>>> THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS I AM I AM MAYA TRABULSI.. FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS WE HAVE SEEN SKY HIGH LEVELS OF COVID- 19.

BUT NUMBERS ARE TRENDING DOWN WHICH IS GOOD NEWS FOR HOSPITALS.

THIS GRAPHIC SHOWS THE TREND AND WHERE WE ARE THIS WEEK.

A COUPLE OF DAYS SO LESS THAN 1000 NEW CASES.

AND LEVEL WE HAVE NOT SEEN IN MONTHS.

THE COUNTER REPORTS MORE THAN 100 LOCAL DEATHS AND THEY SAY THAT IS A LAGGING INDICATOR.

AND THE DOMINANT STORY THIS WEEK IS THE EXPANDED ROLLOUT OF VACCINES.

OF 65 AND OLDER CANNOT GET THERE SHOT IN THE COUNTY IS MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN WAS ALL OVER THE COUNTY.

HERE ARE HIS STORIES FROM MESA TO JULIAN.

>> WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO ANYTHING.

WE ARE READY TO GET OUT AND GET IT DONE.

>>> THE VACCINATION SUPERSTATION IN THIS COUNTY IS FINALLY HERE.

AND SAN DIEGANS ARE READY FOR IT.

>> WE ARE LOCKED IN.

I RETIRED BACK IN APRIL AND HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO ANYTHING.

IF I DO ANYTHING I WOULD TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN BUT I CAN'T TRAVEL.

>> Reporter: THIS CENTER IS BEING RUN BY SHARP HEALTHCARE.

RIGHT NOW THEY ARE DOING ABOUT 2000 VACCINATIONS PER DAY AND THEY HOPE TO SCALE UP TO 5000.

>> HERE AT GROSSMONT CENTER THE LINE IS MOVING QUICKLY.

PEOPLE SPEND JUST A FEW MINUTES WAITING TO GET THERE VACCINATION.

>> IT IS A BIT OF A RACE THROUGH THEIR BUT WE WANT TO KEEP PEOPLE MOVING NICE AND SAFE.

>> Reporter: SCOTT EVANS, THE CEO SAYS THIS IS THE SECOND VACCINATION SUPERCENTER OPEN IN A MALL.

EXPECT THE AREA IS GOOD WITH GOOD CIRCULATION AND THEY HAVE GOOD PARKING.

IT >> Reporter: SOME PEOPLE HAD TROUBLE BOOKING APPOINTMENTS FOR THE COUNTY WEBSITE.

>> IT WAS A LITTLE STRENUOUS.

I AM NORMALLY WITH KAISER AND THEY ARE BEHIND.

>> Reporter: VACCINATIONS THAT COUNTY SPONSORED SITES ARE LIMITED TO THOSE 65 AND OLDER AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

PEOPLE THAT HAVE TO COME BACK IN THREE WEEKS FOR THE NEXT DOSE.

>> I BROUGHT MY PARENTS FOR THE VACCINATIONS.

>> Reporter: SERGIO WAS ABLE TO GET BOTH OF HIS PARENTS VACCINATIONS TODAY.

>> THEY ARE IN THEIR 80s AND I THOUGHT, THIS MAY HELP THEM GET ANOTHER FIVE OR 10 YEARS BEING HEALTHY.

>> Reporter: THE PROCESS TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES.

AFTER VACCINATIONS ARE GIVEN PEOPLE ARE OBSERVED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME INSIDE THE FOOD COURT.

>> I GOT VACCINATED.

THANK GOD.

>> Reporter: SHARP OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THAT HALF OF THE PEOPLE HERE ARE VOLUNTEERS LIKE KATHY GROSS WHO IS A RETIRED NURSE PRACTITIONER.

>> WHEN THIS OPPORTUNITY CAME UP I WAS ON IT.

I JUST BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO GET EVERYBODY VACCINATED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING, OFFICIALS ARE NOT JUST LOOKING FOR VACCINATED BUT ALSO OTHERS TO HELP CHECK PEOPLE IN KEEP THE PROCESS WORKING.

