AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE SPECIAL INTENTION OF THE NEWS, IT IS A HUGE CONTRAST TO OUR LIVES ONE YEAR AGO, THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND SAN DIEGO WILL BE ONE OF THE REGIONS TOP DESTINATIONS.

AS JOHN CARROLL REPORTS, THERE IS A LOT OF PENT UP ENERGY AND WE WILL SEE IT IN THE HOLIDAY CROWD.

>> Reporter: MISSION BEACH, ON THE EVE OF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, A SCENE OF RELATIVE CALM.

BEFORE THE STORM.

SPIVAK WE ARE EXPECTING LARGE CROWDS TO COME OUT AND ENJOY IT.

>> Reporter: WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES, ESPECIALLY WITH THE YEAR IN BETWEEN MEMORIAL DAY 2020 AND 2021, WAS MARKED BY THE WORST PANDEMIC OF OUR LIFETIME.

LAST MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, THESE PARKING LOTS WERE CLOSED, ACCESS TO THE BEACH WAS LIMITED.

BUT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING VACCINATED, EVERY DAY.

COVID IS FADING.

SO, PENT UP DEMAND TO EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF OUR BEACHES, IS GOING TO MEAN PACKED BEACHES OVER THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

>> WE HAVE INCREASED OUR STAFFING, CONSIDERABLY, THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

>> Reporter: WHILE SAYS POLICE WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME, THAT STARTS BY GETTING HERE NICE AND EARLY.

BUT GETTING EARLY MEANS MORE THAN FINDING A PRIMO PLACE ON THE SUN, YOU WON'T EVEN SEE THE BEACH IF YOU CAN'T FIND A PLACE TO PARK.

AND THESE LOTS WILL FILL UP VERY EARLY.

>> THESE PARKING LOTS ARE ONLY SO BIG, WHAT THEIR FULL THERE IS NO MORE PARKING.

SO, BRING YOUR PATIENCE.

>> Reporter: OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND, NO DRINKING ALCOHOL OR SMOKING ON SAN DIEGO BEACHES, IF YOUR GOING TO BUILD A FIRE IT HAS TO BE IN ONE OF THE FIRE PIT.

WHATEVER YOU BRING IN, EITHER DISPOSE OF PROPERLY OR TICKET WITH YOU.

AND, IF YOU OR YOUR FAMILY PLAN ON GOING INTO THE WATER, BE AWARE OF CONDITIONS.

>> WE ARE MAKING A LOT OF REST IS, THE WATER IS VERY WARM.

>> Reporter: LIEUTENANT STEVE IS WITH THE LIFEGUARD SERVICE, SAYS THERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO PUT SAFETY FIRST.

>> ALWAYS GO IN A GUARDED AREA.

CHECK IN WITH THE LIFEGUARDS AND WE WILL GIVE YOU THE BEST AREA TO SWIM.

>> Reporter: IF YOU ARE GOING TO DRIVE A MOTORIZED BOAT AND ARE UNDER 40, YOU NEED TO HAVE A VOTING CARD, INFO ON HOW TO FIND ONE IS AT CALIFORNIA BOAT HER CARD,.COM.

AND OF COURSE, NO DRINKING WHILE DRIVING A BOAT.

IT IS ABOUT SHARED RESPONSIBILITY, EVERYONE DOING THEIR PART TO MAKE THE UNOFFICIAL START OF 2021 A MOMENT TO ENJOY SOME GREAT TIMES AT THE BEACH.

MAKE MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME.

JOHN CARROLL, K PBS NEWS.

>>> BIG EVENTS WILL BE RETURNING THIS SUMMER, INCLUDING THE BIGGEST FIRE WORSHIP OF THEM ALL, THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO SAYS THE BIG DAY WILL RETURN THIS FOURTH OF JULY, THE 20th YEAR FOR THE EVENT WHICH BROUGHT WELL OVER 100,000 PEOPLE INTO THE BAY AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.

SOME OF THE BEST VIEWS CAN BE FOUND AT SHELTER ISLAND, HARBOUR ISLAND, SPANISH LENDING, THE EMBARCADERO, CESAR CHAVEZ PARK AS WELL AS CORONADO TIDELANDS PARK.

