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

WE ARE NOW LESS THAN A MONTH FROM CALIFORNIA'S FULL REOPENING DATE OF JUNE 15.

LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO LET UP ITS VACCINE EFFORT.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDRA TELLS US ABOUT A NEW COMMITMENT TO GET PEOPLE THEIR SHOTS.

>> IT IS JUST FOR A FEW MORE WEEKS.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY ESTIMATES THAT EVERYONE WHO WOULD HAVE WANTED THE VACCINE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IT BY JUNE 15, WHICH IS WHY THE DATE WAS SELECTED THEN TO END MASK REQUIREMENTS.

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THURSDAY HE TALKED WITH BUSINESS OWNERS WHO WERE IN FAVOR OF THE MANDATE.

>> I HEARD FROM A LOT OF BUSINESSES WHO SAID THEIR WORKERS WERE NOT COMFORTABLE AT THIS POINT MOVING SO RAPIDLY WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: THIS AS CALIFORNIA REGULATORS DEBATE ON EASING VACCINE REQUIREMENTS, PROPOSING FULLY VACCINATED WORKERS WEAR MASKS UNTIL JULY 31, A DATE THEY ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF.

THE LATEST NUMBERS, 66% HAVE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE, AND MORE THAN 50% ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

FLETCHER SAYS THERE HAS BEEN A DROP IN PEOPLE LINING UP FOR THE VACCINE, BUT A RECENT PUSH TO TAKE THE VACCINE TO PEOPLE WITH THE COUNTY'S MOBILE SITE HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE.

>> WE ALREADY COMPLETED 15 MOBILE VACCINE EVENTS.

WE GOT SHOTS IN THE ARM OF MORE THAN 2,500 INDIVIDUALS.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY IS ALSO MAKING EFFORTS TO MOTIVATE YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED AS THEY HAVE SEEN INCREASE IN INFECTION IN THE AGE GROUP.

>> ACCORDING TO OUR COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER, PEOPLE 18 AND YOUNGER ARE HAVING AN INCREASE IN THE PERCENTAGE OF CASES, THE RATE FROM 3% RISING TO 22%.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY SAYS THE INCREASE CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO STUDENTS RETURNING TO SCHOOL.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE STILL COVID OUTBREAKS IN THE COUNTY, OUTBREAKS ARE SAID TO BE DECLINING DUE TO VACCINATION EFFORTS DUE TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT.

CORONAVIRUS RATES HAVE BEEN DECLINING SINCE MAY BEGAN.

>> WE HAVE A DASHBOARD THAT INCLUDES A MAP OF LOCAL VACCINE LOCATIONS.

TO GET THERE, CLICK ON THE VACCINE'S LINK ON OUR HOME PAGE.

>>> JUNE 17 IS A DATE THAT PADRES FANS HAVE CIRCLED ON THEIR CALENDARS.

THE TEAM ANNOUNCED FRIDAY THAT IS WHEN PETCO PARK WILL REOPEN TO FULL CAPACITY.

THEY ARE CALLING IT SAN DIEGO'S OPENING DAY.

A BUNCH OF SPECIAL PROMOTIONS AND GIVE AWAYS ARE PLANNED AGAINST THE CINCINNATI REDS AND THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO FRONT LIBRARY HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

UNTIL NOW THEY HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO FILL THE STADIUM TO LESS THAN HALF CAPACITY.

>>> ANOTHER BIG DRAW DOWNTOWN ARE THE CRUISE SHIPS THAT HAVE GONE NOWHERE SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

NOW MORE ON WHAT IS BEING DONE TO BRING BACK THAT $300 MILLION PIECE OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: THIS CAPTAIN OF THE HOLLAND AMERICA LINE IS EAGER TO -- >> GETTING BACK TO WHAT WE DO BEST, WHICH IS GIVING OUR GUESTS A MEMORABLE CRUISE VACATION.

>> Reporter: FOR ALL OF 2020 CRUISE SHIPS WERE EITHER DOCKED LIKE THIS ONE, OR STUCK OUT AT SEA WITHOUT ANY GUESTS.

137 CRUISE SHIPS SCHEDULED TO STOP?

SAN DIEGO WERE CANCELED IN AN EFFORT TO JUMP START THE CRUISE SEASON IN AS EARLY AS OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR, THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO AND SHARP HEALTH CARE HAVE PARTNERED TO VACCINE CREW MEMBER ON THIS SHIP AND TWO SHIPS OFF THE COAST.

