This federal agents and dropped the governor of Oregon joins us tonight. Making news the coronavirus dental fear the US now tops one hundred fifty thousand Killarmy new numbers about young people a students look to head back to school and get the disease targeting the elderly folks look at the most vulnerable during this
Difficult time. Nursing homes are coping right now age of. President trump standing by the controversial Dr JOE BIDEN CALLS HER AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE, MULTIPLE LAWMAKERS NOW UNDER QUARANTINE AFTER EXPOSURE TO A CONGRESSMAN WHO HAS REFUSED TO WEAR A MASK, AND IS NOW TESTING POSITIVE. >>> MEANWHILE, PRESIDENT TRUMP
FACING BACKLASH, REVEALING HE NEVER BROUGHT UP RUSSIA’S ALLEGED BOUNTIES ON U.S. TROOPS DURING HIS RECENT CALL WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN. THIS ATRUMP MOVES FORWARD WITH REMOVING TROOPS FROM GERMANY. >>> THE SO CALLED UMBRELLA MAN SEEN SMASHING WINDOWS DURING A PROTEST OVER GEORGE FLOYD’S
DEATH, AUTHORITIES SAY HE’S ACTUALLY A WHITE SUPREMACIST, LOOKING TO INCITE VIOLENCE. >>> AND THE LONELINESS IN THE ICU, THE NEW DEVICE THAT ALLOWS PATIENTS BATTLING COVID TO STAY CONNECTED WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD AND BRINGING SOME FAMILIES HOPE. >>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, I’M LINSEY DAVIS.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR STREAMING WITH US. 150,000. JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT NUMBER WAS CONSIDERED UNFATHOMABLE, BUT TODAY WE CROSS THAT UNFORTUNATE MILESTONE, 150,000 AMERICANS’ LIVES LOST TO THE CORONAVIRUS. WHILE COVID HAS PROVEN NO AGE GROUP IS IMMUNE, FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS CRISIS IT’S
THE ELDERLY WHO HAVE FACED THE GREATEST RISK, DEATHS IN NURSING HOMES ACCOUNT FOR A THIRD OF ALL COVID-19 DEATHS NATIONWIDE. AND NOW WITH STATES LIKE FLORIDA RECORDING RECORD DEATHS WE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT LESSONS WE’VE LEARNED FROM THE START OF THIS PANDEMIC AND WHAT’S BEING
DONE TO PROTECT THE GREATEST GENERATION. KAYLEE HARTUNG WITH EFFORTS UNDER WAY TO KEEP NURSING HOME RESIDENTS SAFE. >> TONIGHT JUDY IRISH IS STRUGGLING WITH THE REALITY ALL TOO COMMON ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. >> ACTUALLY, I STILL HAVEN’T TOUCHED MY HUSBAND SINCE MARCH 19th.
I AM VERY LUCKY I DO GET ABOUT AN HOUR A DAY THROUGH A DOOR. >> Reporter: AS THE NATION CONTINUES TO BATTLE COVID-19, JUDY’S SEPARATION FROM HER HUSBAND OF NEARLY 40 YEARS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE CHALLENGES NURSING HOMES PRESENT.
FIVE MONTHS INTO THE PANDEMIC, WITH ONGOING STATE VISITATION RESTRICTIONS, SOME CONTINUE TO BE CRITICIZED FOR POOR COMMUNICATION, AND SOME FAMILIES WORRY THEIR LOVED ONES’ CONDITIONS ARE DETERIORATING. PRESIDENT TRUMP LAST WEEK ANNOUNCING EFFORTS TO SUPPORT THEM. >> NURSING HOMES IN HIGHER RISK
AREAS WILL BE RECEIVING MORE FUNDING. THIS MONEY CAN BE USED TO ADDRESS CRITICAL NEEDS, INCLUDING THE HIRING OF ADDITIONAL STAFF, INCREASING TESTING AND PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SO RESIDENTS CAN CONNECT THEIR FAMILIES. >> Reporter: THERE’S NOW OVER 142,000 CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES IN U.S. NURSING HOMES.
AND 38,518 RESIDENTS HAVE DIED OF THE DISEASE. ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID. BUT AN ABC NEWS ANALYSIS OF STATE BY STATE DATA FINDS THIS IS LIKELY AN UNDERCOUNT. WE FIRST SPOKE WITH JUDY IRISH BACK IN APRIL. TODAY OVER THREE MONTHS LATER
SHE’S STILL UNABLE TO GO INSIDE RIVERS BEND HEALTH AND REHABILITATION IN WISCONSIN TO SEE HER HUSBAND BOB. THEY CAN NOW MEET OUTDOORS SIX FEET APART BUT SHE SAYS THAT’S NOT ENOUGH. >> THERE’S A NEW CNA OR A NEW NURSE.
WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE ABLE TO BE SCREENED TO COME IN AND DO HANDS ON CARE, AND I CAN’T? >> NORTH SHORE HEALTH, THE FACILITY’S PARENT COMPANY, SAYING THIS IN A STATEMENT, WE UNDERSTAND HOW FRUSTRATED OUR FAMILIES ARE RELATED TO THEIR INABILITY TO VISIT THEIR LOVED
ONES IN OUR CENTER, WHILE FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE SET FORTH BY THE CMS, CDC AND OTHER HEALTH AUTHORITIES HAS NOT BEEN EASY IT’S HELPED KEEP OUR CENTER FREE OF THE VIRUS FOR BOTH RESIDENTS AND STAFF. VIEWDY’S NOT ALONE, MIKO COOK’S FATHER IS AN ALZHEIMER’S PATIENT AT HUDSON PARK REHABILITATION
AND NURSING CENTER IN NEW YORK. AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC HER FAMILY WASN’T ABLE TO SEE ORE FATHER RON FOR OVER 100 DAYS. >> THE FALT TOLD US THERE WOULD BE VIDEO CALLS. AND MY SISTER TRIED FOR LIKE SIX WEEKS TO GET A VIDEO CALL AND IT
NEVER HAPPENED. AND WE WERE SO FRUSTRATED THAT FINALLY I WENT TO FACEBOOK, AND JUST UNLEASHED. >> Reporter: SHE SAYS THEY WERE FINALLY ABLE TO SEE HIM IN A VIDEO CHAT. AFTER A SOCIAL WORKER BROKE THE RULES AND USED HER OWN PHONE. >> SOMEBODY CALLS BACK AND SAYS,
OH, WE’VE NEVER DONE VIDEO CALLS AND WE DON’T EVEN HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO DO THAT. >> Reporter: MIKO RUNS THIS FACEBOOK GROUP WHERE MEMBERS ARE SHARING DIFFERENT STORIES. SUSAN BERNSTEIN’S FATHER NEARLY DIED FROM PNEUMONIA IN APRIL. HE WAS SENT TO A CARE CENTER IN FLORIDA.
>> I WAS ABLE TO GET HIM A CELL PHONE. SO I WOULD JUST CALL HIM. AND — OR HE WOULD CALL ME. AND THERE WERE DAYS WHEN HE WAS CALLING ME UP TO TEN TIMES A DAY BECAUSE HE WAS SO UNHAPPY. AND THINGS WERE JUST NOT, YOU
KNOW, BEING — YOU KNOW, HE WAS NOT BEING CARED FOR THE WAY HE FELT HE SHOULD BE CARED FOR. >> Reporter: SHE HAS SINCE BEEN ABLE TO BRING HER FATHER HOME FROM THE NURSING FACILITY. THE HUDSON PARK REHABILITATION AND NURSING CENTER AND THE EXCEL
CARE CENTER DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO ABC NEWS’S REQUESTS FOR COMMENT. FLORIDA TODAY SETTING A NEW RECORD WITH COVID-19 RELATED DEATHS FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT DAY, FAMILY MEMBERS ARE CONCERNED THAT WITHOUT CLOSE, PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT LOVED ONES IN NURSING HOMES AREN’T GETTING
THE CARE THEY NEED. >> MY FAMILY WAS GOING IN THERE ALMOST EVERY DAY, MY DAD BEING AN ALZHEIMER’S PATIENT NEEDED THAT CONSTANT INTERACTION WITH THEM SO THAT HE JUST HAD A SENSE OF PLACE AND TIME. >> Reporter: WE’VE HEARD THAT CONCERN ECHOED BY NURSING
STAFFERS AND SOME HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO PROTECT RESIDENTS AND VIRUS, EVEN IN THIS FACILITY IN OHIO, PROFILED BY DIANE SAWYER IN MAY. >> THESE ADMINISTRATORS, NURSES, AIDES, AT TWO FACILITIES DECIDED IF THE ENEMY WAS HEADING TO THEIR DOORS, THEY WOULD GO
INSIDE, LOCK THAT DOOR AND FIGHT TO KEEP IT OUT. >> I HAVE 124 GRANDPARENTS HERE. SO, I MEAN, THAT WAS A BIG THING FOR ME. >> Reporter: THE TEAM IS REPORTEDLY MOVING BACK INTO THE FACILITY AGAIN, THEIR FIRST DAY RESULTING IN ZERO COVID INFECTIONS.
IN NEW YORK STATE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS ALLOWING LIMITED VISITATION OF NURSING HOMES AS LONG AS THOSE FACILITIES HAVE BEEN COVID-FREE FOR 28 DAYS. FOR MIKO’S FATHER RON THE NURSING HOME WHERE HE CURRENTLY LIVES SAYS THERE HASN’T BEEN A CASE THERE IN OVER THREE WEEKS.