>>> YOU WILL SEE A LOT A PEOPLE DINING OUTDOORS THIS WEEKEND, IT IS PART OF THE PANDEMIC LIFE THAT THE CITY WANTS TO KEEP AROUND, EVEN IF IT MEANS SACRIFICING SOME PARKING.

TRAN THREE, ANDREW BOWEN, TAKES A LOOK AT THIS NEW LAYER TO THE LONG-RUNNING ARGUMENT OVER HOW TO USE OUR STREETS.

>> THIS WAS A PARKING SPACE, PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES PARKING.

>> Reporter: TAMMY WALKED ME THROUGH THE PATIO DINING SPACE AT HER NORTHPARK RESTAURANT, ONE DOOR NORTH.

>> ONCE WE CLOSED INDOOR DINING, WE DECIDED TO MAKE THIS AN OUTDOOR SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY, WE COULD CONTINUE TO BE OPEN.

>> Reporter: THIS LOT USED TO PROVIDE 12 SPACES FOR EMPLOYEES CARS, NOW IT CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 80 PAYING CUSTOMERS.

THEY ALSO PUT TABLES AND CHAIRS ON FOR STREET PARKING SPACES, SHE SAID WITHOUT CONVERTING PARKING TO DINING SPACE, SHE LIKELY WOULD HAVE GONE OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP OUR EMPLOYEES EMPLOYED, AND THIS ALLOWED US TO MOVE ALONG SO THAT WE COULD CONTINUE OUR BUSINESS AS THINGS BEGAN TO OPEN UP MORE.

>> Reporter: PARKING IS A SENSITIVE SUBJECT TO NORTHPARK, IN 2019 THE CITY PROPOSED REMOVING STREET PARKING FOR PROTECTED BIKE LANES, A GROUP SUED THE CITY TO STOP THE PROJECT.

A JUDGE ALLOWED IT TO PROCEED, ANYWAY, BUT THE CONTROVERSY UNDERSCORES HOW PASSIONATE SOME SAN DIEGO'S ARE ABOUT PARKING.

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, EMPLOYEES WOULD COMPLAIN ABOUT TROUBLE FINDING A PARKING SPOT.

NOW, EVEN WITH LESS PARKING AVAILABLE - >> I DON'T THINK I HAVE HEARD ABOUT A PARKING COMPLAINT SINCE WE REOPENED, AND EVERYBODY HAS BEEN BACK TO WORK.

>> Reporter: OVER THE YEARS BUSINESSES AND WORKERS HAVE FOUGHT HARD FOR PARKING IN VIRTUALLY EVERY SAN DIEGO NEIGHBORHOOD.

BUT WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO EXTEND OUT DOOR DINING PERMITS LAST WEEK, NO ONE CALLED INTO THE MEETING TO ASK FOR YOUR PARKING SPACES BACK.

>> THERE IS A MISCONCEPTION THAT PARKING IN FRONT OF MY STORE, IF I DON'T HAVE THAT SPACE, I WILL BE LOSING BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL TRIMBLE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GAS LINE CORRIDOR ASSOCIATION, FOR THE PAST YEAR THE CITY HAS BEEN CLOSING FIFTH AVENUE TO CARS IN THE AFTERNOONS AND EVENINGS.

TRIMBLE SAYS RATHER THAN CREATING PROBLEMS, THE CHANGES SOLVED THEM.

IT IS MORE WALKABLE, THERE IS NO DOUBLE PARKING, AND POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN GET TO EMERGENCY FASTER.

>> THE LOSS OF PARKING HAS NOT BEEN A REAL ISSUE, BECAUSE THERE IS ALMOST, THOUSANDS OF SPOTS, CLOSE TO 3000 SPOTS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE GAS LINE CORRIDOR.

>> Reporter: TO HAVE BEEN PLANNING FOR A FULLY PEDESTRIAN ICED FIFTH AVENUE PROMENADE FOR YEARS, ORIGINALLY, CITY OFFICIALS THOUGHT IT WOULD COST $40 MILLION AND TAKE UP TO EIGHT YEARS TO GET DONE, BUT ONCE AGAIN, COVID-19 VOICED THEM TO THINK DIFFERENTLY.

