[Kayleigh Mcenany, White House Press Secretary:] The threats of the coronavirus. There's a "New York Times" want to take back that fear of the virus may be spread spreading faster than the virus itself. Does NPR want to take back that the flu was a much bigger threat than the coronavirus. And finally, once again, the Washington Post would like to take back but the government should not respond aggressively to the coronavirus. I'll leave you with those questions and maybe you'll have some answers and a few days.
[Mcenany:] Thank you very much.
[Wolf Blitzer, Cnn:] All right, there she is. The new White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, answering reporters questions in the White House briefing. Good that there is a White House briefing. I want to immediately bring in our Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta was about a half an hour of Q&A, a long opening statement on her part as well. What jumped out at you?
[Jim Acosta, Cnn Chief White House Correspondent:] All right a few things, Wolf, I mean, obviously she was prepared for that comment to be thrown at her during one of these briefings about how she once said on Fox Business, that the coronavirus would not come here. She was prepared with it looked like, you know, a few clips from articles where the press in the early days of the pandemic. We're saying that perhaps the coronavirus would not be that serious. But getting to the I guess the more substantive content of that briefing. There was one point Wolf where she said that not every American needs to be tested, that that would be nonsensical, you would have to test people over and over again, if that were the situation in this country, we should point out over here at the White House, the President, the Vice President, are tested often. So our other aides close to both of those leaders. And so they do, do repeated testing over here at the White House. She was also asked about whether or not the administration is recommending that Americans wear mask around the country and she basically stated at one point, Wolf that it essentially just that, just a recommendation because as we know, there are some people who wear masks around this country. And there are some people who don't, I will tell you, Wolf, traveling with the President yesterday on that trip on Air Force One going out to Arizona, they were hardly any White House officials who wear mask from the President on down during any portion of that trip, and I found that to be interesting. And then finally Wolf, another thing that jumped out at me was the fact that the White House is blocking Dr. Anthony Fauci from testifying in front of the House Appropriations Committee next week, you heard the press secretary Kayleigh McEnany say that well, Dr. Fauci will be testing testifying in front of the Republican led Senate Committee on Health and Education next week, led by Lamar Alexander. But that's not exactly the same thing. There's been a long tradition here in Washington of allowing top administration officials experts like Dr. Fauci to testify in front of both chambers up on Capitol Hill, and both Houses of Congress. And this White House is testing that tradition and saying that he can't do it. But it is notable that that the White House is still looking to Dr. Fauci as one of its experts. As we were, you know, talking about over the last couple of days the White House has been going back and forth. President's been going back and forth, but whether or not he has he's going to hang on to this Coronavirus Task Force if he told reporters earlier today, he is indeed planning on keeping the Coronavirus Task Force going indefinitely. Wolf.
[Blitzer:] You know, she said the Nita Lowey the chair of that House Committee that was going to be questioning Fauci and other representatives from the White House Coronavirus Task Force. She said that they didn't come up with a subject matter, no specifics. I've spoken with members of that committee who said that it was a very broad discussion of what's going on right now in this battle against coronavirus. They wanted an update and that was as specific as they wanted to get. I don't know how much more specific they needed to be.
[Acosta:] And I think she was just dodging the question there. Well, I mean, obviously, the White House knows what the subject matter is for Dr. Fauci if he's going to be testifying in either the House or the Senate, and that is going to be on the coronavirus and this administration's response to the pandemic. One of the things that this administration is keenly aware of and people inside the West Wing is that sometimes Dr. Fauci does contradict the President. And so they're probably well aware inside the White House, that if Dr. Fauci sits down in front of that House Appropriations Committee and the Democrat have the gavel, and they're controlling what is being said. And what's being asked at times during that, that hearing, that he's going to be given opportunities to contradict the President on a whole range of issues. We know that that's gotten under the President's skin under the skin of other top aides inside the White House from time to time. But the very same thing had happened over in the Senate of a democratic senator, on that committee, led by Lamar Alexander decides to ask a question that, you know, puts Dr. Fauci, on the opposite end of the President on a particular issue, whether it's hydroxychloroquine, or any other issue, you could end up with the same result. And so the White House is trying to test one of those boundaries. We've seen a time and again here in Washington where they try to test these boundaries. And that is why you're seeing House Democrats take these kinds of issues into the courts. Because one of the issues that is going to be tested in the courts, Wolf is whether or not it administration, Democrat or Republican can block experts block top administration officials like Dr. Fauci from testifying on something as important as a global pandemic.
[Blitzer:] I want you to stand by. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is with us. Our chief medical correspondent. Sanjay, she echoed Kayleigh McEnany, what the President had said earlier in the day, reversing what seemed to be the case yesterday that the White House Coronavirus Task Force was going to be winding down its operation by Memorial Day by the end of this month. The President earlier in the day said he is going to keep it going, is going to bring in some new members to the Coronavirus Task Force because it's very popular and she basically said the same thing.