>> IF WE COULD JUST GET A QUALIFIED ACCESS PLAN WHERE ONE PERSON CAN BE IN THERE, ONE FAMILY MEMBER, OR PERSON CAN BE IN THERE NO MATTER WHAT IT WOULD ALLEVIATE SO MUCH STRESS ON SO MANY SIDES. >> Reporter: KAYLEE HARTUNG, ABC NEWS, LOS ANGELES.
>> OUR THANKS TO KAYLEE. >>> AND NOW TO A STARTLING STATISTIC THAT CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION, COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS WEEK, THE U.S. SAW A 30% INCREASE IN COVID-19 DEATHS. AND IN FLORIDA AND TEXAS, A RECORD NUMBER OF DEATHS JUST OVER THE LAST 24 HOURS.
TODAY VICE PRESIDENT PENCE AND EDUCATION SECRETARY BETSY DeVOS VISITED A PRIVATE SCHOOL IN NORTH CAROLINA, TAKING THEIR MASKS OFF IN THE CLASSROOM, DeVOS ADMITTED THERE IS NO NATIONAL PLAN TO REOPEN SCHOOLS. OUR VICTOR OQUENDO HAS MORE FROM FLORIDA TONIGHT. >> Reporter: TONIGHT THE COUNTRY
TOPPING A ONCE UNIMAGINABLE TOLL, 150,000 AMERICAN LIVES LOST TO THE CORONAVIRUS. FLORIDA AND TEXAS, SEEING THEIR DEADLIEST DAYS YET. DOCTORS ARE PUSHED TO THE BREAKING POINT. >> THEY’RE EXHAUSTED. THERE’S NOT A DEEP BENCH OF PHYSICIANS — >> Reporter: E.R. DOCTOR ROBERT
RODRIGUEZ IS BACK IN HIS HOMETOWN OF BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS HELPING ON THE FRONT LINES. >> WE’RE TRYING EVERYTHING, BUT THESE PATIENTS ARE EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY SICK. >> Reporter: BEHIND EVERY PATIENT, A FAMILY. IN ARIZONA, 20-YEAR-OLD ADRIAN GARCIA, WHO HAD DIABETES, LOST HIS BATTLE WITH THE VIRUS.
HIS ENTIRE FAMILY WAS INFECTED, BUT ADRIAN WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO DIDN’T RECOVER. HE LEAVES BEHIND A 3 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. >> FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON WITH NO UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS YOU’LL BE OKAY. WE’RE OKAY. BUT MY SON IS NOT. >> Reporter: THE NATION’S DEATH
TOLL IS SURGING, AND INTERNAL FEMA MEMO OBTAINED BY ABC NEWS REVEALING A 30% INCREASE IN DEATHS FROM THE PREVIOUS WEEK. HOMELAND SECURITY IDENTIFYING 98 EMERGING HOT SPOTS ACROSS 30 STATES AND TONIGHT A NEW FRONT IN THE WAR ON COVID. DR. ANTHONY FAUCI TELLING OUR
DR. JEN ASHTON, HE’S CONCERNED ABOUT CASES TICKING UP IN STATES LIKE OHIO, TENNESSEE, KENTUCKY, AND INDIANA. >> WHICH IS A SURE FIRE HINT THAT YOU MAY BE GETTING INTO THE SAME SORT OF TROUBLE WITH THOSE STATES THAT THE SOUTHERN STATES GOT INTO TROUBLE.
>> Reporter: TODAY IN JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA, STUDENTS WERE BACK IN SCHOOL WITH MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING, PARENTS CAN CHOOSE VIRTUAL OR IN-PERSON LEARNING, SOME PARENTS FEEL THEY HAVE LITTLE CHOICE. >> HONESTLY THE OPTIONS WERE LIMITED. MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH WORK
OUTSIDE OF THE HOME. >> Reporter: IN FLORIDA LA TOYIA FLOYD IS A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO, SHE’S WORRIED ABOUT SENDING HER KIDS BACK TO THE CLASSROOM. >> I ABSOLUTELY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SEND THEM TO SCHOOL. BECAUSE I WORK 45 HOURS A WEEK.
>> Reporter: WITH THE DEBATE RAGING OVER SAFELY REOPENING SCHOOLS, DOCTORS IN FLORIDA ARE DEMANDING MORE ROBUST SAFETY MEASURES. >> PUTTING HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, TEACHERS AND STAFF, TOGETHER IN ENCLOSED SPACES LIKE SCHOOL BUILDINGS IS AN INVITATION FOR A COVID-19 SUPERSPREADER EVENT.
>> OFFICIALS TAKING NO CHANCES ORDERING NEARLY 300 STUDENTS TO SELF-QUARANTINE AFTER ONE PERSON WHO ATTENDED AN OUTDOOR GRADUATION CEREMONY TESTED POSITIVE. TODAY THE VICE PRESIDENT, WHO HAS PUSHED FOR THE REOPENING OF IN-PERSON CLASSES VISITING A PRIVATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN NORTH CAROLINA WHERE TEACHERS
AND STUDENTS WEAR MASKS, TAKING OFF HIS MASK FOR A TIME TO TALK TO KIDS. >> WE REALLY DO BELIEVE IT’S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CHILDREN TO BE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM. >> Reporter: EDUCATION SECRETARY BETSY DeVOS ACKNOWLEDGING THERE
IS NO NATIONAL PLAN FOR SCHOOLS. >> THERE’S NOT A NATIONAL SUPERINTENDENT, NOR SHOULD THERE BE. THEREFORE, THERE’S NOT A NATIONAL PLAN FOR REOPENING. >> Reporter: AND MANY ARE WONDERING WHAT TO DO WHEN CLASSES START BACK UP, VICTOR OQUENDO JOINS US FROM MIAMI. THERE’S NEWS ABOUT THE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS THERE, VICTOR? >> Reporter: MIAMI DID CO– ANNOUNCING THEY WILL START THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH ONLINE LEARNING, THE SAME STORY IN OTHER MAJOR CITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE BUT OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS OPTING FOR IN-PERSON CLASSES, THAT’S SOMETHING GOVERNOR DeSANTIS REPEATEDLY HAS PUSHED FOR.
TODAY HE SAID IF HIS KIDS WERE OLD ENOUGH HE’D HAVE NO PROBLEM SENDING THEM BACK TO SCHOOL. >>> NOW TO WASHINGTON WHERE PRESIDENT TRUMP IS STANDING BY HIS SUPPORT FOR THAT CONTROVERSIAL DOCTOR WHO SAID THAT MASKS DON’T WORK AND WHO ALSO PUSHED HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE
ALONG WITH THE PRESIDENT EVEN THOUGH HIS MEDICAL ADVISERS SAY IT’S INEFFECTIVE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FOR TREATING COVID-19. IT COMES AS A TOP SUPPORTER — TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS AFTER QUESTIONING THE USE OF MASKS. HERE’S ABC’S MARY BRUCE. >> PRESIDENT TRUMP TODAY DOUBLED
DOWN ON HIS SUPPORT FOR A FRINGE DOCTOR WHO’S SPREADING LIES ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS, EVEN AFTER LEARNING SHE CLAIMS DEMONS AND WITCHES CAUSE ILLNESSES. >> I WAS VERY — KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HER, NEVER SEEN HER BEFORE, BUT LET HER HAVE A VOICE.
>> Reporter: TRUMP RETWEETED A VIDEO OF THAT DOCTOR DENOUNCING THE USE OF MASKS AND PROMOTING HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE EVEN THOUGH THE NATION’S TOP HEALTH OFFICIALS WARNING THE ANTI-MA LARRIAL DRUG IS INEFFECTIVE IN TREATING COVID-19 AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. JOE BIDEN TODAY URGED THE
PRESIDENT TO KNOCK IT OFF. >> PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOULD STOP TWEETING AND START DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT, DAMNIT, AND STOP GOING ON AND TALKING ABOUT THESE CRAZY WOMAN HE TALKED ABOUT LAST NIGHT, ABOUT WHO’S AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE. >> Reporter: ONE OF THE PEOPLE
WHO SPREAD THE MISLEADING VIDEO, THE CHIEF OF STAFF FOR REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN LOUIE GOHMERT. GOHMERT ANNOUNCED HE’S TESTED POSITIVE HIMSELF. >> I DON’T HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS LISTED AS PART OF COVID-19. >> Reporter: THE CONGRESSMAN HAS FREQUENTLY BEEN SPOTTED ON THE HILL WITHOUT A MASK.
