>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.

THIS IS THE MONTH THAT THE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED FOR MORE THAN A YEAR FOR THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WILL MOSTLY COME TO AN END.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY LEADERS PAINTED A POSITIVE PICTURE OF OUR LOCAL SITUATION AND IS JOHN CARROLL REPORTS, OUR RECOVERY IS PICKING UP SOME STEAM.

>>> NATHAN FLETCHER'S OPENING REMARKS FRAMING THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID- 19 AND SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> IT COSTS 55% OF ELIGIBLE SANDY AIKINS WHO WERE FULLY VACCINATED, SO WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE PROGRESS AND WHAT WE ARE SEEING PARTICULARLY AS WE APPROACH ALMOST 2 MILLION FULLY VACCINATED.

RE/MAX SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS STILL AN ORANGE TEAR BUT ARE ADJUSTED CASE RATE FOR THIS WEEK ACTUALLY HAS US IN THE YELLOW TIER.

>> WE WOULD NEED TO DO CONSECUTIVE WEEKS.

>> Reporter: WE WILL KNOW NEXT TUESDAY IF WE MOVE INTO THE YELLOW TIER.

IF THE ADJUSTED CASE RATE NUMBERS STAY WHERE THEY ARE OR GO LOWER, WE COULD MOVE INTO THE YELLOW TIER A WEEK FROM TODAY.

MOVING IN WILL MEAN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR VENDORS CAN ALL HOST MORE PEOPLE.

CAPACITY LIMITS WILL INCREASE ACROSS THE BOARD.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE VACCINATION EFFORT IS MOVING AWAY FROM SUPER SITES IN AND GETTING VACCINES TO PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.

>> WE ARE MAKING A STRONG PUSH ON OUR NOBLE SITES.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE THE COUNTY HAS PLENTY OF VACCINE, THE EFFORT TO VACCINATE WORKERS AND AMERICAN-OWNED FACTORIES JUST ACROSS THE BORDER IS GOING WELL.

>> WAS STARTED ON MONDAY AND AS OF YESTERDAY, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO VACCINATE OUR 6447 WORKERS.

>> Reporter: PLUS, THE EFFORT TO VACCINATE THE COUNTY'S LATIN POPULATION HAS GONE VERY WELL.

THE NEXT BIG STEP WILL COME IN JUNE 15th, WHEN THE STATE TIER SYSTEM EXPIRES.

>> NEXT WEEK, WE WILL SHOW YOU WHAT LIFE WILL LOOK LIKE.

>> Reporter: JUNE 15th, A DATE THAT ALL OF US WILL NO DOUBT REMEMBER FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES, THE DAY WHEN OUR COLLECTIVE NIGHTMARE THAT BEGAN IN MARCH OF 2020 FINALLY BEGINS TO RECEDE INTO HISTORY.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> NUMBER 12, LOOK AT SAN DIEGO.

>> SAN DIEGO IS WELL REPRESENTED IN CALIFORNIA'S VACCINE LOTTERY.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM WAS ON HAND AS THE FIRST 15 PEOPLE WERE CHOSEN.

THERE ARE THREE LOCAL WINNERS, EACH WILL GET $50,000.

MORE WINNERS WILL BE PICKED LATER THIS MONTH AND A LUCKY FEW WILL WHEN THE BID PRICE OF 1 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS.

THE LOTTERY IS FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF VACCINES.

SCIENTISTS ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF BOOSTER SHOTS WILL BE NEEDED DOWN THE ROUTE AND WHO WILL NEED THEM THE MOST.

KPBS MATT OFTEN WENT TO THE EXPERTS.

>> THE LAST THE VIRUS CIRCULATES, THE LESS CRITICAL.

RE/MAX HSING CROTTY OF THE LA JOLLA INSTITUTE FOR IMMUNOLOGY IS ONE OF THE NATIONS LEADING RESEARCHERS UNCOVERED 19.

>> GRANTEES JUST CAME OUT.

THE STUDIES YOU QUOTE.

>> Reporter: DR. FAUCI HAS SIGNED AND WHEN IT COMES TO BISTRO SHOTS, MODERNA HAS ALREADY BEEN TESTING THEM.

>> THE BOOSTERS DID WORK AND THEY HAD A VARIANT BOOSTER SHOT.