>> EVERYONE GOT OUTDOOR DINING, THEY GOT EXPOSURE ON THE STREET, WE GOT TO CLOSE THE STREET AND SHOW THEM THAT IT REALLY DOES WORK, THE PUBLIC WANTS IT.

AND, REALLY, IT SPED UP THE PROJECT BY AT LEAST FIVE YEARS.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE CITY WORKS ON THIS, SOME FEAR OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS WILL BE LEFT BEHIND.

>> WE SMOKE EVERYTHING WITH OAK AND THIS IS THE BRISKET WE ARE COOKING.

>> Reporter: CARLOS STANDS IS THE OWNER OF BOWLEGGED BARBECUE, AND HE ALSO TURNED HIS BACK PARKING LOT INTO A DINING SPACE, AND IT HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS.

>> THIS KIND OF GOES WITH THE BARBECUE FLAVOR IN THE BACKYARD, AND WE WANTED TO HAVE IT AS AN EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE, GOOD MUSIC AND A GOOD ATMOSPHERE WHILE EATING FOOD.

>> Reporter: THIS PART OF MARKET STREET IS NOT PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY, CARS GO TOO FAST AND THERE AREN'T ENOUGH TREES OR CROSSWALKS.

STANCE CAME UP WITH HIS OWN RESOURCES, TO KEEP HIS BUSINESS AFLOAT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BUT HE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE CITY INVEST IN MOUNT HOPE AS IT HAS IN NORTHPARK AND THE GASLAMP.

>> WE ARE PAYING OURSELVES TAXES, WE ARE PAYING OUR PAYROLL TAXES, WE ARE PUTTING IN PEOPLE TO WORK.

SO, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US, FOR LONGEVITY, TO HAVE THAT KIND OF SUPPORT.

IT WOULD BE WELCOME.

>> Reporter: MOST RESTAURANTS HAVE HAD OUTDOOR DINING PERMITS EXTENDED TO JULY, 2022, IN THE MEANTIME, THE CITY IS WORKING TO MAKE THE PROGRAM PERMANENT.

ANDREW BOWEN, K PBS NEWS.

>>> THAT STORY IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE RICH IN-DEPTH REPORTING AT K PBS NEWS, YOU CAN STREAM ALL OF OUR CONTENT ON THE YOUTUBE PAGE, WE HAVE ALL OF OUR REPORTER STORIES, FULL EPISODES OF EVENING ADDITION AND K PBS PODCAST.

>>> THINGS ARE PICKING UP FOR OUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS, AND MANY ARE STILL IN RECOVERY MODE AFTER SIMPLY SURVIVING THE PANDEMIC.

JACOB AIR TELLS US ABOUT A NEW PITCH FROM THE COUNTY SUPERVISOR, TO DINE IN AND HELP OUT.

>> Reporter: SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND HAS $50 MILLION OF THE COUNTY'S COVID-19 FOR THE, ALLOCATED TOWARD WHAT HE CALLS THE DINE IN AND HELP OUT PROGRAM, A SIMILAR PROGRAM CREATED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WHICH ALLOWED CUSTOMERS TO RECEIVE 50 PERCENT OFF THEIR MEALS, FOR UP TO $10 PER PERSON.

LAKESIDE CAFI OWNER CLAUDIA ORTIZ SAYS A SAN DIEGO COUNTY PROGRAM WOULD HELP OFFSET CHALLENGES FOR BUSINESSES SUCH AS CUSTOMERS BELOW PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS, AND A SUPPLY CHAIN THAT IS UNPREDICTABLE.

>> HE SAID WE HAVE TO REMOVE THINGS OF OUR MENU BECAUSE WE COULDN'T FIND, WE DIDN'T HAVE THEM AVAILABLE.

OUR VENDORS DIDN'T HAVE THEM AVAILABLE OR THEY WERE JUST TOO PRICEY AND WE THOUGHT IT COULD WAIT.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM WILL BE OFFERED ON MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY THE ONLY CAVEAT IS THAT ALCOHOL WILL NOT BE A REFUNDABLE PURCHASE.