>> IT JUST FEELS SO GOOD TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK AND HELP MY COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: APPOINTMENTS MUST BE BOOKED AHEAD OF TIME THROUGH THE COUNTY WEBSITE.

THIS LOCATION WILL BE OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WAY TO GO MOM!

>> IT DIDN'T EVEN HURT.

>> WE WERE WONDERING.

WE THOUGHT WE MIGHT HAVE A LINE WRAPPED AROUND THE BUILDING.

BUT NOTHING.

IT WAS LOVELY.

TRUCK 80-YEAR-OLD TARA PARKER WAS ABLE TO GET VACCINATED IN JULIE AND NOT BY A NURSE BUT BY A FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC.

>> YOU WILL WAIT FOR 15 MINUTES JUST TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY REACTIONS AND THEN YOU WILL SIGN UP FOR YOUR BOOSTER SHOT.

>> Reporter: 20 LOCAL FIREFIGHTING AGENCIES ARE WORKING WITH THE COLLABORATION.

THEY ARE DELIVERING VACCINES IN RURAL AREAS AND NURSING HOMES.

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL COOPERATORS INVOLVED.

NOT JUST CAL FIRE SAN DIEGO BUT CARLSBAD, LAKESIDE AND WE HAVE MEMBERS OF THE CERT TEAM WHICH IS A TEAM THAT HELPS PROTECT THE COMMUNITY.

>> AND THAT IS IT.

>>> BACKCOUNTRY RESIDENTS ARE GRATEFUL THAT THE VACCINATION IS COMING RIGHT TO THEM.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE GRATEFUL TO COME HERE.

>> IT WAS THE FIRST AVAILABLE SITE THAT I COULD GET.

I TRIED OTHER PLACES FOR A FEW DAYS AFTER SAN MARCUS AND CARLSBAD.

>> Reporter: YOU DO NEED AN APPOINTMENT TO GET A VACCINATION AT ONE OF THESE SITES.

CREWS WILL BE IN RAMONA OVER THE WEEKEND.

>> I WILL SET YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT VACCINATION.

>> Reporter: BETWEEN THESE MOBILE SITES AND SMALLER VACCINATION PODS THEY CAN DELIVER 20,000 DOSES PER DAY BUT RIGHT NOW THEY ARE DOING HALF OF THAT.

>> THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE NOW IS OUR EFFORTS HAS FAR OUTPACED THE SUPPLY OF VACCINES.

>> Reporter: A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF 1 MILLION TOTAL DOSES HAVE BEEN SHIPPED TO SAN DIEGO BUT THE COUNTY DASHBOARD SHOWS 2% OF SAN DIEGANS HAVE GOTTEN BOTH DOSES.

>> WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GET THE 65 AND OLDER POPULATION VACCINATED.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO BECAUSE THIS AGE GROUP HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTED BY THE VIRUS.

>> Reporter: APPOINTMENTS THAT COUNTY SITES ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR THOSE 65 AND OLDER AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

CAL FIRE SAYS COLLABORATION HAS ALREADY DELIVERED MORE THAN 7000 DOSES TO SAN DIEGANS.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IF YOU WANT TO KNOW JUST HOW MUCH PROGRESS WE ARE MAKING ON VACCINATIONS YOU CAN GO TO THE VACCINATION DASHBOARD AT WWW.KPBS.ORG.

IT SHOWS THE NUMBER OF LOCAL VACCINATIONS COMPARED TO THE TOTAL POPULATION.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND A LIST OF VACCINATION CENTERS.

TO SEE THE TRACKER GO TO THE TRACKING COVID-19 SECTION AND THEN CLICK ON VACCINES.

>>> DEVELOPING A VACCINE WAS A SCIENTIFIC CHALLENGE.