>> Reporter: BOOSTERS WILL LIKELY BE AVAILABLE, THE BIG QUESTION, WHEN OR IF THEY WILL BE NEEDED.

IT COMES DOWN TO HOW LONG THE ME IMMUNITY LASTS OR THE VARIANCE.

>> THE VARIANCE ARE MORE WORRISOME THAN THE ORIGINAL STRAIN AND SOME ESCAPE IMMUNITY, SO ESSENTIALLY, THEY ARE TOUGHER TO STOP THAN THE ORIGINAL VIRUS, SO THE VACCINE MIGHT NOT LAST AS LONG.

>> Reporter: THERE'S A 50-50 CHANCE THAT BOOSTER SHOTS WILL BE RECOMMENDED BY THE WINTER OF THIS YEAR.

>> THERE IS A RISK ASSESSMENT, IF YOU ARE OVER 65, YOU SHOULD GET A BOOSTER IMMUNIZATION.

AND IF YOU ARE UNDER 65, YOU CAN WAIT LONGER, MAYBE ANOTHER YEAR OR SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: BEST CASE SCENARIO, THE VACCINES LAST A COUPLE OF YEARS BUT WE JUST DON'T KNOW YET.

>> WE JUST NEED MORE TIME.

WOULD NOT HAVE A CLEAR HISTORICAL REFERENCE POINT FOR HOW LONG IMMUNITY LASTS.

WE WILL MEASURE THE AND WANTS THAT EVERY MONTH AS TIME GOES BY.

>> Reporter: IT COULD ALSO DEPEND ON INFECTION RATES.

>> IT WILL NOT BE ERADICATED, IT IS TOO WIDESPREAD AND TOO EASILY SPREAD FROM PERSON-TO- PERSON.

RE/MAX SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS THREE QUARTERS WAY TO ITS GOAL APPEARED HERD IMMUNITY BUT IT'S A KEY WAY TO STOP THE VIRUS IN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AREAS LIKE SAN DIEGO.

>> EVERYTHING HAPPENS AS SOON AS YOU CROSS IT, THERE IS A PROGRESSION THERE AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE WHERE HERD IMMUNITY SHOULD BE HAVING AN EFFECT NOW.

AND I WOULD JUST GET BETTER AND BETTER.

RE/MAX SOME AREAS WILL NOT GET TO HERD IMMUNITY IN AND CONTINUE TO SEE POCKETS OF OUTBREAKS.

>> SOME OF THE VACCINE SUPERSTITIONS ARE PHASING OUT THAT THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF PLACES TO GET YOUR SHOT, WE HAVE A MAP OF CURRENT LOCATIONS AT OUR KPBS VACCINE TRACKER, WE ARE SO FOLLOWING THE PROGRESS TOWARD COUNTY GOALS.

TO GET THERE, CLICK ON THE LINK YOU WILL FIND ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

>>> NURSING HOMES WHERE A POINT OF CONCERN EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC, PROBLEMS OVER CARE GO WELL BEYOND COVID-19 AND OUR ONGOING ISSUE STATEWIDE.

NOW, AS WE REPORT, AN IDEA IS BEING FLOATED THAT CRITICS SAY TO GET NURSING HOME OVERSIGHT.

>> Reporter: ROB LANDED AT PALOMAR NURSING HOME IN ESCONDIDO LAST SPRING, NEEDING CARE FOR A FOOT WOUND.

THE 57-YEAR-OLD SAID IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE WORST PLACE FOR HIM.

>> I ALMOST GOT MY FOOT AMPUTATED BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T TAKING CARE OF MY WOUND.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HIS EXPERIENCE WAS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF POOR TREATMENT AT THE FACILITY.

>> I WITNESSED EVERYTHING FROM WOUND CARE, TO NOT BEING CHANGED TO BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY, NOT LISTENED TO, I WITNESSED SO MANY THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE YOU CRY.

LITERALLY MAKE YOU CRY.

>> Reporter: FELICIA, AN INSPECTOR FOR THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

SHE TOLD STATE LEGISLATORS LAST YEAR THAT STORIES OF MANIC ADEQUATE CARE ARE COMMONPLACE.

>> I HAVE BEEN WELL AWARE OF THE POOR INFECTION CONTROL PRACTICES AND QUALITY OF CARE IN MANY OF OUR NURSING HOMES PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

THE HIGH RATES OF DEATH IN THESE FACILITIES DURING THE PANDEMIC, UNFORTUNATELY COMES AS NO SURPRISE.