>> RESTAURANTS WILL HAVE TO SIGN UP FOR THIS AND REGISTER WITH THE COUNTY THAT THEY ARE DOING THIS, THEN THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT THE RECEIPTS TO SHOW US THE DISCOUNT THEY WERE GIVEN ON MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, TO PATRONS.

SHOW US THE DISCOUNTS AND THEN OUT OF THIS MONEY, WE ACTUALLY ASK FOR 50 MILLION TO BE SET ASIDE, WHICH IS A BIG NUMBER, BUT WE HOPEFULLY, ONCE WE BURN THROUGH THAT, IT WOULD BE OVER.

>> Reporter: ORTIZ SAID THE MONEY WOULD HELP HER BUSINESS BOUNCE BACK AND HELP A CUSTOMER WHO COULD AFFORD NOT TO EAT AT THE RESTAURANT DUE TO ECONOMIC HARDSHIP.

>> I LOVE IT, IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BENEFIT SERVICE, EMPLOYEES, TO GATHER MORE EMPLOYEES, AND PROVIDE FOOD FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT IN THE BEST CIRCUMSTANCES.

IT'S JUST AMAZING.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL VOTE ON WHETHER TO APPROVE THE PROGRAM, IF APPROVED DOES WAS ONCE A START ME DATE OF OCTOBER 19.

>>> GRABBING A BITE OUT WHITE INCLUDE FEWER PLASTIC STRAWS AND UTENSILS, THE NORTH COUNTY CITY HAS TAKEN STEPS TO IMPOSE A NEW BAN ON SINGLE USE ITEMS, TRAN THREE AND HER TELLS US WHY SOME SMALL BUSINESSES SAY NOW IS NOT THE TIME.

>> Reporter: BUSINESS IS STARTING TO PICK UP AGAIN AT THIS RESTAURANT, A BARBECUE, BUT THEY ARE WORRIED THAT A PROPOSED PLASTIC BEEN IN THE CITY WOULD COST A SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE HIM, STILL RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMIC, TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> WE HAD TO ABSORB SO MUCH OVER THE LAST YEAR ALREADY, WITH THE PANDEMIC.

MY MAJOR CONCERN IS YEAH, IT IS JUST AN EXPENSE, IT MIGHT NOT SOUND LIKE IT BUT IT COULD ACTUALLY PUSH US OVER THE EDGE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A CONCERN THAT KARINA CONTRERAS, FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, SAY THEY TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR BUSINESSES TO BECOME ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.

>> THE MARKET HAS PROVIDED FOR BUSINESSES, NEW WAYS OF DOING TAKEOUT, WHERE POLYSTYRENE IS NOT THE ONLY PRODUCT OUT THERE IN THE MARKET, TO ADDRESS TAKEOUT NEEDS.

>> Reporter: UNDER THE PROPOSAL, IT WOULD REQUIRE BUSINESSES TO OFFER PLASTIC UTENSILS AND STRAWS ONLY UPON REQUEST, STARTING THIS SUMMER.

THE BAN ON POLYSTYRENE, OR STYROFOAM, WOULD GO INTO EFFECT JULY, 2023.

THEY THINK THE CITY SHOULD PROVIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES STILL RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMIC.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A SMALL MARRIAGE OF ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS POLICIES AND REAL EFFORT TO REDUCE POSTCONSUMER WASTE.

WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, WE DON'T LEVEL LARGE UNINTENDED TAXES ON SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: IN THE COMPROMISE, THE CITY COUNCIL ORDERED STAFF TO DEVELOP A HARDSHIP POLICY AND BRING IT FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE TWO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

IN VISTA, TRAN THREE NEWS.

>>> AT ONE POINT, SAN DIEGO COUNTY REPORTED LESS THAN 100 LOCAL HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR COVID-19, THAT IS A BIG MARCH DOWN FOR GETTING THE VIRUS UNDER CONTROL, THAT WAS A NEW PUSH FOR PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.

MATT HOFFMAN TELLS US ABOUT THE CASH THAT IS UP FOR GRABS.

>> WE HAVE GOT TO FINISH THE JOB.