>> OVER 400 CREW MEMBERS GOT THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE COVID- 19 VACCINE.

>> THIS IS A MAJOR STEP TO OPENING UP THE INDUSTRY.

IT IS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT INDUSTRY FOR THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO AND THE SAN DIEGO REGION.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO IS THE THIRD BUSIEST CRUISE PORT IN CALIFORNIA.

THE COMMISSIONER KNOWS THAT THIS INDUSTRY -- >> CREATES THOUSANDS OF GOOD JOBS AND THE RESTAURANT, LODGING, TRANSPORTATION AND RESTAURANT INDUSTRIES, WATERFRONT WORKER, ETC.

>> Reporter: AND THE VACCINATION EVENT LIKE THIS ONE WAS A TEAM EFFORT.

>> IN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICERS, WE HAVE COORDINATED CLOSELY.

>> Reporter: THE VICE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SHARP HEALTH CARE DESCRIBED THEIR PANDEMIC EFFORTS SO FAR.

>> AS OF THIS MORNING WE HAVE VACCINATED APPROXIMATELY 542,000 PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO.

WE ARE TRANSITIONING AND PIVOTING FROM THE WORK WE ARE DOING IN OUR VACCINATION SITES TO PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY INDUSTRY AS WELL AS AILINGCIES TO BE ABLE TO BRING VACCINATIONS TO THE PLACES THAT PEOPLE WORK.

>> Reporter: SHARP HEALTH CARE PERCENTAGE ALSO HEADED OUT ON BOATS TO VACCINE THE CREW ON A PRINCESS SHIP.

THEY WILL SAIL OUT TO ONE MORE HOLLAND AMERICA SHIP TO VACCINE THAT CREW.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE REPORTED ON SO MANY HATE CRIMES DIRECTED AT ASIAN- AMERICANS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

NOW MORE ON A BILL THAT COULD BRING JUSTICE TO VICTIMS.

>> THIS BILL BRINGS US ONE STEP CLOSER TO STARTING HATE NOT ONLY FOR ASIAN-AMERICANS BUT ALL AMERICANS.

IT WILL EXPEDITE THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S REVIEW OF HATE CRIMES, EVERY TYPE OF HATE CRIME.

>> MY MESSAGE TO ALL OF YOU HURTING, BE SEEN.

AND CONGRESS HAS SAID WE SEE YOU.

AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO STOP THE HATRED AND THE BIAS.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED THE COVID-19 HATE CRIMES ACT, WHICH CONGRESS PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY.

ASIDE FROM GIVING PROSECUTORS MORE RESOURCES, IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

FOR MORE ON REPORTS IN HATE CRIMES IN MAJOR CITIES, WE FOUND HATE CRIMES HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

>>> IN THE BAY AREA A WOMAN SHOWED UP TO AN ASIAN RESTAURANT WITHOUT A MASK AND SPIT AT WORKERS.

NOW MORE ON THE ATTACK WHICH WAS CAUGHT ON VIDEO.

>> Reporter: IN VIDEO UPLOADED TO TIKTOK, AN UNMASKED CUSTOMER IS SEEN SPITTING AT YOURSELF MAI HOT DOG EMPLOYEES.

A WORKER SAID THEY ASKED THE WOMAN TO PUT ON A MASK.

>> YOU HAVE TO BE PRETTY ANGRY TO SPIT ON SOMEONE JUST BEING ASKED TO FOLLOW THE RULES.

>> Reporter: THE WOMAN HAD JUST PLACED AN ORDER AND PAID BEFORE THE CONFRONTATION, ADDING THE CUSTOMER ARGUED SHE HAD A RETIRE TO REMAIN UNMASKED.

>> THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME SHE HAS DONE IT.

SHE DID IT TO TWO OTHER CO- WORKERS AND EVEN OUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS.

>> Reporter: THE OWNER CONFIRMED SHE HAS SHOWN UP WITHOUT A MASK AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE.

HE COMPROMISED AND ALLOWED THE CUSTOMER TO ORDER AND WAIT OUTSIDE, BUT AFTER THIS DISPLAY HE CALLED THE POLICE, ADMITLY NOT WANTING TO FILE A REPORT.

