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How many people here celebrate
Cyber Monday?
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00:00:02,636 --> 00:00:03,971
You guys, uh... you guys
celebrate Cyber Monday?
3
00:00:04,071 --> 00:00:05,506
(whooping)
4
00:00:05,606 --> 00:00:07,774
I'm disappointed.
5
00:00:07,875 --> 00:00:10,511
I feel like Cyber Monday
has lost, like, the spirit
6
00:00:10,611 --> 00:00:12,779
of what it was about.
You know what I mean?
7
00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:14,748
Like, Black Friday
still has the spirit.
8
00:00:14,848 --> 00:00:16,083
We are going
to line up at midnight.
9
00:00:16,183 --> 00:00:18,085
We're gonna try
and kill each other for a TV.
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00:00:18,185 --> 00:00:20,120
Cyber Monday has no purpose.
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Like, what's the point
of Cyber Monday?
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00:00:21,722 --> 00:00:24,358
'Cause we do cyber every day.
You know what I mean.
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No one waits for this day
to order some shit from Amazon.
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You just, like, order...
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Amazon even has their own day.
It's called a Prime day.
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You know what I mean?
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I just feel like
we've lost the spirit
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of what this day was about.
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It was the day
when we celebrated Baby Jesus
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-ordering things at 20% off.
-(laughter)
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What did I buy? Oh, everything.
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I mean, Cyber Monday-- I'm not
going to not participate.
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(laughter)
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Yeah, I just bought a bunch
of shit.
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I got 40% off.
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I didn't need anything,
but I just did it
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'cause that's what America's
all about.
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Yeah. Then I'm gonna
sell it on eBay now.
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Circle of life,
hakuna matata.
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ANNOUNCER: Coming to you
from the heart of Times Square
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in New York City, the only city
in America, it's
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The Daily Show.
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00:01:11,939 --> 00:01:14,775
Tonight-- oh, my what?
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Dr. Peter Hotez
and Thandiwe Newton.
35
00:01:19,580 --> 00:01:24,518
This is The Daily Show
with Trevor Noah.
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Hey, what's going on,
everybody?
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Welcome to The Daily Show.
I'm Trevor Noah.
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Let's jump straight
into the big story today
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which is obviously
the Omicron variant,
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the coronavirus mutation
causing more chaos
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in the world than Rihanna's
booty pajamas. Ooh.
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So let's try to break it down--
not the pajamas, the variant--
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in another edition
of Keeping Up with Corona.
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♪ ♪
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For most of 2021,
46
00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:56,116
the world has been fighting off
various COVID variants,
47
00:01:56,149 --> 00:01:59,319
which are all more efficient
than the OG from Wuhan.
48
00:01:59,419 --> 00:02:02,322
We had Alpha, we had Lambda,
we had Delta.
49
00:02:02,422 --> 00:02:04,191
You know, COVID basically
turned the planet
50
00:02:04,291 --> 00:02:06,193
into the shittiest frat house
of all time.
51
00:02:06,293 --> 00:02:09,062
But just when we thought
we had it all figured out,
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00:02:09,162 --> 00:02:11,732
last week, scientists
in South Africa announced
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00:02:11,832 --> 00:02:14,768
that they discovered
a new variant.
54
00:02:14,868 --> 00:02:18,071
And what they saw
is freaking people out.
55
00:02:18,105 --> 00:02:21,108
Scientists are racing to learn
more about a new COVID variant
56
00:02:21,208 --> 00:02:23,443
already setting off alarm bells
around the world.
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00:02:23,544 --> 00:02:25,646
NEWSWOMAN 2: According
to South African scientists,
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00:02:25,746 --> 00:02:27,848
the Omicron variant has more
than 50 mutations
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00:02:27,948 --> 00:02:30,083
and is likely
to be more transmissible.
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00:02:30,117 --> 00:02:31,685
It has a bunch of mutations,
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00:02:31,785 --> 00:02:34,188
a disturbingly large number
of mutations
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00:02:34,288 --> 00:02:38,525
in the spike protein, which is
the business end of the virus.
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NEWSWOMAN 3:
The COVID-19 vaccines
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00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:41,828
target the spike protein.
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If the spike changes too much
and in the wrong way,
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00:02:45,165 --> 00:02:47,501
it could make the vaccines
less effective.
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00:02:47,601 --> 00:02:48,936
NEWSWOMAN 4: The president
of Moderna said yesterday,
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00:02:49,102 --> 00:02:51,638
what's most scary
about this virus is,
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00:02:51,738 --> 00:02:54,842
it has managed to put all of its
greatest hits into one variant.
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00:02:54,942 --> 00:02:59,112
Yes, it's all the greatest hits
in one place.
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00:02:59,179 --> 00:03:01,548
Like if Mamma Mia! killed you
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instead of teaching you
about the power of love.
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00:03:05,519 --> 00:03:07,287
(sniffling)
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00:03:07,387 --> 00:03:09,323
And what's so scary about
this thing is all the mutations
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00:03:09,423 --> 00:03:11,158
to the virus's spike protein
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because the spike protein is how
the virus penetrates our cells.
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It's basically COVID's dick.
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00:03:16,196 --> 00:03:18,532
And a mutated dick is never
a good thing.
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Yeah, there's no
Hallmark cards that say,
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00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:22,369
"Congratulations
on your Mutated Dick."
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00:03:22,469 --> 00:03:24,371
But, yeah, I'm no expert,
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00:03:24,471 --> 00:03:26,840
so to get us
a more informed perspective,
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00:03:26,940 --> 00:03:31,278
I sent Roy Wood, Jr. out
to CDC headquarters in Atlanta.
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00:03:31,378 --> 00:03:33,080
And, Roy, I know
you're standing by right now.
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What can you tell us?
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00:03:34,882 --> 00:03:36,216
Well, Trevor,
the Omicron variant
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is the 12th variant of COVID
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and the fifth variant
of concern,
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00:03:41,088 --> 00:03:44,324
now spreading in the 20th month
of the global pandemic.
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I've been talking to
the top scientists at the CDC,
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00:03:46,894 --> 00:03:50,130
and everyone seems to agree...
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Come on, man, just...
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now, just stop.
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00:03:54,434 --> 00:03:56,703
Just stop, man.
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00:03:56,803 --> 00:03:58,805
Chill, man. Just...
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Variant after variant
after variant.
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00:04:01,275 --> 00:04:02,910
Just... Damn!
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00:04:03,043 --> 00:04:05,345
-Uh...
-Shit got to stop, bro.
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00:04:05,445 --> 00:04:08,582
I-I'm sorry, Roy, this is
what the scientists are saying?
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Oh, no, of course not.
Uh, I'm paraphrasing, Trevor.
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00:04:12,319 --> 00:04:15,722
The actual scientific consensus
on the Omicron is...
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Aw, shit!
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(bleep) I got to cancel
this damn vacation.
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00:04:20,460 --> 00:04:22,329
I pushed it back
two, three times.
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To St. John's. I want to go.
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Now they're
gonna shut everything down.
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Then the next thing you know,
you're gonna have
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strange people delivering
your food, and you got to wonder
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00:04:28,869 --> 00:04:31,104
whether or not they've been
eating some of your French fries
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and then I got to be cooped up
with the boy
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and I got to home-school him,
figure out which button
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00:04:35,742 --> 00:04:38,278
is the Zoom button
and how to print the homework
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00:04:38,378 --> 00:04:40,147
on the printer that has no ink.
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And then that's
just another whole-ass day.
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And then, we're
in a two-bedroom apartment.
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It's three of us.
It's just not enough space.
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I can hear her phone calls
through the wall.
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I can hear him playing
the Nintendo Switch.
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I'm trying to be
on a conference call,
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00:04:52,459 --> 00:04:54,361
and God forbid, I actually get
a little bit of silence
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in this house so I can enjoy
my (bleep) PlayStation
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that I sat online for (bleep)
Cyber Monday to (bleep) buy.
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I actually got
a goddamn PlayStation
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00:05:01,835 --> 00:05:03,637
that I can't even
(bleep) play now,
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00:05:03,737 --> 00:05:05,405
'cause everybody's gonna be
in the house,
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00:05:05,506 --> 00:05:08,342
'cause "You can't play violent
video games around the boy.
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We don't want him learning
about violence."