>> Reporter: IN A PUSH TO VACCINATE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE BEFORE THE STATE REOPENS ON JUNE 15, CALIFORNIA IS GIVING AWAY MORE THAN $100 MILLION TO THOSE WHO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES.

>> THESE ARE REAL INCENTIVES, THESE ARE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAYS $50 GIFT CARDS WILL BE GIVEN THAT WITH EVERY FULL VACCINATION, UP TO $2 MILLION PURSE OF A FAMILY OF FIVE GETS VACCINATED, THAT IS $250.

>> THE MOST INCREDIBLE INCENTIVE IN AMERICA.

>> Reporter: VACCINATIONS ARE HIGHER IN CALIFORNIA THAN ANY OTHER STATE, BUT WE ARE NOT AT HERD IMMUNITY AND DEMAND HAS BEEN SLIPPING.

>> IF WE CONTINUE DOWN THIS PATH AND TREND WE WILL NOT GET WHERE ALL OF US NEED US TO BE, AND THAT IS NORTH OF 70 PERCENT.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO THE $70 GIFT CARDS, FOR PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATED RIGHT NOW THERE WILL BE 30 STATE RESIDENTS WHO WENT TO $2000 IN DRAWINGS, AND 10 CALIFORNIANS WILL WIN $1.5 MILLION EACH.

>> WE HAVE IDEAS, DON'T ASK ME BECAUSE I AM NOT PREPARED TO TELL YOU, BUT WHERE IDEAS COMING OUT THROUGH JUNE 15.

>> Reporter: YOUR ODDS OF WINNING THE STATE POWERBALL LOTTERY ARE NEARLY 300 MILLION TO ONE, BUT THIS ASK A LOTTERY POOL GIVES PEOPLE MUCH BETTER ODDS.

SO INCENTIVES WERE, THE GOVERNOR THINK SO, AND IT IS A GOOD USE OF PUBLIC DOLLARS.

>> THE COST OF NOT GETTING VACCINATED IS EXPONENTIALLY, INCALCULABLY HIGHER.

IN STANDARD CASES, MORE MOBILE SITE LIKE THIS IN AT THE AIRPORT ARE POPPING UP IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.

>> WE ARE HERE TO VACCINATE EMPLOYEES OR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, WHOEVER IS READY AND WILLING FOR INDEXING.

>> Reporter: THE INFORMATION OUT TO THE COUNTY TO SET UP THIS ONE-DAY EVENT, AND MOBILE UNITS ARE HEADING OUT TO OTHER PLACES EVERY DAY.

>> LET ME BUSINESSES, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS.

YOU NAME IT, WHOEVER INVITES US, WE ARE HAPPY TO GO.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE WHO GET THE SHOT ARE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED TO WIN THE STATE CASH PRIZES, EVEN THOSE VACCINATED BEFORE TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT, AND JUST LIKE LOTTERY WINNERS, THEY CAN CHOOSE TO STAY ANONYMOUS.

MATT HOFFMAN, K PBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS LEADING EFFORTS TO VACCINATE WORKERS IN BAJA CALIFORNIA.

K PBS REPORTER ALEXANDER HAS MORE ON THE BORDER COLLABORATION.

>> Reporter: AT A TIME WHEN THERE IS A SURPLUS IN CALIFORNIA, THE COUNTY IS MAKING EFFORTS TO VACCINATE 10,000 WORKERS FROM TIJUANA.

>> A LINE ON A MAP DOES NOT STOP OUR SHARED CULTURE AND COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: NATHAN FLETCHER ANNOUNCED THE NEW PILOT PROJECT, TO VACCINATE EMPLOYEES AT SIX UNITED STATES SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES, ASIDE FROM THE COUNTY'S WEEKLY MAXING DILEMMA, THEY WERE ABLE TO REQUEST 10,000 ADDITIONAL JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINES FROM THE STATE, TO BE USED FOR THE VACCINATION EFFORT.

WITH MEXICO'S VACCINE ROLLOUT, MOVING AT A SLOWER PACE THAN CALIFORNIA, FLETCHER SAYS IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

>> WE HAVE MORE VACCINE THAN ARE BEING UTILIZED, AND WE ARE IN A POSITION, AS A STATE, TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND A GOOD PARTNER.