DISTRIBUTING IT IS A LOGISTICAL ONE.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER TARRYN MENTO -- TARRYN MENTO TELLS US ABOUT A TOOL THAT IS BEING USED WHEN THEY LOOK AT HOW MUCH OF THE VACCINE TO GIVE TO COMMUNITIES LIKE SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: THE LONG LINES MAY BE FRUSTRATING BUT A STEADY STREAM MAKES FOR A HIGHER BURN RATE.

THAT IS THE WINDOW BETWEEN RECEIVING AND ADMINISTERING THE VACCINATION.

THE STATE WANTS VACCINATED IS TO KEEP THAT SHORT.

>> WE WANT TO ADMINISTER THE VACCINE WITHIN A WEEKS TIME FROM GETTING AN ALLOCATION TO IN ARMS.

AND THAT WILL DRIVE FURTHER ALLOCATION TO US AS A REGION.

>> Reporter: ALLEGATIONS GO TO HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND IT ADMINISTERS THE COUNTY VACCINES AT THE DOWNTOWN SUPER SITE.

THE BURN RATES FOR BOTH ARE ABOUT 6-7 DAYS BUT THE KEY TO PROVING THAT TO THE STATE IS THE SAN DIEGO AMORTIZATION REGISTRY.

>> IT IS A COMPUTER DATABASE OF IMMUNIZATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO PEOPLE.

REGARDLESS OF WHICH HEALTHCARE PROVIDER GAVE THOSE IMMUNIZATIONS.

>> Reporter: DOCTOR MARK SAWYER SAYS THE IMMUNIZATION DASHBOARD LAUNCHED DECADES AGO.

IT IS LOCALLY MANAGED IN SAN DIEGO DECADES AGO.

>> IT IS A WAY FOR PHARMACISTS AND SCHOOLS TO LOOK UP IF YOU ARE UP TO DATE ON VACCINATION AND GET YOU CAUGHT UP IF YOU ARE NOT UP TO DATE.

>> Reporter: COUNTY OFFICIALS FREEZE PREVIOUSLY TOLD KPBS IT WAS MAINLY USED FOR VACCINATIONS BUT NOW IT IS MANDATED FOR ALL COVID-19 SHOTS.

THEY SAY ENTERING INFORMATION QUICKLY IS CRUCIAL.

>> IT IS THE VISIBILITY THAT THE STATE HAS FOR WHAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT, THE BURN RATE.

>> Reporter: BURNING THROUGH THESE IS POSSIBLE.

USDU IS SETTING UP VACCINATION SITES ON CAMPUS BUT THEY ARE NOT SURE IF OR WHEN THE 3000 DOSES THAT YOU SEE SD GETS EVERY WEEK WILL INCREASE.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY SET A GOAL TO VACCINATE 1.8 MILLION RESIDENTS BY JULY.

AND THE COUNTY SAYS JUST OVER 53,500 SAN DIEGANS RECEIVED BOTH DOSES OF THE COVID-19 VACCINATION.

BUT THEY SAY THAT DATA MAY BE MISSING BECAUSE OF REPORTING DELAYS.

I AM TARRYN MENTO WITH KPBS NEWS.

>>> OUR HEALTH REPORTER, TARRYN MENTO TOOK PART IN A PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE ROLLOUT OF COVID-19 VACCINES.

SHE WAS JOINED BY HEALTH INDUSTRY LEADERS FOR A DISCUSSION OF THE SCIENCE AND THE DISTRIBUTION.

WE HAVE POSTED FOR YOU ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> THERE IS A SMALL GROUP OF AMERICANS USING THE VACCINE AS A MONEYMAKING SCHEME DRIVEN BY FEAR AND MISINFORMATION.

ANTI-VAXXERS ARE NOTHING NEW BUT THEIR TACTICS ARE CHANGING.

DREW GRIFFIN SHOWS US HOW THEY ARE ATTACHING THEIR MESSAGE TO EXTREME POLITICS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO TOOK PART IN THE ATTACK ON THE U.S. CAPITAL LAST MONTH.

