Transcripts For CNNW CNN Newsroom With Brooke Baldwin 20141027

New york and new jersey responding to backlash on their ebola policies with reports that the white house has urged them to reverse those policies just days after ordering mandatory quarantines. Case in point, kaci hickox, the nurse who was held in quarantine after returning from west africa is now on her way home to maine. And she talked exclusively to us here at cnn about what she went through. The first thing i would say to governor christie is i wish he would be more careful about his statements relative to my medical question. I am not as he said quoteunquote obviously ill. I ham completely healthy and with no symptoms. If he knew anything about ebola he would know asymptomatic people are not infectious. I understand that people feel like they have a risk and i think we can have a conversation about what further measures might look like. But i think this is an extreme that is really unacceptable and i feel like my basic human rights have been violated. As for new Jersey Governor Chris Christie he said he was just looking out for the public. Meanwhile family of a 5yearold boy in new york is waiting to find out whether he has ebola. He has been tested. Officials are trying to find out whether the child who recently returned with his family from guinea there in west africa came into contact with anyone who has ebola. We cannot forget ebola has claimed 49 pun lives in west africa and federal Health Officials insist the best way combat the virus is to send more Health Workers to that region. Let me bring in assistant professor at uc berkeley and San Francisco. Doctor, nice to have you on. Thank you, brooke. I want to speak to you with your m. D. Hat on. First i know youre shortly on your way and we are grateful you are headed that way to west africa but you have little kiddies at home and im curious how are you wife reacted when you said honey im going to west africa . Well it wasnt a spur of the moment decision by any means. My wife has stuck with me for the past 11 years with trips to haiti and rwanda and she was okay with me going to treat cholera in 2010 in haiti. This is very different because we understand ebola is an extremely deadly disease. But she also understands that this is what im trained to do. I am a physician with Public Health background and training in Infectious Disease and tropical medicine. I had training at the cdc. Ive done everything i can to reduce my risk of contracting ebola myself. And despite the fact that she still is very worried and, in fact, just a couple of days ago was tearing up to me and saying that, you know, its hard but shes keeping strong for the sake of our daughter. But also she really believes in the mission that im trying to carry out. Sure. Is there a teeny worry just from your own self . Not teeny at all. My family is the most precious thing to me and i have a 2 1 2yearold at home. I hope in the future she will forget i was gone for two months and that she will forgive me for not being there for two months of her life. But i think she will. I think she will especially when she realizes how you can help so many different people. So on that and by the way we should be getting news according to the white house the cdc will be updating protocols for folks such as yourself when you return home to the states from west africa so those guidelines could be changing. Once you do come home, given what you know whats happened with this nurse that we now know will be heading home to selfquarantine in maine, how do you want to be treated . How do you think you should stay home for 21 days and not work for fear of potentially infecting anyone if you are asymptomatic . What do you think . Well, i think i as a Health Care Professional and Public Health expert i understand the risks and the risks are that there is almost no chance of me infecting anybody unless i had symptoms. But i also understand this requested of an abundance of caution. Abundance of caution can be misinterpreted and could lead to very grave consequences. Just yesterday my wife told me that a very dear and close Family Member in ohio of ours who is elderly and has a heart condition that requires her to have blood clotting or blood thinning medications every day, shes considering not going to get her blood checked because of fear of ebola. That fear clearly is unfounded, but that fear is real out there and i think when it hits home to people like myself, i cannot blame our leadership for taking extreme measures in this case. So, if you were to have to stay put, doc, for 21 days at home, if somebody, you know, way higher above you and i says you need to, youre telling me you will . I would do so for the sake of the masses, the sake of the public and their reassurance. I also want to point out that, you know, i would stay home but i have to feed my family somehow. And so i would urge hospitals and employers and even the government to step in and say hey look, youve gone out, there youve done the work, now youre back, lets treat you with some dignity and, of course, lets provide for your family during those 21 days when you cant work. Im not allowed to work. So, for example at uc San Francisco where im a physician, theres a policy that employees who are not going to go to west africa can actually donate Vacation Days how about that . That money could come to support the salary that i would lose and so far 500 hours have been donated which is a