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>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS, I AM JOHN CARROLL.

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BATTLE AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS, INCLUDING A BREAKTHROUGH, ALMOST AS BIG AS THE VACCINE ITSELF.

THE CDC ANNOUNCING THAT MASKS ARE ON THEIR WAY OUT.

>> ANYONE WHO IS FULLY VACCINATED CAN PARTICIPATE IN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, LARGE OR SMALL, WITHOUT WEARING A MASK OR PHYSICAL DISTANCING.

IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED CAN YOU CAN START DOING THE THINGS THAT YOU HAD STOPPED DOING BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> THIS RECOMMENDATION HOLDS TRUE, WHETHER YOU ARE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.

I THINK IT IS A GREAT MILESTONE.

A GREAT DAY.

>> THAT IS THE CDC DIRECTOR MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT, AND PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN REACTING TO THE NEW GUIDANCE, BUT THERE ARE STILL QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW SOCIETY WILL ADJUST.

MASKS HAVE BEEN COMMONPLACE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW, AND PUBLIC TRUST, NO DOUBT, WILL BE IN EFFECT.

BRETT CONNOLLY HAS SOME OF THE NEW QUESTIONS BEING RAISED.

>> Reporter: FIVE MONTHS AGO TODAY COME THE FIRST PERSON OUTSIDE OF A CLINICAL TRIAL GOT THE FIRST DOSE OF A COVID-19 VACCINATION.

NOW, MORE THAN 118 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE U.S. ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

MILLIONS WHO CAN TAKE OFF THEIR MASKS.

MOSTLY.

THE CDC SAYS THE UPDATED MASS GUIDANCE IS MANDATED INDIVIDUALS, POSTING TO EXCEPTIONS LIKE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL OR TERRITORIAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

BUSINESS AND WORKPLACE GUIDANCE.

SO TAKING UP MY MASK ISN'T ENTIRELY UP TO ME.

SOME STATES LIKE MINNESOTA AND NEVADA JUST DROPPED THEIR MASK MANDATES, BUT HAWAII IS KEEPING ITS IN PLACE.

WHAT ABOUT TRAVEL?

THE TSA MASK MANDATE IS STILL IN PLACE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 13, AND MASK RECOMMENDED FOR ALL TRAVEL.

WHAT IF YOU ARE VACCINATED IN YOUR KIDS ARE?

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI HAS THE ANSWERS BUT THE CHILDREN DO, WHEN THEY ARE OUT THERE PLAYING WITH THEIR FRIENDS, PARTICULARLY IN AN INDOOR SITUATIONS BUT WHAT ABOUT SHOPPING?

GROCERY STORE CHAINS LIKE KROGER HAVE ALREADY SAID THEY WANT PEOPLE TO KEEP THEIR MASKS ON.

OTHER RETAILERS ARE CONSIDERING THEIR OPTIONS.

HOW ABOUT RESTAURANTS?

AGAIN, IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU GO.

THAT ALL SOUNDS A LITTLE TRICKY, IT IS.

>> SINCE YOU CAN'T COMPLETELY VALIDATE THAT SOMEONE IS VACCINATED.

>> STILL, SHE SAYS IT IS PROGRESS.

>> THE REASON MASK REQUIREMENTS ARE USING IS SIMPLE, MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING VACCINATED.

PEOPLE A ZEMGUS AS 12 CAN GET THE TWO DOSE PFIZER SHOT.

WHAT FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROCESS.

>> I'M GOING TO FEEL SAFE.

CONFIDENT.

>> THAT AND PROTECTED, AS VACCINE ELIGIBILITY OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR EVERYONE 12 YEARS AND OLDER, FAMILIES HEADED OUT TO VACCINE SITES TO GET THEIR CHILDREN VACCINATED.

FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS OF SAN DIEGO SAYS THE PROCESS IS SIMPLE BUT YOU HAVE TO COME WITH A PARENT, THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE CONSENT, WALK UP, GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.

IN AND OUT IN 30-45 MINUTES.

>> PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ARE ALSO ASKED TO BRING A FORM OF ID FOR THEIR CHILDREN THAT SHOWS THEIR AGES.

>> PARENTS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED SO THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEIR KIDS GET VACCINATED SO THE WHOLE HOUSE IS VACCINATED.