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00:05:10,777 --> 00:05:12,579
Well, what other good games
are there to play
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00:05:12,679 --> 00:05:15,883
on a PlayStation
other than violent games?
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00:05:16,049 --> 00:05:18,218
You have to pretend violence
in this country
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to keep from doing violence
in real life,
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and that's what
she doesn't understand.
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She doesn't understand
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00:05:24,491 --> 00:05:26,126
that that's what
the video games do for me,
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00:05:26,226 --> 00:05:28,762
and I just think if I just had
just a third bedroom,
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-a third bedroom.
-All right.
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That's all we need is
a third bedroom,
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00:05:32,933 --> 00:05:35,202
and that would give me
the space that I need.
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But then we would have to move
uptown, and that's too far,
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-and then you got to have
-All right, all right,
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-a 40-minute train ride,
-well, thank you, thank you.
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00:05:41,141 --> 00:05:43,343
and I'm in a train ride,
and everybody's got Omicron...
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All right,
thank you so much, Roy.
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00:05:45,212 --> 00:05:47,181
Thank you so much, Roy.
Thank you for keeping us updated
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00:05:47,281 --> 00:05:49,716
on... on your developments?
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00:05:49,816 --> 00:05:52,419
-Thank you so much for that.
-No problem, Trevor.
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00:05:52,519 --> 00:05:54,721
Now, look,
I understand the frustration
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00:05:54,821 --> 00:05:56,857
of facing
yet another new variant.
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00:05:56,957 --> 00:05:59,760
I mean, how did that happen
after everything we did?
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00:05:59,860 --> 00:06:02,296
I mean, for two years now,
people, we wore masks
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00:06:02,396 --> 00:06:03,864
for some of the time,
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00:06:04,031 --> 00:06:06,066
we social-distanced
when it was convenient,
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00:06:06,166 --> 00:06:08,535
then, like,
half of us got vaccinated.
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What more is it gonna take!
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00:06:10,604 --> 00:06:12,272
But at the same time,
we shouldn't panic,
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00:06:12,372 --> 00:06:14,241
because this variant
was just discovered.
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So there's still a ton
that we don't know about it.
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We don't know how long
it's been around.
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00:06:17,644 --> 00:06:19,546
We don't know if it causes
more severe illness.
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00:06:19,646 --> 00:06:22,082
We don't know if it can evade
our vaccines.
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00:06:22,182 --> 00:06:24,518
We know less about this variant
than your grandmother knows
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00:06:24,618 --> 00:06:26,920
about JoJo Siwa,
and she just knows she's scared.
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That's it.
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00:06:28,655 --> 00:06:30,390
And it could very well be
that all these mutations
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that sound so scary turn out
to not be that big a deal.
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00:06:34,261 --> 00:06:36,263
You know? Like when Apple acts
like it's making tons of changes
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00:06:36,363 --> 00:06:38,232
to the iPhone,
and then we're like:
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00:06:38,332 --> 00:06:40,367
Aah! I need a new iPhone!
I need a new iPhone!
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00:06:40,467 --> 00:06:42,269
And then you get it,
and you're like: Wait.
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It's just
a slightly different camera?
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00:06:45,272 --> 00:06:47,608
I killed a man in line
for this thing.
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So, right now, basically
all we know about this strain
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is that it's called Omicron.
That's all we know.
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00:06:52,579 --> 00:06:55,983
And even the name of the virus
has a complicated story.
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NEWSMAN: A World Health
Organization panel
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00:06:57,851 --> 00:06:59,887
has just named the strain
Omicron
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00:07:00,020 --> 00:07:02,689
and classified it
as a variant of concern.
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00:07:02,789 --> 00:07:03,857
NEWSMAN 2:
The World Health Organization
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00:07:04,024 --> 00:07:05,392
named this variant Omicron
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00:07:05,492 --> 00:07:07,327
instead of the next letters
in the Greek alphabet,
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00:07:07,427 --> 00:07:08,829
nu or xi.
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00:07:08,929 --> 00:07:10,631
In a statement
to the Associated Press,
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00:07:10,731 --> 00:07:12,165
they said they skipped nu
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00:07:12,266 --> 00:07:13,901
because it sounds
like the word "new"
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00:07:14,034 --> 00:07:17,037
and that Xi
is a common last name.
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00:07:17,137 --> 00:07:20,474
Yes, it's true.
Xi is a very common last name,
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00:07:20,574 --> 00:07:24,211
particularly among
Chinese authoritarian leaders.
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I see you, WHO.
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00:07:26,446 --> 00:07:29,049
And this really shows you
the clout that China has, man.
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00:07:29,149 --> 00:07:31,285
'Cause the World Health
Organization is like,
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00:07:31,385 --> 00:07:34,955
"Oh, we don't want to offend
one guy in China."
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00:07:35,055 --> 00:07:36,323
Meanwhile,
Greece is over here like,
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00:07:36,423 --> 00:07:39,059
"What?! You stole
our whole alphabet, malakas."
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00:07:39,159 --> 00:07:40,761
And it has been interesting
to see how sensitive
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00:07:40,861 --> 00:07:42,229
the scientific community
has become
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00:07:42,329 --> 00:07:43,530
about naming COVID variants,
right?
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00:07:43,630 --> 00:07:44,798
Because back in the day...
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00:07:44,898 --> 00:07:46,466
You realize back in the day,
nobody cared.
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00:07:46,567 --> 00:07:48,869
Like, nobody cared
about naming diseases.
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00:07:48,969 --> 00:07:52,105
Doctors would even name diseases
after themselves.
201
00:07:52,206 --> 00:07:55,209
"I discovered a disease
that destroys the mind,
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00:07:55,309 --> 00:07:57,277
"making you slowly forget
your life
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00:07:57,377 --> 00:07:59,613
"and the people that you love.
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00:07:59,713 --> 00:08:02,082
"And whenever people get
this disease,
205
00:08:02,182 --> 00:08:05,385
"I want them thinking
of your boy, Alzheimer!
206
00:08:05,485 --> 00:08:07,921
"Yeah. That way,
they'll never forget me.
207
00:08:08,021 --> 00:08:09,323
"I mean, they might forget,
but yeah,
208
00:08:09,423 --> 00:08:11,625
you know what I'm saying.
Yeah, it's gonna be quite cool."
209
00:08:11,725 --> 00:08:13,894
But the good news about them
skipping those letters
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00:08:14,027 --> 00:08:16,763
is that that means we're
almost halfway to omega now,
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00:08:16,864 --> 00:08:19,199
which is the last letter
of the Greek alphabet.
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00:08:19,299 --> 00:08:22,703
And that means once COVID
reaches the end of the alphabet,
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00:08:22,803 --> 00:08:25,205
it can't make
any more variants, people.
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00:08:25,305 --> 00:08:28,141
That's just science.
We did it, baby. Yeah.
215
00:08:28,242 --> 00:08:29,843
Now, the truth is that so far,
216
00:08:29,943 --> 00:08:31,512
there are some encouraging signs
217
00:08:31,612 --> 00:08:34,181
that Omicron may only be causing
mild symptoms
218
00:08:34,281 --> 00:08:35,716
in the people who have it,
219
00:08:35,816 --> 00:08:39,119
although experts say it'll take
at least a couple of weeks
220
00:08:39,219 --> 00:08:41,889
before we really understand
what the strain can do.
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00:08:42,055 --> 00:08:45,792
But the world
isn't waiting to find out.
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00:08:45,893 --> 00:08:47,394
Governments
are moving quickly tonight
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00:08:47,494 --> 00:08:49,196
to limit travel
into their countries
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00:08:49,296 --> 00:08:50,864
in an attempt to slow the spread
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00:08:50,964 --> 00:08:53,534
of the new COVID variant
called Omicron.
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00:08:53,634 --> 00:08:55,602
NEWSMAN: Overnight,
the United States banned entry
227
00:08:55,702 --> 00:08:57,938
for noncitizen travelers
from South Africa
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00:08:58,071 --> 00:08:59,640
and seven neighboring countries.
229
00:08:59,740 --> 00:09:01,708
At least 44 other countries
230
00:09:01,808 --> 00:09:03,644
are also imposing
travel restrictions.