>> Reporter: CD PH IS A POST PANDEMIC REMODEL OF THAT SYSTEM BEING PUSHED BY THE NURSING HOME INDUSTRY.

THE AGENCY'S PLAN WOULD REQUIRE INSPECTORS TO VISIT NURSING HOMES A FEW TIMES EACH MONTH TO ADVISE STAFF ON HOW TO REVERSE SUBSTANDARD CARE.

THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF VISTA IN CARLSBAD SEE CARE CENTERS SAID THE IDEA WOULD BE A DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT OVER THE CURRENT INSPECTION SYSTEM.

>> IT IS VERY MUCH EACH GOT YOU.

I FOUND THE TEMPERATURE OF THE BREAKFAST WAS TWO DEGREES BELOW WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

>> Reporter: STEINBERG SAYS THE SUPPORT OF THE NEW APPROACH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HIS OTHER ROLE AS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF MARINER HEALTHCARE.

THE GROUP IS BEING SEEN FOR UNDERSTAFFING NURSING HOMES, FALSIFYING RATINGS AND FAILING TO REPORT ANY OF THE NUMEROUS SEXUAL ASSAULTS AT ITS FACILITIES.

HE SAYS HIS ADVOCACY FOR REVAMPING THE SYSTEM BEGAN LONG BEFORE THE LAWSUIT.

>> I DO THINK MORE HUMANITY AND COLLABORATION WOULD POTENTIALLY GO A LONG WAY.

>> Reporter: THEY DECLINED AN INTERVIEW BUT IN AN EMAIL SAID THE PRINCIPAL WAS TO ESTABLISH A MORE FREQUENT PRESENCE IN NURSING HOME.

THE EMAIL GOES ON TO SAY IF THE NEW METHOD IS IMPLEMENTED, THEY WILL STILL CARRY OUT ITS DISTINCT REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT ROLE.

ADVOCATES FOR RESIDENTS CALLED THIS AN IMPOSSIBLE PROMISE.

>> WHAT ARE THEY GIVING UP?

ENFORCEMENT, COMPLAINT INVESTIGATIONS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT ALREADY TAKES THEM AN AVERAGE OF 636 DAYS TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE FACILITIES STATEWIDE.

HE CONTENDS THE AGENCY INSPECTORS TAKE ON CONSULTING ROLES WOULD ALSO POSE A GIANT CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

>> IF YOU GET PULLED OVER FOR SPEEDING AND HE JUMPED IN THE CAR WITH YOU AND SUBLETS DRIVE AROUND AND YOU SHOW ME YOUR SKILLS.

>> Reporter: INSPECTORS TOLD THEM THEY ARE AGAINST THE IDEA, A LAWYER FOR THE UNION DID NOT RETURN PHONE CALLS.

MEANWHILE, ROB SAYS HIS FOOT STILL HAS NOT RECOVERED, AN INVESTIGATION INTO HIS CLAIMS CONCLUDED VISTA PREPARED FAILED TO GIVE HIM PROPER RUINED CARE.

>> THAT WOULD BE THE WORST THING EVER, BECAUSE WE NEED THEM TO BE OUR POLICE.

THAT IS WHAT THEY SHOULD BE, OUR POLICE.

ALMOST LIKE WHEN YOU CALL 911, THE POLICE SHOW UP AND TAKE CARE OF YOU.

>> IN A STATEMENT, PALOMAR VISTA SAID IT COULD NOT DISCUSS THE CLAIMS BUT IT ADDS IT EARNESTLY DISAGREES WITH THE SUGGESTIONS BY ANYONE WAS IGNORED OR MISTREATED AND SAID ITS STAFF IS WELL TRAINED IN WOUND CARE.

>>> ANOTHER MONTH HAS ARRIVED WITH MANY SAN DIEGO AND STRUGGLING TO PAY RENT.

THE COUNTY HAS A NEW EVICTION MORATORIUM IN EFFECT.

HOUSING ADVOCATES ARE DEMANDING MORE.

>> HOUSING AS A HUMAN RIGHT.

>> I DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO OR WHAT TO DO.

I HAVE LOST MY JOB AND I WAS WORRIED TO BE EVICTED.

>> Reporter: DESPITE A STATEWIDE MORATORIUM IN PLACE UNTIL JUNE 30, PROGERIA SHOWS LANDLORD HAS TRIED TO EVICT HER THREE TIMES DURING THE PANDEMIC .