THEY CAN RELAX A LITTLE BIT.

>> THIS 14 -YEAR-OLD SAYS SHE IS READY TO PLAY BALL WITH HER TEAMMATES.

>> WE'VE BEEN PRACTICING SINCE LIKE LAST YEAR, BUT EVERYBODY IS WEARING MASKS FROM WHICH YOU CAN TAKE IT OFF IF YOU ARE FAR AWAY IN THE OUTFIELD.

>> A FRESHMAN ON HOOVER HIGH SOFTBALL VARSITY TEAM, SHE SAYS HER TEAMMATES, WHO ARE 16, ALREADY RECEIVED THE VACCINE, WHICH ENCOURAGED HER TO DO SO AS WELL.

>> I THOUGHT LIKE GETTING IT BECAUSE MOST OF MY TEAM GOT IT AND I WANT TO JUST BE FULLY VACCINATED TO BE SAFE.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY HER MOM, WHO HELPED HER REGISTER AND SIGN PAPERWORK.

AS THEY GOT CLOSER TO GETTING THE NEEDLE IN HER ARM, SHE WAS FEELING - >> A LITTLE NERVOUS, BUT ALL RIGHT.

>> Reporter: AND ALL RIGHT IT WENT.

THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES ENCOURAGED AND PROVIDED MORAL SUPPORT FOR EACH PERSON, AND CHILD, WHO MADE THE BRAVE DECISION TO CUT THE VACCINE.

SO FAR THE HEALTH CENTER HAS RECEIVED A GOOD RESPONSE FROM PARENTS, LOOKING TO GET THEIR CHILDREN VACCINATED.

>> WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN YOU WILL HAVE THOSE PEOPLE NOW THAT THIS IS AVAILABLE TO THAT AGE GROUP, THEY WILL HAVE PEOPLE WANTING TO COME IN AND PROBABLY REACH THAT GROUP THAT IS A LITTLE MORE HESITANT.

>> ONLY THE PFIZER VACCINE HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR USE FOR CHILDREN 12 AND UP.

ACCORDING TO THE COUNTY, ALL STATIC VACCINE SITES WILL HAVE PFIZER VACCINES ON HAND FOR WALK-IN APPOINTMENTS.

PARENTS LOOKING TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO LOG INTO MY TURN .CA .GOV, NEEDED AN APPOINTMENT FOR A SITE NEAR YOU.

THE COUNTY ESTIMATES NEARLY 176,000 SAN DIEGANS AGES 12-15 ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE PFIZER VACCINE.

>> MANY PLACES OFFERING VACCINES WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT.

TO FIND A NEARBY LOCATION VISIT OUR VACCINE DASHBOARD AT KPBS.ORG.

YOU CAN ALSO TRACK THE LOCAL AND STATEWIDE PROGRESS IN REACHING VACCINATION GOALS.

JUST CLICK ON THE VACCINE LINK ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

>>> A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR POPULATION IS STILL SKEPTICAL ABOUT VACCINES.

ARGUING, THEY ARE PART OF A VAST GOVERNMENT OVERREACH.

THAT IS EVIDENT JUST OF THE ROAD IN ORANGE COUNTY, WHERE ELECTED LEADERS GOT AN EARFUL WHEN THEY TRIED TO TRACK WHO IS AND IS IN VACCINATED.

.

>> HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RALLIED OUTSIDE THE ORANGE COUNTY SUPERVISOR'S BOARD ROOM IN SANTA ANA.

THE MESSAGE WAS ANTI-VACCINE, AND A RESOUNDING NO TO THE LAUNCH OF A DIGITAL VACCINATION RECORD, BETTER KNOWN AS A VACCINE PASSPORT.

>> WITH VACCINE PASSPORT, NONVACCINATED PEOPLE HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY BUYING ESSENTIALS FOR LIFE LIKE FOOD AND CLOTHING.

NEVER MIND LIVING UNDER A REGULAR AMERICAN LIFE.

>> YOU NEED TO STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING.

THESE VACCINE PASSPORTS RBS.

>> DO NOT MAKE ORANGE COUNTY TO THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA OR GERMANY.

>> HOW CAN YOU PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF YOUR PEOPLE IN ORANGE COUNTY IF YOU MAKE PUBLIC THEIR HEALTH RECORDS?