SOURCES TELL US HIS STAFF HAS EVEN BEEN SCOLDED FOR WEARING THEM. >> MASKS REALLY COMPLICATE THINGS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY WHEN WE HAVE PUNISHED OR RESTRICTED PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT SICK. >> Reporter: JUST YESTERDAY HE WAS SEEN WALKING ALONGSIDE
ATTORNEY GENERAL BILL BARR, NEITHER OF THEM IN A MASK. BARR’S STAFF SAYS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS NOW GETTING TESTED. THE CONGRESSMAN SAT FOR HOURS IN TWO SEPARATE HEARINGS YESTERDAY, TONIGHT SENIOR LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH PARTIES GOING INTO QUARANTINE. GOHMERT HIMSELF ONLY LEARNED HE WAS POSITIVE BECAUSE HE WAS
REQUIRED TO TAKE A TEST BEFORE HE WAS SET TO FLY WITH THE PRESIDENT. >> NOW THAT I APPARENTLY HAVE IT I WILL BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE I DON’T GIVE IT TO ANYBODY ELSE. >> Reporter: TODAY AS HE
PREPARED TO DRIVE TO TEXAS TO SELF-QUARANTINE, GOHMERT PROMISED TO WEAR A MASK, QUOTE, RELIGIOUSLY. >> NOW HE SAYS HE WANTS TO WEAR A MASK. MARY BRUCE JOINS US NOW. YOU REPORTED THAT CONGRESSMAN GOHMERT HAS BEEN FREQUENTLY SEEN WITHOUT A MASK, INCLUDING AT
THAT HEARING JUST YESTERDAY WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL BARR. HOW MUCH CONCERN IS THERE ON CAPITOL HILL AS FAR AS HOW MANY PEOPLE COULD BE AT RISK FROM HAVING CONTACT WITH HIM? >> THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN ON CAPITOL HILL RIGHT NOW, AND LINSEY, I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT
TO REMEMBER THAT EVEN THOUGH SO MANY OF US ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE WORKING FROM HOME, CONGRESS IS NOT, AND THAT MEANS THAT THE CAPITOL IS STILL BUZZING. YOU HAVE MEMBERS, HUNDREDS OF THEM COMING INTO WASHINGTON FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IT’S NOT
JUST THE MEMBERS, OF COURSE, IT’S ALL OF US REPORTERS, IT’S THEIR STAFFS, IT’S ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT IT TAKES TO MAINTAIN AND KEEP THE CAPITOL HUMMING. THAT’S A LOT OF PEOPLE. MEMBERS HAVE BEEN WALKING THROUGH THE HALLS WITHOUT A MASK. GOHMERT, WE KNOW OF COURSE WAS
NOT JUST AT THAT HEARING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, BUT HE WAS ALSO AT ANOTHER HEARING, A MUCH SMALLER ROOM, CLOSER DISTANCES BETWEEN HIM AND OTHER LAWMAKERS, AND NOW SEVERAL LAWMAKERS WHO FEEL THEY HAVE COME TOO CLOSE WITH LOUIE GOHMERT ARE TAKING THE STEP OF SELF-QUARANTINING.
IT’S SENDING SHOCK WAVES THROUGH CAPITOL HILL AND REIGNITING A DEBATE OVER TESTING, RAPID TESTING ON CAPITOL HILL. IT IS SOMETHING THAT THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OFFERED TO LAWMAKERS. IT WAS TURNED DOWN. NOW THERE IS A NEW URGENCY, NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER
LAWMAKERS THEMSELVES SHOULD BE GETTING THESE TESTS. >> AND IN THE MEANTIME CONGRESS SEEMS TO BE JUST AT A STALEMATE AS FAR AS NEGOTIATIONS WITH STIMULUS. >> IF ANYTHING, TALKS ARE GOING BACKWARDS, NOT FORWARDS, DEMOCRATS PUT FORWARD THEIR PLAN MORE THAN TWO MONTHS AGO, THEIR
NEXT PLAN FOR THE NEXT STIMULUS, CORONAVIRUS RELIEF PACKAGE, REPUBLICANS THOUGH ARE STILL IN DISARRAY. ACTUALLY NEAR REVOLT OVER THE PLAN THAT THEIR LEADERS PUT OUT EARLIER THIS WEEK. THE MOST CONTENTIOUS POINT IS STILL THE $600 UNEMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS GOING TO HELP 30 MILLION AMERICANS MAKE ENDS
MEET. REPUBLICANS SAY THAT AMOUNT IS TOO HIGH, THAT IT DISCOURAGES PEOPLE FROM GOING BACK TO WORK. THEY WANT TO BRING THAT AMOUNT DOWN TO $200. DEMOCRATS SAY THAT THAT IS NOT GOING TO FLY. THEY WANT TO KEEP THOSE PAYMENTS GOING. AT $600 A WEEK.
RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN A STALEMATE, THESE PAYMENTS ARE EXPIRING, AND IT CERTAINLY LOOKS LIKE IT’S GOING TO BE WEEKS BEFORE CAPITOL HILL CAN REACH A DEAL. >> WHICH MEANS MORE PAIN FOR AMERICANS DELAYED SEVERAL MORE WEEKS. MARY BRUCE, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTING.
>> Reporter: THANK YOU. >>> THE SEARCH IS NOW ON FOR A SUSPECT SEEN IN A VIRAL VIDEO SMASHING WINDOWS, AND INCITING VIOLENCE AFTER THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD AS ALEX PEREZ REPORTS, OFFICIALS BELIEVE THAT HE’S A WHITE SUPREMACIST, WHO WANTED TO CREATE EVEN MORE
RACIAL UNREST. >>> TONIGHT, AUTHORITIES IN MINNEAPOLIS SAY THEY HAVE FINALLY IDENTIFIED THE MAN THEY CLAIM INCITED DAYS OF VIOLENT PROTESTS THERE AFTER GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED. DUBBED THE UMBRELLA MAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA HE WAS CAPTURED IN THIS VIRAL VIDEO BREAKING
WINDOWS AT THIS AUTO ZONE, DRESSED IN BLACK HOLDING AN UMBRELLA. IN A COURT FILING THIS WEEK POLICE IDENTIFYING THIMM AS A WHITE SUPREMACIST. >> IT WAS STRANGE, HE WAS CASUALLY WORKING THROUGH THIS WAR-LIKE SPACE. >> Reporter: THE MAN ALSO SPRAY
PAINTED THE WORDS FREE, EXPLETIVE, FOR EVERYONE ZONE, ON THE BUSINESS’S DOORS, NOT LONG AFTER LOOTING AND FIRES BEGAN IN THE AREA, POLICE SAY, AN OFFICER TELLING THE COURT UNTIL UMBRELLA MAN THE PROTESTS HAD BEEN RELATIVELY PEACEFUL. THIS INDIVIDUAL’S SOLE AIM WAS TO INCITE VIOLENCE. AFTER A TIP INVESTIGATORS
ZEROING IN ON THE 32-YEAR-OLD POLICE SAY ALSO A KNOWN MEMBER OF A WHITES ONLY MOTORCYCLE GANG. AND LINSEY INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY’RE NOW WORKING ON OBTAINING THE MAN’S CELL PHONE LOCATION DATA AT THIS POINT CHARGES HAVE NOT YET BEEN FILED. LINSEY? >> OUR THANKS TO ALEX PEREZ.
TO THE EVOLVING SITUATION IN PORTLAND TONIGHT WHERE THE CITY IS PREPARING FOR ANOTHER EVENING OF PROTESTS. BUT THE BIG DEVELOPMENT TODAY IS AN APPARENT TRUCE BETWEEN OREGON AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IF ALL GOES WELL, THIS EVENING MIGHT BE THE LAST TIME FEDERAL OFFICERS ARE STATIONED OUTSIDE
THE COURTHOUSE AT THE CENTER OF THIS STANDOFF BETWEEN THE DEMONSTRATORS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE CITY CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE. AND JOINING US NOW IS OREGON GOVERNOR KATE BROWN. GOVERNOR, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.
>> SO FIRST OFF YOU ANNOUNCED EARLIER FEDERAL OFFICERS WILL WITHDRAW FROM PORTLAND, STARTING TOMORROW, BUT ACTING DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HEAD CHAD WOLF SAYS FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL REMAIN UNTIL VIOLENT ACTIVITY ENDS. SO WALK US THROUGH EXACTLY WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THIS FLUID
SITUATION, HAS THE DHS GONE BACK ON THEIR WORD? >> THE PLAN IS VERY, VERY CLEAR, BOTH SIDES ARE IN AGREEMENT, THAT STARTING TOMORROW AFTERNOON, THURSDAY AFTERNOON, OUR CUSTOMS, BORDER PATROL AND I.C.E. OFFICERS THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE STREETS OF PORTLAND WILL BEGIN LEAVING.
THIS IS DEFINITELY A STEP BY STEP, GRADUAL PROCESS. BUT WE KNOW HOW IT ENDS. THEY WILL BE OUT OF THE CITY OF PORTLAND, AND OREGONIANS WILL BE IN CHARGE. >> OUR TEEM ON THE GROUND HAS CONSISTENTLY NOTICED, TWO GROUPS, PEACEFUL PROTESTERS AND ANARCHISTS AND AGGRESSORS
TOWARDS THE FEDS. THEY SAW IT FIRSTHAND LATE LAST NIGHT WHEN A BLACK PROTESTER STARTED FIGHTING WITH A WHITE PROTESTER STARTING A FIRE. THE ARGUMENT WAS IN ESSENCE THE BLACK PROTESTER FELT THE FIRE ENDANGERED HIS LIFE AND THE MOVEMENT. THE WHITE PROTESTER ARGUED IT
WAS THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO NOTICE. WHERE DO YOU STAND HERESOME. >> THAT’S A REALLY GREAT QUESTION. WHAT IS REALLY, REALLY CLEAR IS THAT THE PRESENCE OF FEDERAL TROOPS, TRUMP’S TROOPS ON THE STREETS OF PORTLAND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY ESCALATED AN
ALREADY CHALLENGING SITUATION. YES, THERE ARE CERTAINLY FOLKS COMMITTING ACTS OF VIOLENCE, BURNING TRASH CANS, THROWING ROCKS. THAT MUST END. WE NEED TO KEEP OUR FOCUS ON RACIAL JUSTICE. TRANSFORMING LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
CENTER THE VOICES OF BLACK AND BROWN AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN THAT WORK. AND THAT’S THE WORK WE NEED TO DO MOVING FORWARD. >> NOW, WOLF IS SAYING THAT YOU DIDN’T REACH OUT TO DHS INITIALLY. IF YOU HAD, HE SAYS THEY WOULD
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION DIFFERENTLY. HE’S CALLED THIS A MONTHS LONG ERROR. WHEN DID YOU FIRST REACH OUT TO DHS ABOUT THIS AND SHOULD THE STATE HAVE HANDLED IT DIFFERENTLY? >> I SPOKE WITH THE ACTING SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY. THE SECOND WEEK THEY WERE HERE.