>> I DON'T CONDONE THIS BEHAVIOR, BUT AT THE SAME TIME I DON'T UNDERSTAND EVERYBODY'S CIRCUMSTANCES.

I DON'T WANT TO MAKE THINGS WORK FOR PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: AND THE WOMAN TOOK OFF BEFORE POLICE GOT THERE, BUT NOT BEFORE SHE WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA.

>> IF YOU CAN'T COMPLY WITH THE RULES, YOU CAN'T COME IN.

IT IS AS SIMPLE AS THAT.

>> POLICE IN SAN JOSE SAY THE WOMAN SEEN IN THE VIDEO HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THAT SHE COULD FACE A MISDEMEANOR ASSAULT CHARGE.

>>> THE PAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN CONTENTIOUS AT FRIENDSHIP PARK.

BUT A MAJOR ANNIVERSARY IS COMING UP, AND AS WE ARE REPORTING, PEOPLE ARE CALLING FOR IT TO FULLY REOPEN.

>> Reporter: FRIENDSHIP PARK AND THE BI-NATIONAL CIRCLE THAT IS A PART OF IT HAS BEEN A MEETING PLACE FOR FAMILIES SEPARATED BY A BORDER WALL THAT HAS ONLY GROWN HIGHER AND LONGER IN RECENT YEARS.

ADVOCATES SAY IT IS A VITAL SPACE FOR REUNIONS AND HEALING, ONE THAT HASN'T BEEN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DURING ONE OF THE MOST TUMULTUOUS TIMES IN HISTORY.

>> Reporter: THE PARK HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, ONE OF SEVERAL STATE PARKS CLOSED DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS THE PARK HAS REOPENED.

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE WITHIN THE FRIENDSHIP STATE PARK HAS NOT.

BORDER PATROL HAS NOT OPENED THE GATE ON THE AMERICAN SIDE TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO GO INTO THE CIRCLE AND SEE THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

THEY TOLD ADVOCATES THAT FRIENDSHIP PARK WOULD REOPEN FOR EIGHT HOURS EVERY WEEKEND.

ONCE PEOPLE COULD ONCE AGAIN ACCESS IT THROUGH THE STATE PARK.

THIS IS AN OFFICIAL WITH FRIENDS OF FRIENDSHIP PARK.

>> IN A MEETING A FEW DAYS BEFORE THIS PAST SUNDAY, WE WERE INFORMED THAT BECAUSE OF STAFFING PURPOSES THAT THE PARK WOULD REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

WHICH, OF COURSE, IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE NOT VERY HAPPY ABOUT.

>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT, CUSTOMIZES AND BORDER PROTECTION SAID BECAUSE OF MIGRANTS ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER, IT CANNOT STAFF THE PARK OR REOPEN FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE UNTIL IT HAS SUFFICIENT MANPOWER TO INSURE IT IS SAFE FOR EVERYONE.

BUT SOME THINK THAT REASONING DOESN'T HOLD UP.

THERE ARE SEVERAL BORDER PATROL AGENTS POSTED AT THE SITE REGULARLY ON WEEKENDS AND HE DOESN'T BELIEVE LETTING A FEW DOZEN PEOPLE IN THE PARK WOULD REQUIRE EXTRA STAFFING.

WITH THE RISE OF AMERICAN CITIZENS TRYING TO GET INTO THE U.S.

THROUGH THE DESERT OR BOATS FRIENDSHIP PARK COULD ACT AS A PLACE OF NEEDED RELIEF FOR PEOPLE EAGER TO REUNITE WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

THIS GENTLEMEN CAME FOR REFUGE AND COMFORT.

>> PEOPLE GET DESPERATE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

THEY WILL DO ANYTHING, EVEN RISK THEIR LIFE, TO BE ABLE TO BE WITH THEIR FAMILY.

>> Reporter: SUPPORTERS OF THE PARK HOPE IT CAN REOPEN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, AND DEFINITELY IN TIME FOR THE PARK'S 50th ANNIVERSARY THIS AUGUST.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> MANY IMPORTANT EVENTS OF OUR LIVES, LIKE WEDDINGS WERE PUT ON HOLD DURING THE PANDEMIC.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDRA TALKS WITH WORKERS OPTIMISTIC BETTER TIMES ARE AHEAD.

>> Reporter: NOW IT IS TIME TO RAISE A TOAST AND MARK THE CALENDARS AS THE EVENT INDUSTRY HERE IN SHULA VISTA PREPARES FOR A NEW SEASON OF BOOKINGS.