>> BY MIDMORNING, NEARLY 800 PEOPLE HAD SUBMITTED THEIR NAMES TO SPEAK.

A LARGE CONTINGENT, DRAWN TO THE MEETING BY A PRESS RELEASE THAT CAME FROM OUTSIDE OF ORANGE COUNTY, AND INCLUDE WHELMING ANTI- MASK ASK OF ITS AND COVID DENIERS.

>> LET'S GET RID OF THE VACCINE, TAKE OVER OUR SCHOOLS AGAIN.

>> THEY BROUGHT SIGNS, FLAGS AND LOUDSPEAKERS.

OFFICIALS SAY IT MISINFORMATION ABOUT THE VACCINE PASSPORT IS BEING SPREAD BY THE CROWD.

>> WE ARE IN A DIGITAL WORLD.

PEOPLE TRY TO ARGUE THAT SOMEHOW THIS IS GOING TO INVADE THEIR PRIVACY.

GET OFF FACEBOOK, GET OFF TWITTER, STOP USING TECHNOLOGY IF THAT IS YOUR CONCERN.

WE ARE NOW JUST GIVING AN OPTION THAT IS A CONVENIENT, DIGITAL OPTION.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO IT, DON'T DO IT.

>> FOUR SUPERVISORS PAUSED ANY IMPLEMENTATION OF DIGITAL RECORD AND STICK WITH THE WHITE VACCINE CARD.

>> VACCINATED MORE PEOPLE SHOULD BE OUR GOAL.

ANYTHING THAT IS GOING TO MAKE PEOPLE MORE RELUCTANT TO DO SO HURTS THE CAUSE FOR ALL OF US.

BECAUSE WE WANT TO BUILD UP HERD IMMUNITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE STORM A CASE NUMBERS MAYBE OF SOME OF THE LOWEST LEVELS OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT THE VIRUS IS STILL A THREAT, AND PEOPLE ARE STILL GETTING SICK.

REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN TELLS US ABOUT NEW TREATMENT BEING OFFERED IN SAN DIEGO.

>> 'S HEALTH CENTERS OF CINDY GO EXPANDING ACCESS TO COVID-19 THERAPY THAT REDUCES THE SEVERITY OF THE VIRUS THAT EARLY ONSET OF SYMPTOMS IS KEY.

REALLY, AS SOON AS IT IS POSITIVE, WE WOULD LIKE TO GET THEM TREATED RIGHT AWAY.

>> THE DIRECTOR OF NURSING AND FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS SAYS THE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT IS SIMPLE AND FAST, REQUIRING JUST ONE VISIT TO DELIVER PROTEINS THAT ATTACK THE VIRUS.

>> IT TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO INFUSE AND WE OBSERVE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR TO ENSURE THERE IS NO ALLERGIC REACTIONS.

IF THEY DO WE ARE PREPARED FOR THAT.

>> SINCE DECEMBER, AROUND TWO AND 50 PEOPLE HAVE COME IN FOR THE TREATMENT BETWEEN THIS FACILITY IN CHULA VISTA, AND ANOTHER IN OAKCREST.

FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS CAN DO MUCH MORE, ALSO BEING OFFERED FREE FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE INSURANCE.

>> WE DESIGNED THIS TO BE AS ACCESSIBLE TO PATIENTS AND OTHERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THE KEY IS TO GET EVERYBODY TREATED.

THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY REASON FOR ANY PATIENTS TO GET ADMITTED TO HOSPITALS WHEN WE HAVE THIS DRUG AVAILABLE FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: THIS ENCANTO RESIDENCES THE TREATMENT WAS EASY.

>> IT WAS GOOD.

I DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING.

>> FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS REACHED OUT TO HER AFTER RECENTLY TESTING POSITIVE.

>> I FEEL GOOD, BUT I TOOK IT PRECISELY TO PREVENT A MUCH WORSE DISEASE.

>> THE TREATMENT GEARED FOR THOSE MOST AT RISK IT CAN BE USED IN KIDS AS YOUNG AS 12.

>> THE PROCESS WAS EASY.