I’VE BEEN SPEAKING OUT EVERY SINGLE DAY TELLING THEM TO GO HOME. CLEARLY, THIS WAS A POLITICAL STRATEGY. THEY WERE NOT HERE TO PROBLEM SOLVE. THEY WERE NOT HERE TO RESOLVE ISSUES ON THE GROUND. THEIR PRESENCE HERE WAS LIKE POURING GASOLINE ON THE FIRE.
AND THEIR STRATEGY, BECAUSE IT WAS A POLITICAL ONE, HAS BACKFIRED. AND THEY ARE LEAVING, THEY ARE LEAVING THE STREETS OF PORTLAND, AND LEAVING OREGON. >> WHAT WERE NIGHTLY PROTESTS LIKE OUTSIDE OF THE COURTHOUSE BEFORE FEDERAL OFFICERS ARRIVED? I MEAN, IN YOUR MIND, WAS THERE
A NEED FOR INCREASED SECURITY? AND DO YOU THINK THAT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COULD HANDLE THE VIOLENCE ALONE IF IT DOESN’T STOP? >> YES. IN TERMS OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING OUTSIDE THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, BY THE TIME FEDERAL OFFICERS HAD ARRIVED, THINGS WERE STARTING TO CALM DOWN.
THE PRESENCE OF TRUMP’S TROOPS ON THE STREETS OF PORTLAND GREATLY EXACERBATED THE SITUATION. THIS WASN’T ABOUT PROBLEM SOLVING. IT WAS ABOUT POLITICAL THEATER. THEY BROUGHT TRUMP’S TROOPS TO PORTLAND, OREGON TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS WITH THEIR BASE. NOW THAT STRATEGY HAS BACKFIRED. THEY ARE LEAVING.
AND THEN WE CAN FOCUS ON CALMING DOWN THE CITY AND FOCUSING ON THE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT WORK OF TACKLING RACIAL JUSTICE IN THE STATE AND IN THIS COUNTRY. >> HOW QUICKLY CAN LOCAL ELECTED LEADERS START REAL CONVERSATIONS WITH ACTIVISTS IN ORDER TO TRY TO CREATE A VIBRANT, BRIGHTER,
SAFER FUTURE FOR OREGONIANS OF COLOR AND IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS DIALOGUE? >> LOOK. THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE HAPPENING DAILY. I’VE BEEN TALKING WITH LEADERS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN THE LATINEX COMMUNITY, THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY DAILY FOR THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS.
LOCAL LEADERS ARE HAVING THAT CONVERSATION AS WELL. THIS IS A COLLECTIVE, COLLABORATIVE EFFORT. WE NEED TO CO-CREATE A NEW SYSTEM OF JUSTICE THAT CENTERS THE LIVES OF BLACK AND BROWN AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL NEED TO DO TOGETHER, NOT JUST IN
OREGON, BUT ACROSS THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. >> LOOKING AT HOW THINGS HAVE PLAYED OUT NOW, WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY? >> THAT’S A GREAT QUESTION. AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE PANDEMIC. WHAT I MISSED, I KNOW — ACROSS
THE COUNTRY MISSED, IS THE INCREDIBLY HORRIFIC, DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC ON OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAVE SUFFERED GREATLY THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC. WE NEED TO PUT THOSE VOICES, THOSE LIVES AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR WORK TOGETHER MOVING FORWARD.
>> GOVERNOR BROWN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. >>> AND NOW TO THAT MAJOR MOVE ON THE WORLD STAGE BY THE U.S., THE PENTAGON IS TRANSFERRING 12,000 U.S. TROOPS FROM GERMANY TO OTHER NATO NATIONS IN A STRATEGIC MOVE AGAINST RUSSIA.
WHAT’S BEHIND THE MOVE? IT COMES AS THE PRESIDENT SAYS IN A NEW INTERVIEW WITH A CALL WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN HE DID NOT PRESS HIM ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RUSSIAN PAID BOUNTIES, TERRY MORAN HAS THE LATEST. >>> TONIGHT, AFTER THOSE REPORTS THAT RUSSIA MIGHT HAVE BEEN
PAYING BOUNTIES TO THE TALIBAN TO KILL U.S. TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN, PRESIDENT TRUMP ADMITTING, IN AN INTERVIEW WITH AXIOS, THAT HE NEVER EVEN RAISED THE MATTER IN A CALL WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN LAST WEEK. >> WE DISCUSSED NUMEROUS THINGS. WE DID NOT DISCUSS THAT, NO.
>> YOU NEVER DISCUSSED IT WITH HIM? >> I NEVER DISCUSSED IT WITH HIM, NO. >> TRUMP ALSO DENIED HE HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THE BOUNTIES, DESPITE REPORTS THE INTEL DID MAKE IT INTO THE PRESIDENT’S DAILY BRIEF. >> IT NEVER REACHED MY DESK. YOU KNOW WHY?
THEY DIDN’T THINK INTELLIGENCE, THEY DIDN’T THINK IT WAS REAL. >> IT WAS A — >> THEY DIDN’T THINK IT WAS WORTHY. IF IT REACHED MY DESK I WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I NEVER REACHED MY DESK. >> WHEN ASKED ABOUT RUSSIA
SUPPLYING ARMS TO THE TALIBAN TRUMP SAID THE U.S. DID THE SAME THING IN AFGHANISTAN TOO. >> WE SUPPLIED WEAPONS WHEN THEY WERE FIGHTING RUSSIA TOO, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE — WHEN THEY WERE FIGHTING WITH THE TALIBAN, IN AFGHANISTAN — >> THAT’S A DIFFERENT ERA.
>> I’M JUST SAYING, YES, BUT WE — >> I’M JUST SAYING — >> WE DID THAT TOO. >> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT MAKING A MAJOR STRATEGIC MOVE IN EUROPE, WITHDRAWING A THIRD OF U.S. TROOPS IN GERMANY, CITING HIS LONG STANDING GRIPE THAT
GERMANY DOESN’T PAY ITS FAIR SHARE OF DEFENSE IN EUROPE. THERE WAS BIPARTISAN CONDEMNATION OF THE PRESIDENT’S MOVE, THOSE AMERICAN TROOPS IN GERMANY HAVE BEEN THE CORNERSTONE OF U.S. SECURITY IN EUROPE FOR DECADES. SENATOR MITT ROMNEY CALLING THE WITHDRAWAL A GARAVE ERROR AND A
SLAP IN THE FACE OF A FRIEND AND ALLY. THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN BLASTED TRUMP IN A STATEMENT SAYING THE WITHDRAWAL DOES NOT REFREQLECT THOUGHTFUL DEFENSE STRATEGY. THIS IS A GIFT TO VLADIMIR PUTIN. >> WE’RE JOINED BY TOM PEREZ, THANKS FOR JOINING US.
>> PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN. >> THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, JUST A FEW WEEKS AWAY, IT’S GOING TO BE ENTIRELY DIFFERENT WITHOUT THOSE THOUSANDS OF DELEGATES IN PERSON, BUT WHAT KIND OF SPECIFICS CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PLANS FOR THAT WEEK
AND WHAT AMERICANS CAN EXPECT AS JOE BIDEN OFFICIALLY ACCEPTS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION? >> I THINK IT’S GOING TO BE A REALLY EXCITING WEEK, YEAH, IT’S GOING TO BE DIFFERENT FROM PRIOR CONVENTIONS BUT I STILL THINK IT’S GOING TO BE INSPIRATIONAL, IT WILL BE ANCHORED IN MILWAUKEE.
THE VICE PRESIDENT WILL BE ACCEPTING THE NOMINATION IN MILWAUKEE. WE’LL HAVE AN EXCITING ARRAY OF DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS IN MILWAUKEE. THIS WILL BE A CONVENTION COMING TO YOU FROM ALL OVER AMERICA. AND I THINK THAT WILL BE REALLY EXCITING. AND WE’VE MADE SURE TO PUT
PUBLIC HEALTH FIRST TO BE SAFE. AND I THINK WE HAVE DONE THAT VERY EFFECTIVELY AND WE’LL CONTINUE TO DO SO. UNLIKE THE OTHER SIDE THEY’VE BEEN ALL OVER THE MAP. JOE BIDEN DOESN’T NEED HIS EGO MASSAGED. HE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE
CHALLENGES IN A MOMENT AND HIS VISION FOR AMERICA THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE. >> JOE BIDEN WEIGHING THAT CRITICAL DECISION, SELECTING HIS RUNNING MATE, HE PLANS TO CHOOSE A WOMAN. BUT GIVEN THE CURRENT CLIMATE IN OUR COUNTRY HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK IT IS THAT HE SELECT A
WOMAN OF COLOR? >> WELL, I THINK HE HAS AN ARRAY OF INCREDIBLE CHOICE, THERE’S A DEEP BENCH. AND HE, HIMSELF INDICATED THAT THERE WERE, I BELIEVE, FOUR AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN THAT HE WAS CONSIDERING. WHOEVER HE CHOOSES IS GOING TO, I THINK, MEET THE MOMENT.
