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

ON THURSDAY, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY TOPPED 2000 WITH MORE THAN 200,000 TOTAL CASES.

AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, WE ARE APPROACHING AS THEY REPORT, THIS IS ALL HAPPENING AS LOCAL HEALTH WORKERS ARE TRYING TO SPEED UP VACCINATIONS.

>> Reporter: THE PAPER IS PROOF THEY WERE ONE IN THE FIRST IN LINE.

THOUSANDS OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY EMPLOYEES.

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS BRIDGE INFORMATION GAPS BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS AND HARD TO REACH POPULATIONS.

>> WHEN YOU ARE SICK, WHAT DO YOU DO?

HOW DO YOU QUARANTINE?

HOW DO YOU MAKE A DOCTORS AGREEMENT APPOINTMENT?

PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, THEY CAN'T READ THAT IN ENGLISH.

THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS SAYING.

>> Reporter: DEBUNKING VACCINE MYTHS SOME PEOPLE MAY BE SPREADING ONLINE.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN GETTING MISINFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THE VACCINE CAN DO, AND THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE REPOSTING, AND WHAT THEY ARE SPREADING AND IT IS UP TO US TO PUT IT ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA.

GO OUT INTO OUR COMMUNITY, TALK ABOUT IT, TALK TO PEOPLE, CALL PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: COUNSELORS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS ARE DUE TO GET THEIR SHOT THIS WEEK.

THEY WILL KNOCK ON DOORS TO GET OTHERS ONLINE TO GET THEIR DOSES .

>> IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH PROGRESS WE ARE MAKING ON VACCINATIONS, KPBS HAS YOU COVERED.

WE HAVE LAUNCHED A DASHBOARD.

IT SHOWS THE NUMBER OF VACCINATIONS OF THE TOTAL POPULATION.

TO SEE THE TRACKER, GO TO THE TRACKER SECTION AND CLICK ON VACCINES.

>>> ON FRIDAY, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED ANOTHER SETBACK OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE ROLLOUT.

THAT CONTRADICTS A STATEMENT FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY.

LAST WEEK, ALEX CESAR SAID THEY WILL GET THE GOVERNMENT'S FULL STOCKPILE.

MANY STATES WILL ALTER THEIR VACCINATION SCHEDULE IS.

>>> ONE MAJOR SAN DIEGO HEALTH SYSTEM IS MOVING FORWARD WITH VACCINATIONS FOR PATIENTS 65 AND ORDER.

MATT HOFFMAN SAYS IT WILL BE A BIT LONGER BEFORE IT IS MORE WIDESPREAD PARTLY AFTER FIRST VACCINATING FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS, SYSTEMS LIKE SAN DIEGO HEALTH OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THEY CAN OFFER VACCINATIONS PER DAY BUT FOR ALL LOCAL HOSPITALS.

THAT DEPENDS ON -- SCRIPTS HELP CEO SAYS THEY ARE FOR FRONTLINE STAFF.

>> WE ARE NOW TRYING TO CALCULATE HOW MUCH VACCINE WE WILL HAVE.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE READY TO SCALE UP.

>> IF THE GOVERNMENT WANTED TO REALLY SPEED UP THE PROCESS, JUST GIVE US THE VACCINE.

WE WILL START PUTTING THE VACCINE INTO A LOT OF PATIENTS.

WE CAN DO IT BY SICKNESS.

WE CAN DO IT BY AGE.

THE CHALLENGING PART IS WHETHER YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE IT TO GROCERY STORE WORKERS.

MAKE IT SIMPLE.

GIVE US THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS ONCE THEY GET VACCINES SOME OF THAT WILL HAPPEN THROUGH ONLINE PORTALS LIKE MY SCRIPTS.

PEOPLE ARE VERY EAGER TO GET VACCINATED.

>> A DONATION OF $1 MILLION.

WE SAID, NO, WHEN THEY WERE QUALIFIED, WE WOULD LET THOSE INDIVIDUALS KNOW.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ANXIOUS TO GET THE VACCINE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SENIORS WHO HAVE BEEN ANXIOUS, WAITING IN THEIR HOMES TO THIS DAY.

>>> SENIOR CARE FACILITIES ARE SEEING THEIR HIGHEST NUMBER OF CASES YET AS EXPLAINS GETTING VACCINES INTO THE ARMS OF THESE VULNERABLE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SPOTTY AND SLOW.

>> Reporter: SCRIPTS PHYSICIAN SAYS LESS THAN 20% OF AREA LONG- TERM CARE PLACES I RECEIVED THE VACCINE AND HE SAID THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS REFUSED TO TAKE IT.

ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF PEOPLE IN SENIOR CARE FACILITIES PROJECTED TO HAVE BEEN RECEIVED THE VACCINE BY NOW.

>> WE ARE GETTING CALLS EVERY DAY FROM RESIDENTS OF LONG-TERM CARE AND THEIR FAMILIES SAYING, WHERE IS IT?

WE HAVE NOT EVEN HEARD FROM OUR FACILITIES AND WHAT THE PLAN IS TO ACTUALLY THEM GETTING THEM TO US.

>> Reporter: WHICH ARE NOT WELL- EQUIPPED TO HANDLE SUCH A LARGE AND COMPLEX UNDERTAKING MEANWHILE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BELMONT SENIOR VILLAGE LIVING IS USING THE EXTRA TIME TO EDUCATE RESIDENTS.