>> THIS 14 -YEAR-OLD TESTED POSITIVE AFTER HER MOM, DAD AND GRANDMOTHER CONTRACTED THE VIRUS SO FAR SHE'S HAD MILD SYMPTOMS INCLUDING A SORE THROAT AND HEADACHES, THIS IS THE TREATMENT HAS REALLY HELPED HER MOM.

>> SHE IS DOING MUCH BETTER.

>> IN ADDITION TO FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS, POLYMER HEALTH AND SAN YSIDRO ARE ALSO OFFERING THE TREATMENT.

>>> STILL ANOTHER WEEK OR SO BEFORE THE PADRES GET SOME STAR PLAYERS BACK.

FERNANDO TAUGHT US JR. AND WIL MYERS TESTED POSITIVE THIS WEEK, DURING A ROAD TRIP IN COLORADO.

THEY ARE NOW IN QUARANTINE, ALONG WITH THREE OTHER TEAMMATES, ALL BECAUSE OF CONTACT FREEZING MANAGEMENT WOULD NOT SEE IF ANY PLAYERS WERE VACCINATED.

THE PADRES ARE THE ONLY TEAM DEALING WITH COVID CASES, SEVERAL NEW YORK YANKEES PLAYERS AND STAFF ALSO TESTED POSITIVE.

>>> THE NEW OUTER HOME FOR SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY NOW HAS A NEW NAME.

ACTUALLY MORE THAN ONE NEW NAME.

THE SYMPHONY SAYS THE VENUE WILL BE KNOWN AS THE RAINY SHELL AT JACOB'S PARK.

THIS WEEK I TALKED TO SOME BIG DONORS WHO MADE THE PROJECT POSSIBLE.

FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY WE GOT TO HEAR MEMBERS OF THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY PLAYING FROM THE STAGE OF THE RAINY SHELL AT JACOBS PARK.

THE SOUND, THE SPACE, THE OVERALL SETTING BROUGHT ONE WORD TO MIND FOR THE SYMPHONY CEO.

>> JOY IN THE MIDST OF DARK TIMES OF THE PAST YEAR, EVERY TIME WE WOULD COME TO THIS PLACE WE WOULD FEEL JOY.

>> JOY, ONLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF SAN DIEGO'S LEADING PHILANTHROPISTS, STEPPING UP WITH HUGE DONATIONS.

$15MILLION FROM EVELYN AND ERNEST READE.

>> MORE THAN I CONTEMPLATED IN MY WILDEST DREAMS.

>> $11 MILLION FROM JOAN AND ERNEST JACOB.

>> WE DID NOT IMAGINE ANYTHING AS GRAND AS IT HAS TURNED OUT.

IT IS JUST SUCH OF SPECIAL PLACE NOW.

I'M SURE WE ARE ALL GOING TO GET WONDERFUL ENJOYMENT FROM HEARING ALL TYPES OF MUSIC AND EVENTS HERE.

>> MILLIONS ALSO GIVEN BY THE CONRAD PREVACID.

THE RAINY SHELL IS A TECHNOLOGICAL WONDER STATE-OF-THE-ART LIGHTING AND SOUND WILL ENVELOP AUDIENCES.

VARIOUS FOOD OFFERINGS FROM SOME OF SAN DIEGO'S BEST SHOTS AND MORE THAN 60 NEW RESTROOMS REPLACING THE FORMER PORTA PARTY'S.

>> LOOK AROUND THIS IS FANTASTICKS BUT WERE NOT BEING USED FOR PERFORMANCES, THE VENUE WILL BECOME A PUBLIC PARK.

>> THIS VENUE WILL GO AND BELONG TO ALL OF SAN DIEGO.

>> BUT MARTHA HAD MORE ON HER MIND TODAY.

THE SYMPHONY TOOK PUBLIC A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN RAISING CASH FROM BIG-MONEY DONORS FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.

NEARLY 80% OF THE WAY TOWARD RAISING $125 MILLION.

NOW THEY ARE ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC TO CHIP IN AND HELP WITH THINGS LIKE THEIR OTHER VENUE, SYMPHONY HALL.

>> 90 -YEAR-OLD PERFORMANCE VENUE AND YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THINGS.

>> FORWARD TO DATE THE STAR THE SHOW WAS THIS REMARKABLE PLACE AND ALL IT WILL OFFER TO THE PEOPLE OF SAN DIEGO.