tremendous amount of generosity of my colleagues and friends at ucsf. Thats awesome. Ucsf shout out to them. Doctor, thank you so much. We appreciate your time and taking the risk to help so many people who are so in need. Best of luck to you. Well check up with you if we can in the future. Today the white house as i mention ad moment ago is responding to the decision to release that nurse kaci hickox from confinement. Take a listen. We want to make sure that whatever policies are put in place in this country to protect the american public, do not serve as a disincentive to doctors and nurses from this country volunteering to travel to west africa to treat ebola patients. As i mentioned the white house also saying today the cdc will announce these new guidelines on Ebola Response in about half an hour from now. Lets go the white house to our cnn Senior Correspondent there, jim acosta. Do we know anything with what they may announce . Reporter well have to wait and find out and hear. We expect the cdc director tom frieden to have a Conference Call starting at 3 30 this afternoon. The white house said at that briefing a clip of it you just played there the cdc is expected to announce these guidelines that they want to put out to the states as to what to do with thats Health Care Workers, how to treat these Health Care Workers once they return from west africa. Brooke what well end up with is a hodgepodge system where different states will have different ebola quarantine policies and we saw a sneak preview of that over the weekend when new york and new jersey stepped out on their own to issue this mandatory quarantine policy that resulted in the confinement of kaci hickox in that tent, in that hospital in new jersey which caused a lot of controversy. She said it violated her reits. And i asked josh earnest during the briefing whether or not the Obama Administration got a heads up from new york and new jersey that they were even doing this and this is what josh earnest had to say. Was it a surprise to this administration when new york and new jersey came out with their policies on these quarantines . Is that a yes or a no in terms of whether or not the administration was told in advance . What im telling you im not in a position to detail all of the phone calls, but Administration Officials and a variety of agencies and the white house have been in regular touch with officials in newark, new jersey and elsewhere. No clear answer from the white house as to whether or not they got a heads up from new york or new jersey that they were doing this. Knowing from talking to governor Christies Office the governor never talked to the president over the weekend and the white house wouldnt acknowledge if that occurred. A lot of questions being raised. Theres the case of kaci hickox. We asked josh earnest during that briefing if the white house agrees with her confinement in a tent, whether or not it violated her rights, the white house did not offer an opinion on that. Josh earnest only said that her service should be respected and putting her in a tent does not do that. Well stand by if, in fact, they will be announcing this hodgepodge policy. Jim acosta well be looking for that reporting at the white house in a bit. At the same time all of this happening today, the family of this 5yearold child is anxiously awaiting to see if their little boy will be the next ebola patient here in the United States. Were live for you this afternoon at Bellevue Hospital where doctors are treating the boy and hoping this is a false alarm, that this is not the fifth case of ebola weve stein u. S. Were learning about they aroic actions of a young teacher in Washington State. What she did when she heard those gun shots ring out in that cafeteria that could have saved students in marriesville in Washington State this past friday. Her story coming up. But it wont last long, so hurry in today. And sea food differently. Maestro of project management. Baron of the buildout. You need a permit. To be this awesome. And you. Rent from national. Because only national lets you choose any car in the aisle. And go. You can even take a fullsize or above, and still pay the midsize price. aaron purrrfect. vo meeeow, business pro. Meeeow. Go national. Go like a pro. You are watching cnn. Im Brooke Baldwin. At this moment theres a family of 5yearold boy here in new york city who is waiting to see if he will become the fifth diagnosed case of ebola in the United States. That boy did recently spend a little bit of time in guinea one of the three nations in west africa considered part of the hot zone for this fatal disease. Poppy harlow is outside of Bellevue Hospital where this 5yearold is getting care. Poppy, we know he was tested. Do we have any idea when those test results should be back . Reporter hi there, brooke. We will know at some point tonight. Unclear when. This test can take up to 12 hours and we dont really know exactly when it was administered. Let me give the timeline. What youre looking at is video from sunday night that we believe the ambulance bringing this 5yearold boy and his mother here to Bellevue Hospital. The reason he was transported here is because he got a very high fever on sunday. Saturday night he and his family landed at jfk airport after spending a month in guinea as you mentioned part of the hot zone in west africa. Out of an abundance of caution they brought him here because a High Temperature is one of the symptoms that can