>> Reporter: AS OF TUESDAY, 68 PERCENT OF ELIGIBLE SAN DIEGO HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE, MEANWHILE, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN BAJA CALIFORNIA IS STILL WORKING TO VACCINATE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, AND HAS STRUGGLED TO PROVIDE SECOND DOSES WITHIN THE RECOMMENDED TIME FRAME.

FLETCHER HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING SURE MEXICO , OUR BIGGEST TRADING PARTNER, HAS A HEALTHY WORKFORCE.

>> WE ALSO KNOW, THAT WITHOUT BORDER PROFIT, PEOPLE PUTTING GOODS IN COMMERCE IS VITAL TO THE ECONOMY OF BOTH OUR COUNTRIES, AND BOTH OF OUR REGIONS.

>> Reporter: THE CONSUL GENERAL OF MEXICO, SAYS THE VACCINE WILL BE AT NO COST TO WORKERS.

>> TRIXIE JEFFREY, HOWEVER, THERE IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE THAT IS DIRECTLY COVERED BY THE EMPLOYEE, NO US TAXPAYER MONEY IS BEING USED FOR THIS INITIATIVE.

>> Reporter: UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH WILL BE VACCINATING ABOUT 1500 WORKERS EACH DAY, AT A MOBILE CLINIC SITE IN SAN EASIER.

K PBS NEWS.

>>> JULY FOURTH IS CIRCLED ON THE CALENDAR, AT THE WHITE HOUSE, AS THE DATE WE WILL LARGELY BE ABLE TO PUT THE PANDEMIC BEHIND US.

AT LEAST WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING ENOUGH AMERICANS VACCINATED.

ON FRIDAY, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN GAVE AN UPDATE ON WHERE THINGS STAND.

>> I SAID I SET AN AMBITIOUS GOAL OF GETTING 70 PERCENT OF AMERICANS AT LEAST ONE SHOT BY JULY FOURTH.

TODAY, JUST OVER A MONTH TO GO, WE ARE AT 62 PERCENT.

10 STATES HAVE ALREADY REACHED THE 70 PERCENT MILESTONE, AND - >> K PBS IS TRACKING THE PROGRESS IN REACHING OUT AT LOCAL VACCINATION GOES, WE ARE ALSO UPDATING A MAP OF ALL THE LOCAL VACCINATION SITE.

IT IS EASY TO FIND, JUST GO TO K PBS.ORG AND CLICK ON THE VACCINE LINK ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

>>> $300 MILLION IS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO SAN DIEGO, AND MELISSA MAY EXPENSE I ONE LOCAL LEADER WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE SURE SOME OF THAT MONEY GOES TO FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> THIS IS AN OFFER TO HELP THEM, GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

>> Reporter: JIM DESMOND WANTS TO SEND $40 MILLION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING, TO FIRST RESPONDERS AND MILITARY FAMILIES.

>> WHAT THIS GRANT WOULD OFFER IS UP TO $6000, OR THREE MONTHS OF BACK RENT OR BACK MORTGAGES, FOR THESE MILITARY FAMILIES AND FIRST RESPONDER FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: MANY MILITARY AND FIRST RESPONDER FAMILIES HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS OR HAVE HAD TO MISS WORK TO TAKE CARE OF CHILDREN.

MILITARY VETERAN AND SPOUSE DESCRIBES HER EXPERIENCE.

>> MY SCHOOL FOR MY CHILDREN WERE SHUT DOWN, OUR BUSINESSES REDUCE THEIR HOURS, WORKERS WERE SENT HOME.

AND THE SHELTERS AND STORES WERE EMPTY.

>> Reporter: SHE HAD TO TAKE CARE OF HER FIVE CHILDREN ALONE WHEN HER HUSBAND WAS REQUIRED TO RESPOND TO THE OUTBREAK ON THE USS ROOSEVELT.

>> MY FAMILY AND MY CHILDREN HAD TO ADJUST TO THIS LIFE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AND DISTANCE LEARNING.

>> IT IS VERY IMPORTANT, THEY WERE WILLING TO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR US, AND THEY ARE THE ONES THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE FIRE IS BURNING THEY DON'T RUN AWAY FROM IT, THEY RUN TO IT.

