building a better bay area for a safe and secure future, this is abc7 news. >> all right. i'm kristen sze. welcome to our daily program called "getting answers." we're asking experts questions to get answers to you in realtime. but we want to get you to some breaking news happening in the bay area. incredible images from sky7. this fast-burning fire in san mateo county. take a look. this started sunday but then flaredserr the town of la jonda. there are homes, but it's a lot of trees, pretty rural. right now there are evacuation warnings in place for the communities of loma, mar and deerborn park. no structures have burned but

there are homes in that area. no word on acreage burn or a cause, but we are following all of this right now on on on o abc7news.com, the abc7 news app and coming up at 4:00. now we bring you "getting answers." we have a packed show for you to discuss busy day of headlines. san francisco mayor london breed is taking questions. she is joining us to discuss everything from joe biden's pick of senator kamala harris for vice president to san francisco's current fight against covid-19. but first we are very excited to be joined by the senior adviser to former president barack obama, valerie jarrett who served under mr. obama during his entire two terms in office, and valerie joins us live from chicago. hi, valerie. >> hello, kristin. how are you doing? it seems like forever since i was on your show. >> yes, it does feel like forever for many reasons.

but it was last year in april when you just came to the studio when you released your book "finding my voice." and, yes, indeed a lot has changed but it's great to see you. let's launch right into it. did the democratic party find its voice last night? and if so, what did that voice say? >> ah, yes. in fact, it did. and what the voice represents is the rich diversity of our country of the political spectrum of the democratic party and ind pepependents, republica business leaders, and of course the crescendo was our very own very first lady michelle obama, a global leader, a power house who i think closed it strong and really sent the message that we the people have the power and it's our choice what we do with it, and she encouraged everyone to vote for vice president biden and senator harris. >> that was her big message. and before i asked you what you thought of her speech, i already

know what you thought of her speech. but i remember when you were here last you shared with us the story of how you hired a young michelle obama in chicago when you worked for mayor richard daly. can you retell that story of how former president obama almost stood in the way? >> he did try to get in the way of my recruitment. i was mayor daly's deputy chief of staff and michelle robinson. so they weren't even married yet. interviewed for a job, i offered her the job on the spot. i was so impressed with her dynamic, bright, passionate about public service. and she said let me think about it. and then after consulting her fiancé, she told me, well, you know what, he doesn't think it's such a great idea. and i thought, well, why are we worried about what he thinks about it. and she said we're partners. and i have to say when i tell this story and people ask why did she need to check with her fiancé, there isn't a

she's made in her political career without consulting her. i had read her speech but i hadn't heard her deliver it. and i'm sure that you and all of your viewers will remember just how passionate her tone of voice was. it was almost trembling at times. she cares so much about our country. she loves our country. she thinks we're in jeopardy. if you think this is bad, it can get worse and it will. and then she gave such a powerful, powerful advocacy for the candidacy of vice president biden, a man who she knows as competent, has enormously strong character, and is empathetic. and she looks at the signs of our children who are looking up to role models and said what

happened to teaching our children about empathy about walking in the shoes of someone else? and then she was pretty direct and forthright about what she thinks about the current president and that she's not up for this job and that it's time for a change. >> all right. well, someone who disagrees with your assessment of her speech is the current president. let's listen to what president trump said this morning. >> i thought her speech was very divisive. and, frankly, i wouldn't even be here if it weren't for barack obama. i wouldn't be in the white house except for barack obama because they did a bad job. biden and obama. the and if they did a good job, i wouldn't be here. i'd be building buildings someplace and having a good time. >> all right, valerie, were you able to hear that? >> i was able to hear that. so, he's talking about president obama and vice president biden who are both elected twice, the maximum you can be elected. and he's coming after the most popular person in our country. and so i would say maybe not the