LIKE MANY, SHE DID NOT KNOW WHAT HER RIGHTS WERE BUT ACE ACTION, THE LOCAL ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT STEPPED IN TO HELP HER.

NOW THAT THE COUNTY APPROVED AN EVICTION BAND FOR 60 DAYS AFTER THE STATE REOPENS, TENANT STRUGGLING TO PAY RENT HAVE A LITTLE MORE BREATHING ROOM.

BUT JENNY A WALL, AND ADVOCATE, SAYS LANDLORDS CAN'T BE TRUSTED.

>> YOU CAN'T COUNT ON THE LANDLORDS WILL TO DO WHAT IS ETHICALLY RIGHT OR ILLEGALLY RIGHT.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE THE PRIME EXAMPLE, THE COUPLE HAS BEEN ASKED TO VACATE THEIR APARTMENT IN CITY HEIGHTS.

>> OUR JOBS ARE NO MORE.

>> Reporter: THEY OWES $6000 IN BACK RENT.

THE CONSTELLATION MANAGEMENT HAVE GIVEN THEM UNTIL JUNE 15 TO MOVE OUT.

THAT'S NOT ALL, BROWN SAYS THE LIVING CONDITIONS IN HER APARTMENT FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS HAVE BEEN AN HABITABLE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN INFESTED WITH RATS.

>> Reporter: UNDER THE CITY ORDINANCE, 20% OF RENT WILL BE FORGIVEN FOR TENANTS WITH BACK RENT AND THROUGH THE RENT RELIEF PROGRAM, RENTERS ARE EXPECTED TO RECOUP 80%.

BUT ACE SAYS IT IS NOT ENOUGH, THE GROUP IS ADVOCATING FOR RENT CONTROL AND A BAN ON LANDLORD ABUSE.

KPBS NEWS.

>> MAY WAS ALL ABOUT AWARENESS FOR THE ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY AND MENTAL HEALTH.

CHRISTINA KIM HAS REACTION ON HOW THE TWO ARE INTERTWINED, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> I REMEMBER THAT MOMENT.

>> Reporter: IT SEEMED TO BE A DAY LIKE ANY HONOR BUT THEN PROFESSOR NATALIE TRAN FELT A MOMENT OF FEAR SHE WILL NEVER FORGET.

WHILE DRIVING, SHE SAID SHE KNEW WHITEMAN PROTESTING.

>> I WAS ON THE CAR AND I WAS APPROACHING THE STOP LIGHT, TURNED RED AND I WOULD BE THE FIRST CAR AT THE STOPLIGHT.

AND I HAD THIS THOUGHT THAT MAYBE IT WOULD BE BETTER IF I RAN THE LIGHT.

FOR THE ENTIRE RABBI, I BUSIED MYSELF, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT MY PHONE AND TRYING NOT TO LOOK OVER AT HIM BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID AND I ALMOST FELT LUCKY THAT NOTHING HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: SHE IS NOT ALONE IN HER FEAR, ACCORDING TO REPORTS FROM THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE, 75% OF ASIAN AMERICANS FEEL THE U.S. IS MORE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THEY ARE ASIAN.

AFFAIR LARGELY DRIVEN BY THE SPIKE IN ANTI-ASIAN HATE CRIMES.

A LEAD RACER TO THESE STUDIES, SHE FOUND ONE IN FIVE ASIAN AMERICANS REPORT TRAUMA SYMPTOMS AFTER EXPERIENCING A RACIST INCIDENT.

>> DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, ANGER, DECREASED SELF ESTEEM, AVOIDANCE , INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAS SET UP REPORTING HOTLINES, INTRODUCED A YELLOW WHISTLE CAMPAIGN AND ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO REPORT INCIDENTS.

REPORTING IS SOMETHING RESEARCHERS SAY CAN HELP COMMUNITIES HEAL.

>> WE FOUND AFTER REPORTING, ASIAN AMERICANS REPORTED A REDUCTION IN TRAUMA SYMPTOMS.

>> Reporter: A KEY PART OF REPORTING IS TALKING THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE IN TAKING CONTROL.

ANOTHER WAY IS SEEKING THERAPY IS A NEED THAT IS NOT BEING MET WITH MORE THAN SIX OUT OF 10 ASIAN AMERICANS NOT HAVING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND THAT IS SOMETHING NALLY IS WORKING ON FIXING.