231
00:09:03,744 --> 00:09:06,013
I took immediate steps
to restrict travel
232
00:09:06,113 --> 00:09:07,915
from countries
in southern Africa.
233
00:09:08,015 --> 00:09:10,717
But while we have
that travel restrictions
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00:09:10,817 --> 00:09:13,353
can slow the speed of Omicron,
235
00:09:13,453 --> 00:09:14,821
it cannot prevent it.
236
00:09:14,922 --> 00:09:16,290
But here's what it does.
237
00:09:16,390 --> 00:09:18,091
It gives us time.
238
00:09:18,192 --> 00:09:20,561
Gives us time
to take more actions,
239
00:09:20,661 --> 00:09:22,196
to move quicker,
240
00:09:22,296 --> 00:09:24,498
to make sure people understand
241
00:09:24,598 --> 00:09:26,800
you have to get your vaccine.
242
00:09:26,900 --> 00:09:28,535
You have to get the shot.
243
00:09:28,635 --> 00:09:32,539
Yes. If you give America
just a couple more weeks,
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00:09:32,639 --> 00:09:34,141
surely all the anti-vaxxers
245
00:09:34,241 --> 00:09:36,343
will finally come around
and get their shots.
246
00:09:36,443 --> 00:09:39,079
Oh, bless your heart, Joe.
247
00:09:39,179 --> 00:09:40,414
No, for real,
I mean, I understand
248
00:09:40,514 --> 00:09:42,049
where the U.S. is coming from
on this, right?
249
00:09:42,115 --> 00:09:45,319
If you can slow down the spread
of Omicron even a little bit,
250
00:09:45,419 --> 00:09:47,120
than you have time
to research it.
251
00:09:47,221 --> 00:09:48,755
You have time
to work on new vaccines,
252
00:09:48,856 --> 00:09:50,591
and you have time
to consult with Joe Rogan
253
00:09:50,691 --> 00:09:51,959
on a treatment plan.
254
00:09:52,059 --> 00:09:53,627
I mean, hey, maybe this time
he'll say vaccines.
255
00:09:53,727 --> 00:09:55,095
You don't know.
256
00:09:55,195 --> 00:09:56,930
So, a lot of people
support this travel ban,
257
00:09:57,064 --> 00:09:59,600
although Republicans
aren't giving Biden any credit
258
00:09:59,700 --> 00:10:00,868
for taking a tough stance.
259
00:10:00,968 --> 00:10:02,336
If fact, today,
260
00:10:02,436 --> 00:10:05,239
Texas Governor Greg Abbott,
he tweeted that
261
00:10:05,339 --> 00:10:08,375
"while Biden is banning travel
from South Africa,
262
00:10:08,475 --> 00:10:11,445
"he's doing nothing
to stop South Africans
263
00:10:11,545 --> 00:10:14,715
from crossing
the southern border illegally."
264
00:10:14,815 --> 00:10:17,451
And, you know, Greg Abbott
has a very good point here.
265
00:10:17,551 --> 00:10:20,787
Every day,
millions of South Africans
266
00:10:20,888 --> 00:10:22,589
walk across the...
267
00:10:22,689 --> 00:10:24,691
Atlantic Ocean
268
00:10:24,791 --> 00:10:26,727
to cross the border?
269
00:10:26,827 --> 00:10:29,596
I mean, why did I book a flight?
I could've just hitched a ride.
270
00:10:29,696 --> 00:10:31,064
What is this?
271
00:10:31,164 --> 00:10:32,733
This is the biggest load
of bullshit ever.
272
00:10:32,833 --> 00:10:34,701
(stammers) Look,
props to the governor of Texas
273
00:10:34,801 --> 00:10:37,070
for being able to turn
literally any story
274
00:10:37,171 --> 00:10:39,072
into a complaint
about the border.
275
00:10:39,173 --> 00:10:41,909
"Everyone's watching Red Notice
on Netflix,
276
00:10:42,009 --> 00:10:43,510
"when what they should be doing
277
00:10:43,610 --> 00:10:45,412
is watching
our southern border!"
278
00:10:45,512 --> 00:10:47,181
Now, you-you guys
may not know this about me,
279
00:10:47,281 --> 00:10:50,050
but I, too, am a South African.
280
00:10:50,150 --> 00:10:52,719
Relax, relax.
Everyone in the studio, relax.
281
00:10:52,819 --> 00:10:55,789
I do not have the variant,
I think.
282
00:10:55,889 --> 00:10:58,425
Got the O.G. one.
283
00:10:58,525 --> 00:10:59,626
And as a South African--
284
00:10:59,726 --> 00:11:01,195
who does not have the variant--
285
00:11:01,295 --> 00:11:03,063
I think this travel ban
is total bullshit.
286
00:11:03,163 --> 00:11:04,064
I really do.
287
00:11:04,164 --> 00:11:05,232
I mean, first of all,
288
00:11:05,332 --> 00:11:06,266
COVID is a hoax.
289
00:11:06,366 --> 00:11:08,502
We can all agree on that, right?
(laughs)
290
00:11:08,602 --> 00:11:10,437
No, but-but, second of all,
291
00:11:10,537 --> 00:11:13,106
Omicron has already been found
in over a dozen countries,
292
00:11:13,207 --> 00:11:15,709
a dozen countries
around the world.
293
00:11:15,809 --> 00:11:17,211
Right?
We don't know where it started.
294
00:11:17,311 --> 00:11:18,846
We don't know
how long it's been around.
295
00:11:18,946 --> 00:11:21,381
It's everywhere, from Hong Kong
to Israel to Spain.
296
00:11:21,481 --> 00:11:23,217
So why aren't you banning travel
297
00:11:23,317 --> 00:11:24,852
from all of those countries,
too?
298
00:11:24,952 --> 00:11:25,853
Huh?
299
00:11:25,953 --> 00:11:27,321
Only the African countries?
300
00:11:27,421 --> 00:11:29,122
What's the difference
between the African coun...
301
00:11:29,223 --> 00:11:30,791
Ah.
302
00:11:32,092 --> 00:11:33,794
I still don't get the logic.
303
00:11:33,894 --> 00:11:35,929
What, you think Omicron
is-is gonna get to Europe
304
00:11:36,096 --> 00:11:38,098
and then just decide
to stay there?
305
00:11:38,165 --> 00:11:39,399
"I was going to spread
to America,
306
00:11:39,499 --> 00:11:43,303
but I simply cannot leave
the beauty of Barth-elona."
307
00:11:43,403 --> 00:11:45,572
And, look, I mean,
maybe America is buying itself
308
00:11:45,672 --> 00:11:48,575
a couple of weeks before it
gets overrun with Omicron.
309
00:11:48,675 --> 00:11:49,877
But don't forget,
310
00:11:49,977 --> 00:11:52,679
don't forget about the costs
of this action, too.
311
00:11:52,779 --> 00:11:53,981
Because you do realize
312
00:11:54,114 --> 00:11:55,382
that other countries
are paying attention,
313
00:11:55,482 --> 00:11:57,451
and they realize
if-if they're gonna get punished
314
00:11:57,551 --> 00:11:59,786
for telling the world
about new variants,
315
00:11:59,887 --> 00:12:01,488
they're gonna stop telling
the world
316
00:12:01,588 --> 00:12:04,591
whenever their scientists
discover new variants.
317
00:12:04,691 --> 00:12:06,260
I'm just saying,
don't be surprised
318
00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:08,095
when the next variant
pops up in Europe
319
00:12:08,195 --> 00:12:11,231
and Italian scientists come out
acting like nothing is wrong.
320
00:12:11,331 --> 00:12:12,733
(Italian accent):
"Everything is fine.
321
00:12:12,833 --> 00:12:16,937
This is just a-- how you say?--
a TikTok challenge!"
322
00:12:17,070 --> 00:12:18,138
But that's where we are
right now.
323
00:12:18,238 --> 00:12:19,873
There's a new coronavirus
324
00:12:19,973 --> 00:12:22,309
that we don't know anything
about.
325
00:12:22,409 --> 00:12:23,577
And because of that,
326
00:12:23,677 --> 00:12:27,514
I can't go home
to my uncle's baby shower.
327
00:12:27,614 --> 00:12:30,083
And, man, I really wanted to go.
328
00:12:30,150 --> 00:12:32,719
You don't see your uncle
get showered by babies much.