best strategy, and he did it, kristin, at a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the nineteenth amendment surrounded by women. he has such a thin skin. why can't he just debate the issues? why does it always have to be personal, talking about women, whether they're mean or nasty or divisive? all she did was speak from the heart about what she thinks. and he's free to debate joe biden and have at it on the substance. but why make it personal? and the other thing i would mention is that i was thinking last night as mrs. obama was speaking that for the first time that she spoke at a convention was when she was the nominee's spouse. she was going through just what we are seeing senator harris go through now, racist, misogynistic tropes, people saying just terrible things about her. and what did she do for eight years? she earned the trust, respect,

confidence of the american people. she is beloved around the world. she now stands on her own two feet as her own power house. so i don't know that i would have come after her if i were he. >> well, you were talking about the tropes against strong women. and black women in particular. actually you put us all on notice, the media. you're one of the signers of a letter called "we have her back" in which you urged the media to consider gender bias that is pervasive in our society. not to call out anyone individually but just to call out this bias and look at women through this lens. >> we have a history in our country of trying to keep women suppressed, trying to keep power out of their hands. and it's often done by using language to describe them in a way that you would not describe a man. so how often do you hear men

described as mean and angry? how often do you hear a criticism towards men that because they're ambitious? who wants to be vice president who isn't ambitious? they all are. and so all we ask is this, kristin. ask yourself would you say the same thing about a man? i am absolutely confident that senator harris can compete on an even playing field because she has been competing on an uneven playing field her entire life. what we wanted to do was send a message even before she was nominated since we knew he was going to select a woman to say not just to the media but to everybody, check yourself. and that she shouldn't have to defend herself, we're going to do it and we're going to call it out wherever we see it. >> why do you think senator kamala harris is the right person at the right time? >> oh, my gosh. well, let's start with the fact that she has been a devoted public servant at the local, state, and federal level. she is an absolutely amazing

campaigner. she has a terrific presence. her american story is one that should resonate with everyone, the daughter of immigrants who came here and lived the american dream. and it made her hopeful. and all she wants is to make sure that every american oprt f tt dream. so her track record, her experience, her intellect, her temperament, her compassion, her empathy, something that she shares with vice president biden. when he announced that she was going to be the nominee and the two of them were together, their body language just shows the respect and admiration they have for one another. i think it says a lot about him as a candidate that he would select a strong black woman with a track record of being fierce. and he said i want someone who is going to push me, i want somebody who is not going to just be a yes person because that's not what he did with president obama. he was always the person who

could tell president obama what he thought, knowing it would enable the president to make better decisions. he wants her to be the last person he talks to, and i think he's perfect for the job. >> and he made that very clear. and i think you take that as a sign of security. i want to ask you -- >> absolutely. >> i'm sure you've been talking with vice president biden. can you give us a preview of his speech that he will make thursday when he accepts the nomination? >> one thing i have learned from all these years in public service is don't get out ahead of the principle. i can assure you this, and we saw this last night with the folks that he selected, the rich diversity of our country, and i am confident that his message will be one that is reaching out to everyone, not just to democrats, but he understands it's a big diverse, richly diverse country, and he wants to draw everybody in, and he wants to, as he said, restore the soul of america. and he's had horrendous loss. as painful as it's been, it's made him a better person.

and i think what our country needs as we emerge from this global pandemic and the horrendous consequence on our economy, the millions of people who have lost their jobs and in the hopeful signs we've seen through peaceful mostly demonstrations around our country fighting for racial injustice, who better for the next four years? >> all right. well, 2019 for valerie jarrett was releasing the book "finding my voice." 2020, well, i don't want to talk about 2020, but you are doing what you're doing now. what about 2021? what do you suppose that will bring for you? could that bring you back to a biden administration if there is one? >> as you said at the opening, i served all eight years under president obama and vice president biden, the most incredible job of my life. in this chapter i want to help the younger generation achieve what they want to do fighting for gender equity, fighting for civic engagement. i chair the board of the board

organization "when we all vote" that is a nonpartisan group to get people to participate in our democracy. i'm hoping president obama with his foundation. i co-care the united state of women. i've got a pretty full plate. >> valerie jarrett, thank you for seeing you. hope to connect again soon. >> absolutely. it's great to see you too. >> take care. all right, folks, we're going to take a short break. when we come back, we'll have san francisco mayor london breed on senate kamala harris' historic new step as a potential vice pre

and we're back.