SO WHEN WE HAD THIS COVETED EXPERIENCE, THEY WERE THE ONES THAT RAN OUT AHEAD AND TRY TO MAKE IT ALL SAFE FOR THE REST OF US, SO WE OWE THEM A BIT OF GRATITUDE.

>> Reporter: BOTH DESMOND AND NATHAN FLETCHER ARE THE MILITARY VETERANS.

>> THE ARE NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEART, WE UNDERSTAND THE HARDSHIPS THEY FACE AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE TO PICK UP AND MOVE AS OFTEN AS THEY DO, AND WHEN THEY DO, SAN DIEGO IS NOT A CHEAP IS TO LIVE.

>> Reporter: UNDER DESMOND'S PROPOSAL, FUNDS WOULD BE PLAYED TO THE LENDER OR MORTGAGE LENDER INFORMED OF GRANTS BY SAN DIEGO COUNTY, THE PROPOSAL GOES TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON JUNE EIGHTH, K PBS NEWS.

>>> A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FAMILY WANTS TO KNOW WHY THEIR LOVED ONE DIED FROM COVID WHILE SERVING A PRISON SENTENCE.

JOE CASTELLANO IS LOOKING INTO THE FIRST WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM INVOLVING DONOVAN STATE PRISON AND COVID-19.

>> Reporter: AN INMATE AT DONOVAN STATE PRISON DIED IN JANUARY, 2019, AND NOW HIS WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN ARE TAKING STEPS TO SUE THE STATE FOR HIS DEATH.

THE CIGARS WERE NOT WEARING MASKS, OR SOCIAL DISTANCING DURING THE OUTBREAK.

THE PRISON HAD INFECTED INMATES WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE VIRUS, AND COLIN MARTINEZ CONTRACTED COVID-19.

HERE IS HIS WIFE, ANGELINA GARCIA.

>> WE FELT LIKE HIS LIFE WAS DISREGARDED.

AND A LOT OF OTHER INMATES LIVES WERE DISREGARDED.

WHILE THEY WERE AT DONOVAN, AND WHEN THEY PASSED.

>> THEY HAVE HAD ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO REVIEW THE COMPLAINT, IF IT IS REJECTED THEY CAN A LAWSUIT.

>> Reporter: GARCIA SAID SHE WANTS TO HELP OTHER FAMILIES WHO HAVE INCARCERATED FAMILY MEMBERS, AND ADVOCATE FOR CHANGES IN THE PRISON SYSTEM.

>> I HOPE EVERY GUARD THERE, BOARDING, THAT WORKS AT A PRISON, RESPECTS THE LIFE OF EVERY INMATE.

IN THE PRISON.

BECAUSE EVERY INMATE THERE, EITHER HAS A MOTHER, A FATHER, A SON, A DAUGHTER, A WIFE.

YOU KNOW, PRAYING FOR THEM OUT HERE.

>> Reporter: THE STATE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT MARTINEZ'S DEATH, BUT HAS DEFENDED ITS HANDLING OF THE PANDEMIC.

18 DONOVAN INMATES AND ONE STAFF NUMBER HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19.

FOR K PBS, JOE CASTELLANO.

>>> THIS STORY WAS REPORTED BY MARY PLUMMER, AN INDEPENDENTLY FUNDED PARTNER OF K PBS.

>>> KIDS CAN EXPECT A NEW NORMAL WHEN THEY RETURN TO SCHOOL IN THE FALL, JOE HONG SAYS IN MANY WAYS IT WILL FEEL LIKE A PRE- PANDEMIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, BUT STUDENTS SHOULD STILL KEEP THEIR MASKS HANDY.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED, THE COUNTY'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL WELCOME BACK ALL STUDENTS TO CAMPUS IS FULL-TIME IN THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR IN THE FALL.

>> PARENTS WHO ARE READY TO HAVE THEIR STUDENTS COME BACK, TO IN PERSON, SHOULD EXPECT THAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE A TYPICAL SCHEDULE, PRE-COVID.