329
00:12:32,819 --> 00:12:34,821
Anyway, when we come back,
I'm gonna be talking
330
00:12:34,922 --> 00:12:37,090
to an actual scientist
about what Omicron means
331
00:12:37,191 --> 00:12:38,425
for the actual world.
332
00:12:38,525 --> 00:12:40,093
You don't want to miss it.
333
00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:41,728
We begin with the developments
334
00:12:41,828 --> 00:12:44,364
on the new
Omicron coronavirus variant.
335
00:12:44,464 --> 00:12:46,366
-The name is "Ahmicron."
-"Ahmicron."
336
00:12:46,466 --> 00:12:49,703
-"Ohmeecron." -This new
"Ahmuhohmycron" variant.
337
00:12:49,803 --> 00:12:50,904
"Ohmohmicron."
338
00:12:51,004 --> 00:12:53,407
The rapidly spreading
"Ohmycron" variant.
339
00:12:53,507 --> 00:12:54,942
The "Ahmeecron" variant.
340
00:12:55,108 --> 00:12:56,743
Then there's "Ahmahmeecron."
341
00:12:56,844 --> 00:12:58,312
Is it "Ahmecron"?
342
00:12:58,412 --> 00:13:00,848
"Ahmohmycron" or something?
Yeah, from-- Yeah.
343
00:13:00,948 --> 00:13:03,517
I might be messing up
the pronunciation of this.
344
00:13:03,617 --> 00:13:05,752
Is it "Omicron"? "Ohmicron"?
How do we say it?
345
00:13:05,853 --> 00:13:07,054
It's called the "Omnicron."
346
00:13:09,322 --> 00:13:10,590
Welcome back
to The Daily Show.
347
00:13:10,691 --> 00:13:12,325
We've been talking
about the new Omicron variant
348
00:13:12,426 --> 00:13:14,161
that's spreading
around the world,
349
00:13:14,261 --> 00:13:16,096
and to continue
that conversation, I'd like
350
00:13:16,196 --> 00:13:18,398
to welcome Dr. Peter Hotez
on the show.
351
00:13:18,498 --> 00:13:21,401
He's the co-director of The
Center for Vaccine Development
352
00:13:21,501 --> 00:13:24,905
at Texas Children's Hospital,
and he's here to talk more
353
00:13:25,005 --> 00:13:27,107
about what Omicron is
354
00:13:27,207 --> 00:13:30,043
and how countries
should be reacting to it.
355
00:13:30,143 --> 00:13:31,978
Dr. Hotez, thank you so much
for taking the time.
356
00:13:32,079 --> 00:13:34,648
Let's jump straight
into this thing.
357
00:13:34,748 --> 00:13:37,284
Um, how much should we be
blaming South Africa
358
00:13:37,384 --> 00:13:38,852
for this new variant?
359
00:13:38,952 --> 00:13:40,887
I mean, basically, South Africa
destroyed the world, right?
360
00:13:40,987 --> 00:13:42,322
This is our fault.
361
00:13:42,422 --> 00:13:45,392
Yeah, I mean,
this-this is so demoralizing,
362
00:13:45,492 --> 00:13:46,927
what's-what's being done now
363
00:13:47,027 --> 00:13:49,663
to the people
of not only South Africa,
364
00:13:49,763 --> 00:13:51,832
but Botswana
and neighboring countries,
365
00:13:51,932 --> 00:13:53,500
Malawi, etcetera.
366
00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:55,335
Look, um, it goes like this.
367
00:13:55,435 --> 00:13:59,673
The-the... our worst
pandemic variant threats, right,
368
00:13:59,773 --> 00:14:02,075
the Alpha variant--
how did that happen?
369
00:14:02,175 --> 00:14:04,878
It arose out
of an unvaccinated population
370
00:14:04,978 --> 00:14:08,348
out of the United Kingdom in...
at the end of 2020.
371
00:14:08,448 --> 00:14:09,683
So we already knew that
372
00:14:09,783 --> 00:14:11,952
if you leave large populations
unvaccinated,
373
00:14:12,052 --> 00:14:13,987
that's how
the worst variants arise.
374
00:14:14,087 --> 00:14:17,591
And then, in 2021, it happened
again with the Delta variant
375
00:14:17,691 --> 00:14:22,429
rising out of an unvaccinated
population, uh, in India.
376
00:14:22,529 --> 00:14:24,297
And that's what
we're living with right now
377
00:14:24,398 --> 00:14:26,533
in the United States
and most of the world.
378
00:14:26,633 --> 00:14:29,569
So what did people think
was going to happen
379
00:14:29,669 --> 00:14:33,040
if we refuse to vaccinate
the African continent,
380
00:14:33,140 --> 00:14:35,642
and help Africa
vaccinate itself?
381
00:14:35,742 --> 00:14:38,111
This was both predicted
and predictable.
382
00:14:38,278 --> 00:14:42,816
So, the rise of Omicron was
inevitable from the simple fact
383
00:14:42,916 --> 00:14:46,887
that the African continent is
virtually entirely unvaccinated.
384
00:14:46,987 --> 00:14:49,523
Maybe six percent.
That rounds off to zero.
385
00:14:49,623 --> 00:14:53,794
And-and the point is,
there was never the leadership,
386
00:14:53,894 --> 00:14:57,564
the policy decision to work
with African governments
387
00:14:57,664 --> 00:14:59,866
to get the African people
vaccinated.
388
00:14:59,966 --> 00:15:03,970
And so, I feel the people
in southern Africa are paying
389
00:15:04,071 --> 00:15:06,339
for this twice.
One: they're not vaccinated,
390
00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:08,442
and now we're going
to punish them further,
391
00:15:08,542 --> 00:15:11,044
on enacting... implementing
travel restrictions
392
00:15:11,144 --> 00:15:13,547
which we already know
don't work.
393
00:15:13,647 --> 00:15:15,549
Um, they haven't worked
this entire epidemic.
394
00:15:15,649 --> 00:15:17,350
Why would they work now?
395
00:15:17,451 --> 00:15:18,685
Let me ask you
this question, though.
396
00:15:18,785 --> 00:15:20,554
This is really confusing,
I think, for a lot of people
397
00:15:20,654 --> 00:15:21,922
in and around the variants,
398
00:15:22,022 --> 00:15:23,390
and I think it's
a two-part question.
399
00:15:23,490 --> 00:15:26,059
Number one, how do we know,
or do we know,
400
00:15:26,159 --> 00:15:27,828
where this variant comes from?
401
00:15:27,928 --> 00:15:30,163
You know? Because people say
South African variant or not,
402
00:15:30,263 --> 00:15:32,899
but it was sequenced, as
I understand, in South Africa.
403
00:15:32,999 --> 00:15:35,001
Nobody knows where it's from,
correct?
404
00:15:35,102 --> 00:15:37,070
And then the second part
of that is,
405
00:15:37,170 --> 00:15:40,407
are we not only discovering
a variant now
406
00:15:40,507 --> 00:15:42,275
but not where the variant is?
407
00:15:42,342 --> 00:15:44,411
Like, if people start testing
all over the world,
408
00:15:44,511 --> 00:15:46,380
and they now understand
what to test for,
409
00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:48,281
aren't we just gonna see,
you know,
410
00:15:48,315 --> 00:15:50,650
Omicron popping up everywhere
as if it is spreading when
411
00:15:50,751 --> 00:15:52,652
-in fact, it's already there?
-Oh, of course, of course.
412
00:15:52,753 --> 00:15:54,788
So, that's always
my first talking point
413
00:15:54,888 --> 00:15:57,791
when people are wringing their
hands about the Omicron variant.
414
00:15:57,891 --> 00:15:59,159
They're saying: Oh, my God,
415
00:15:59,292 --> 00:16:01,194
but it's
in multiple European countries
416
00:16:01,294 --> 00:16:04,297
and in Australia and Canada,
maybe the United States.
417
00:16:04,331 --> 00:16:06,800
And I say:
Well, yeah, that's been true
418
00:16:06,900 --> 00:16:08,235
of every variant we've had.
419
00:16:08,268 --> 00:16:10,604
By the time we identify
a new variant,
420
00:16:10,704 --> 00:16:12,839
it's almost always
all over the world.