come with ebola. His most recent temperature reading is at 102 degrees. Thats very, very high. But it is still unclear to all the doctors and authorities here whether or not this is a case of ebola. They have to wait for those initial test results. I want you to listen to mayor de blasio of new york city who spoke about this boy and what new york city is doing at this point. Listen. The child was having some difficulties but its not clear they were the kinds of symptoms that would be related to ebola. So, again, this is the abundance of caution dynamic. Very recently the child was showing some signs of an illness not clear what the illness was. We did the cautious thing and brought the child in under the full protocol. Reporter also, brooke, what they have done since sunday night, since the child came here to bellevue is officials in new york city have been tracking the movement of both the child and his mother, his family, all those who returned with him from guinea on saturday night. Mayor debassde blasio said itsy easy. As for the doctor who was treated here, he was here for ten days before this ebola test came back positive. They are taking steps in advance to trace whoever else this child may have come in contact with just in case the test comes back positive. Lets hope it does not. Well know sometime tonight and bring that live on cnn. Hopefully its a negative. Poppy harlow, thank you very much. Coming up, politics creeping into the fight against ebola. Could the cases in the u. S. Actually impact the midterm elections. Were learning new details of about this heroic teacher who acted when shots rang out at a Washington State high school. What she did that could have saved a lot of students. Next. I thought itd be bigger. dad theres nothing i cant reach in my subaru. vo introducing the allnew subaru outback. Love. Its what makes a subaru,a subaru. But parallel parking isnt one you do a lof them. Ings great. Youre either too far from the curb. Or too close to other cars. Its just a matter of time until you rip some guys bumper off. So, here are your choices take the bus. Or get Liberty Mutual insurance. For drivers with accident forgiveness, Liberty Mutual wont raise your rates due to your first accident. See Car Insurance in a whole new light. Call Liberty Mutual insurance. A Washington State School Teacher is being hailed a hero today because of the bravery she exhibited during last fridays Deadly School shooting. There may have been more young victims but for the bold actions of this young teacher, megan silberberger. Witnesses say she ran towards the gunman. She like grabbed his arm, got a hand on him. It happened in seconds. Cnn correspondent don simon is live in marysville in Washington State with more on her bravery. Dan what can you tell us . Reporter hi, brooke. Well talk about her in a minute. First i want to show you this extraordinary scene here in front of the school. Look at these expressions of goodwill. I would say about 100 yards this fence has been turned into a makeshift memorial. So many people dropping off flowers and balloons. Its been growing by anyone. A lot of goodwill bestowed on this teacher, megan silberberger. You mentioned her name. She was in a room near the cafeteria, heard the gun shots and then ran towards the gunfire. She saw some students who were down and then she actually confronted the gunman in some fashion. She actually put her hand on his arm and then moments later, of course, the gunman took his own life. We dont know if her actions may have changed the outcome in anyway but certainly very brave action indeed, brooke. Dan simon, thank you so much in marysville, Washington State. Public Health Officials they are not the only ones having a hard time with the response to ebola. Politicians are ordering quarantines and then maybe walking that back while the critics say the president s ebola czar has been mia. An American Fighting against isis knows what the kurds are up against. Waging war with no armor. And wearing sneakers. What he calls combat adidas. That story coming up. Re and the next second. Boom youve had your first accident. Now you have to make your first claim. So you talk to your Insurance Company and. Boom youre blindsided for a second time. 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Governor of new jersey, Chris Christie took a hard line friday when state officials put nurse kaci hickox under quarantine. She had just treated ebola victims in sierra leone and governor christie said he needed to protect Public Health. So did the governor walk it back when kaci hickox was discharged today . Depends on who you ask. Some say absolutely. But when you ask the governor, this is how he explained it. Im glad shes getting to go back home and hopefully her health will remain good. It is its good for her, her family and everybody else. We wont take any wrisks Public Health of new jersey. I didnt reverse any decision. Why your saying i reversed a decision. [ inaudible ] if she was continuing to be ill she would have to stay. If she had no symptoms for 24 hours. The reason she was put in the hospital in the first place is because she was running a high fever. Heres what this nurse would say. That she never had a high fever, that a thermometer misread her temperature. So lets talk about this. We turn now to democratic strategist and cnn political commentator. Welcome to both of you. Less stay with your party and begin with governor christie. His name has