AS A PROFESSOR, SHE IS TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DIVERSE THERAPIST TO BRING THEIR CULTURES INTO THEIR PRACTICE.

>> WE ASKED THEM TO TALK ABOUT THEIR PAST EXPERIENCES AND NOT TO BE ASHAMED OF EXPERIENCES OF POVERTY IN MIGRATION AND YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT HOW THOSE EXPERIENCES INFLUENCE WHO THEY ARE TODAY IN IT CAN BE TOGETHER WITH THEM RATHER THAN TALKED DOWN.

>> Reporter: JUDY CHU OF PASADENA REINTRODUCE LEGISLATION ENDING STIGMA IN THE COMMUNITY.

>>> THE LOCAL FARMING FAMILY OF JAPANESE DESCENT HAS OVERCOME BARRIERS, INTERNMENT CAMPS AND MOST RECENTLY COME OF THE PANDEMIC.

TONYA THORNE TELLS US ABOUT THE FAMILY AND HOW THEIR FARM HAS SURVIVED TO THIS DAY.

>> Reporter: DONALD AND HIS DAUGHTER, BREANNE, WALKED THE FARMLAND THAT ONCE BELONGED TO HIS PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS PICK >> WAY OF ARTICHOKES, ASPARAGUS, RASPBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES.

>> Reporter: THE LAND THAT A IS A VARIETY OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES HAS A RICH HISTORY THAT BEGAN IN JAPAN.

DONALD'S GRANDPARENTS WERE FARMERS IN JAPAN BEFORE THEY DECIDED TO LEAVE THEIR FARM BEHIND AND HAD TO AMERICA.

>> WHEN THEY CAME OVER, THEY WEREN'T JUST WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS.

>> Reporter: THE CALIFORNIA ALIEN LANDLORD AND ALIENS INELIGIBLE FOR CITIZENSHIP FROM OWNING LAND BUT NOT EVERYONE AGREED WITH THE LAW AND AMERICAN FARMERS GAVE THE FAMILY A CHANCE.

THEY WERE ABLE TO SETTLE IN OCEANSIDE IN 1924 WHERE THEY BEGAN DEHYDRATING CHILIES.

>> HERE IS A PICTURE OF MY GRANDFATHER, HE IS THE ONE STANDING ON THE TRUCK AND THESE ARE THE DRIED CHILIES.

>> Reporter: EVERYTHING THEY BUILT CAME TO A HALT AFTER THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR.

>> HERE IS THE BOMBING OF THE MIGHTY USS ARIZONA.

>> IF YOU HAD A JAPANESE FACE OR ANCESTRY, EVEN AS A CITIZEN, THEY INTERNED YOUR.

>> Reporter: HIS GRANDPARENTS WERE SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER ALONG WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND SENT TO INTERNMENT CAMPS IN NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA.

>> MOST FAMILIES LOST EVERYTHING AND WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED, I THINK THEY GAVE THEM $25.

>> Reporter: WHEN THEY RETURN TO THEIR FARM, THEY WERE RELIEVED TO FIND THAT MR. GRAY, AND JENNER SCHOOLS TEACHER HAD TAKEN CARE OF THEIR LAND.

>> MY MOTHER USED TO RUN US TO ESCONDIDO, IT'S NOT 20 MINUTES LIKE NOWADAYS.

IT WAS LIKE 2 1/2 HOURS AND BACKGROUNDS AND IT TOOK FOREVER TO GET OUT THERE BUT WE HAD TO GO SEE MR. GRAY, WE HAD TO TAKE HIM OUR FRESH CORN.

MY MOTHER WAS ALWAYS LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE ARE GIVING BACK.

>> Reporter: THEY EXPANDED INTO CARLSBAD AND BEGAN GROWING AND SELLING TOMATOES.

>> SEMI TRUCK LOADS FULL.

>> Reporter: IN THE 80s, THEY TRANSITION FROM WHOLESALE TO GROWING A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO SELL AND FARMERS MARKETS.

NOW INTO THE FOURTH GENERATION, BREANNE HAD TO HELP THE FAMILY FARM OVERCOME A NEW HURDLE, THE PANDEMIC.

>> WHEN THEY TAPED, WE WERE LIKE OKAY, THE FARMERS MARKETS ARE CLOSING DOWN.