we're continuing to feature women in politics today. a bay area mayor who's been in the national spotlight a lot recently is san francisco mayor london breed. she joins us live now to talk about the state of her city and the vice presidential nominee kamala harris whom she knows well. mayor breed, great to have you here. happy belated birthday, by the way. >> thank you. thank you so much. >> last week, right? you celebrated quietly with a socially distanced walk or something? >> well, yes. i decided i'm not going to take my age up another year because this is a covid year so i don't think any of us should have to age one more year as a result. >> we all feel like we've aged ten years, but that's another story. what's your reaction to former first lady michelle obama's speech last night? which part really stood out to you? >> first of all, that was one of the most incredible speeches i've ever heard in my life. and just watching this woman, this african-american woman with

such conviction deliver a very passionate, a very compelling, a very honest, and heart. it came from her heart. it was such a very incredible speech. and what stood out to me the most is just really focusing on how she talked about how we raise our children to be a certain way and what kids are seeing now is counter to that. and they're even questioning, you know, in some ways the values of what we're instilling in them to be better people because of what they see with this leadership, which is why it's so important that we change this leadership. it was just -- she was incredible. it was beautiful. >> i also want to ask forrure thoughts on senator kamala harris, of course her big night is tomorrow when she accepts the party's anonymous for vinominat president. your excitement you called her your friend and mentor. why do you think she is so well

suited and ready for the job based on everything you know about her from personal experience? >> well, the thing is kamala brings a unique perspective. it's not just the work that she's done in the law enforcement arena or being an attorney or being in the world of politics. she is someone who has compassion and has various experiences that has pushed her policies and the use of the law in order to make a difference for people's lives. when she ran after the big banks who were foreclosing on people's homes, because she understands the importance of making sure people have security and a safe, affordable place to call home, i think that her interactions with young people and her engagement with being a mentor even to me, the reason why i got to politics in the first place is because she encouraged me to run and encouraged me to do a program called "emerge" that teaches

democratic women the tools that they need to run for office. the work that she's done on the ground with partners ending domestic abuse. how she supported seniors. i can go on and on. but i think she is an incredible pick. and i think she's going to do amazing things. i am so excited not just because i know her but i'm excited for what she and joe biden will do in order to change the course of our country, which is much needed. we are experiencing in the midst of this pandemic so much disorganization in this country and misinformation by the person who's the leader of the country. and i think that we need a change. we need a shift. we need compassion and we need structure. we need someone who listens to data, scientists, and others to bring forth real solutions. so i'm excited about the future of this country, and i just pray that people get out there and vote. >> and a lot of people don't know if it weren't for her being

san francisco d.a., you might not have ran as supervisor and ran as san francisco mayor. one more political question and then i promise i will get on with covid and the city's response. you are one of the names mentioned among those who governor newsom could pick to replace should she become vice president. i'm wondering would you be interested in that role at all? >> well, i'm not thinking about that. i'm thinking about what i'm doing here as mayor. i'm so grateful to the people of san francisco that i'm even in a position like this. i never thought i'd have this incredible opportunity. i love this city. i love being mayor. and i don't even want to think about that right now. i want to focus on november and winning the election so that we can get the city on the right path so that we can get the country on the right path. but we'll see what happens when that time comes. >> all right. i want to move over to covid because over the past week you've averaged 105 new cases per day the city.

