the leagues are extremely wealthy, the professional athletes are extremely highly compensated. They have a lot of ways to get through this.

But there are many thousands of people who work for the leagues, right? They're the people who work in the stadiums, et cetera, don't have those means. What happens to them when these seasons are suspended? Are they still being paid, for instance?

BRENNAN: The Cleveland Cavaliers have said that they will pay all the workers, all the people who sell you the popcorn and take your ticket or scan your ticket, they will be doing that.

We have seen Mark Cuban also say -- the Dallas Mavericks -- say that he wants to do something. And I will just go out on a limb here, Jim and Poppy. I will guess that in the next few days, we will see that become the norm.

I think there will be enormous pressure on these organizations, these teams that have, you know, billionaires and millionaires, they're being hit too, of course. But that they will look and say, wait a minute, we've got to help those people, those hourly workers who are now losing all that.

And I think we're going to see more and more teams and more and more leagues say we're going to pay our workers or we're going to have a fund to help them out.

HARLOW: Kevin Love, formerly great Minnesota Timberwolves player, now in the Cavs, stepping up, $100,000. It would be amazing to see everyone who can step up like that.

What about the Olympics, are they happening?

BRENNAN: With the Masters now -- going into April, the Masters of course postponing, that is another jolt. Because we've been dealing with sports in the here and now, right? We've been dealing with sports --

HARLOW: Yes, yes.

BRENNAN: -- just this week and next week, in March. Now we're looking into April. The Olympics start, Poppy, July 24th, as you know, in Tokyo. There's a little more time. The International Olympic Committee, a member, a veteran member had said a couple weeks ago that the deadline to make the decision would be late May.

It now feels like it's going to move up a little bit. These athletes are training obviously. There are millions of people who want to either (ph) buy tickets, have bought tickets or of course -- millions, billions maybe or more, at least a billion watching on TV.

So where does this go? I think there's a little more time yet, but to me, the Masters, making that decision today, this cascading domino effect, I think it makes the Olympics just -- their status just a little more perilous today.

SCIUTTO: Yes. Well, people have to look ahead, right? Christine Brennan, thanks so much.

BRENNAN: Thank you, Jim and Poppy.

HARLOW: Thanks.

[10:54:09]

SCIUTTO: Among the changes, you and your family no longer able to go to the happiest place on earth this weekend. Disney-themed parks, they are now closing because of the risk of the coronavirus.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SCIUTTO: Welcome back. This just in to CNN, the president has announced via Twitter that he will hold a news conference at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time today. He says the topic of that news conference will be the coronavirus.

HARLOW: Mm-hmm. We'll see what updates are from the president.

Meantime, this outbreak is having a huge impact on everything -- obviously health and sports and work, also on the entertainment industry and all the jobs connected to that. For just the third time since opening its doors in 1955, Disneyland is locking its gates.

SCIUTTO: In fact, as of this weekend, every Disney theme park around the world will be closed. Disney cruises will also stop running through the end of this month. We won't be getting new episodes from most of the late-night television hosts as well -- of course, they have live studio audiences.

And this is the concern here, you bring people together, that may be a risk of transmission. So you see them there: Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, all going dark. This morning, Stephen Colbert tweeted, "I wish I could stay on stage to share this uncertain moment with you, but I don't do this show alone and I have to do what's best for my staff."

[11:00:04]

HARLOW: Yes. Concerts also getting hit, Grammy Award-winner Billie Eilish, the latest to --