WE MIGHT HAVE TO SHUT DOWN BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE INCOME.

>> Reporter: WITH PALLETS OF FRESH PRODUCE, THEY HAD TO GET CREATIVE AND DECIDED TO PROMOTE THEIR COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE BOXES.

THE BOXES COME WITH FRESH PRODUCE AND ARE DELIVERED FOR FREE.

>> THEY SOUGHT ONLINE, ON FACEBOOK AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DO, INSTAGRAM, OUR DAUGHTER WAS DOING IT AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, THE PHONE WAS RINGING OFF THE HOOK.

>> Reporter: AT A TIME WHEN STORIES WERE LOW ON FOOD, THE BOXES WENT VIRAL AND THEY HAD TO MEET A DEMAND.

THE BOXES DIDN'T ONLY HELP THE FARM STAY IN BUSINESS, THEY ALSO GAVE NEARBY FARMERS A CHANCE TO INCLUDE THEIR PRODUCE IN THE BOXES.

>> WE WORKED 5 TO 7 DIFFERENT FARMERS DEPENDING ON THE SEASON THAN WHAT THEY HAD.

GIVING THEM A PLACE TO SELL THEIR PRODUCE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME GIVING THE CUSTOMERS THE CONNECTION OF WHERE THE PRODUCE IS COMING FROM HAS BEEN A WIN- WIN FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: THE BOXES RANGE FROM $25-$35 AND INCLUDE FREE DELIVERY ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTY.

CUSTOMERS CAN ADD LOCALLY GROWN FLOWERS, OLIVE OIL AND JAMS.

KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT STORY AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE RICH STORYTELLING YOU WILL GET FROM KPBS NEWS.

ALL OF IT CAN BE FOUND ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE, IN ADDITION TO OUR STORIES, YOU CAN ALSO FIND SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND STREAM EPISODES OF KPBS EVENING ADDITION.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO PUBLIC LIBRARY IS KICKING OFF ITS SUMMER READING PROGRAM.

WE SPOKE TO ONE LIBRARIAN ABOUT HOW READING CAN HELP CHILDREN OF ALL AGES READJUSTS TO THE POST PANDEMIC WORLD.

>> Reporter: WITH THIS YEAR'S READING CHALLENGE, LIBRARIANS ARE HOPING CHILDREN WILL EXPLORE NEW WORLDS AFTER A YEAR OF BEING STUCK AT HOME.

EMILY IS THE YOUTH AND ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR.

>> READING COLORS YOUR WORLD, IT ENCOURAGES READERS TO BE CREATIVE, TRY NEW THINGS AND FIND BEAUTY AND DIVERSITY.

>> Reporter: THEY CAN EARN PRIZES BY READING 10 BOOKS ARE READING FOR 10 HOURS OR JOIN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES.

>> THEY ARE LITERACY-BASED ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING WRITING A LETTER TO SOMEONE, TELLING A STORY ALOUD TO SOMEONE, APPRECIATING ORAL STORYTELLING AND WATCHING A MOVIE ADAPTATION OF THE BOOK.

>> Reporter: PRAISES HER BOOKS AND FREE PASSES TO MUSEUMS, SHE HOPES THIS CAN BOOST READING SKILLS.

>> BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, WE ALREADY KNEW IN THE SUMMER FOLLOWING THIRD GRADE, STUDENTS LOSE NEARLY 20% OF THEIR GAINS IN READING.

THAT LOSS CAN INCREASE WITH AGE .

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, PARTICIPANTS CAN SIGN UP ONLINE OR AT ONE OF 25 CITY BRANCHES.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> GETTING YOUR COCKTAILS TO GO AND EXPANDED OUTDOOR DINING ARE NOT GOING AWAY, RACHEL KIM REPORTS ON A POPULAR ASPECT OF PANDEMIC LIFE THAT IS STICKING AROUND.

>> Reporter: DINERS AT GAIL'S RESTAURANT ARE TOASTING TO THE NEWS THAT CALIFORNIA WILL CONTINUE TO ALLOW EXPANDED OUTDOOR DINING AND TO GO TALK TALES AFTER COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED ON JUNE 15.

>> WE ARE JUST THRILLED, I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER FOR MYSELF AND FOR ALL MY WONDERFUL RESTAURATEUR IS.