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW — FIRST OF ALL, BY DEFINITION, IT WILL BE HISTORIC. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OUR FIRST FEMALE VICE PRESIDENT NEXT JANUARY 20th AND THAT IS REMARKABLE. AND EVERY SINGLE PERSON UNDER CONSIDERATION UNDERSTANDS THAT WE HAVE THREE PANDEMICS RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE THE COVID PANDEMIC. WE HAVE THE ECONOMIC RECESSION, WHICH IS MORE AKIN TO A DEPRESSION RIGHT NOW AND WE HAVE A CIVIL RIGHTS PANDEMIC. AND ALL OF THEM ARE, I THINK, REALLY, REALLY WELL SUITED TO MEET THIS MOMENT. AND I WILL BE EXCITED ABOUT ANY
OF THE CHOICES HE MAKES BECAUSE IT IS A DEEP BENCH. >> AND THE VICE PRESIDENT, AS YOU KNOW, IS AHEAD IN MANY POLLS, BUT IT’S STILL EARLY. THERE’S BEEN SOME TALK ABOUT WHETHER DEMOCRATS CAN ACTUALLY EXPAND THE ELECTORAL MAP AND COMPETE IN STATES LIKE TEXAS AND
GEORGIA. IS THAT REALISTIC GIVEN THE ABILITY TO CAMPAIGN IN THE PANDEMIC OR SHOULD THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN AND THE DNC FOCUS ON PUTTING RESOURCES INTO STATES LIKE THESE? >> WELL, WE TAKE NONE OF THIS POLLING FOR GRANTED. THE ONLY POLL THAT MATTERS IS ON NOVEMBER THE 3rd.
I AM HEARTENED BY WHAT WE HAVE SEEN, THOUGH, AND WE’VE BEEN MAKING INVESTMENTS DATING BACK OVER A YEAR IN CRITICAL BATTLEGROUNDS. THE VICE PRESIDENT, BECAUSE HIS APPEAL IS SO WIDE RANGING, WE ARE SEEING THE FIELD EXPAND, THERE’S THREE — THERE’S REALLY
THREE TYPES OF STATES THAT HE’S FOCUSING ON. WE’RE FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE WE RETAIN THOSE STATES WE WON IN 2016, LIKE VIRGINIA AND NEVADA, A FEW OTHERS LIKE THAT, MAKING SURE, THEN, WE FLIP STATES THAT WE DID NOT WIN IN 2016. THE EXAMPLES OF THAT, OBVIOUSLY,
MICHIGAN, PENNSYLVANIA, WISCONSIN, FLORIDA. AND THEN THERE ARE OTHER STATES THAT WE HAVEN’T WON FOR SOME TIME, BUT I THINK WE CAN ABSOLUTELY WIN THOSE STATES. ARIZONA, NORTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA. WE WON OHIO IN 2008, 2012. AND THE VICE PRESIDENT’S DOING WELL THERE.
HE’S DOING WELL ACROSS ALL OF THESE STATES BECAUSE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT TO UNITER IN CHIEF, THEY WANT SOMEBODY WITH EMPATHY AND COMPASSION. THEY WANT A DREAMER AND A DOER, AND I THINK THAT’S JOE BIDEN AND THEY WANT SOMEONE WHO ISN’T
TRYING TO DIVIDE US DAY IN AND DAY OUT. THEY’RE TIRED OF A TWEETER IN CHIEF. THEY WANT A PROBLEM SOLVER IN CHIEF BECAUSE WE’VE GOT BIG PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW. >> AND LASTLY, BEFORE YOU WERE DNC CHAIR AND LABOR SECRETARY YOU RAN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION. JUST WANTED TO GET YOUR REACTION TO A MESSAGE THE PRESIDENT PUT OUT TODAY ENDING A FAIR HOUSING RULE PUT IN PLACE BY OBAMA, THE PRESIDENT TWEETED I’M HAPPY TO INFORM ALL THE PEOPLE LIVING THEIR SUBURBAN LIVE STYLE DREAM
THAT YOU WILL NO LONGER BE BOTHERED OR FINANCIALLY HURT BY HAVING LOW-INCOME HOUSING BUILT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, YOUR HOUSING PRICES WILL GO UP BASED ON THE MARKET, CRIME WILL GO DOWN. I HAVE RESCINDED THE AFFH RULE, ENJOY. THAT SEEMS LIKE A PLAY FOR WHITE SUBURBAN VOTERS.
WHAT’S YOUR REACTION TO THAT AND HOW DO YOU THINK THAT JOE BIDEN SHOULD RESPOND? >> WELL, THIS IS DISTRACTING DONALD AT HIS WORST. WE JUST CROSSED THE 150,000 DEATH THRESHOLD IN THE CORONAVIRUS. AND HE’S OUT TWEETING, IT’S NOT EVEN DOG WHISTLE POLITICS. BECAUSE DOG WHISTLES ARE SUBTLE.
THERE’S NOTHING SUBTLE ABOUT WHAT HE’S DOING. LET ME BE CLEAR, I WORKED ON THAT RULE. I’M PROUD OF THAT RULE. THE FAIR HOUSING ACT WAS PASSED IN 1968. ROUGHLY A WEEK AFTER THE ASSASSINATION OF DR. KING. A PROVISION OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT CALLS FOR EVERY LOCALITY,
NOT SUBURBAN AMERICA, EVERY COMMUNITY IN AMERICA MUST AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHER FAIR HOUSING. IN OTHER WORDS, WE NEED TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES IN EVERY CORNER OF THIS COUNTRY. REMEMBER DONALD TRUMP, HE BUILT HIS HOUSING EMPIRE WITH HIS FATHER ON THE FOUNDATION OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION, AND HE
WAS HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THEY USED TO PUT A “C” ON THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR HOUSING, WHICH MEANT SOMEONE OF COLOR. THERE WAS NO SUBTLETY TO DONALD TRUMP AND HIS FATHER’S DISCRIMINATION. TODAY’S DISCRIMINATION, IT IS MORE SUBTLE. AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THESE PROVISIONS IN THE FAIR HOUSING
ACT. BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, WHAT HE’S DOING HERE IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE CARAVANS OF 2018. AND YOU KNOW WHAT, IT’S UNCONSCIONABLE. PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT RIGHT. THIS IS NOT AMERICA. AND BY THE WAY, ONE OF THE REMARKABLE THINGS IN THE
AFTERMATH OF THE GEORGE FLOYD MURDER WAS THAT THE PEACEFUL PROTESTS NOT ONLY TOOK PLACE IN CITIES, THEY TOOK PLACE IN URBAN, SUBURBAN, RURAL AMERICA BECAUSE WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN GEORGE FLOYD CAN’T BREATHE OUR DEMOCRACY CAN’T BREATHE. DONALD TRUMP IS TRYING TO TURN
THE CLOCK BACK TO JIM CROW. AND OUR VOTERS ARE HAVING NONE OF IT. VOTERS ACROSS AN IDEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM. THAT’S WHY JOE BIDEN HAS SUCH A DIVERSE AND ECLECTIC COALITION. HIS REACTION IS VERY CLEAR. THE FAIR HOUSING ACT REFLECTS THE VALUES OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, INCLUSION AND
OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE. THAT’S WHAT THAT RULE WAS ABOUT. SHAME ON DONALD TRUMP. BUT NO SURPRISE THERE. >> DNC CHAIR TOM PEREZ, THANK YOU AS ALWAYS, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. >> A PLEASURE. >>> AND WHEN WE COME BACK, THE INFERNO NIGHTMARE, PARTS OF A
BRIDGE COLLAPSING IN A DESPERATE FIRE FIGHT WITH A FREIGHT TRAIN ENGULFED. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? HELICOPTERS PATROLLING BEACHES NEAR NEW YORK CITY AFTER MULTIPLE SHARK SIGHTINGS, LIFE GUARDS ON ALERT ALONG THE EAST COAST. UP NEXT, AS WE KNOW ONE OF THE MOST PAINFUL THINGS ABOUT
COVID-19 IS HOW IT SEPARATES SICK FROM THEIR CONCERNED FAMILIES. TONIGHT, TELLING YOU ABOUT ANYT. NIGHTLINE. >>> WELCOME BACK, ONE OF THE MOST AGONIZING ASPECTS OF FIGHTING AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE IS JUST HOW ISOLATING THE EXPERIENCE CAN BE, NOT JUST FOR THE PATIENTS, BUT FOR THEIR
FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. IT ALSO PUTS EVEN MORE PRESSURE ON MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHO BECOME THE GO-BETWEENS DURING SOME EXTREMELY EMOTIONAL TIMES. WILL CARR HAS MORE. >> Reporter: COVID CONTINUES TO TEAR FAMILIES APART, ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, LEAVING MANY PHYSICALLY SEPARATED FROM THEIR
LOVED ONES FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES INSIDE PACKED ICUs. FOR SAFETY REASONS SOME FAMILIES LIKE 14-YEAR-OLD ISAIAH GARCIA AND HIS YOUNGER BROTHER NATHAN LOST BOTH PARENTS TO COVID-19 BUT FOR SAFETY REASONS THEY WERE UNABLE TO BE BY THEIR SIDE IN THEIR FINAL MOMENTS.