ALONG THIRD AVENUE OF DOWNTOWN SHULA VISTA SITS A ROW OF RESTAURANTS, BUSINESSES AND BREWERY, ALSO A GO-TO SPOT FOR PEOPLE LOOKING TO PLAN A WEDDING OR OTHER CELEBRATIONS.

PARTY PHOTOGRAPHERS -- >> THERE WAS NO THE BUSINESS FOR US.

>> Reporter: TO PARTY RENTAL PROPERTIES.

>> WE WORK MAINLY WITH RESTAURANTS, WEDDINGS, BIRTHDAYS, CHURCHES ARE CLOSED, RESTAURANTS ARE CLOSED.

>> Reporter: AND DRESS SHOPS, TUXEDO SHOPS AND CATERING COMPANIES -- THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN.

>> IT WAS SO SCARED.

I WAS SO SCARED OF LOSING MY BUSINESS, AND THIS IS A FAMILY BUSINESS WHERE MY KIDS HELP ME.

>> Reporter: THIS IS VICKY HERNANDO, THE OWNER OF ALLUSION HALL.

SHE WAS ON THE VERGE OF BANKRUPTCY.

>> I NEVER BELIEVED I COULD BE A WAITER, BUT I WAS TRYING TO FIND A JOB.

>> Reporter: SHE ALSO TOOK OUT A $60,000 LOAN FOR HER BUSINESS.

>> WHEN THE LOANS START PILING UP, I QUALIFIED FOR A LOAN AND THAT HELPED ME.

THAT WAS MY KEY TO CONTINUING IN THIS BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: AFTER YEAR OF CANCELED EVENTS, HERNANDO IS SEXUALEDDED TO HOST A HERNANDEZ IS SCHEDULED TO HOST A STRING OF PARTYS THIS SUMMER.

>> NOW I AM VERY BUSINESS.

I HAVE BUSINESSES WAITING.

>> Reporter: AND NOW ON SUNDAY SHE IS GIVING CLIENTS A FEEL OF WHAT THEIR DREAM DAY CAN LOOK LIKE.

THIS TUXEDO SHOP SAYS THE REOPENING OF PARTY HALLS IS A GOOD SIGN AS PEOPLE WILL BE LOOKING FOR FORMAL WEAR.

>> EVERYDAY MORE PEOPLE ARE COMING UP.

>> Reporter: THE MAJORITY OF THIS INCOME IS FROM LATINO.

90% OF THE CLIENTS ARE LATINO.

>> ESPECIALLY FOR THE SPANISH PEOPLE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT KIND OF PARTY, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, EVENTS IN THE FAMILY.

>> Reporter: ITS LOYAL CUSTOMERS ARE KEEPING HIM AFLOAT.

OUT OF 50 EVENTS HE HAD SCHEDULED LAST YEAR, HE SAYS ONLY ONE ASKED FOR THEIR MONEY BACK, AND THE REMAINING 49 HAVE RESCHEDULED FOR THIS YEAR.

>> MOST OF OUR CUSTOMERS ARE, HOW DO YOU SAY, OLD CUSTOMERS, OLD CUSTOMERS.

I HAVE A CUSTOMER FROM 20 YEARS.

THEY ARE COMING BACK.

THEY COME FOR A PARTY, A WED, LATER ON ANOTHER EVENT.

>> Reporter: THE OWNER OF MARIO'S BOUTIQUE SAYS HE HAS AN ENTIRE DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHIC OF CLIENTELE HE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH.

ABOUT 30% TO 40% OF MY CUSTOMERS COME FROM IGUANA TO LOOK FOR DRESSES HERE, HE SAYS.

IT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE.

HE SAYS HE HAS HAD SEVERAL CUSTOMERS LOOKING FOR PROM DRESSES.

AS AN ADDED BONUS, HE WASN'T EXPECTING TO SEE THIS YEAR WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF HIGH SCHOOL PROMS.

AS THE EVENT INDUSTRY BEGINNING TO SALVAGE THIS YEAR, HERNANDEZ IS GRATEFUL TO HAVE MADE IT THROUGH.

>> I AM HAPPY I DIDN'T STOP.

BUT IT WILL TAKE US MAYBE A YEAR-AND-A-HALF OR TWO YEARS TO GO BACK TO WHERE WE WERE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT STORY IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE IN-DEPTH CONTENT PROVIDED BY KPBS NEWS.

YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE AND STREAM KPBS PODCASTS AND WATCH FULL EPISODES OF KPBS EVENING EDITION.

>>> ANOTHER RITE OF PACKAGE IS GETTING BACK TO NORMAL WITH GRADUATION SEASON.

IN-PERSON CEREMONIES BEGIN NEXT WEEK FOR SDSU.

THEY ARE SPACING OUT ITS EVENTS WITH DIFFERENT SCHOOLS HOLDING CEREMONIES THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT PETCO PARK.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A VIRTUAL OPTION.

IT IS NOT JUST THE CLASS OF 2021.

LAST YEAR'S GRANTING CLASS IS BEING INVITED BACK TO TAKE PART IN CEREMONIES CANCELED OVER THE PAST YEAR DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

DISTANCE LEARNING HAS BEEN TOUGH ON MANY STUDENTS.

WHILE ACADEMIC LOSS MAY BE FRONT OF MIND FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS, TEST SCORES ARE ONLY PART OF THE PICTURE.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER JOE HONG SHOWS US HOW HART AND MUSIC CAN HELP STUDENTS RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC SCHOOL YEAR.

>> Reporter: FOR BARBARA LA ROY, ONE SILVER LINING OF TEACHING AT HOME DURING THE PANDEMIC WAS PLAYING THE UKELELE TO KEEP STUDENTS ENGAGED.

SHE IS PART OF THE CHULA VISTA SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> TO GET OUT OF MY HEAD, MY OWN FEELINGS, IT CENTERS ME, HELPS ME TO CALM DOWN.

>> Reporter: WHILE EDUCATORS HAVE WORRIED ABOUT LEARNING LOSS AND STUDENTS FALLING BEHIND, HE CAN PERTS SAY ACADEMIC RECOVERY MAY CREATE MORE ANXIETY FOR STUDENTS.

NOW THE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS FOR AN ORGANIZATION CALLED POLICY FOR ORGANIZATIONS SAYS ANXIETY IS PART OF STUDENTS RETURNING TO CAMPUS.

>> WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHEN KIDS COME BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER BEING AWAY, THEY ARE BRINGING NOT ONLY POTENTIALLY MORE VARIED ACADEMIC CHALLENGES, BUT THEY HAVE HAD A WIDE RANGE OF EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES AND THEIR SOCIOEMOTIONAL WELLNESS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

>> Reporter: IT IS ABOUT HELPING STUDENTS REDISCOVER A LOVE OF BEING AT SCHOOL.

>> THINGS LIKE THE ART, BAND, VISUAL ARTS, DANCE, SPORTS, THOSE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE KIND OF MORE OFTEN OFF TO THE SIDE ARE ACTUALLY PLACES WHERE STUDENTS CAN BRING THEIR WHOLE SELFS AND FIND MEANING AND DEVELOP THEIR RELATIONSHIPS AND CONNECTIVITY TO SCHOOL THAT HELP THEM GET THROUGH SCHOOL AND ULTIMATELY THRIVE AS WELL- ROUNDED HUMAN BEINGS.

>> Reporter: BONDY HUNT, A FIRST GRADE TEACHER HERE SAYS THE SOCIAL ARTS HELP STUDENTS AS THEY EMERGE FROM A YEAR IN ISOLATION.

>> I HAD A FEW STUDENTS THAT WERE VERY ISOLATED, HAD A LOFT ANXIETY COMING BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM.

BEING ABLE TO DRAW AND DO ART, WHICH IS KIND OF AN INDEPENDENT THING, KIND OF BROUGHT THEM OUT OF THEIR SHELL.

>> Reporter: BUT ACADEMICS AND THE ARTS AREN'T COMPLETELY SEPARATE.

THE STUDENTS SPENT THE LAST WEEK LEARNING ABOUT THE BUGS AND INSECTS THAT POLLINATE THE FLOWERS AND AERATE THE SOIL.

>> WE ARE LEARNING ABOUT THE BUTTERFLIES AND ANIMALS THAT POLLINATE.

>> Reporter: THIS HELPS STUDENTS GAIN CONFIDENCE WHILE LEARNING THE MATERIAL.

>> THEY TAKE OWNERSHIP OF IT AND IT TAKES WHAT THEY ARE LEARNING FROM A BOOK AND MAKES IT REAL.