[Sanjay Gupta, Cnn Chief Medical Correspondent:] Well, I mean, I think popular is not really the point of this right now. I think it's necessary, Wolf. I mean, I think one of the big concerns yesterday the idea of disbanding that the task force, I think would incorrectly give people the impression that we're sort of done with this, you know, I mean, states reopening the task force being disbanded. It subjectively I think a lot of people would look at that and say we got through this. And I think it's pretty clear that we have and then you're starting to hear that, you know, more and more, even from the White House in terms of this acknowledgement that there's still going to be a ways to go here. Well, you know, to get through this. So, you know, I think that having the task force and I think even hearing from the taskforce, at least periodically, is still very important. We're still in the middle of, you know, one of the biggest health issues we faced in 100 years. So the task force is critically important.
[Blitzer:] You know, the President earlier today, and Kayleigh McEnany really didn't want to go beyond what the President said, she didn't want to repeat what the President said about Dr. Rick Bright, who was in charge of vaccines over at the Department of Health and Human Services that he was removed from that position and sent over to the National Institutes of Health even though he hasn't actually gone there yet. You didn't want to get into it. But the President really earlier in the day during a Q&A session with reporters railed against Dr. Bright basically suggesting he was doing what the Democrats wanted. He was a disgruntled employee.
[Gupta:] Well, you know, I think I'm going to be very interested to watch these hearings, you know, this inspector general sort of investigation, I've read a good chunk of this complaint. I mean, there's a lot of things in there that are, if they're true or pretty explosive, you know, a lot of it has to do with just, you know, the seriousness with which things were taken early on. I mean, I think Kayleigh made a point that she was obviously making that point strongly at the end that there was a lot that was unknown at the beginning. And, and many people were saying, you know, are we going too far is this you know, is this an overreaction? I think that's what she was implying. But clearly, there were people within the federal government who did not think it was an overreaction, that this was a real problem based on the intelligence that they were gathering. So I think it'd be interesting to see who knew what, when, and how they reacted to that information. Obviously, as well Wolf there was a whole there was a fair amount in the in the complaint about this medication hydroxychloroquine was that being pushed without evidence, you know, and that's a you know, that's a significant issue that Dr. Bright brought up as well.
[Blitzer:] All right, Sanjay standby because we have more to discuss. Just want to let our viewers know that as of this hour the coronavirus pandemic has now claimed the lives of more than 72,000 Americans with more than 1.2 million confirmed cases here in the United States. Yet tonight at least 43 states are moving ahead with reopening plans even as a new virus hotspot is emerging in many parts of the country. Let's go to our national correspondent Athena Jones. She's in New York for us. Athena, all but seven states have either started reopening or the nonspecific plans to reopen in the coming days. What's the latest?
[Athena Jones, Cnn National Correspondent:] Hi Wolf, that's exactly right. It's pretty remarkable given the numbers we're seeing every day. And that's the point this virus is like flogging a place with no high ground. It doesn't respect borders. It doesn't care about opinions or beliefs about how under control it is, how serious it is. The numbers we're seeing are bearing that out the rise in cases in many states every single day.
[Jones:] States across the country rolling the dice as they begin to lift restrictions aimed at halting a virus. The data show is still spreading in many places. New infections rising in 20 states hotspots include Minnesota, Nebraska and Texas, or Dallas County has seen a jump in new cases. In Tennessee, the governor last night announcing businesses like bowling alleys and miniature golf can reopen Friday, even as he continues to promote social distancing. By Sunday, at least 43 states will be partially reopened despite signs that not only have not all of them met federal guidelines suggesting a 14-day decline in new cases before we opening, but that some in fact are seeing cases rise.
[Unidentified Male:] That's really being driven by people getting out and about more, more mobility and most importantly, states relaxing social distancing mandates.
[Jones:] These experts warn that given the virus is incubation period. We won't know the full effect of these moves for weeks, and that the gains states have made could swiftly be lost. The reopen is creating a confusing picture for Americans, as recent state and federal actions suggest the epidemic has abated. Even amid strong warnings of the risk.
[Gov. Andrew Cuomo:] You are states that are opening where you still are in the incline. I think that's a mistake.
[Jones:] In Atlanta startling video of people celebrating Cinco de Mayo, many not wearing masks. The mayor says they missed the message.
[Keisha Lance Bottoms, Mayor Atlanta:] They didn't get to the part that said that this was still a deadly virus and that you needed to continue to socially distance and wear mask.