>> I DIDN’T GET TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO MY MOM OR MY DAD. THAT’S WHAT HURTS ME THE MOST. >> A DOCTOR TALKING ABOUT COMPASSION AT CARE, DETAILING INTERACTIONS WITH A WIFE WHO COULD NOT BE WITH HER HUSBAND. >> HER HUSBAND ENDED UP PASSING
AWAY AND SHE WAS NEVER ABLE TO SEE HIM UNTIL, I GUESS, AFTER THE FACT. BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS VERY TRAUMATIC FOR EVERYONE. NO ONE NOW THE RULES AT THE TIME. >> Reporter: DOCTORS AND NURSES ARE TRYING EVERYTHING, VIDEO STREAMS TO PHONE CALLS TO HELP
KEEP FAMILIES IN TOUCH. >> IT’S VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAID WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY. I MEAN, WE’RE SENDING PEOPLE TO OUTER SPACE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. WE DEFINITELY CAN GET PEOPLE TO COMMUNICATE. FROM, YOU KNOW, ONE ROOM TO ANOTHER. >> Reporter: TO HELP CORNELL
MEDICINE ONE OF THE NATION’S TOP RANKED MEDICAL SCHOOLS HELPED DEVELOP A HANDS FREE WAY TO COMMUNICATE. RELAY, A WALKIE TALKIE THAT COMES WITH AN APP THAT LETS YOU SEND MESSAGES TO ANYONE, ANYWHERE. >> WE HAD NO IDEA THAT A SIMPLE SPEAKER COULD HAVE SUCH AN
IMPACT ON FAMILIES. >> AFTER RELAY DONATED 160 WALKIE TALKIES, THEY CREATED VOICE LOVE, A MEDICALLY APPROVED STERILE BOX THAT ALLOWS THE DEVICE TO BE CLIPPED TO THE HOSPITAL BED SO FAMILIES CAN SEND MESSAGES TO THEIR LOVED ONES THROUGH IT. >> I LOVE YOU.
I HEARD YOU’RE DOING BETTER TODAY. >> Reporter: AFTER HER HUSBAND FRANK CAME DOWN WITH COVID HE SPENT 16 DAYS ON A VENTILATOR. SHE WASN’T ALLOWED TO BE WITH HIM BUT WAS ABLE TO TALK TO HIM THROUGH VOICE LOVE. >> THE ONE NIGHT THAT WAS REALLY
BAD WHEN THEY — WHEN I GOT A CALL FROM THE ICU HIS BLOOD PRESSURE HAD DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY, THEY WERE HAVING TROUBLE BRINGING IT UP. I HUNG UP THE PHONE WITH THE DOCTOR, I GOT ONTO MY APP AND I SAID, FRANK, COME BACK TO ME.
PLEASE COME BACK TO ME. I’M NOT READY TO LET YOU GO. AND TWO DAYS LATER I GOT A CALL FROM THE DOCTOR SAYING THAT FRANK MADE A TURN AROUND, AND THEY EXTUBATED HIM THAT DAY. >> FRANK DOESN’T REMEMBER THE MESSAGES. HE BELIEVES THEY PLAYED A PART
IN HIS RECOVERY. >> I DID COME OUT OF THE SEDATION WITH A CALMNESS. >> OTHERS REMEMBER HEARING FAMILY MEMBERS, HE SAYS HE HEARD HIS DAUGHTER AND HIS WIFE NANCY TALKING IN WHAT HE THOUGHT WERE DREAMS. >> I HEAR SOME VOICE OF MY WIFE,
AND SOME OF MY DAUGHTER. THIS IS WHAT I REMEMBER. >> I KEPT SAYING YOU’RE A WARRIOR. YOU’RE A SOLDIER. LIKE KEEP GOING. THE THURSDAY BEFORE THE DOCTORS WERE TELLING US IF HE DOESN’T WAKE UP, WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO A TRACHEOTOMY. I BEGGED EVERYONE, YOU FLOOD HIM
WITH MESSAGES. AND WE JUST WENT TO TOWN WITH THAT MACHINE. AND WE PROBABLY JUST BUGGED HIM SO MUCH HE WOKE UP. >> MAYBE, YEAH. >> ALBERT POMARES IS USING THE >> HE WORKED 30 YEARS PLUS AS AN ICU NURSE. IT’S JUST CRAZY THAT SHE RETIRED
AND NOW SHE’S BACK IN THE ICU. AFTER ALL THIS TIME. BUT AS A PATIENT THIS TIME. >> HIS MOM HAS NOW BEEN MOVED TO AN ACUTE CARE FACILITY. ALBERT SAYS HE SENDS THE SAME MESSAGE OF STRENGTH EVERY DAY. >> JUST KEEP PRAYING, THAT’S THE
MAIN THING THAT WE KEPT ON TELLING MY MOM, SHE’S A VERY RELIGIOUS PERSON. AND JUST TO KEEP PRAYING EVERY DAY. WE WILL GET OUT OF THIS. >> WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE WHO PUT THIS DEVICE IN YOUR MOM’S ROOM?
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH. I MEAN, IT’S — THE TIMING IS AMAZING. BUT, I MEAN, JUST HAVING THIS DEVICE HELPED OUR FAMILY A LOT. >> SO FAR VOICE LOVE HAS SENT MORE THAN 45,000 MESSAGES TO FAMILY MEMBERS.
>> I CAN’T EVEN WRAP MY HEAD AROUND HOW MUCH PAIN THESE FAMILIES WENT THROUGH FOR MONTHS ON END. AND THEY WERE USING THIS DEVICE JUST REGULARLY TALKING CONTINUOUSLY THROUGH IT, AND, I MEAN, THEY’RE REALLY THE REASON WHY THE DEVICE IS INCREDIBLE.
IT’S THE FAMILIES AND THE LOVE THAT COMES THROUGH THAT. IT’S NOT EVEN JUST THE DEVICE. IT WAS JUST A VEHICLE FOR THAT. >> AS CASES ARE GOING DOWN IN SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, SOME HOSPITALS ARE NOW ALLOWING VISITS. FOR THOSE WHO AREN’T THAT HAVE
THE DEVICE PATIENTS CAN ACTUALLY PRESS A SMALL LITTLE BUTTON ONCE THEY REGAIN CONSCIOUSNESS TO SEND MESSAGES BACK TO THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. WHILE CORNELL AND THE WALKIE TALKIE COMPANY ARE HOPING TO GET THAT DEVICE INTO MORE HOSPITALS, AND MORE NURSING HOMES IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.
>> SUCH COMPASSIONATE CREATIVITY, OUR THANKS TO WILL. >>> STILL AHEAD HERE ON PRIME, HOW CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY FROM THE WORLD’S RICH ES MAN WAS LIMITED BY TECHNICAL PROBLEMS. AND WHY SOME OF AMERICA’S TECH GIANTS WERE GRILLED REMOTELY BY LAWMAKERS ON CAPITOL HILL. >>> QUESTIONS TONIGHT AFTER
PLAINS CLOTHED OFFICERS GRABBED A WOMAN OFF THE STREET AND PUT HER IN AN UNMARKED CAR. >>> PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS NOW DONE AWAY WITH AN OBAMA-ERA RULE AIMED AT ENDING DECADES OF RACIAL SEGREGATION IN COMMUNITIES. >>> OUR POST OF THE DAY, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
MORE THAN 3 MILLION BLACK AND WHITE SELFIES FLOODING SOCIAL MEDIA TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN. ACCORDING TO INSTAGRAM THIS BRAZILIAN JOURNALIST IS BELIEVED TO HAVE STARTED IT ALL MORE THAN TWO WEEKS AGO. START HERE FREE ON APPLE PODCAST. >>> AND WELCOME BACK, EVERYBODY,
WE TURN NOW TO HOUSING, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS DISMANTLED AN OBAMA-ERA RULE MEANT TO ADDRESS RACIAL SEGREGATION IN AMERICA’S NEIGHBORHOODS AND TRUMP TODAY TWEETED IN PART THAT THOSE LIVING THE QUOTE SUBURBAN LIFESTYLE DREAM WILL QUOTE NO LONGER BE BOTHERED OR
FINANCIALLY HURT BY HAVING AS MILLIONS OF AMERICANS FACE EVICTIONS. WITH UNEMPLOYMENT STRIKING ABOUT 20 MILLION RENTERS, ONE OUT OF FIVE WHO RENT, NOW AT RISK OF EVICTION. 25% OF RENTERS WERE ALREADY SPENDING MORE THAN HALF OF THEIR INCOME ON HOUSING. PRIOR TO THE CRISIS.
IN FACT, EVERY YEAR SINCE 2001 MEDIAN RENTS HAVE GROWN MORE THAN RENTERS’ INCOMES. EVICTIONS SEEM TO HIT MINORITY COMMUNITIES THE HARDEST, ABOUT 67% OF EVICTIONS FILED BETWEEN MARCH AND EARLY JULY WERE AGAINST TENANTS LIVING IN LARGELY MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS ACCORDING TO THE CENTER FOR
PUBLIC INTEGRITY. BUT SOME AMERICANS HAVE GOTTEN SOME HELP, THE MASSIVE STIMULUS PACKAGE KNOWN AS THE CARES ACT INCLUDED A 120-DAY MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS FOR SOME 12.3 MILLION TENANTS. SADLY THAT ENDED LAST WEEKEND. >>> EARLIER TODAY PRESIDENT TRUMP SUGGESTED THAT HE SUPPORTS
INCLUDING A MEASURE IN THE NEXT STIMULUS PACKAGE TO PREVENT MASS EVICTIONS. AND WE STILL HAVE A LOT TO GET TO HERE TONIGHT ON PRIME. YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE PROMISING EARLY VACCINE TRIALS. BUT WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS AND WHO’S VOLUNTEERING? THEY CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR EYES
ON THE TROPICS TONIGHT AND WHO MAY BE MOST IMPACTED BY THE STORM SYSTEM THAT’S SLOWLY ORGANIZING. >>> AND LATER, THE DISCO ERA ACTIVITY THAT IS MAKING A COMEBACK. GRAB YOUR ROLLER SKATES AND JOIN THE CRAZE THAT’S GAINING IN POPULARITY ONCE AGAIN.