WHEN THEY CAN TRANSFER WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN OR LEARNED IN A BOOK AND CREATE THEIR OWN, THEN YOU CAN REALLY SAY THEY HAVE LEARNED IT.

>> Reporter: HUNT IS RETIRING THIS YEAR, BUT SHE HOPES THE NEW NORMAL DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SAME HYPER FOCUS ON STANDARDIZED TESTS.

SHE IS ROOTING FOR BEAUTY AND SELF EXPRESSION TO MAKE A COMEBACK.

>> WHETHER IT IS CREATING SOMETHING THAT MAKES THEM FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES, OR SOMETHING THAT THEY CREATEED THAT THEY ARE PROUD OF, OR SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE CREATED THAT TAKES THEIR SADNESS AWAY, THEN THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT THE CLASSROOM.

NOT WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN BUBBLE IN.

BUBBLING IN THE AN ART.

>>> ARTIES ARE EXCITED TO GET BACK TO A PLACE THAT DRAWS A LOT OF TOURISTS IN SAN DIEGO.

NOW MORE ON HOW PERFORMERS ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP ARE STAYING READY.

>> Reporter: TRUSTING IN THE PROCESS.

WITH THE YEAR LAS VEGAS PERFORMERS HAVE HAD, FINALLY HAVING CERTAINTY ABOUT SHOWS RETURNING IS A WEIGHT OFF EVEN THEIR STRONG SHOULDERS.

THIS IS PEDRO, A CAST MEMBER IN CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S SHOW ON TREASURE ISLAND.

HE TRIED HIS COSTUME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: FOR THESE TALENTSING CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE LIVE IS THEIR CALLING.

>> THE STARS IN THEIR EYE, IT IS AMAZING.

IT IS LIKE, OH, WOW, I HAVE DONE SOMETHING FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT IN THE SAME TIME WAS PROOF FOR ME, TOO.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN OUT OF WORK, DON'T EXPECT THEM TO BE RUSTY.

THE IN FACT, MORE JAWS MAY DROP THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> IT WILL NOT BE THE SAME SHOWS.

PEOPLE ARE SO MUCH BETTER, SO MUCH MORE FLEXIBLE, STRONG AND READY TO GO BACK ON STAGE.

THE PASSION IS THERE.

>> WITH ARE SO EXCITED AND HAPPY TO BE BACK ON THE STAGE.

>> Reporter: BUT LAS VEGAS SHOWS AREN'T THE ONLY THINGS BOUNCING BACK.

CONVENTIONS ARE, TOO.

>> WE ARE ECSTATIC ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 720 LABOR UNION SAY THERE IS ARE SEVERAL DOZEN MEMBERS AIMING TO COME OFF OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

HE SAYS CONVENTION CALENDARS ARE ALREADY FILLING UP, STARTING IN OCTOBER, ESPECIALLY.

>> COME FEBRUARY, MARCH, CONVENTION WORLD AND STAGE HAPPENEDS WILL BE PRETTY MUCH WHERE WE WERE IN 2019.

>> Reporter: BUT, STILL, KEEPING IN MIND THE BALANCING ACT OF COVID SAFETY AND A RETURN TO NORMALCY.

>> WE WANT THE AUDIENCE TO BE SAFE.

WE WANT THE PEOPLE WE ARE WORKING WITH TO BE SAFE.

>> Reporter: HIS PLEA FOR HIS NEIGHBORS NOW TO TAKE THE LEAP.

>> YOU ARE DOING IT FOR SOCIETY, YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: AND GETTING VACCINATED IF YOU HAVEN'T.

>> THAT WAS MADDIE WHITE REPORTING.

IF IT SEEMS LIKE THINGS ARE MOVING QUICKLY, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

READJUSTING TO LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN CAN BE A CHALLENGE MENTALLY.

PSYCHOLOGISTS CALL IT REENTRY ANXIETIES.

PHIL BLACK SPOKE TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THEIR OWN UNIQUE WAYS.

>> Reporter: CONFINED LARGELY TO OUR HOMES, DEPRIVED OF FEELS, EXPERIENCES, AND HUMAN CONNECTIONS, SOMEHOW WE MOSTLY LEARNED TO GET BY.

NOW IN COUNTRIES WITH ADVANCED VACCINE PROGRAMS WE MUST ADAPT AGAIN.