421
00:16:12,939 --> 00:16:15,976
And so the fact that it's
in multiple European countries,
422
00:16:16,076 --> 00:16:18,545
-Mm-hmm. -in Australia
and Hong Kong and-and Canada,
423
00:16:18,645 --> 00:16:20,814
likely the U.S.,
that always happens.
424
00:16:20,914 --> 00:16:25,452
It's not unique to Omicron.
It's true of every variant.
425
00:16:25,552 --> 00:16:27,621
From the very beginning,
we've known this.
426
00:16:27,721 --> 00:16:29,856
For instance,
when we were all focused
427
00:16:29,956 --> 00:16:33,260
on enacting travel bans,
uh, from China,
428
00:16:33,293 --> 00:16:36,263
right, as the epidemic began,
the pandemic began,
429
00:16:36,329 --> 00:16:37,364
what happened?
430
00:16:37,464 --> 00:16:39,399
This virus came in
from southern Europe
431
00:16:39,499 --> 00:16:42,269
to ignite the horrible epidemic
in New York City
432
00:16:42,369 --> 00:16:45,405
-in the spring of 2020.
-Right.
433
00:16:45,505 --> 00:16:46,973
That was a lesson in itself.
434
00:16:47,074 --> 00:16:48,809
By the time we identify
a new variant,
435
00:16:48,909 --> 00:16:50,377
it's already gone global.
436
00:16:50,477 --> 00:16:52,145
So, looking
at the situation now,
437
00:16:52,279 --> 00:16:55,015
you have people panicking,
you have stock markets tumbling,
438
00:16:55,115 --> 00:16:58,018
you have, you know, people
cancelling their travel plans.
439
00:16:58,118 --> 00:16:59,286
Nobody knows what to do.
440
00:16:59,352 --> 00:17:00,821
Airlines said
they're cancelling flights
441
00:17:00,921 --> 00:17:02,522
to and from South Africa--
then they said
442
00:17:02,622 --> 00:17:04,024
they're gonna undo it
from the U.K.
443
00:17:04,124 --> 00:17:06,293
Governments don't seem
to know what they're doing.
444
00:17:06,360 --> 00:17:08,095
Was this a knee-jerk reaction?
445
00:17:08,228 --> 00:17:10,864
Did-did they react
without thinking first?
446
00:17:10,964 --> 00:17:13,300
Or did they do the right thing
in getting ahead of it
447
00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:16,403
because they don't know what
the new variant is all about?
448
00:17:16,503 --> 00:17:18,238
Where-where do you
see this going
449
00:17:18,338 --> 00:17:21,108
as a scientist who's
actually studying these viruses?
450
00:17:21,241 --> 00:17:22,943
Well, I think
it's a little bit of that.
451
00:17:23,043 --> 00:17:24,478
I think a lot of it is the fact
452
00:17:24,578 --> 00:17:26,680
that these governments
and U.N. agencies
453
00:17:26,780 --> 00:17:29,316
were heavily criticized
in the past
454
00:17:29,416 --> 00:17:31,251
for not reacting fast enough.
455
00:17:31,318 --> 00:17:34,554
In-in some ways, I think
this is an overcompensation.
456
00:17:34,654 --> 00:17:36,323
But when you break it down,
457
00:17:36,423 --> 00:17:38,759
um, I think,
you know, we have...
458
00:17:38,859 --> 00:17:40,127
we have to be more realistic
459
00:17:40,260 --> 00:17:42,763
about how serious
this-this variant is.
460
00:17:42,863 --> 00:17:44,898
First of all, the fact
that it's in multiple countries.
461
00:17:44,998 --> 00:17:47,567
We've already said
that's not a surprise.
462
00:17:47,667 --> 00:17:49,536
That happens
with just about every variant.
463
00:17:49,636 --> 00:17:50,804
Point number one.
464
00:17:50,904 --> 00:17:52,773
Point number two,
in terms of severity of illness,
465
00:17:52,873 --> 00:17:56,276
there's no evidence I've seen
that this.. the ill... this...
466
00:17:56,309 --> 00:17:58,979
that the illness produced
by the Omicron variant
467
00:17:59,079 --> 00:18:01,281
is worse than anything else
that we've seen.
468
00:18:01,381 --> 00:18:03,283
So take those two things
off the table.
469
00:18:03,316 --> 00:18:06,486
In terms of its resistance
to vaccines,
470
00:18:06,586 --> 00:18:10,991
um, it will almost certainly
not be as susceptible
471
00:18:11,091 --> 00:18:14,761
to the original vaccinations
as the original strains,
472
00:18:14,861 --> 00:18:16,229
but we've seen this before.
473
00:18:16,263 --> 00:18:19,366
We've had another variant
out of South Africa in 2020
474
00:18:19,466 --> 00:18:21,635
called the B.1.351, the Beta,
475
00:18:21,735 --> 00:18:24,237
which should have been
a wake-up call back then.
476
00:18:24,271 --> 00:18:26,907
Uh, and then one out
of South America, the Lambda.
477
00:18:27,007 --> 00:18:29,810
And the point is
there was enough crossover
478
00:18:29,910 --> 00:18:31,645
or what Tony Fauci
calls spillover
479
00:18:31,745 --> 00:18:33,847
from our existing vaccines
480
00:18:33,947 --> 00:18:35,782
to partially
cross-neutralize it.
481
00:18:35,882 --> 00:18:38,285
So, my hope
is that that's the case
482
00:18:38,385 --> 00:18:41,655
with our current vaccines,
especially for individuals
483
00:18:41,755 --> 00:18:43,357
who have gotten
three mRNA vaccines
484
00:18:43,457 --> 00:18:44,624
where there's a 30...
485
00:18:44,725 --> 00:18:46,326
three-three RNA doses
486
00:18:46,426 --> 00:18:48,462
where there's
a 30 to 40 full rise
487
00:18:48,562 --> 00:18:49,996
in virus-neutralizing
antibodies.
488
00:18:50,097 --> 00:18:52,833
So I am hopeful there will be
at least partial protection,
489
00:18:52,933 --> 00:18:55,135
and we'll know that
over the next week or so.
490
00:18:55,268 --> 00:18:56,970
So, our lab is looking
at our vaccine
491
00:18:57,070 --> 00:18:58,605
against the Omicron variant.
492
00:18:58,705 --> 00:19:01,007
Moderna's doing the same.
Pfizer's doing the same.
493
00:19:01,108 --> 00:19:02,642
J&J's doing the same.
So, we'll know that,
494
00:19:02,743 --> 00:19:04,678
uh, hopefully,
over the next week.
495
00:19:04,778 --> 00:19:06,646
The best thing
people can do right now
496
00:19:06,747 --> 00:19:09,249
is to use all the vaccines
that are available.
497
00:19:09,349 --> 00:19:11,885
So, get three doses,
if you can, of mRNA,
498
00:19:11,985 --> 00:19:13,086
vaccinate your kids
499
00:19:13,220 --> 00:19:15,055
and if you've been infected
and recovered,
500
00:19:15,222 --> 00:19:16,823
if you can get vaccinated
on top of that,
501
00:19:16,923 --> 00:19:18,759
that's the best...
502
00:19:18,859 --> 00:19:20,427
gives you the best possibility
503
00:19:20,527 --> 00:19:22,562
of helping you weather
these new variants.
504
00:19:22,662 --> 00:19:25,332
Do you think-- before I let you
go-- do you think, um, like,
505
00:19:25,432 --> 00:19:27,801
scientists/whoever
was marketing this,
506
00:19:27,901 --> 00:19:30,237
do you think they made a mistake
by calling it a vaccine?
507
00:19:30,337 --> 00:19:31,571
Do you think
that's confused some people?
508
00:19:31,671 --> 00:19:33,473
'Cause they say, "Well,
if I have a polio vaccine,
509
00:19:33,573 --> 00:19:34,875
"then I'm fine.
I don't get polio.
510
00:19:34,975 --> 00:19:37,044
If I get the measles vaccine,
I don't get measles."
511
00:19:37,144 --> 00:19:38,578
Do you think they should have
just called this, like,
512
00:19:38,678 --> 00:19:41,948
"the-the shot"? Like, a COVID
shot? Like you have a flu shot?