>>> BUT FIRST, HERE’S SOME OF THE TRENDING STORIES ON ABCNEWS.COM. >>> AS THE UNITED STATES PASSES THE GRIM MILESTONE OF 150,000 AMERICANS DYING FROM COVID-19, 33 STATES AND PUERTO RICO, THE DAILY DEATH TOLL MAY BE HEADING NORTH. >> A BUNCH OF OTHER STATES, FOR
EXAMPLE, OHIO, TENNESSEE, KENTUCKY AND INDIANA. >> CONGRESSMAN LOUIE GOHMERT IS ISOLATING AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS. >> SEEN NOT WEARING A MASK, TESTED BECAUSE HE WAS SCHEDULED TO TRAVEL WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP TO A TEXAS FUNDRAISER WEDNESDAY ACCORDING TO SOURCES FAMILIAR WITH HIS PLANS.
>> CAN’T HELP BUT WONDER IF BY KEEPING A MASK ON AND KEEPING IT IN PLACE THAT — IF I MIGHT HAVE PUT SOME GERMS, SOME OF THE VIRUS ONTO THE MASK AND BREATHED IT IN. >> COLORADO OFFICIALS INVESTIGATE IN THE DEATH OF ELIJAH McCLAIN LOOKING INTO THE
USE OF AN ANESTHETIC ON HIM WHILE IN POLICE CUSTODY. THE 23-YEAR-OLD DIED AFTER POLICE SUBDUED HIM LAST AUGUST. THE OFFICERS CRITICIZED AT THE TIME FOR USING A CHOKE HOLD ON THE ARREST. THE PARAMEDICS SEDATED HIM WITH A DRUG KETAMINE. HE LATER SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK AND DIED.
IN A STATEMENT THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY RECEIVED COMPLAINTS WITH THE DRUG IN JUNE. THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING. >>> THE FLAMING FREIGHT TRAIN INFERNO, DERAILING AFTER 6:00 THIS MORNING. >> HAD A FIRE ON THE MILL AVENUE TRAIN BRIDGE. >> PART OF THAT BRIDGE
COLLAPSED, A MESS OF TWISTED METAL, TRACKS AND TRAIN CARS FALLING INTO A PARK BELOW. FLAMES RICED TO ENGULF CARS AND LUMBER. INVESTIGATORS NOW WORKING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE DERAILMENT HAPPENED. >> MORE LIKE A KIDNAPPING THAN AN ARREST. >> DE BLASIO SAYING THE ARREST
OF A SUSPECTED VANDAL WAS MADE AT THE WRONG TIME AND IN THE WRONG PLACE. VIDEO SHOWS PLAIN CLOTHES OFFICER — SOME DEFENDED THE ARREST, SAYING STONE WAS WANTED FOR DAMAGING NYPD CAMERAS, AROUND CITY HALL PARK AND THEY HAD THIS TO SAY ABOUT IT ALL.
>> GIVEN THIS ATMOSPHERE WE’RE DEALING WITH IN OUR COUNTRY AND THE REAL CONCERNS PEOPLE HAVE IT DIDN’T MAKE SENSE. >> IN THE END STONE WAS ISSUED A DESK TICKET AND RELEASED AFTER A FEW HOURS. >>> LIFE GUARD ON ALERT, HELICOPTERS PATROLLING BEACHES NEAR NEW YORK CITY, AFTER
MULTIPLE DAYS OF SHARK SIGHTINGS. AT LEAST THREE SIGHTINGS TODAY. >> I SAW THE FIN OF A SHARK. >> AGGRESSIVE CREATURES, AND THE BIGGEST CONCERN IS GO THE SHORELINE. >> WARNINGS IN NEW YORK COMING AFTER 63-YEAR-OLD JULIE — WAS ATTACKED AND KILLED BY A GREAT
WHITE SHARK IN MAINE MONDAY. SWIMMING IN A WET SUIT. EXPERTS SAY THE SHARK MAY HAVE MISTAKENED HER FOR A SEAL. SHARK ATTACKS ON HUMANS ARE RARE, BUT THEY ARE PROTECTED SPECIES AND THEIR NUMBERS ARE GROWING. >>> WELCOME BACK, STORM WARNINGS ARE UP FOR PUERTO RICO AND OTHER
ISLANDS IN THE CARIBBEAN. THE SYSTEM IS DUMPING HEAVY RAINS AND GUSTY WINDS. THIS WAS THE SCENE IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS. OUR WEATHER TEAM IS SAYING THE TRACK HAS SHIFTED WESTWARD AND COULD BE NEAR SOUTH FLORIDA BY SUNDAY. >>> DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS
CAME OUT FIRING ON CAPITOL HILL TODAY, GRILLING THE TECH INDUSTRY’S BIGGEST TITANS ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES, THE HEADS OF FACEBOOK, GOOGLE, APPLE AND AMAZON ALL TESTIFYING REMOTELY TO LAWMAKERS, THE HEARING CALLING ON — TECH COMPANY’S GROWING SIZE, POWER AND THE
CONTENT THAT THEY ALLOW ONLINE. FACEBOOK’S MARK ZUCKERBERG WENT TO BAT FOR TWITTER AND ITS EFFORTS TO CLEAN UP THE PRESIDENT’S TWITTER FEED. >> WOULDN’T THAT BE UP TO SOMEBODY ELSE TO SAY OKAY, WHAT SOMEBODY POSTED ON THIS, REALLY ISN’T TRUE, AND HERE’S WHAT THE
FACTS ARE. RATHER THAN HAVING A TWITTER OR A FACEBOOK TAKE IT DOWN. >> CONGRESSMAN, IN GENERAL I AGREE WITH YOU, AND WE DO NOT WANT TO BECOME THE ARBITERS OF TRUTH. I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE A BAD POSITION FOR US TO BE IN, AND
NOT WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING. BUT ON SPECIFIC CLAIMS IF SOMEONE IS GOING TO GO OUT AND SAY THAT THE HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE IS PROVEN TO CURE COVID WHEN, IN FACT, IT HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN TO CURE COVID, AND THAT THAT STATEMENT COULD LEAD PEOPLE TO
TAKE A DRUG THAT IN SOME CASES, SOME OF THE DATA SUGGESTS IT MIGHT BE HARMFUL TO PEOPLE. WE THINK THAT WE SHOULD TAKE THAT DOWN. THAT COULD CAUSE IMMINENT RISK OF HARM. >> THIS WAS ALSO JEFF BEZOS’S FIRST APPEARANCE BEFORE CONGRESS. BUT TECHNICAL PROBLEMS LIMITED
HIS TESTIMONY. >>> NOW TO THE RACE FOR A CORONAVIRUS VACCINE, WITH PROMISING NEWS THIS WEEK AS TWO COMPANIES ANNOUNCED THEY’RE BEGINNING PHASE THREE TRIALS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO TESTING WHETHER A VACCINE WILL BE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. HERE’S ABC’S BOB WOODRUFF WITH
OUR WEEKLY VACCINE WATCH. >>> THE RACE IS ON AS COMPANIES ARE NOW RECRUITING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR LATEST BATCH OF HUMAN TRIALS. EARLY MONDAY MORNING A VOLUNTEER WAS INJECTED WITH A POTENTIAL VACCINE MADE BY MODERNA, A BIOTECH COMPANY MARKING THE
START OF PHASE THREE HUMAN TRIALS IN THE U.S. >> THIS WILL CONTINUE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS AND WE HAVE A VERY STRONG DEMAND OF FOLKS WHO VOLUNTEERED TO PARTICIPATE. >> ALSO THIS WEEK, PFIZER AND HIS GERMAN PARTNER BIO END TECH
ANNOUNCED THEY HAVE BEGUN INJECTING PHASE THREE VOLUNTEERS. >> WE HAVE DECIDED ON OUR VACCINE CANDIDATE. STARTED OUT WITH FOUR. NOW WE’VE PICKED THE ONE GOING FORWARD AND WE’VE PICKED THE DOSE. >> PHASE ONE OF HUMAN TRIALS USUALLY CONTAINS LESS THAN A
HUNDRED PEOPLE AND MONITORS FOR SAFETY AT MULTIPLE DOSES. PHASE TWO TAKES A SLIGHTLY LARGER GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS AND LOOKS FOR SAFETY AS WELL AS EFFECTIVENESS. PHASE THREE REQUIRES A WHOPPING 30,000 VOLUNTEERS, TESTING FOR EFFECTIVENESS AND LONG-TERM SAFETY IN MULTIPLE POPULATIONS.
>> THEREAFTER WE’LL COLLECT THE DATA. IT’S UP TO THE FDA TO ENSURE THAT ALL THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY MEASURES HAVE BEEN MET BEFORE THEY CAN ALLOW THE VACCINE TO BE BROADLY DISTRIBUTED. >> THE SEARCH FOR VOLUNTEERS IS UNDER WAY, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE MOST AT RISK.