THE FIRST CONCERT WILL HAPPEN SOMETIME THIS AUGUST, AN EVENT THAT WILL KICK OFF UNTOLD YEARS OF PERFORMANCES AT THIS GIFT TO SAN DIEGO A ONE-OF-A-KIND THE WORLD OVER.

>> DO CHECK IT OUT IT IS REMARKABLE.

THE SHELL OF COURSE WILL BE A DRAW FOR TOURISTS, BUT A RECENT REPORTS IS GETTING THE PART OF THE ECONOMY BACK TO NORMAL WILL TAKE YEARS.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR WORKERS WHO RELY ON VISITORS.

>> PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC SAN DIEGO'S TOURISM INDUSTRY WAS THE SECOND LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE REGION, RESPONSIBLE FOR ABOUT 200,000 JOBS.

SINCE COVID-19 ARRIVED IN EARLY 2020, SOME 70,000 LOCAL TOURIST AND HOSPITALITY WORKERS, LOST THEIR JOBS.

THAT'S ROUGHLY 37% OF ALL JOB LOSSES IN THE REGION.

AMONG HISPANIC WORKERS LOST THEIR JOBS, HALF WORKED IN THE TOURISM SECTOR, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT.

>> I WAS SO BUSY WORKING, I HAD A VERY GOOD INCOME AND THEN TO NOTHING THE WAS JUST VERY SCARY.

>> THE SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO AND A SERVER WHO WORKED FOR SEVEN DIFFERENT HOSPITALITY COMPANIES IN SAN DIEGO.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT COME ALL OF YOUR INCOME STREAMS WERE CUT AND SHE APPLIED FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

NOW SHE SAYS EVEN THAT INCOME IS UNRELIABLE.

>> VERY STRESSFUL.

I'M GOING THROUGH A HARD TIME.

IT IS KIND OF LIKE FOR MARCH 7th, LOSING MY JOB, LOSING MY APARTMENT LOSING MY UNEMPLOYMENT, WORKING LITTLE HOURS HERE AND THERE, TRYING TO ACQUIRE A BABYSITTER.

IT'S VERY OVERWHELMING.

>> BRIDGET BROWNING THE PRESIDENT OF A LABOR UNION FOR HOTEL AND HOSPITALITY WORKERS.

>> EVEN IF BUSINESS COMES BACK TO 2019 LEVELS, I DON'T BELIEVE EMPLOYMENT WILL COME BACK TO 2019 LEVELS EVER.

THEY ARE GOING TO CUT BACK ON AMENITIES THEY FEEL LIKE GUESTS DON'T CARE VERY MUCH ABOUT WHICH MEANS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS JOBS.

>> WHILE THE COVID-19 VACCINE WILL IS ALLOWING THE ECONOMY TO GRADUALLY REOPEN, THE NEW TOURISM AUTHORITY REPORT FOR THE REGION PREDICTS TOURISM WILL NOT FULLY RETURNED TO 2019 LEVELS UNTIL 2024.

ORTIZ HAS STARTED WORK AGAIN AND TRYING TO BE OPTIMISTIC.

>> I'M REALLY HOPING IN MY HEART THAT NEXT YEAR WE GO BACK A LITTLE MORE TO NORMAL.

I CAN SEE THYSELF WORKING AGAIN.

MAYBE NOT THE SEVEN JOBS, BUT WORKING AT LEAST FIVE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE TOURISM AUTHORITY REPORT, VISITATION AND THE COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO GROW 74% THIS YEAR COMPARED TO 2020.

>>> EVEN THE OLDEST STANDING STRUCTURE IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO IS NOT IMMUNE TO THE PANDEMIC'S FINANCIAL DEVASTATION.

THE TROUBLE FACING THE HISTORIC HEART IN THE GASLAMP CORRIDOR.

>> SINCE MARCH, 2020 THE ONLY ACTIVITY THE GASLAMP MUSEUM OF THE DAVIS WHARTON HOUSE HAS SEEN COMES FROM THE RESIDENT'S SPIRITS THE CALL THIS PLACE HOME.

NOW IN FINANCIAL DISTRESS, THE GASLAMP HISTORICAL FOUNDATION STARTED A GO FUND ME PAGE TO KEEP THIS HISTORICAL BUILDING OPEN.