>> Reporter: GAIL IS THE OWNER OF GALES, SHE TELLS US WITHOUT OUTDOOR DINING, SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STAY OPEN THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT TENDS AND ALFRESCO DINING CAN STAY.

>> TO ALLOW THESE BUSINESSES TO EXPAND THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO RECOVER FROM THIS PANDEMIC AND TO CREATE NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: SHE TELLS US HER TENTS, HEATERS AND OTHER THINGS COST HER OVER $100,000, SHE SAID THAT INVESTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PAY OFF BECAUSE OF WHAT CUSTOMERS HAVE TOLD HER.

>> IF THEY HAVE A CHOICE, IT'S ALWAYS ON THE PATIO, THEY LIKE IT OUTSIDE.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAID EXPANSIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR, WHICH ALLOWS RESTAURANTS AND BARS TO USE SIDEWALKS AND PARKING LOTS.

THE SALE OF TO GO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WILL CONTINUE AS WELL.

LAST YEAR, THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT EASED RESTRICTIONS ON ESTABLISHMENTS.

>> THIS WILL ALLOW FOLKS TO CONTINUE GET TAKEOUT FOOD AND COCKTAILS.

>> WE ARE STILL SELLING IT, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO STAY AT HOME.

>> THAT WAS RACHEL KIM REPORTING, THE DRINKS ARE FLOWING IN LAS VEGAS WHICH IS A TOURIST DESTINATION FOR SAN DIEGO IS, HOW THE CITY IS ENDING ITS RESTRICTIONS AND EXPECTING A BUSY SUMMER.

>> Reporter: IN DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS, ACCOUNT DOWN TO MIKE'S AND CITIES COME BACK.

>> IT IS OFFICIALLY OPENED.

>> Reporter: PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS NOW A THING OF THE PAST.

MASK LEWIS TOURIST CELEBRATING.

>> YOU HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT.

>> IT FEELS GOOD, HOPEFULLY EVERYONE GETS VACCINATED AND WE CAN GET BACK OUT HERE.

>> Reporter: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A YEAR, VISITORS RACKED OUT TO LIVE MUSIC.

CASINOS, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS BACK TO FULL CAPACITY.

THOSE PLEXIGLASS DIVIDERS MEANT TO KEEP GATHERERS SAFE, OFFICIALLY COMING DOWN.

IN MOST PLACES, VACCINATED VISITORS CAN DITCH THE MASK AND SCRATCH SOCIAL DISTANCING BUT HEALTH EXPERTS WORRY NOT EVERYONE WILL PLAY BY THE RULES.

>> IT'S CHALLENGING TO GET PEOPLE TO WEAR THEIR MASKS.

IT'S ON THE HONOR SYSTEM, WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THEIR FIRST VACATION IN A YEAR AND A HALF.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR, THE PANDEMIC TURNED VEGAS INTO A GHOST TOWN.

CASINOS WERE ORDERED TO SHUT THEIR DOORS, COSTING THOUSANDS OF JOBS AND BILLIONS IN LOST REVENUE.

THE JOBLESS RATE FELL TO 33% FROM 7% IN MARCH, ONE OF THE WORST IN THE NATION.

SLIDESHOWS AND CONVENTIONS CAME TO A HALT.

HOW CRITICAL OUR CONVENTIONS TO THE ECONOMY?

THEY ARE SO CRITICAL THAT WHAT YOU SEE ON THE STRIP WOULD NOT MAKE SENSE TO BUILD WITHOUT MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS AS A MAJOR PART OF THAT.

>> Reporter: THEY BRING IN BED BUGS AND CRUCIAL WEEKDAY BOOKINGS, ATTRIBUTING MORE THAN 11 BILLION IN 2019.

NEXT WEEK, THE VISITORS AUTHORITY WILL DEBUT IT'S $1 BILLION EXPANSION TO HOST AMERICA'S FIRST MAJOR TRADESHOW SENSE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

>> TENS OF THOUSANDS WILL BE HERE JUNE 8th.

IT WILL BE THE FIRST CITYWIDE EVENT TO HAPPEN IN THE U.S. >> Reporter: IT'S AN ECONOMIC TEST WHERE THE STAKES ARE HIGH, EVEN FOR A CITY ACCUSTOMED TO HIGH-STAKES.

>> THAT WAS LUCY GOFFIN OF THE REPORTING.

THAT IS ALL FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT KPBS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.