>> FOR PHASE THREE TRIALS IS WHEN DIVERSITY BECOMES VERY IMPORTANT. YOU WANT TO TEST THE VACCINE IN POPULATIONS THAT REFLECT THE POPULATION IN WHICH THE VACCINE WILL BE USED. >> WE WANT PARTICULARLY ENROLLMENT BY POPULATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN HARD HIT BY COVID-19,
AFRICAN-AMERICANS, HISPANICS. >> BECAUSE IT HAS TO REFLECT THE RISK GROUP WE’RE TRYING TO SEE ABOUT 25% OF THE PARTICIPANTS TO BE PEOPLE OF HIGH RISK GROUP, HIS PANICS AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS. >> ALSO A PRIORITY, NATIVE AMERICANS, FRONTLINE WORKERS, PEOPLE WITH UNDERLYING MEDICAL
CONDITIONS, AND OTHER GROUPS HARD HIT BY THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC. MODERNA, ALONG WITH PFIZER AND HIS PARTNER, ARE WELL ON THEIR WAY. JOINING FOUR OTHER OVERSEAS VACCINE CANDIDATES IN PHASE THREE ACROSS THE GLOBE, AS FOR WHEN EXACTLY A VACCINE WILL BE AVAILABLE, MOST OF THESE
COMPANIES ARE OPTIMISTIC. >> SO OUR GOAL IS TO BE ABLE TO FILE FOR LICENSURE IN OCTOBER, AND HAVE A VACCINE AVAILABLE IN 2020. >> WE’RE TALKING LATE THIS YEAR — >> IT WAS THE END OF THE YEAR. OR AT LEAST IN AUTUMN.
>> WE WERE AIMING FOR SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER. >> BUT WHILE HEALTH OFFICIALS BELIEVE AT LEAST TWO OR THREE VACCINES COULD BE READY BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THEY SAY NOVAK SEEN WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR WIDESPREAD USE UNTIL IT’S PROVEN SAFE, WHICH LIKELY WON’T BE
UNTIL 2021. >> OBVIOUSLY, THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING IS YOU’VE GOT TO DO THE TRIAL. >> FIRST — REALLY EFFECTIVE AND COMPLETELY SAFE. IF IT’S NOT THOSE THINGS, WELL, MAYBE YOU GOT TO THE FINISH LINE BUT YOU DIDN’T WIN. >> THIS IS BOB WOODRUFF,
TRACKING THE RACE FOR A VACCINE. >>> OUR THANKS TO BOB FOR THAT. >>> AND STILL AHEAD, THE NOSTAL NOSTALGIC HOBBY MAKING A BIG COMEBACK IN THE AGE OF COVID. >>> ABC NEWS, STRAIGHTFORWARD. >>> AND FINALLY THIS HOUR WHILE SO MANY BUSINESSES ARE
STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW, AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME KIND OF A RELEASE, A BRIGHT SPOT OF SORTS IN THE FORM OF AN INEXPENSIVE FUN AND AEROBIC WORKOUT, A HIP NEW TREND THAT’S REALLY KIND OF A THROWBACK >>> ROLLER SKATING IS TAKING OVER THE WORLD.
THE CHANCE TO BE ACTIVE OUTSIDE. THIS NOSTALGIC HOBBY PEAKED ON GOOGLE TRENDS BACK MANY MAY AND HAS MAINTAINED STEADY POPULARITY THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. >> IN THE PAST YEAR WE’VE EXPERIENCED A REALLY GNT RESURGENCE IN SALES. AND OUR SALES HAVE INCREASED BY TENFOLD THIS YEAR.
>> Reporter: MICHELLE OWNS MOXSY SKATES. LIKE SO MANY SMALL BUSINESSES DURING THIS TIME, THE SKATE BUSINESS IS BOOMING. >> IN THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC WE WERE ABLE TO DELIVER WITHIN ONE TO TWO WEEKS, BUT NOW PEOPLE ARE WAITING EIGHT TO TEN WEEKS. WE HIRED 30 INDEPENDENT
CONTRACTORS TO HELP US KEEP UP WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE. AND PROCESSING THE ORDERS. >> Reporter: THE RESURGENCE HAS PROPELLED SOCIAL MEDIA USERS TO VIRAL STARDOM. >> I THINK PEOPLE NEEDED SOMETHING REFRESHING FOR A COUPLE WEEKS YOU COULDN’T EVEN MEET YOUR FRIENDS AND STUFF.
SO I GUESS AFTER THE RESTRICTIONS BEING A LITTLE BIT LOW DOWN PEOPLE WERE LIKE OKAY I’M GOING TO START DOING SPORT. >> SO I THINK LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE FOUND ALL THIS NEW TIME ON THEIR HANDS AND ALSO THE NEED TO FEEL REALLY GOOD AGAIN AND
GET — TO THEIR BODIES AND GET MOVING AFTER BEING TRAPPED. IT’S LIKE A HIGH. IT IS A HIGH. AND IT’S COMPLETELY SELF-GENERATED AND SELF-MOTIVATED. AND LIKE THAT IS SO MAGICAL. >> Reporter: ROLLER SKATING WAS INVENTED IN THE 1800S, ITS POPULARITY EBBING AND FLOWING
ACROSS GENERATIONS OF LEISURE SEEKERS. ROLLER DERBIES HUGE THROUGH POPULAR IN THE ’70s. BUT THE MOST GLAMOROUS MOMENT OF THE MODERN ERA CAME DURING THAT SAME TIME WHEN BILL BUTLER BUILT THE UBIQUITOUS TECHNIQUE CALLED JAMMING. >> ALL OVER THE PLACE, ALL OVER THE RINK.
THE CONCEPT IS LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING HOW TO UTILIZE SPACE. >> Reporter: KNOWN AS THE GOD FATHER OF ROLLER DISCO BILL BUTLER’S MOVES HAVE BECOME ICONIC, CONSULTING FOR NEARLY EVERY ROLLER SKATING FILM, INCLUDING ROLL BOUNCE. >> THE CONCEPT OF WALKING. AND MADE ALL THE ADJUSTMENTS
THAT WERE NECESSARY TO DEAL WITH THE STRIDE. SO YOU GET A MELTING POT OF STYLE. ONLY DO YOU REALIZE THAT WHEN YOU GO TO A CITY WHERE THESE MULTIPLE SKATING STYLES ARE ALL IN THE SAME BUILDING. >> FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY SKATING NEVER DIED OUT.
ROLLER RINKS REMAINED A PLACE TO BOND AND HAVE FUN. >> IT HAD A LOT TO DO WITH YOUNG BLACK AMERICANS FINDING A RELEASE. FINDING A PLACE TO GO AND PLAY AND BE THEMSELVES AND CREATE. AND BE SAFE AT THE SAME TIME. >> Reporter: BUT AS RINKS CLOSED
DOWN DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, SKATERS ARE RETURNING TO THE PARKS. >> SECOND DAY BACK. LIKE IN STAGE FOUR. I FIGURE, OKAY, I THINK I’M BACK. >> WE LOST A COUPLE OF OUR SKATERS THIS YEAR. WE STILL COME OUT HERE BECAUSE WE DON’T WANT TO STAY INSIDE.
WE ENJOY THE ATMOSPHERE. WE ENJOY BEING OUTDOORS. BUT WE STILL TRY TO KEEP THAT SIX FEET DISTANCE FROM ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THIS CORONA THING IS VERY SERIOUS. >> FEELS LIKE I’M FLYING THROUGH THE AIR. I FEEL LIKE I’M ON A CLOUD AND
I’M JUST GOING THROUGH THE STREETS. WITH THESE WHEELS YOU’LL GO ANYWHERE. ANYWHERE. >> WHETHER YOU’RE A NEWCOMER OR A SEASONED SKATER, EVERYTHING’S A LITTLE BETTER WHEN YOU’RE ON WHEELS. HEAD TO THE SKATE PARK IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND CHANCES ARE YOU’LL FIND ROLLER SKATERS OF
ALL AGES AND LEVELS, EITHER HITTING THE RAMP FOR THE FIRST TIME, OR ATTENDING A WEEKLY DANCE PARTY. AS MOXSY’S OWNERS TOLD ME BECAUSE OF THIS INFLUX DURING THE PANDEMIC THEY THINK THIS IS THE RESURGENCE THAT WILL KEEP WHEELS AROUND FOREVER. LINSEY? >> LOTS OF FUN THERE.
OUR THANKS TO ROMINA. >>> BEFORE WE GO TONIGHT, OUR IMAGE OF THE DAY, WHAT SHOULD BE MILLIONS, IS JUST ABOUT A THOUSAND AS MUSLIM WORSHIPPERS AT ISLAM’S HOLIEST SITE WORSHIP WITH CAREFUL SOCIAL DISTANCING. IT’S USUALLY PACKED DURING THE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA, BUT
IT’S BEING PERFORMED WITH STRICT SAFETY PROTOCOLS. PILGRIMS WEARING MASKS AND KEEPING SIX FEET APART. INTERNATIONAL CITIZENS HAVE BEEN BARRED FROM MAKING A TREK TO SAUDI ARABIA. >>> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS HOUR. BE SURE TO STAY TUNED TO ABC NEWS LIVE FOR MORE CONTEXT AND
ANALYSIS OF THE DAY’S TOP STORIES. I’M LINSEY DAVIS. THANKS SO MUCH FOR STREAMING WITH US AND GOOD NIGHT.
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