>> TO LOSE IT WILL BE HEARTBREAKING FOR ALL OF US.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REFLECTS ON THE PAST YEAR.

>> WE HAD A REALLY ROUGH YEAR, LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE.

SO, WE ARE RAISING FUNDS, RAISING AWARENESS THAT THE MUSEUM IS IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY.

WE MAY GO AWAY AT THE END OF JUNE UNLESS WE ARE ABLE TO RAISE EXTRA FUNDS.

>> DUE TO PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS, THE FOUNDATION'S NORMAL REVENUE FROM TOURS AND LECTURES, DISAPPEARED.

AND THEIR BIGGEST FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR WAS CANCELED, TWICE.

>> THE SHAMROCK WALK PARTY DOWNTOWN.

>> THAT BROUGHT A LOT OF PEOPLE DOWNTOWN.

IT IS A BIG PARTY.

>> BUILT IN 1850, THE HOUSE MARKED THE BEGINNING OF WHAT IS NOW THE GASLAMP DISTRICT.

>> THIS IS REALLY THE CENTERPIECE OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT, BECAUSE WITHOUT US WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.

>> ALONG WITH THE HISTORY OF THE HOUSE ITSELF, THE GASLAMP MUSEUM COVERS THE HISTORY OF 16 AND A HALF BLOCKS OF THE GASLAMP HISTORICAL DISTRICT.

THE LEAD TOUR GUIDE AND HISTORIAN FOR THE GASLAMP QUARTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

SHE KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF SEVERAL BUILDINGS ON FIFTH AVENUE, BUT THE LITTLE YELLOW SALT BOX MUSEUM - >> IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.

>> IT ORIGINALLY SERVED THE MILITARY.

>> IT WAS HOME FOR OFFICERS, ARMY, SAN DIEGO WAS JUST ORIGINALLY A LITTLE BLIP OR THEY STOP TO REFUEL, BUT THEY DID HAVE THE ARMY PRESENCE HERE AND THEY LIVED IN THIS HOUSE, THE OFFICERS.

>> THE HOUSE WAS NAMED AFTER WILLIAM HEATH DAVIS, ITS FIRST RESIDENT, AS WELL AS ALONZO WHARTON, KNOWN AS THE FATHER OF SAN DIEGO.

IT THEN BECAME -- >> THE FIRST COUNTY HOSPITAL.

A GERMAN IMMIGRANT LADY, A SINGLE MOTHER, OPENED THIS UP AND SHE CHARGED 1 DOLLAR A DAY FOR A PATIENT.

>> EVENTUALLY THE HOUSE WAS DONATED TO THE CITY TO BECOME A MUSEUM.

AFTER FOUR YEARS OF RENOVATIONS, IT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

>> YOU CAN COME INSIDE AND TAKE A LOOK AND SEE THE HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO PLAY OUT WITHIN THESE ROOMS.

IT IS REALLY SPECIAL.

THERE IS NOT ANYTHING FEELS LIKE IT IN SAN DIEGO.

>> UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE ART OF CHAT ARTIFACTS, DON'T TOUCH THEM GET RIGHT THERE AND LOOK AT THEM.

>> AT THE MUSEUM DID CLOSE?

MOST OF BUILDING ITSELF WOULD RETURN TO THE CITY.

THE COLLECTIONS WOULD HAVE TO BE DISBURSED TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND ORIGINAL DONORS.

IT WOULD BE VERY SAD TO LOSE THIS COLLECTION, ESPECIALLY SOME IS HISTORIC TO THE HOUSE ITSELF.

WERE ABOUT TO LEAVE YOU WOULD NEVER GET THIS MUSEUM BACK AGAIN.

>> MUSEUM STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS SAY CLOSURE WOULD MEAN UNCERTAINTY FOR THE HOUSE'S PERMANENT RESIDENTS .

CHARLOTTE PERRY SAYS SHE KNOWS THE HOUSE IS HAUNTED.

>> GHOSTS, TOO.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO MOVE SOMEPLACE ELSE.

WHERE WOULD THEY GO?

>> YOU DON'T MIND IF YOU LISTEN.

THEY DON'T CARE TO MAKE NICE TO HAVE COMPANY.