513
00:19:42,049 --> 00:19:43,283
You know, I think, you know,
514
00:19:43,383 --> 00:19:45,819
if they had, uh,
always from the beginning said
515
00:19:45,919 --> 00:19:47,954
this was a three-dose vaccine,
516
00:19:48,055 --> 00:19:49,790
then people would
have understood this better.
517
00:19:49,890 --> 00:19:52,759
And as a three-dose vaccine,
I really do think it halts
518
00:19:52,859 --> 00:19:55,962
not only symptomatic illness
and hospitalization
519
00:19:56,063 --> 00:19:57,497
but there's some data
now showing
520
00:19:57,597 --> 00:20:00,267
it could also halt infection,
uh, as well.
521
00:20:00,300 --> 00:20:01,935
Just that it wasn't marketed
that way.
522
00:20:02,035 --> 00:20:03,937
-It wasn't billed that way.
-Huh. Okay.
523
00:20:04,037 --> 00:20:06,273
But, you know, if you look
at all our pediatric vaccines,
524
00:20:06,339 --> 00:20:07,674
for instance,
what do we do with our kids?
525
00:20:07,774 --> 00:20:10,677
We give a series
of primary immunizations,
526
00:20:10,777 --> 00:20:14,347
you wait six months to a year
and then you give the boost.
527
00:20:14,448 --> 00:20:16,850
And that's what gives you the
long-lasting durable protection.
528
00:20:16,950 --> 00:20:19,219
The point is the mRNA vaccines
529
00:20:19,319 --> 00:20:20,554
were just going
by the same playbook
530
00:20:20,654 --> 00:20:22,122
that every other vaccine
we have,
531
00:20:22,222 --> 00:20:25,125
and-and I tried
to give that message
532
00:20:25,225 --> 00:20:26,660
back in January, February.
533
00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:29,262
But I think, you know,
the other problem that we had
534
00:20:29,363 --> 00:20:31,598
was the company CEOs, you know,
535
00:20:31,698 --> 00:20:33,834
were-were sending out
these press releases.
536
00:20:33,934 --> 00:20:36,236
And, you know, when company CEOs
send out press releases,
537
00:20:36,336 --> 00:20:37,404
they're not meant for you
or for me--
538
00:20:37,504 --> 00:20:38,705
they're meant
for the shareholders
539
00:20:38,805 --> 00:20:41,241
and to spectacularize
their accomplishments
540
00:20:41,274 --> 00:20:42,542
and to jack up the stock prices.
541
00:20:42,642 --> 00:20:44,811
And-and they were very effective
at doing that.
542
00:20:44,911 --> 00:20:47,114
But it was tone-deaf
to the impact
543
00:20:47,247 --> 00:20:51,017
and how these vaccines would
be perceived by the public.
544
00:20:51,118 --> 00:20:53,687
Well, again, Dr. Hotez,
thank you so much for the time,
545
00:20:53,787 --> 00:20:55,555
-and, uh, good luck to you
out there. -Thank you, Trevor.
546
00:20:55,655 --> 00:20:57,657
Thanks for all your great stuff.
I really appreciate it.
547
00:20:57,758 --> 00:20:58,759
Appreciate you.
548
00:20:58,859 --> 00:21:00,694
Uh, don't forget, people,
Dr. Hotez's book,
549
00:21:00,794 --> 00:21:03,764
Preventing the Next Pandemic,
is available now.
550
00:21:03,864 --> 00:21:05,399
All right, when we come back,
551
00:21:05,499 --> 00:21:07,067
the one and only Thandiwe Newton
552
00:21:07,167 --> 00:21:08,835
will be joining me
right here in the studio.
553
00:21:08,935 --> 00:21:10,103
So don't go away.
554
00:21:11,638 --> 00:21:13,039
Welcome back to
The Daily Show.
555
00:21:13,139 --> 00:21:14,307
My guest is
Emmy award-winning actor
556
00:21:14,407 --> 00:21:15,842
and producer Thandiwe Newton.
557
00:21:15,942 --> 00:21:17,877
She's here to talk
about her new documentary
558
00:21:17,977 --> 00:21:21,147
about the fight for democracy
in Zimbabwe.
559
00:21:21,247 --> 00:21:23,950
-Wow.
-Let's go.
560
00:21:24,050 --> 00:21:27,654
-Everyone out. -MAN: We're here
for a press conference
561
00:21:27,754 --> 00:21:29,622
with Nelson Chamisa,
and as you can see,
562
00:21:29,722 --> 00:21:31,224
the riot police have just
turned up.
563
00:21:31,324 --> 00:21:33,593
(man speaking foreign language)
564
00:21:40,233 --> 00:21:42,502
-Why is this...?
-(indistinct chatter)
565
00:21:47,073 --> 00:21:48,675
So, if this is a democracy,
566
00:21:48,775 --> 00:21:50,677
why are you shutting down
the press?
567
00:21:50,777 --> 00:21:52,645
(overlapping chatter)
568
00:21:52,746 --> 00:21:55,315
Wow. Tense.
569
00:21:55,415 --> 00:21:56,983
Thandiwe Newton,
welcome to the show.
570
00:21:57,083 --> 00:21:58,618
Thank you for having me.
571
00:21:58,718 --> 00:22:01,321
Um, let's jump straight
into it.
572
00:22:01,421 --> 00:22:03,723
You know, when I first heard
573
00:22:03,823 --> 00:22:06,426
that you were going
to be part of making a film
574
00:22:06,526 --> 00:22:08,328
about an election
that was stolen,
575
00:22:08,428 --> 00:22:10,196
about people
who felt like they were robbed,
576
00:22:10,296 --> 00:22:12,365
about a democracy that was
under threat, I was like,
577
00:22:12,465 --> 00:22:14,834
"Are you doing something
about America?"
578
00:22:14,934 --> 00:22:17,704
And then, no. The information
came out, and I was like,
579
00:22:17,804 --> 00:22:19,873
"No, this is about Zimbabwe."
A story
580
00:22:19,973 --> 00:22:20,874
that I've been following
almost my whole life...
581
00:22:20,974 --> 00:22:22,409
Of course you have.
582
00:22:22,509 --> 00:22:24,377
-...because of South Africa's
proximity to the country. -Yeah.
583
00:22:24,477 --> 00:22:27,847
-But let's-let's talk
about that immediately. -Yeah.
584
00:22:27,947 --> 00:22:30,650
This is a story
not just about Zimbabwe,
585
00:22:30,683 --> 00:22:33,286
-but about democracy as a whole.
-Mm. Mm.
586
00:22:33,386 --> 00:22:35,355
And you decided to tell it.
What inspired you to go,
587
00:22:35,455 --> 00:22:37,724
"This is a moment
to tell this story"?
588
00:22:37,824 --> 00:22:39,359
It was frustration
more than anything.
589
00:22:39,459 --> 00:22:43,062
Um, I've been a human rights
activist for two decades.
590
00:22:43,163 --> 00:22:46,132
Um, activism very often
comes out of suffering,
591
00:22:46,232 --> 00:22:47,567
personal suffering, or certainly
592
00:22:47,667 --> 00:22:49,569
-witnessing the suffering
of others. -Mm-hmm.
593
00:22:49,669 --> 00:22:52,772
Um, and that was... both
those aspects were true for me.
594
00:22:52,872 --> 00:22:57,510
And I have been fighting for the
rights of women and children.
595
00:22:57,677 --> 00:23:03,149
Um, and I realized recently
that I've been a spokesperson
596
00:23:03,249 --> 00:23:05,552
for people all over the world
except for Zimbabwe,
597
00:23:05,685 --> 00:23:08,688
my own home, because I feared
598
00:23:08,788 --> 00:23:11,424
-the political backlash.
-Wow.
599
00:23:11,524 --> 00:23:14,127
And...
600
00:23:14,227 --> 00:23:15,795
what happened last...
601
00:23:15,895 --> 00:23:18,698
in 2018, 2019,
is that I realized
602
00:23:18,798 --> 00:23:20,533
that this isn't about politics.
603
00:23:20,633 --> 00:23:22,635
This is human rights...
604
00:23:22,669 --> 00:23:25,538
-and this is about the future
of humanity. -Right. Right.
605
00:23:25,638 --> 00:23:28,141
Because the work that I've done
in Congo, similarly,
606
00:23:28,241 --> 00:23:30,376
um, is... this is...