you're still on the state's watch list. but it seems like this city might be coming off soon. but you had that mini surge in july. is that over? >> well, right now, as you know, the surge came about because there were some challenges that we were experiencing with the state numbers as well. so, it's a little bit more complicated than that. but i will say the good news is our reproductive rate, our r.e. rate which people keep talking about, that was over one and now it's under one. it's at about 0.93. and we pay attention to the data in order to determine if we're in a better place. the good news is according to that number, we are in a better place. and our hope is that we get off the state's watch list so that we're able to start our re-opening plans for the city. but that does not mean that we shouldn't continue to wear our mask and our social distancing. but we are in a better place

today than we have been. >> we'll take a short break on the air. when we come

we are back with san francisco mayor london breed, having a great conversation during our break as well on our live streams. during the thunderstorms the past few days really, the city testing sites are not doing the walk-up portion. has that been reopened? and also how is testing going overall right now? >> well, testing is going as good as we can expect it to be going. we're testing i think about close to 3,500 people a day. we want to take that to 5,000. we want to make testing more readily available in those neighborhoods disproportionately impacted and so some of our pop-up centers in some places will probably be made permanent. so those are the kinds of things that we're working on. but i will say testing has improved considerably. and i'm really glad of the state

that we're in and even the results and the response to some of the challenges that existed with getting those results back in a timely manner. we've been able to clear up some of those challenges as well. so we're in a better place. >> i like to hear what you're doing to support restaurants right now and also nail and hair salons. as you know, nail and hair salons were never really able to operate indoor in san francisco. are you doing anything to support an outdoor provider of that service? and also restaurants. we hear about many legendary places that are closing, some permanently. i know that breaks your heart too. >> yeah. i mean, it is definitely heartbreaking, especially because the people who i go to for services, they're reaching out to me on a regular basis because they're struggling. and so one the things we did early on was already raise $30 million to help support individuals, families, food insecurity, housing, but also small businesses, along with

some resources we provided through the city for small businesses. but, unfortunately, it's not sufficient to help every single business in san francisco. and so what we have been looking into is eliminating certain fees, postponing fees, looking at taxing restructuring and other things to try and support these businesses. but in the meantime, we, for the grants and some of the loan opportunities we made available, we did support a number of restaurants. and we are looking at hair salons and nail salons and those places that have had no ability to open whatsoever. but i want to be clear, we provided city resources. we provided private resources. but we are not going to be able to help every single business in san francisco. it is happening all over the country. and it is really having an impact. so many incredible places that we all love with closing because they can't sustain, you know,

their business during this crisis. what i have tried to do with the bureaucracy, with the resources and other things is be realistic about how we support and how we help them, how we adjust so that they are able to get unemployment insurance and other things. so it's been a number of things, but it's still, i know, is a real challenge for so many people. and we got to continue to do more. >> all right. we've got 30 seconds. but i want to ask you the san francisco real estate market is dropping right now. people, you know, there are more properties listed for sale and rent is coming down. are you worried that people are leaving in large numbers and that it may be permanent? >> i'm not worried that people are leaving in large numbers. what i'm happy about is seeing the rents go down and the prices go down in san francisco because it's so expensive to live here in the first place. when you think about, you know, how so many people are homeless, how so many people are struggling, there are a lot of folks who want to live in san francisco.

this is an incredible city. i'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will create more opportunity for those who have been struggling to live here. but for now, you know, look, this is happening everywhere. people working from home more, people are looking at places outside the city to buy a property. so we'll see what happens. >> all right. we certainly will, and we enjoy the conversation. thank you for making the time.

all right. thank you so much for joining us today on this interactive show "getting answers." we'll be here every weekday at 3:00 and live stream answering your questions. world news is next as well as

the fires including that big one in san mateo county in the la tonight, several developing stories as we come on the air. the new action tonight. yet another major university. their decision just in. what they're seeing already. and the warning for parents in this country with children heading back to school. the images from across the nation. a third school now shut down in the same district in georgia. thousands quarantined. thousands more in mississippi, too. and what notre dame has just decided. dr. deborah birx tonight and her warranting about college parties. and dr. anthony fauci on what parents should check in their area to make sure their parents are safe going back to school. president trump responding tonight to former first lady michelle obama after she said "donald trump is the wrong president for our country." that he's had more than enough time to do the job. what the president is now saying about th