been thrown out there for 2016 when it comes to president. So knowing that, looking at it through that political lens and i know so much is about Public Safety but come on. So much of this is politics . Im not sure i agree. I mean whether its governor christie or Governor Cuomo, governors around the country have been watching systematic failures at the local and federal level when it comes to controlling and containing this outbreak. And so they have had to take matters into their own hands. Even Governor Cuomo said they havent gotten protocols yet from the cdc. I think governor christie while he may not be a doctor as kaci hickox says, hes the governor of 9 Million People and has to do whats best for them. A woman office treating ebola patients came through his airport running a fever. It was his decision to quarantine her for 24 hours and then make the call and i think the residents of new jersey probably appreciated that he did that. Chris, how do you read it . Well, clearly its political. Youve been seeing the republicans using this multiple times, attacking democrats about the Ebola Response kind of crazy. Of all the things youll attack people on you would think this wouldnt be one of them. Did governor christie do this for political reasons . Yes and no. You give him the benefit of doubt hes clearly worried about the people of new jersey. How he reacted was so over the top compared to what both scientists and doctors who are familiar with disease and how to address it and the fact that this woman, this nurse did not have a High Temperature, she says. It just smacks a little bit too heavy handed, not probably the smartest thing for him to have done. But, also reflective, i think, of the reality hes playing, to other governors are theres a lot of fear and concern about this. Unfounded nonetheless but that fear is there. Chris, let me stay with you because brought it up. Ive been listening to a lot of republicans critical of the administration in whats happening with ebola especially in naming this ebola czar. I guess the question really is why isnt this something where both parties can agree. In the end this is about all of our Public Health. You would think of all the things you could at least bipartisan agreement on it would be how to deal and address a pandemic. Republicans, again, this is political season, a week or so away from an election. They are going to pounce as they have been on this. Unfortunately i think its a little bit tone deaf to what the American People want. Can the administration, should the administration have done a better job in communicating this . Yes. In fairness, were dealing with unchartered territories here in terms of this kind of disease. What you would hope in this circumstance is that everyone would try to understand both parties, from the president , governors, that, you know what . Lets figure out a way to address this so were not stoking public fears. Unfortunately thats not happened as much as it should have. You know, i got to be honest. Democrats and liberals are not absolved of guilt. Joan walsh and joann reed on other networks blaming republicans in red states for an Ebola Outbreak that they had nothing to do with. People are taking illadvised shots on both sides. Weve seen bipartisan agreement. We just referenced it. Governor christie, Governor Cuomo came together where they talked about what they were going to do in their states to deal with ebola. Except lets not ignore that. And finally i think youre absolutely right, chris, that the actions that some in leadership have taken are not calming the fears of the American People. But i think i would disagree on the reasons, this sort of chill out attitude that youve seen from the president and even leaders of the cdc and nih is having an opposite effect. People have watched systematic failures, misinformation, mixed messages and they want government to seem as though they are as nervous and taking this as seriously as they are. Panic is unfound but i havent seen panic. Were not Walking Around in hazmat suits shutting down schools and airports. With all due respect, you have planes being brought back to airports because someone coughs. There is a degree of panic. If you look at the polls the number of americans concerned about this there is a degree of real concern. My only advice in terms of both Political Parties they have a responsibility thats greater than partisanship especially in electoral season. Last thing you want to do is stoke these fears. Absolutely. Thats why i hope there would be bipartisan agreement. The concern is founded. Theres concern. Concern is founded. Yes. On either side shouldnt pretend thats panic. Fair there should be responsibility. Both parties, thank you both very much. Lets get to the truth which well be hearing. Thank you from the cdc any minute now. I keep looking at the clock and waiting to hear there will be teleconference. I want will happen led by dr. Frieden chief of the cdc who will be delivering news specifically on those Health Care Workers returning home from west africa. Also ahead on cnn an american decided he wanted to help fight isis so the 28yearold went to the middle east and is on front lines in a war against one of the worlds most dangerous armies. His incredible story is next. Financial noise financial noise financial noise breaking news. It started couple of minutes ago. Youll they are voice of dr. Tom frieden the head of cdc and hell break some news as far as