>> THANK YOU, FOR BEING HERE.

THIS IS INCREDIBLE.

>>> ON JANUARY 6 ON A SEPARATE STAGE, BUT VERY MUCH PART OF THE PROTEST, THIS RALLY HAD A DIFFERENT FOCUS.

THESE ARE THE ANTI-VAXXERS.

>> THE FORCED CODED VACCINE --.

>> INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE BEING LINED UP AND WALKING TO THEIR POTENTIAL DEATH.

>> Reporter: THE EVENT IS PART DENIAL AND PART PRAYER SERVICE.

FOR THOSE WHO WERE PARTICIPATING IN THE CAPITAL STORM.

>> WE PRAY FOR THE PATRIOTS THAT ARE THERE NOW INSIDE.

THEY ARE TRYING TO GET INSIDE THAT CAPITAL.

LORD, USE THESE PEOPLE TO ERADICATE THIS EVIL.

THESE SWAMP CREATURES.

THE CESSPOOL OF FILTH AND WASTE.

>> Reporter: A CNN REVIEW FINDS THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THIS RALLY ARE LINKING THE ANTIGOVERNMENT STOP THE STEEL MESSAGING TO THEIR ANTI-VACCINE ALTERNATIVE HEALTH INDUSTRY.

SUMMER DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO DISINFORMATION DIRECTOR ROGER STONE.

AND THEY ARE PEDDLING THE SAME TYPE OF CONSPIRACY LINKED HEALTH PRODUCTS AS ALEX JONES.

ESSENTIALLY TRYING CONSPIRACY TO BUSINESS.

>> THIS IS THE WAR BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL.

JOKE ANTI-VACCINE ADVOCATE, CHERYL BULLINGER, WHO PLANNED THE RALLY INTRODUCED SPEAKER AFTER SPEAKER STOPPING OCCASIONALLY TO GLEEFULLY REPORT WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE CAPITAL ABOUT ONE BLOCK AWAY.

HER HUSBAND LEFT THE RALLY TO JOIN IN.

>> I ASKED WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE.

THE CAPITAL IS BEING STORMED BY PATRIOTS.

WE ARE HERE FOR THIS REASON.

WE ARE WINNING.

>> Reporter: ALSO SPEAKING, NIKKI.

THIS WAS REMOVED DOZENS OF TIMES BEFORE BEING REMOVED FROM YOUTUBE.

DOCTOR SIMONE GOLD WAS INVITED TO SPEAK.

SHE IS AN ANTI-VAXXER WHO SEEKS DONATIONS.

SHE BECAME INFAMOUS WITH A NEWS CONFERENCE AT THE SUPREME COURT LAST SUMMER.

SIDING WITH OTHER DOCTORS INCLUDING ONE WHO HAS CLAIMED ALIEN DNA IS BEING PUT IN MEDICINE.

THIS IS WHAT GOLD SAID AT A RALLY JANUARY 5.

>>> IF YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE AN EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGICAL AGENT, YOU MUST NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE COERCED.

>> Reporter: THE NEXT DAY SHE WENT INSIDE THE CAPITAL AND WAS LATER ARRESTED.

GOLD TELLS CNN SHE DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY VIOLENCE OR VANDALISM AND REBUKED SAW ACTIVITY.

CONSPIRACY IS IS THE SPECIAL SAUCE THAT LINKS THEM ALTOGETHER ACCORDING TO EXTREMISM EXPERTS.

ONE, I MEANT SAYS MAKING MONEY IS AT THE HEART OF IT ALL.

>> THESE ARE THE OLDEST KIND OF DECEITFUL PEOPLE.

>> SNAKE WILL SNAKE OIL SALESMAN NEED TO TURN MAKE A PROFIT.

>> HELLO AGAIN.

THIS IS TIE AND CHARLENE.

>> THEY HAVE THEIR OWN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE AND RUN TWO BUSINESSES CENTERED ON CONSPIRACIES ABOUT CANCER AND VACCINES.

THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HAVE MORE THAN 1 MILLION FOLLOWERS.

AND THE BULLINGER FAMILY LIVES ON 13 ACRES IN A 7600 SQUARE FOOT $1.5 MILLION MANSION IN RURAL TENNESSEE ONCE FEATURED ON A REAL TOUR WEBSITE.

THERE CANCER AND VACCINE WEBSITES ARE BUSINESSES.

THEY MARKET A VIDEO SERIES THAT CAUSE UP TO $500.

AN AIR PURIFIER THAT IS MORE THAN $300.

BODY CLEANSES AND OTHER UNPROVEN PRODUCTS.

DISCLAIMERS ONE THAT NOTHING PRESENTED IS INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE ANY DISEASE.

AND THE THE BOWL INJURES WILL BE PAID IN SOME WAY.

THEY ARE NOT CAMERA SHY.

>> THIS IS FRANKENSTEIN SCIENCE.

I'M DREW GRIFFIN FROM CNN, ATLANTA.

>>> MONEY IS A GROWING CONCERN FOR THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

THE FINANCIAL HOLE CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC IS GROWING AND BUDGET CUTS COULD COME SOONER THAN EXPECTED.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN EXPLAINS.

>> THE MONTH-LONG SURGE IN CORONAVIRUS INFECTIONS AND THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER LED TO A MASSIVE SHORTFALL IN THE HOTEL TAX REVENUES.

THE REPORT RELEASED THIS WEEK SAYS THE CITY WILL HAVE TO FIND MORE THAN $85 MILLION IN SAVINGS OVER THE NEXT FIVE MONTH.

ONE COUNCIL MEMBERS SAID ANY CUTS SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHICH NEIGHBORHOODS ARE SUFFERING THE MOST.

>> THIS IS NOT THE SAME FOR THE AVERAGE FAMILY.

AS IT IS FOR A FAMILY THAT IS BARELY GETTING BY.

>> Reporter: IN PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR STARTING JULY 1, MAYOR TODD GLORIA HAS ASKED DEPARTMENT HEADS TO COME UP WITH CUTS BETWEEN 2% AND 8%.

THE BIGGEST VARIABLE IN THE BUDGET PUZZLE IS WASHINGTON.

A PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WINS APPROVAL FOR HIS CORONAVIRUS RELIEF PACKAGE, COMES TO THINGS LIKE LIBRARIES, PARKS AND ROAD REPAIR WOULD BE FAR LESS SEVERE.

I'M ANDREW BOWEN FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE STATE RESPONSE TO COVID- 19 IS DRIVING THE SAN DIEGO FORMER MEYER MAYOR TO DIVE BACK INTO POLITICS.

KEVIN FAULCONER SAYS HE COULD DO A BETTER JOB IN GAVIN NEWSOM.

AND HE SAYS MONEY IS ALREADY FLOWING INTO THE FAULKNER CAMPAIGN.

>> WE CAN CLEAN UP CALIFORNIA AND IT STARTS AT THE TOP.

>> Reporter: THE FAULKNER CAMPAIGN RELEASED THIS 2 1/2 MINUTE CAMPAIGN VIDEO.

>> I AM KEVIN FAULCONER AND I AM RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR FOR THE GREAT STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: HE PERSONALLY ANNOUNCED HIS RUN.

BY THE SUN BEHIND HIM YOU MIGHT THINK IT WAS AT A SCHOOL IN SAN DIEGO NAMED CABRILLO.

BUT INSTEAD IT WAS IN SAN PEDRO.

WE REACHED OUT AND ASKED WHY BUT THEY DID NOT ANSWER.

>> IT GIVES REPUBLICANS THE BEST SHOT IN THE INCREASINGLY BLUE STATE.