THEY WOULD BE VERY LONESOME, TOO.

THE GASLAMP HISTORICAL DISTRICT CLOSING ITS DOORS TO THIS HISTORICAL BUILDING WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT LOSS TO DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

THE MUSEUM NOW OPEN FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS FOR SELF-GUIDED TOURS.

>>> CALIFORNIA FLUSH WITH CASH, SO SAYS GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM, WHO ANNOUNCED A $75 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS THIS WEEK.

MUCH OF THAT THANKS TO FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF.

SOME MONEY COULD BE SENT DIRECTLY TO CALIFORNIANS IN THE FORM OF $600 RELIEF PAYMENTS.

>> THE TAX REBATE WILL IMPACT JUST SHY OF 80% OF ALL TAX FILERS WILL GET A DIRECT STIMULUS CHECK WILL GET A DIRECT RELIEF PAYMENT BECAUSE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> PAYMENTS ARE PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S OVERALL BUDGET PROPOSAL, WHICH NEEDS TO BE APPROVED BY LAWMAKERS.

ANYONE MAKING UP TO $75,000 PER YEAR WOULD BE ELIGIBLE.

>>> UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS MIGHT GET ANOTHER ROUND OF STIMULUS PAYMENTS.

MAX RUBEN NADLER TELLS US HOW PAST MONEY HAS HELPED IMMIGRANT WORKERS IN SAN DIEGO, AND WHY MANY BELIEVE MORE IS NEEDED.

>> Reporter: NORTHPARK RESIDENT, OUT OF WORK SINCE BEING LAID OFF FROM A RESTAURANT LAST YEAR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, HE IS UNDOCUMENTED THEM AS WE ARE PROTECTING HIS FULL NAME.

HE WAS ONE OF THE 1000 UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE WHO GOT AN EMERGENCY $500 DEBIT CARD FROM THE STATE COME AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

SINCE THEN, HE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY FURTHER SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO ME EVEN HE PAID TAXES IN THE UNITED STATES FOR SIX YEARS.

UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE DON'T QUALIFY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

IT WAS TOUGH FOR HIM TO FIND WORK, EVEN AFTER BUSINESSES BEGAN TO REOPEN ON MONDAY, GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ANNOUNCED ANOTHER 500 ALL ROUND OF STIMULUS PAYMENTS FOR UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE, ON TOP OF THE 600-DOLLAR PAYMENT APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

HE SAID IF HE WAS TO RECEIVE THE TOTAL ADDITIONAL $1100, HE WOULD SAVE IT, BECAUSE HE STILL DOESN'T HAVE ACCESS TO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

>> I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAVE IT WE ARE GOING TO SAVE IN CASE IN THE FUTURE SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

SPEND THE MONEY AND BE PREPARED FOR THE NEXT ROUND.

>> THIS LACK OF SECURITY FOR UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS WON'T BE SOLVED BY THESE CHECKS.

WITH THE CENTRAL COAST ALLIANCE UNITED FIRST SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY, HIS GROUP PUSHING FOR LARGER CHECKS TO THE STATE'S 2 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE BUT WHILE THE STATE RUNS A HUGE BUDGET SURPLUS BUT A ONE-TIME 500-DOLLAR PAYMENT IS IMPORTANT AND NEEDED, BUT NOT EVEN ENOUGH TO MAKE ONE MONTH'S RENT FOR FOLKS WHO ARE REALLY STRUGGLING WITH JOB LOSS AND REALLY KNOW WHERE TO TURN.

>> HE HAS COME BACK TO WORK IN RECENT WEEKS, AT A DIFFERENT RESTAURANT FROM HIS OLD ONE.

OFTEN WORKING MORE THAN 45 HOURS A WEEK.

HE HAS WATCHED AS OLD COWORKERS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED ALL YEAR BY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

>> THE WHOLE YEAR, OKAY, WHATEVER, MAKES ME FEEL ANGRY.

>> HE'S HOPING CALIFORNIA WILL USE SOME OF ITS RECORD-BREAKING SURPLUS TO BETTER COMPENSATE UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS LIKE HIMSELF.

MAX RIVLIN NADLER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN TOUGH ON LONG-STANDING NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANTS.

SOME FORCED TO CLOSE.