607
00:23:30,477 --> 00:23:33,913
it's a framework that is...
we can see all over the world.
608
00:23:34,013 --> 00:23:35,882
-Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm. -You
talk about, is this America?
609
00:23:35,982 --> 00:23:38,818
Well, yes, it is.
It's happening in Zimbabwe.
610
00:23:38,918 --> 00:23:41,354
It's happening in Congo. It's
happening in the United States.
611
00:23:41,454 --> 00:23:43,389
It's happening
in the Middle East.
612
00:23:43,490 --> 00:23:46,526
It's happening everywhere,
this imbalance,
613
00:23:46,659 --> 00:23:50,196
-this knowledge
of where power rests, -Right.
614
00:23:50,296 --> 00:23:54,200
and an inability for that
to be shared amongst everybody.
615
00:23:54,300 --> 00:23:58,138
So to see my fellow Zimbabweans
being devastated...
616
00:23:58,238 --> 00:24:00,907
and it's, obviously,
it's been going on a long time
617
00:24:01,007 --> 00:24:02,709
and we thought Mugabe,
you know...
618
00:24:02,809 --> 00:24:05,211
-Yeah, but that was...
-the release of Mugabe...
619
00:24:05,311 --> 00:24:07,247
-That-that was a big story.
-to his own fate, yes.
620
00:24:07,347 --> 00:24:09,682
-Yeah, that was a big story...
-And with so much hope.
621
00:24:09,749 --> 00:24:11,818
Yes. A lot of people saw
the story of Zimbabwe,
622
00:24:11,918 --> 00:24:14,187
and here you had a leader who...
623
00:24:14,287 --> 00:24:16,523
you know, like
many other leaders in the world,
624
00:24:16,623 --> 00:24:19,626
came into power
with really good intentions,
625
00:24:19,692 --> 00:24:21,161
-Oh, yeah.
-it seemed at the time.
626
00:24:21,261 --> 00:24:23,630
I mean, you see the story
unfolding in so many countries,
627
00:24:23,663 --> 00:24:26,099
-where the people who fight to
free a country -Power corrupts.
628
00:24:26,199 --> 00:24:28,701
are not often the people who
are best to lead that country
629
00:24:28,802 --> 00:24:30,537
-when it is free.
-Yes! And look,
630
00:24:30,637 --> 00:24:32,205
this is what Chamisa
is currently saying.
631
00:24:32,305 --> 00:24:35,508
Nelson Chamisa,
a young politician in Zimbabwe,
632
00:24:35,642 --> 00:24:37,544
who was Mnangagwa's opposition.
633
00:24:37,644 --> 00:24:40,647
Mnangagwa should be happy
to have a powerful opposition.
634
00:24:40,747 --> 00:24:42,482
-Right.
-Should. And win, win,
635
00:24:42,649 --> 00:24:44,317
and then you share the country
636
00:24:44,417 --> 00:24:46,186
that, even with
a powerful opposition,
637
00:24:46,286 --> 00:24:48,188
you're still
the rightful person to lead.
638
00:24:48,288 --> 00:24:50,256
I would love to know how you got
the access that you did
639
00:24:50,356 --> 00:24:51,825
in this election,
because, I mean,
640
00:24:51,925 --> 00:24:53,226
when you're watching
this documentary--
641
00:24:53,326 --> 00:24:54,894
oftentimes
you watch documentaries
642
00:24:54,994 --> 00:24:57,097
and, you know, it's interviews
that are predominantly trying
643
00:24:57,197 --> 00:24:59,099
to tell you what's happening
in the story.
644
00:24:59,199 --> 00:25:00,900
-Mm-mm. None of that.
-In this story,
645
00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:02,302
you are in the story,
646
00:25:02,402 --> 00:25:04,170
-Mm-hmm.
-we're seeing what is happening.
647
00:25:04,270 --> 00:25:07,006
You know, you're seeing
how votes are being manipulated.
648
00:25:07,107 --> 00:25:09,008
You're seeing how precincts
are reporting
649
00:25:09,109 --> 00:25:11,344
one person winning
by 300,000 votes
650
00:25:11,444 --> 00:25:13,413
when there are only, like,
a hundred thousand people
651
00:25:13,513 --> 00:25:15,415
-who live in that area.
-Mm.
652
00:25:15,515 --> 00:25:17,317
-How did you... -And you
also see that there's access
653
00:25:17,417 --> 00:25:20,053
by one party
and none by another.
654
00:25:20,153 --> 00:25:22,255
-Right. But how did you get
the access into... -The access.
655
00:25:22,355 --> 00:25:25,525
I mean, because Zimbabwe
has been notorious for very long
656
00:25:25,625 --> 00:25:27,160
and that the ruling party,
the ZANU-PF,
657
00:25:27,260 --> 00:25:29,629
has said, "No, we're-we're
running our elections.
658
00:25:29,729 --> 00:25:31,631
We've won, and that's
none of your business."
659
00:25:31,698 --> 00:25:32,832
So, how did you get in?
660
00:25:32,932 --> 00:25:34,100
And how did you
get your people in safely
661
00:25:34,200 --> 00:25:35,635
to tell that story?
662
00:25:35,702 --> 00:25:39,139
NEWTON: Camilla Nielsson--
wonderful filmmaker.
663
00:25:39,239 --> 00:25:41,274
She had already made
a documentary called Democrats,
664
00:25:41,374 --> 00:25:42,642
-which was about Mugabe.
-Mm-hmm.
665
00:25:42,742 --> 00:25:44,344
And they had allowed her
to film.
666
00:25:44,444 --> 00:25:47,113
Full access. Both parties.
667
00:25:47,213 --> 00:25:49,549
Um, so, here she was.
668
00:25:49,649 --> 00:25:52,051
They actually banned
her first documentary.
669
00:25:52,152 --> 00:25:55,688
Mugabe banned it with...
using the same law
670
00:25:55,789 --> 00:25:57,223
that they used for pornography,
671
00:25:57,323 --> 00:25:59,559
-that it wasn't good
for people to watch. -Right.
672
00:25:59,659 --> 00:26:03,096
Anyway. Um, and that happened.
673
00:26:03,196 --> 00:26:07,367
And then Camilla went
on a three-year legal battle
674
00:26:07,467 --> 00:26:09,536
to have Democrats be shown,
675
00:26:09,669 --> 00:26:11,371
and she won.
676
00:26:11,471 --> 00:26:14,374
So, as a result,
she had the freedom
677
00:26:14,474 --> 00:26:17,177
to continue her work
as documentary maker,
678
00:26:17,277 --> 00:26:20,080
and all we see in this film
679
00:26:20,180 --> 00:26:22,248
is what she witnessed.
680
00:26:22,348 --> 00:26:23,950
She doesn't...
There's no talking heads.
681
00:26:24,050 --> 00:26:26,820
-Right. -She doesn't get anyone
to say anything.
682
00:26:26,920 --> 00:26:29,022
She doesn't manipulate anybody.
One of the things
683
00:26:29,122 --> 00:26:31,391
I love about her as a filmmaker,
she has the...
684
00:26:31,491 --> 00:26:33,226
It's called cinema verité.
685
00:26:33,326 --> 00:26:36,930
It's a style where you
do not intrude on what you see.
686
00:26:37,030 --> 00:26:39,365
All you see in this film
is what was actually happening,
687
00:26:39,466 --> 00:26:42,836
and it is more crazy
than any kind of murder mystery,
688
00:26:42,936 --> 00:26:46,172
any kind of CIA drama.
689
00:26:46,272 --> 00:26:48,775
You cannot believe what's
happening in front of your eyes.
690
00:26:48,875 --> 00:26:50,710
You know,
when a story like this is told
691
00:26:50,810 --> 00:26:54,647
about a country like Zimbabwe
on a continent like Africa,
692
00:26:54,714 --> 00:26:55,882
there is a certain apathy
693
00:26:55,982 --> 00:26:57,684
that infects people
when watching this.
694
00:26:57,784 --> 00:26:59,252
They go like,
"Well, that is what happens."
695
00:26:59,352 --> 00:27:00,653
You know? They'll be like,
"Well, that's...
696
00:27:00,754 --> 00:27:02,088
"That's a third-world country.
That's what happens.