>> FAD HAUSER SAYS THE EFFORT BEGAN LAST JUNE AND THEY SAY THAT GAVIN NEWSOM MAY GET THE 1.5 MILLION VALID SIGNATURES THEY MUST HAVE BY THE MARCH 17 DEADLINE.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO GET THERE AND SET US UP FOR A FALL RECALL.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR NEWSOM HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF MISHANDLING THE PANDEMIC AND DINING AT A FRENCH LAUNDRY RESTAURANT IN DECEMBER HAS NOT HELPED.

BUT THEY ARE SURE TO HAVE REPUBLICAN COMPANY ON HIS SIDE WHETHER IT'S THIS FALL.

A RANCHO SANTA FE RESIDENT WHO RAN AGAINST NEWSOM SAYS HE WILL RUN AGAINST HIM AGAIN AND ALTHOUGH THE CAMPAIGN HAS RAISED MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS, HE SAYS IT WILL TAKE A LOT MORE THAN THAT TO SERIOUSLY COMPETE.

>> KEVIN FAULCONER IS GOING TO NEED 30 MILLION OR $50 MILLION TO GET A MESSAGE OUT THERE THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN JUST THE REPUBLICAN BRAND.

>> SOME ASPECTS OF THE FAULKNER RECORD WILL PROVE A CHALLENGE LIKE THE PURCHASE OF A AN ASBESTOS LADEN HIGH-RISE DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO AND THROWING HIS SUPPORT BEHIND THE YOU YOU YEARS LONG EFFORT TO EXPAND THE CONVENTION CENTER.

HERE'S WHAT GIL CABRERA TOLD THEM LAST YEAR.

>> I THINK THERE WERE A LOT OF DELAYS LAST YEAR THAT WERE NOT NECESSARY.

THEY WENT THROUGH TWO OR THREE STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESSES WHERE WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO SOMETHING AND THEN NOTHING HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: NOW WE WAIT FOR MARCH 17.

AND IF SO, IF IT ENDS UP LIKE THE LAST ONE, WHERE GRAY DAVIS WAS OUSTED AND ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER WAS ELECTED.

ON JOHN CARROLL FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT IS HARD TO FIND A POSITIVE SIDE EFFECT OF THE PANDEMIC BUT THIS YEAR, THE FLU SEASON MIGHT BE ONE.

IT HAS BEEN VERY MILD WITH SHARP DECLINES IN CASES AND DEATHS.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SAYS MUCH OF THE CREDIT GOES TO STEPS TAKEN TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 21 YEARS NOW AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT THE SLOW.

I DON'T BELIEVE I HAVE EVER HAD A YEAR WHERE THERE WERE NO DEATHS BY THIS TIME.

TRUCK THE ASSISTANT MEDICAL DOCTOR, DOCTOR WILLIAM SAYING SAYS A MILD FLU SEASON HAS BEEN A BRIGHT SPOT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE KNEW THE COMBINATION OF FLU AND COVID-19 WOULD BE A KILLER.

>> Reporter: FROM LAST JULY THROUGH NOW, JUST 262 CONFIRMED CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY DURING THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 10,000 CASES IN 30 AND 32 DEATHS.

>> I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT LIKE THIS.

>> DOCTOR SINGH SAYS THAT THERE IS NO CONFUSING CORONAVIRUS CASES WITH FLU.

>> THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO ARGUMENT.

IT IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

>> HE SAYS THAT AT KAISER SAN DIEGO, WHEN PEOPLE COME IN WITH RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS THEY ARE TESTED FOR THE FLU AND CORONAVIRUS.

>> OFTEN TIMES THEY MIGHT BE POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS BUT NEGATIVE FOR INFLUENZA.

TRUCK THEY SAY THIS IS BECAUSE EFFORTS BEING TAKEN TO CURB CORONAVIRUS ARE THE SAME ONES YOU CAN USE TO CURB THE FLU.

>> THE BENEFIT OF THIS IS WE DROP DOWN ANY TYPE OF TRANSMISSIBLE DISEASE.

>> PROTECTIVE MEASURES ARE EXTRA-IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW WITH A MORE CONTAGIOUS VARIANT OF THE CORONAVIRUS IN SAN DIEGO.