[Jones:] In New York where we opening has yet to begin an unprecedented move to prepare for that day. New York City, shutting down the subway system overnight for deep cleaning. Meanwhile, with researchers in Britain saying there's genetic evidence the virus was infecting people in Europe and the U.S. late last year. The Cook County Illinois medical examiner now plans to review previous deaths involving heart attacks and pneumonia for indications of COVID- 19 as far back as November. A new study shows the virus is killing more African-Americans in the U.S. than any other group. And as far the Foundation for AIDS Research using data from mid-April finding that while blacks make up just 13 percent of the population, counties with higher black populations account for more than half of the coronavirus cases, and nearly 60 percent of deaths from COVID-19.
[Greg Millet, Vice President, Amfar:] We were hoping by releasing our study results early that it could help give some of these states pause so that they can understand that there is going to be disproportionately impact.
[Jones:] Also disproportionate police enforcement of social distancing say leaders like New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, who worries officers are using excessive force in black and brown neighborhoods. And the virus continues to disrupt the food supply chain. While in Pittsburgh today long lines that have food giveaway highlighting the growing need. And right here in New York State another example of this virus is staying power, hospitalizations in new cases continue to decline. But Governor Andrew Cuomo said today there is a new hotspot upstate at a greenhouse in Oneida. It's another example of a dense work environment that allows this virus to spread. Wolf.
[Blitzer:] Certainly does. Athena Jones in New York for us, thank you. Joining us now, the Governor of Delaware, John Carney. Governor, thanks so much for joining us. Delaware starting what's being described. Governor as a limited reopening this Friday, many businesses can open for curbside pickup, for example, you're allowing hair salons and barbershops to open to what are described as essential workers only. Why do you feel comfortable taking these initial steps?
[Gov. John Carney:] Well, first of all, on a number of our criteria indicators, a percent positive cases, so we're doing a lot more testing. So we have to take the percentage of those tests as positive or declining over a 14-day period of time. Hospitalizations declining over a 14- day period of time and new hospitalizations on a day to day basis with a five day rolling average on the decline. Are we ready with PPE to protect healthcare workers? Are we ready with our expanded testing and contact tracing. And so what we're trying to do is have a little bit of a rolling reopening, interim steps between now and when we move to the stage one, which we're not ready for. We want to strike the right balance between protecting vulnerable populations and containing the spread across our state which seems to be working except for one hotspot in the lower part of our state, and allowing some accommodations, so businesses, businesses can go back to do limited, limited commerce, whatever they're doing.
[Blitzer:] Previously, you did want to see 28 days have declined in cases before reopened. Now you've gone down to 14, why the change?
[Carney:] Yes, no, nothing's changed there Wolf, it's a first interval 14 days to take it to stage one, and then another interval of 14 days with those declining indicators and with a green light on the other criteria on our dashboard, the PPE protections for vulnerable citizens and the testing and contact tracing. So it's the same it's still the same approach to intervals of 14 days, gradually moving to an opening.
[Blitzer:] Your stay-at-home order. I understand Governor is in effect until the end of next week. Do you plan to extend it past May 15?
[Carney:] Yes, it looks like we will extend the past to May 15 Wolf, just to be sure about these indicators that everything on those 14-day intervals are moving in the right direction and we're seeing that now. We still have an outbreak in the lower part of our state which we're really leaning into with additional testing of poultry workers with additional testing and folks that live in those communities and with outreach with public health workers to provide assistance to those families. And so yes, we will still look at those two intervals and extend the stay-at-home. And by the way, that the new normal is not going to be like things used to be, you know, we still need to limit large gatherings, we still need to have social distancing in public and, and the challenge is, and somebody mentioned it in your interview is, you know, this idea of mixed messages, right. You want to be sure that you're, you continue with the message to folks need to continue the practices of social distancing. While we're reopening sectors of the economy in a safe and sound way, not in a way that people were used to before. We'll be talking about mask wearing, we'll be talking about separation inside facilities, we'll still be talking about no large gatherings. Dr. Birx kind of hit it the really on the head the other day when she said, when you think about it, it's just doing 50 percent less of the social interaction, going to the grocery store going to the pharmacy that you would normally do that will help us to keep that reproduction rate below one, which is where we need to be so that the virus doesn't spread in our state.
[Blitzer:] Very quickly Governor, I know you got to run, but very quickly. You have some very popular beautiful beaches in Delaware. I can personally testify to that. Are you going to open up those beaches?
[Carney:] Yes, so we're not ready to open the beaches yet. I have a meeting with the beach town mayor's tomorrow. They have a number of concerns. Already, they're opening open for walking and exercise as long as people observe social distancing, surfacing on the beaches but not open for sunbathing and swimming. And they won't be open for those activities for some time.
[Blitzer:] All right, Governor, thank you so much for joining us. Governor Carney of Delaware. Appreciate it very much. I know you're very, very busy. Thank you.
[Carney:] Thank you Wolf.
[Blitzer:] Up next, the new study suggests another possible treatment for people severely ill with coronavirus, standby we have new information. We'll also take a closer look at the new study showing African- Americans are dying and very disproportionate numbers. Much more coming up right here in "The Situation Room".