refining guidelines as it pertains to Health Care Professionals coming back from west africa. Basing decision on science. Lets listen. For fever and for exposure to ebola. Starting a week ago saturday we began providing to all entrants care kits, check and report ebola. These kits consist of a thermometer, Health Education materials, information about how to contact the local Health Department or health care providers. A card to show if they become ill. And seek care. And since beginning the entry screening to the u. S. Weve also been providing information on the names, addresses and other Contact Information of all travellers returning to state Health Departments so that they can monitor the care and the progress of people who are going through their 21 day incubation period. Cdc has also worked with Health Departments throughout the country to expand the Laboratory Response network so individuals who are suspected of having ebola can be rapidly tested and that can be assessed. Weve sent rapid ebola preparedness teams to hospitals around the country so that they can be better prepared in the event of someone with suspected ebola. Weve established an Ebola Response team. Any time theres a highly suspected or confirmed ebola case that team is at bellevue today working sidebyside with the excellent clinicians and hospital infectious staff of that hospital to improve the safety and improve the care of that individual. And weve established protocols for management of individuals in the Emergency Departments who might have ebola. Through all of this we expect there to be an increasing number of individuals for whom theres a concern that they might have ebola. That doesnt mean there are more cases. Until Laboratory Test confirms a case its not confirmed. But the series of steps at levels of protection to the u. S. Also starting today the six states to which 70 of all of the returning travellers return will be doing an active Monitoring Program to monitor their health on a daily basis so that if they develop symptoms they can rapidly be assessed and if they are found having ebola effectively isolated and treated. The new guidelines increase the level of protection by outlining Different Levels of exposure and outlining different Public Health actions that can be taken for each of those levels of exposure. We identify four Different Levels. The first is highrisk expos thursday things like a needle stick from someone who has been caring for ebola patients or someone who had a known exposure to a patient with ebola, for example a Family Member who cared for someone when they were sick without using protective equipment. The next level is the some risk category. In that category we include someone who might have been in the household of a patient with ebola but didnt provide any direct care or direct contact or a Health Care Worker returning from africa where they had been caring for patients with ebola. We had about 100 or a little under 100 individuals per day on average returning from the three affected countries in west africa. Of those about 5 or 6 have been found to have a background of working in health care, specifically, 46 out of the 807 people we have evaluated. Theres also a low but nonzero risk such as someone who has been traveling within the affected countries but has had no known exposure and we would put into that category also the health care personnel, doctor, nurse or other Health Care Staff who has been working at a United States facility caring for an individual with ebola. Bellevue, emory, nih and nebraska are the facilities that are currently and potentially doing that. For those individuals they have very important differences between providing care in africa versus in the u. S. U. S. Hospitals have a more controlled setting than a Field Hospital in africa, and the Staffing Ratio is very different, so in that category we consider them to be of low but nonzero risk. And the fourth category is those who have no identified risks. For example individuals who did not travel to one of the affected countries or traveled more than 21 days ago. Weve received over 500 inquiries from Health Departments and hospitals and doctors who have been concerned that patients might be at risk for ebola. In 90 of those inquiries it turns out there is not either a symptom pattern or a travel history thats consistent with ebola and for the remainder weve been able to facilitate rapid testing. In terms of the Public Health actions that can be taken, the first and i believe most important is active monitoring and that means that the Health Department, the local Public Health Authority Takes the responsibility for a daily monitoring of the individuals symptoms and temperature. If people have symptoms or elevated temperature they are rapidly assessed, evaluated and if appropriate isolated, cared for and treated. This type of active monitoring is so important because it can identify people early in the course of illness and we know with ebola that as people get sicker they get much more infectious. First few hours or days of the beginning of symptoms are far less likely to result in any infections than later course of disease when people have much, much larger numbers of virus that they are excreting. In cases where theres highrisk of an individual potentially becoming ill, or based on an individualized assessment of the exposure, of the activity, of the individual, of the circumstance, additional restrictions may be