TO CROWDS, TO CONVERSATIONS, TO A PACE OF LIFE THAT SEEMS DISTANT AND PERSONALLY, A LITTLE INTIMIDATING.

>> THAT MAKES ME FEEL NERVOUS, ANXIOUS, FEARFUL, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHY I AM FEELING THIS WAY.

>> I THINK WE HAVE ALL BECOME A LITTLE INCLINED TO BE CLOSED IN AND HESITANT TO GO BACK TO THAT NORMAL LIFE.

AND WE NEED TO REINVIGORATE THAT SOCIAL MUSCLE.

>> Reporter: THIS PSYCHOLOGIST SAYS NERVOUSNESS ABOUT RETURNING TO SOMETHING LIKE OUR OLD REALITY HAS A NAME NOW, REENTRY ANXIETY, BUT IT IS NOT NEW.

>> IT HAS BEEN OBSERVED IN PSYCHOLOGISTS BEFORE FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE SPENT PROTRACTED PERIODS IN ISOLATION.

>> CHRIS HATFIELD EXPLAINS WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE FEELING ANXIOUS.

>> WHEN I WAS ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, IT WAS A LITTLE UNDER SIX MONTHS, HALF A YEAR, HALF WAY AROUND THE SUN >> Reporter: HATFIELD SAYS THERE IS CHANGE TO RETURNING, AND NOW PEOPLE ARE FEARING WE COULD LOSE WHAT WE FOUND IN THE EXPERIENCE.

>> HOW AM I GOING TO TAKE THIS NEW VERSION OF ME AND INTRODUCE IT TO THIS NEW VERSION OF THE WORLD IN AS PRODUCTIVE A WAY AS I CAN.

>> A PRACTICAL OPTIMISM.

IS THAT FAIR?

>> THAT IS HOW WE FLY SPACESHIPS, WITH A DEEPLY-BASED OPTIMISM.

>> Reporter: SHE BELIEVES SHE IS HER BEST SELF WHEN BATTLING OCEANS ALONE.

SHE RECENTLY FINISHED A 96 DAY, NON-STOP, SINGLE-HANDED RACE AROUND THE WORLD.

BUT EVEN WITH ALL HER EXTRAORDINARY COURAGE, RETURNING TO LIFE ON LAND CAN BE OVERWHELMING.

>> BE DRIVEN.

WE ARE ADAPTABLE AND WE WILL GO TO A DIFFERENT KIND OF NORMAL AGAIN.

BUT YOU WANT TO ALLOW THE CHANGE TO HAPPEN GRADUALLY AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE DOING THE THINGS THAT WORK FOR YOU.

>> MY WIFE AND I WERE ARRESTED.

>> Reporter: JASON WAS IMPRISONED IN IRAN WHILE WORKING AT A WASHINGTON POST BUREAU CHIEF.

>> I SPENT 49 DAYS IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT.

AND I WENT ON TO SPEND A TOTAL OF 544 DAYS IN THAT PRISON.

>> Reporter: HE KNOWS THE COMPLEX EMOTIONS THAT FOLLOW A SUDDEN RETURN TO A ONCE FAMILIAR LIFE.

>> IN MY CASE, I WAS ONE PERSON AND MY WIFE, WE WERE TWO PEOPLE THAT WERE DEALING WITH THIS.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOW BILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD COMING TO THIS AT ELEMENT THE SAME TIME, JUST RECOGNIZING THAT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HAVE A DIFFERENT REACTION AND MANY OF THOSE REACTIONS WILL BE UNEXPECTED.

UNEXPECTED TO THE WORLD AND UNEXPECTED TO THOSE PEOPLE THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: SO, WE SHOULD ALL BE A LITTLE MORE GENTLE WITH EACH OTHER, PERHAPS?

>> I THINK WE SHOULD ALL BE A LITTLE MORE GENTLE WITH EACH OTHER, BUT CERTAINLY IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AHEAD, I THINK WE SHOULD 'ERR TOWARD FORGIVENESS.

THERE WILL BE A LOT OF AWKWARD ENCOUNTERS FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE WANTS THE PANDEMIC TO END, BUT IN A WORLD WHERE OLD CERTAINTIES HAVE BEEN SWEPT ASIDE, WE CAN'T ALL BE SURE WE WILL WANT EVERYTHING THAT COMES NEXT.

BILL BLACK, CNN, LONDON.

>>> AND THAT IS ALL FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.

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