LOCALLY, KAISER IS WORKING TO VACCINATE ITS HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND SENIOR PATIENTS.

>> AS SOON AS WE GET THE SUPPLY WE GET IT IN ARMS AND WE START WITH THE POPULATION THAT IS MOST AT RISK.

AND AS SOON AS WE FINISH THAT AND HAVE THAT SUPPLY AND AVAILABILITY, THEN WE MOVE DOWN.

>> WITH S THE FEAR OF A TWIN DOMINIC PEOPLE ARE BEING PUSHED TO GET THOSE VACCINATIONS SOONER.

>>> A COUPLE OF BRIGHT SPOTS FOR OUR LOCAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS STARTING WITH THE MIDWAY MUSEUM.

USUALLY THE DECOMMISSIONED AIRCRAFT CARRIER GETS MORE THAN 1 MILLION VISITORS PER YEAR BUT THAT NUMBER TOOK A HIT IN 2020 WITH ONLY 350,000 GUESS.

AFTER A RECENT CLOSURE, IT IS BACK OPEN FOR VISITORS.

FOR NOW, ONLY OUTDOOR AREAS LIKE THE FLIGHT DECK ARE OPEN FOR CHEWERS WHICH HAVE TO BE RESERVED ONLINE.

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ANXIOUS TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND DO THINGS BUT THEY WANT TO DO THINGS THAT ARE SAFE AND MIDWAY PRESENTS ITSELF AS A REALLY SAFE EXPERIENCE.

>> MIDWAY MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS, MANY OF THEM ARE RETIRED MILITARY MEMBERS AND THEY ARE TAKING EXTRA CARE CLEANING HIGH TOUCH AREAS.

AND MANY OF THEM ARE IN THEIR 70s AND HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THE VACCINATION.

>>> AT SEA WORLD IS REOPENING.

GATES WILL OPEN THIS WEEKEND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

THE THEMEPARK WILL OPERATE ON A REDUCED SCHEDULE FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FOR RIGHT NOW.

IT WILL ALSO BE OPEN PRESIDENT'S DAY, NEXT MONDAY.

RIDES WILL BE OFF-LIMITS AND RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.

>>> FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND LIKE SO MANY CULTURAL EVENTS, ORGANIZERS ARE TAKING THEIR PROGRAMS ONLINE.

THAT INCLUDES A SPECIAL EXHIBIT BY THE SAN DIEGO HISTORY CENTER.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER BETH ACCOMANDO GIVES US A LOOK.

TRUCK THERE IS A SAYING THAT A PICTURE IS WORTH 1000 WORDS.

AND THE SAN DIEGO HISTORY CENTER HAS PHOTOS THAT SPEAK VOLUMES OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN SAN DIEGO THROUGH THE DECADES.

THESE PORTRAITS ARE FROM THE 1890S.

ONE IS A MAN WITH A DERBY HAT THE OTHER IS A WOMAN WITH A DERBY HAT.

SHELBY GORDON HAS BEEN TAKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN THESE PHOTOS AND WHAT THESE IMAGES CAN TELL US.

>> PEOPLE THINK THAT BLACKS COMING TO SAN DIEGO EARLIER WERE NOT SUBJECT TO SEGREGATION AND RACISM.

THINKING THAT CALIFORNIA WAS MORE PROGRESSIVE BUT THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY TRUE.

SO, WHAT I SEE IN THOSE PHOTOS IS PERSEVERANCE.

THAT, IN SPITE OF AND IN VIEW OF THE FACT, YOU STILL HAVE A MAN THAT HAS ENOUGH RESPECT FOR HIMSELF AND HIS REPUTATION AND THAT OF HIS FAMILY THAT HE WEARS THE FINEST DERBY HAT THAT HE CAN AND THEN PAYS FOR SOMEBODY TO TAKE A PICTURE OF HIM IN IT.

>> Reporter: THE DIVERSE PHOTOS MAKE UP THE DISPLAY.