placed. Those may include on an individualized basis whats called a do not board order which would prevent the individual from getting on a flight. At the local level restrictions on use of public transport, work, or attendance at congregate activities. Fundamentally, people want to do the right thing. And what im hearing from returning Health Care Workers and others is an interest in making sure that they are cared for effectively and they are responsible so that if they do develop any stomgs they areympt rapidly treated. Doctors without border for their own protection they stay in close radius to a facility that can care for them. And this is the kind of approach that we think will be effective. In addition, while i understand there are concerns that individuals may not fully disclose information about their history, i think those concerns about illness are of a very different order. Health care workers of all people, understand that if they develop ebola sooner the sooner they get care the more likely they are to survive and the sooner they get isolated the less likely they are to infect their Family Members. Overall, theres Real Progress in different ways in the Ebola Response but were still far from out of the woods. In texas, we have seen most of the Health Care Workers who cared for mr. Duncan complete their 21 day observation period, two nurses became infected in all likelihood in the initial davis mr. Duncans illness. We have improved our personal protective equipment and infectioncontrol guidelines to reduce infection in the future. In new york city we continue to monitor closely the illness of dr. Spencer, and monitoring of his contacts. In africa we have now served along with the World Health Organization to respond to the importation of a case into the country of mali where Contact Tracing has identified now more than 100 people who will be tracked and where the largest number are in a rural area similar to other Ebola Outbreaks. But were far from out of the woods. In each of the three heavily affected countries in west africa were seeing definite signs of progress but still be a long hard fight, and the assistance of Health Care Workers from around the world will be central to stopping it there and protecting these countries as well as ourselves. I wish we could get to zero risk in the u. S. But well only get to zero risk by stopping it at the source. While were trying to do that, were also implementing a series of measures to reduce the risk in the u. S. Bottom line is, were today releasing new guidelines on the monitoring and movement of people who may have been exposed to the ebola virus. These guidelines increase the level of protection of the health and safety of americans which is our first and foremost concern while at the same time recognizing the heroic work going on in west africa by these individuals, some of these individuals and thats protecting us from the disease. Okay. So youve been listening to the director of centers for disease control. Weve been seeing him a lot in recent weeks. I want to pars through what he said and highlight the key points. This was news as far as protocol in treating Health Care Workers either in africa and coming back to the states. Dr. Nina radcliff is joining me here. We were looking up at each other for those key moments. Lets work backwards from the most recent item he mentioned when it comes to Public Health actions. He said, he mentioned the active monitoring of these different potential individuals who may have been exposed and he mentions depending on, you know, case by case there could be additional restrictions placed, i. E. Dont board planes, dont get on trains, buses, et cetera but you said to me he didnt specifically say isolation. Correct. Correct. The point here is we need to base it upon risk. We cant put it across the board everybody who has flied over africa, been in africa everybody gets 21 days. We have to have good science and good sense. Weve heard that over and over. We dont make decision based on panic and fear. He was outlining the Different Levels of expo thursday. One through four. Those who have been stuck by a neeld by an infected patient and four no identified risk. But in west africa. In west africa. Thats interesting to note. Most of them doctors without borders, its only been one out of 700. Thats a very low risk. We had some missteps in dallas that makes us concerned. Yes, we need to keep a guarded risk for these people and make sure their protocols are able to be followed, that we do enhance protective equipment as needed but we cant sit there and overreact. And theres practically a zero risk for that. Can we touch a bowling ball, go on the subway theres a very low risk for the public. Doctor, thank you for coming in. I appreciate it. More breaking news as we are getting chilling video from isis showing this hostage, john cantlie. But the most striking thing about the video isnt whos in it but where he is. Thats ahead. How much money do you have in your pocket right now . I have 40, 21. Could something that small make an impact on something as big as your retirement . I dont think so. Well if you start putting that towards your retirement every week and let it grow over time, for twenty to thirty years, that retirement challenge might not seem so big after all. Uh, hi. Im here to drop off my password . Im sorry, im just here to whats the password. Uh,synergy . Datafication gamification university of phoenix has had