>> Reporter: CLASS SCHEDULES MAY BE BACK TO NORMAL, IT IS STILL POSSIBLE STUDENTS WILL BE WEARING A MASK AND SOME PHYSICAL DISTANCING WILL REMAIN IN PLACE.

THIS IS BECAUSE THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS UNLIKELY TO PASS A VACCINATION MANDATE BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR.

THEY HAVE YET TO SAY HOW THE GUIDELINES COULD CHANGE.

>> THE GUIDELINES AROUND MASK WEARING, AROUND DISTANCING, AROUND SMALL COHORT.

ALL OF THOSE MEASURES THAT ARE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW, WE THINK MAY LOOK DIFFERENTLY IN THE FALL.

AND, WHATEVER THEY LOOK LIKE, EITHER AT THE BEGINNING OR AS WE GO INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR, WE WANT TO EVOLVE BASED ON THE CPH GUIDELINES.

>> Reporter: ACROSS THE COUNTY LARGE DISTRICT LIKE HOW WE UNIFY, AND CHULA VISTA ELEMENTARY ALSO PLAN ON A FULL REOPENING.

BUT THESE DISTRICTS IN SAN DIEGO UNIFIED WILL STILL OFFER VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION FOR FAMILIES WHO PREFER IT.

BARRERA SAID THE DISTRICT WILL EXPAND ITS ONLINE INDEPENDENT LEARNING PROGRAMS THAT EXISTED BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

>> THE DIFFERENCE IS, THE FULL RANGE OF COURSES ARE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS, AP, ALL OF THE COURSES THAT A STUDENT WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO IN PERSON, WE WANT TO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE REPLICATE THAT ONLINE.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WILL RETURN TO CAMPUS IS IN THE FALL, BUT BARRERA SAYS HE EXPECTS CLASS SIZES TO BE AT THE PANDEMIC LEVELS.

K PBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEK VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN TO GIVE THE KEYNOTE SPEECH AT A GRADUATING CLASS AT THE US NAVAL ACADEMY.

GETTING TO THE CHALLENGES OF THE PAST YEAR WAS A BIG THING, HERE IS SOME OF WHAT THE VICE PRESIDENT HAD TO SAY.

>> WE SAW THIS, DURING COVID-19 WHEN AMERICANS WATCHED HOW MEMBERS OF OUR MILITARY HELPED VACCINATE OUR NATION.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW, BIOLOGICAL THREATS LIKE PANDEMICS, AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES, ARE YET ANOTHER THREAT IN THIS ERA.

AND YOU ARE CONFRONTING THIS THREAT.

OUR MILITARY HELPS DEVELOP THE TECHNOLOGY THAT MADE THE VACCINES POSSIBLE.

NAVAL RESEARCHERS, ALSO FIGURED OUT, HOW TO USE THREE BEAD KNITTING MACHINES TO MAKE MASKS.

NAVAL LABS, MONITORED THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE, AND THE MARINE CORPS AND THE NAVY, ARE NEEDING ON MAKING THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE PANDEMIC AND MEDICAL READINESS OF OUR FIGHTING FORCES FOR THE FUTURE.

CLASS OF 2021, YOU ARE PREPARED FOR ALL OF THIS.

YOU ARE PREPARED FOR ANY THREAT , AND YOU ARE PREPARED FOR THIS NEW ERA.

>> IT IS ALSO BEEN A WEEK OF WELL-DESERVED CELEBRATION FOR STUDENTS, THOUSANDS GOT THEIR DEGREE WITH IN PERSON COMMENCEMENT EVENTS AT PETCO PARK.

FOR VARIOUS GOALS, THEY STAGGERED THE EVENT TO ALLOW PLENTY AS IS, THE CLASS OF 21, WHO SPENT MORE THAN A YEAR IN REMOTE LEARNING WERE JOINED BY THE CLASS OF 2020 WHO HAD THEIR EVENT CANCELED LAST YEAR.

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING SEVERAL STUDENT ASSISTANTS, WHO WORKED BEHIND THE SCENES, RIGHT HERE AT K PBS.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THAT IS ALL FOR THE SPECIAL EDITION, OF K PBS NEWS, I AM WISHING ALL OF YOU A GOOD NIGHT, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.