>> I AM A BLACK SAN DIEGANS.

A LOT OF THESE ARE SNAPSHOTS OF MY LIFE.

I WAS BAPTIZED IN A POOL LIKE THIS.

I KNOW LADIES WHO LUNCH IN THAT PHOTOGRAPH.

THEY HAD BEAUTIFUL TABLECLOTH, THEY DRESSED UP AND THEY ATE OUTSIDE AND WE HAVE THESE WONDERFUL PHOTOS TO REMEMBER THAT.

>> MR. BERNARD, HE WAS A BLACK PORTRAIT AND EVENTS PHOTOGRAPHER HERE FOR SEVERAL DECADES, HIS SON LITERALLY BROUGHT US NEGATIVES AND PRINTS FROM HIS COLLECTION.

AND THAT IS EXTENSIVE.

>> A COLLECTION HOUSED IN THE ARCHIVES AT BALBOA PARK.

>> WE ARE IN THE RESEARCH ARCHIVES.

WE ARE BELOW THE FLIGHTS -- THE EXHIBITION SPACE AND THIS IS SACRED GROUND.

THERE ARE NEWSPAPERS AND MICROFICHE AND NEGATIVES AND PRINTS.

>> THE BLACK ARCHIVES COLLECTION CONTAINS DOCUMENTS RANGING FROM THE SPANISH COLONIAL CENSUS TO THE LACK NEWSPAPER THE LIGHTHOUSE.

>> THEY TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE STILL RELEVANT NOW.

COMING OUT TO VOTE ABOUT CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL EVEN THOUGH THAT HAPPENED IN LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS.

IT WAS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN RACE RELATIONS AND THAT IS DEPICT DID AT THE SAN DIEGO LIGHTHOUSE.

>> THERE ARE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN DONATED.

>> THIS IS A BOOK FROM THE BETHEL AME CHURCH.

THIS WAS THEIR COMMEMORATIVE BOOK FOR THEIR HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY.

AND AGAIN, FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THIS HERE IS A REAL FEET.

BECAUSE, THAT, RIGHT THERE, THAT IS THE CAPSULE.

IT IS A TIME CAPSULE.

AND THEN, LAST YEAR, JACKIE THOMPSON, WHO WAS AN OLYMPIC ATHLETE ACTUALLY RAN -- WENT TO MORRIS HIGH SCHOOL AND SHE DONATED HER OLYMPIC COMPETITOR NUMBER TWO US HERE AT THE CENTER.

>> Reporter: BUT THERE ARE GAPS IN THE BLACK HISTORY THAT HAS BEEN GATHERED.

>> AND THEN WE SAID WHAT A GREAT IDEA TO GO TO THE COMMUNITY SO THAT THEY CAN INSERT THEIR MEMORIES AND THE REFLECTIONS AND THEIR MILESTONES.

THEIR PHOTOGRAPHS AND THEIR ART TO BE INSERTED IN TWO OUR VIRTUAL TIMELINE.

>> A VIRTUAL TIMELINE GATHERING ALL OF THESE MATERIALS CAN BE FOUND AT THE SAN DIEGO HISTORY CENTER WEBSITE WHERE PEOPLE CAN LOOK THROUGH IMAGES THAT TELL AMAZING STORIES.

REPORTING FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR CONTENT ON THE CHECKING COVID- 19 PAGE AT WWW.KPBS.ORG.

IN ADDITION TO OUR REPORTERS STORIES WE ARE UPDATING OUR LIVE BLOG WITH THE LATEST NEWS AND CASE NUMBERS.

WE ALSO HAVE NEW FEATURES IN RECENT DAYS INCLUDING THE VACCINATION DASHBOARD THAT WE TOLD YOU ABOUT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER WITH THE MAP TO THE CLOSEST VACCINATION SITES.

>>> THAT IS ALL FOR THE SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT KPBS NEWS, STAY HEALTHY AND STAY SAFE.

♪ ♪