alumni at every fortune 100 company. So we can help open the door to your future. Go to phoenix. Edu to get started today. We are getting breaking news now out of the besieged city of kobani right along the turkishsyrian border involving this new isis video and british hostage john cantlie. Lets go straight to turkey to our Senior International correspondent there, nick paton walsh. Talk to me about this video. Reporter it is quite disturbing and shocking to behold. What isis have done, it seems, about a week ago, according to the time references inside that video, is take this british hostage, a former war reporter, still in captivity, still a journalist but taken under duress to kobani and ask him to report on what he sees there. He seems clearly relaxed. Listen to how he introduces himself. Hello. Im john cantlie. Today, were in the city of kobani on the syrianturkish border. Reporter now, in the images you see here, its clear he is in kobani. He says that isis are just mopping up now, going street to street fighting. He talks about the 500 million he says the u. S. Has spent on its air campaign against those same isis militants. But remember, this is a man being held against his will. Part of isis Propaganda Machine which seems to be eerily sophisticated at times. Just a quick followup for you. Because weve been covering kobani for so long, where does that fight stand . Reporter as it stands, isis is pushing in from the east and the south, where john cantlie says hes standing much of the time. They are, it seems, running into a lot of resistance from the kurds who are being resupplied. The fight certainly not over. And this video shows how important the fight for kobani has become, that they would go to these lengths to put john cantlie in that situation. Nick, thank you so much. Incredibly significant. Weve been focusing so much on this city. And here he is. While the u. S. Is fighting from the air there, the groups battling isis on the ground have added an american to their ranks. Ivan watson has an exclusive interview with one american man who left everything behind to fight isis. Reporter armed men are a common sight here in kurdishcontrolled northern syria, a country embroiled in a vicious civil war. But one of the gunmen in this truck is not like the others. How do people react to you when they see you and realize that youre from the u. S. . They ask me if ill come over for dinner and spend the night at their house. Reporter jordan matson is a 28yearold former u. S. Army soldier from sturdivant, wisconsin. Im good. Reporter for the last month, hes also been a volunteer fighter in the Kurdish Militia known here as the ypg. I got in contact with the ypg on facebook. And i prayed about it and for probably a month or two and just really soulsearched and said is this what i want to do . And eventually decided to do it. Reporter during his two years in the army, matson never once saw combat or deployment overseas. But soon after arriving here in syria, he says he ended up in a battle against isis. The second day in, i got hit by a mortar on a fight. Reporter while recovering from shrapnel wounds, matson went to work online, recruiting more foreigners to help the ypg fight against isis. Ive had an exmilitary come from eastern europe, western europe, canada, the United States, australia, you name it, theyve been asking. Isis has threatened all these countries that ive named to push their agenda in those nations. The veterans of those nations who love their countries dont want to sit by while this is happening. Reporter back home in wisconsin, matson used to work in a food packing company. Other than that, we just hang out in here. Reporter now he lives in places like this former restaurant converted into a militia camp. What are the pictures . These are all men that have died fighting against isis. Reporter the ypg are very lightly armed guerrillas. Is this a flak jacket . No, this is just a vest to carry ammunition. Reporter so basically people are running into battle without even any armor . Yes. Reporter and wearing sneakers half the time . Yes. Combat adidas. Reporter u. S. Law enforcement Officials Say its illegal for an american to join a syrian militia. But matson says being here, fighting isis alongside the kurds is a dream come true. You could not be further from home right now. Yeah. I guess this is the other side of the world. All my life, i just wanted to be a soldier, growing up. So i just fit well over here. Im at peace being here. Ivan watson reporting for us. Im Brooke Baldwin here in new york. Thank you for being with me here on this monday. See you back here same time, same place tomorrow. In the meantime, to washington, d. C. We go, the lead with jake tapper starts right now. The newest potential ebola patient may be the youngest weve seen so far in the u. S. Im jake tapper, this is the lead. The national lead, a 5yearold boy rushed to the hospital in new york city with possible, possible ebola symptoms, including a 103degree fever, as our leaders play musical patience in a fight over Public Safety, personal liberty and politics. In national news, he wasnt shooting at random. He aimed for friends and even members of his family. A victims grandfather will join us as a community searches for answers after yet another Horrific School shooting. This one has now claimed a second innocent student life. The politics lead, with the balance of power in washington at stake, the final cnn polls