697
00:27:02,188 --> 00:27:03,490
"You know, it's bound to happen.
698
00:27:03,656 --> 00:27:04,657
Of course that'll happen."
699
00:27:04,758 --> 00:27:06,059
And yet it feels like now,
700
00:27:06,159 --> 00:27:08,461
maybe because of what's been
happening in the U.S.,
701
00:27:08,561 --> 00:27:10,663
maybe because of what's been
happening in, you know,
702
00:27:10,764 --> 00:27:13,166
-whether it's Brexit
or-or Ukraine or... -Mm.
703
00:27:13,266 --> 00:27:15,602
It feels like there is
a different understanding
704
00:27:15,668 --> 00:27:18,738
of a shared threat
if people are not careful.
705
00:27:18,838 --> 00:27:20,306
What is that idea?
706
00:27:20,407 --> 00:27:22,709
What do you think people
can learn in watching this,
707
00:27:22,809 --> 00:27:24,511
-regardless of where they live,
about democracy? -(exhales)
708
00:27:24,611 --> 00:27:26,613
We are a common humanity.
709
00:27:26,713 --> 00:27:27,947
We're a common humanity.
710
00:27:28,047 --> 00:27:29,616
And one thing
that people will realize
711
00:27:29,649 --> 00:27:33,052
is that the people that they see
are so like them.
712
00:27:33,153 --> 00:27:35,188
You'll recognize that
what's happening in Zimbabwe
713
00:27:35,288 --> 00:27:37,690
is happening,
as I've said, everywhere
714
00:27:37,791 --> 00:27:40,794
because we are all in a fight
for our freedom.
715
00:27:40,894 --> 00:27:42,295
-Mm.
-All of us.
716
00:27:42,395 --> 00:27:44,697
Whether it's in our business,
whether it's at the workplace
717
00:27:44,798 --> 00:27:46,266
and you're an actress
in the film business,
718
00:27:46,366 --> 00:27:47,734
whether it's--
you're a sportsman
719
00:27:47,834 --> 00:27:49,869
and you're trying
to take a knee to say enough,
720
00:27:49,969 --> 00:27:52,639
we are all fighting
for our freedom.
721
00:27:52,705 --> 00:27:55,742
And there are microcosms
everywhere.
722
00:27:56,776 --> 00:27:59,079
Watch--
Or don't watch this documentary.
723
00:27:59,179 --> 00:28:00,647
-No, watch it. Let's go
with "watch it." -But to not,
724
00:28:00,713 --> 00:28:02,382
to not see...
725
00:28:02,482 --> 00:28:03,750
Okay, here's one thing.
726
00:28:03,850 --> 00:28:06,086
This change doesn't happen fast.
727
00:28:06,186 --> 00:28:07,921
And we think it does
because we're in a time
728
00:28:08,021 --> 00:28:10,056
of incredible media, technology.
729
00:28:10,156 --> 00:28:13,326
But the truth is,
real systemic change...
730
00:28:13,426 --> 00:28:14,761
Mm-hmm.
731
00:28:14,861 --> 00:28:15,895
...takes time.
732
00:28:15,995 --> 00:28:18,832
Have faith. Have faith.
733
00:28:18,932 --> 00:28:22,135
Feel something. That's
the other thing, I would say.
734
00:28:22,235 --> 00:28:24,170
Feel something.
735
00:28:24,270 --> 00:28:26,606
This documentary,
others like it,
736
00:28:26,673 --> 00:28:30,243
force you
to actually engage and feel.
737
00:28:30,343 --> 00:28:34,647
We need to bring feeling back
into our humanity.
738
00:28:34,748 --> 00:28:35,915
I really believe it.
739
00:28:36,015 --> 00:28:39,252
And-and the irony
that technology, strangely,
740
00:28:39,352 --> 00:28:41,988
is... (stammers)
has come from lack of feeling.
741
00:28:42,088 --> 00:28:43,056
-You know?
-Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
742
00:28:43,156 --> 00:28:45,358
And it's very often orchestrated
by people
743
00:28:45,458 --> 00:28:48,428
who... who have lost
their capacity to feel.
744
00:28:48,528 --> 00:28:50,330
You know, we know
that we're in a world now
745
00:28:50,430 --> 00:28:52,432
where there are people
that just don't have empathy.
746
00:28:52,532 --> 00:28:54,067
-It's scary, right?
-Right.
747
00:28:54,167 --> 00:28:55,802
But then work with us.
748
00:28:55,902 --> 00:28:59,139
Work with us that still feel,
that still cry every day,
749
00:28:59,239 --> 00:29:01,341
that still can't turn away
from the television.
750
00:29:01,441 --> 00:29:03,543
There is a system
that currently works.
751
00:29:03,643 --> 00:29:06,045
It's-it's hideous,
but it-it's moving forward.
752
00:29:06,146 --> 00:29:09,649
We also know that there are
people suffering in this system
753
00:29:09,682 --> 00:29:13,153
and there are
people cheating the system.
754
00:29:14,421 --> 00:29:17,023
If we find the cheaters,
755
00:29:17,123 --> 00:29:19,993
those that are suffering
will suffer less.
756
00:29:20,093 --> 00:29:22,595
-Hmm.
-And that...
757
00:29:22,695 --> 00:29:25,799
won't happen in-- We can start
something in our lifetimes.
758
00:29:25,899 --> 00:29:27,200
That's why I tell people
to watch it.
759
00:29:27,300 --> 00:29:28,935
-Yeah.
-Watch the documentary,
760
00:29:29,035 --> 00:29:31,037
draw the parallels
to the world you live in
761
00:29:31,137 --> 00:29:33,106
and the best way to say it
is feel.
762
00:29:33,206 --> 00:29:34,441
-Feel something. -Thandiwe
Newton, thank you so much
763
00:29:34,607 --> 00:29:35,608
-for joining me on the show.
-Thank you for having me.
764
00:29:35,708 --> 00:29:37,177
Always a pleasure
to have you here.
765
00:29:37,277 --> 00:29:40,246
All right, people, President
will be in theaters December 17
766
00:29:40,346 --> 00:29:43,116
and it will be available
on digital in February.
767
00:29:43,216 --> 00:29:44,217
We're gonna take a quick break,
768
00:29:44,317 --> 00:29:46,619
but we'll be right back
after this.
769
00:29:49,689 --> 00:29:50,389
Well, that's other show
for tonight. But before we go,
770
00:29:50,489 --> 00:29:51,858
some exciting news.
771
00:29:51,958 --> 00:29:54,894
The Daily Show has some holiday
merch that has just dropped.
772
00:29:54,994 --> 00:29:57,730
It's our Happy Belated Holidays
sweatshirt.
773
00:29:57,830 --> 00:30:00,032
Yes. The only gift
that won't have you worried
774
00:30:00,132 --> 00:30:01,167
about supply chain issues.
775
00:30:01,267 --> 00:30:02,635
So if you want to check it out,
776
00:30:02,735 --> 00:30:04,170
scan the QR code
777
00:30:04,270 --> 00:30:06,105
or head to the link below.
778
00:30:06,205 --> 00:30:08,140
Until tomorrow,
stay safe out there,
779
00:30:08,241 --> 00:30:09,809
get your vaccine and, remember,
780
00:30:09,909 --> 00:30:13,012
try to get
on Omicron's good side now
781
00:30:13,112 --> 00:30:14,847
by standing for it online.
782
00:30:14,947 --> 00:30:15,882
Yeah. Then, when it gets here,
783
00:30:15,982 --> 00:30:18,417
it'll be like,
"This guy's cool."
784
00:30:18,517 --> 00:30:20,987
Now here it is,
Your Moment of Zen.
785
00:30:21,087 --> 00:30:22,855
VIRGIL ABLOH:
I don't feel responsible
786
00:30:22,955 --> 00:30:25,625
to a preconceived notion
of art.
787
00:30:25,725 --> 00:30:29,061
I feel more responsible to a...
788
00:30:29,161 --> 00:30:32,198
community that is trying
789
00:30:32,298 --> 00:30:33,900
to change the tide
790
00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:38,137
or to sort of live
in an optimistic society
791
00:30:38,237 --> 00:30:41,307
that art, design,
music and fashion
792
00:30:41,407 --> 00:30:45,011
actually change the world
for the better.