IN CITY HEIGHTS, MANY STUCK IT OUT THROUGH HARD WORK AND SUPPORT FROM THEIR COMMUNITY.

WE ARE CHECKING IN WITH SOME OF THEM IN A SERIES CALLED CITY HEIGHTS LIGHTS.

ONCE AGAIN HERE IS MAX RIVLIN NADLER.

>> WALK AROUND ANY HARD-WORKING NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOU WILL FIND A PLACE YOU CAN RELY ON FOR FAST, CHIEF, AND DELICIOUS COMFORT FOOD.

FOR THE PAST 17 YEARS THAT HAS BEEN FILLED BY THESE OWNERS.

AS AN IMMIGRANT FROM SAIGON, HE STARTED AS A DISHWASHER AT A CHINESE RESTAURANT IN WHARTON PLAZA.

WORKING HIS WAY UP TO EXECUTIVE CHEF, BEFORE HE DECIDED HE WANTED TO OPEN A RESTAURANT THAT WOULD MEET PEOPLE AT THE PRICE POINT THEY WERE AT IN HIS OWN NEIGHBORHOOD OF CITY HEIGHTS.

SO HE BOUGHT THIS CONTINUING TO WORK WITH CHINESE FOOD AND FOCUSING ON DISHES LIKE HOMEMADE WONTON NOODLES, SERVED QUICKLY TO A HUNGRY COMMUNITY ON THE GO.

'S DAUGHTER SANDY, SAW WHERE FATHER WAS COMING UP, GROWING UP IN THE RESTAURANTS THAT WE DIDN'T GROW UP WITH A LOT OF MONEY AND WHEN HE WAS STRUGGLING HE WAS A SINGLE DAD FOR A WHILE, RAISING TWO LITTLE GIRLS, HE HAD THREE JOBS FROM TRYING TO FEED ME AND MY SISTER WAS REALLY DIFFICULT FOR HIM.

HE FOUND PLACES WHERE FOOD WAS AFFORDABLE, HE WANTED TO BRING GOOD, QUALITY HOMEMADE FOOD AND STILL KEEP IT AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.

BUSINESS GROUND TO A HALT AS THE PANDEMIC SHUT DOWN RESTAURANTS.

OVERNIGHT, THE BUSINESS THAT KEPT LONG TIME RESIDENTS OF CITY HEIGHTS SAID, HAD TO SHUT DOWN.

>> IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT IN THE BEGINNING.

ONLY IN MY PARENTS OLDER, THEIR STAFF IS OLDER AS WELL AS THE CLIENTELE.

THEY MADE IT A PRIORITY.

>> LIKE OTHER RESTAURANTS THEY SHIFTED TO FULL TAKE OUT, BUT MISSED THE BUSINESS FROM THE QUICK SHUFFLING SAT DOWN EXPERIENCE, WHICH FIT THE BUSY SCHEDULES OF THEIR CUSTOMERS.

LUCKY FOR THEM IT CAN EASILY BE REHEATED, AND CUSTOMERS FELL BACK ON THE OLD FAVORITE DURING THESE TROUBLED TIMES.

WITH A FEW LOANS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHER SMALL GRANTS, IT IS STILL ON ITS FEET, AS IT EMERGES FROM THE PANDEMIC.

>> EVERYONE HAS BEEN EXCITED TO SEE US HERE AND WALKING THROUGH THE DOORS.

IT HAS JUST BEEN VERY FUN TO SEE EVERYONE ENJOY A MEAL WITH US WE MAKE IT DOESN'T STICK OUT, AND NOT FLASHY.

BUT RESTAURANTS LIKE THIS KEEP THE COMMUNITY FED.

SANDY TOBIN HAS OPENED HER OWN RESTAURANT, BUT HER FAMILY'S FOOD AND ETHIC REMAINS ROOTED IN CITY HEIGHTS.

>> THAT IS WHAT MAKES IT CITY HEIGHTS THESE BUSINESSES THAT ARE NOT ONLY INDEPENDENTLY OWNED BY SMALL FAMILIES, NOT BACKED BY SOME BIG CORPORATION, BUT WE HAVE BEEN HERE SO LONG.

WE ARE WHAT THE CULTURE HERE IS.

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

I AM JOHN CARROLL.

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