>> WE HAVE LAUNCHED A REALLY MULTIFACETED CAMPAIGN INVOLVING EXPERTS DOING WEBINARS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS MOST OF HER RESIDENCE ARE CHOOSING TO GET THE VACCINE.

>>> CVS SAID IN A STATEMENT IT HAS EXPERIENCED IN COVID-19 TESTING IN LOMB LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

>>> MORE THAN 2 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM THE VIRUS WORLDWIDE WITH MORE THAN 30 32,000 HERE IN CALIFORNIA THE PANDEMIC HAS RAVAGED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR SARAH TALKED TO FAMILIES WERE BEGGING PEOPLE TO DO THEIR PART.

>> Reporter: MARRIOTT SHE MUSIC SLICES THROUGH THE SILENCE.

THE CRUEL AND AS OF COVID-19 ON DISPLAY.

THIS IS A FUNERAL IN A PARKING LOT.

>> MY MOTHER WAS A VERY STRONG WOMAN.

SHE FOUGHT TO HER LAST BREATH.

DO NOT BE AFRAID FOR THE LORD IS WITH US.

I LOVE YOU AND GOT BLESS YOU.

KEEP STRONG FOR ME, MOM.

AND, SHE ANSWERED, YES, MI HIJA.

>> Reporter: HER STEPDAD HAD DIABETES.

HOW DID YOUR FAMILY END UP GETTING IT?

THEY FOUGHT TO LIVE JUST LIKE THOSE FILLING ALL OF THE ICU BEDS RIGHT NOW, BUT THEY DIED WITHIN 11 DAYS OF EACH OTHER.

DR. JASON TREATED BOTH OF HER PARENTS.

>> WE HEAR TRIED OUR HARDEST AND WE ARE REALLY SORRY THINGS WENT THE WAY THAT THEY DID.

>> Reporter: AS COVID AND SNARES THOUGH THOSE WHO LIVE WITH MULTI-GENERATION FAMILIES.

>> ALL TOO FREQUENTLY, IT TAKES MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF A SINGLE- FAMILY.

>> Reporter: IT IS NO WONDER THE HEAVILY BLACK AND LATINO NEIGHBORHOOD ARE SUFFERING DISPROPORTIONATELY.

>> DIABETES IS THREE TIMES MORE PREVALENT HERE IN THE REST OF CALIFORNIA DIABETES MORTALITY IS 72% OR HIGHER THE LIFE EXPECTANCY IS 10 YEARS SHORTER THAN IN THE REST OF THE STATE AND ALL OF THAT IS RELATED TO THIS BEING AN UNDER RESOURCED AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS BEFORE CORONAVIRUS ARRIVED.

>> THE 131 BED FACILITY IS SUDDENLY TREATING MORE THAN 200 PATIENTS.

THEY HAVE MADE SPACE EVERYWHERE.

TENTS OUTSIDE, INSIDE HALLWAYS.

THE PRAYER ROOM.

OUTSIDE THE GIFT SHOP.

PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY EXHAUSTING, BUT ON THIS DAY, A SURPRISING REMINDER OF WHY THEY FIGHT.

>> OH MY GOODNESS!

YOU LOOK AMAZING!

>> LET ME SEE.

LET ME SEE.

YOU GOT DANCE MOVES OVER HERE.

>> Reporter: 74-YEAR-OLD GLADYS STEVENS RETURNS TO THANK HER DOCTORS.

>> A LOT OF US DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE IT, BUT I DID IT.

>> Reporter: AS SHE CELEBRATES A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE, A CELEBRATION OF LIFE WAS BEING PLAYED OUT FOR THE FAMILY.

>> TAKE ALL OF THE PRECAUTIONS.

>>> THE COUNTY IS WHERE A LARGE COMMUNITY OF COLOR IS ENDURING THE BRUNT OF THE PANDEMIC.

HAS AN UPDATE ON VACCINATION EFFORTS THERE.

>> Reporter: IMPERIAL COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO GET MORE VACCINES.

BY THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE ROUGHLY 6000 DOSES THEY HAVE ON HAND, WON'T COVER ALL OF THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SHOTS.

MOST OF THEM WORK AT THE COUNTY'S TWO HOSPITALS.

HERE IS JEANETTE ANGULO AT A NEWS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK.

>> THERE IS NOT ENOUGH VACCINE RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE TO DISTRIBUTE IT IN A WAY IT WHERE EVERYONE IS WHO IS DOING THAT FRONTLINE WORK CAN GET THE THOSE WITH THE HIGHEST RISK VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: THE VACCINATION PROGRAM PROGRESSES AS OF THURSDAY 460 RESIDENTS HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19.

>>> THE U.S. MEXICO BORDER WILL REMAINED REMAIN CLOSED TO ALL NONESSENTIAL TRAVEL FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER MONTH.

CURRENT RESTRICTIONS WILL LAST THREE FEBRUARY 21st.

THE CLOSURE IS EVALUATED EVERY MONTH BASED ON COVID-19 CONDITIONS.

BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN DEEPLY AFFECTED BY THE CLOSURE.

IT SAYS 125 OUT OF ABOUT 800 BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN FORCED TO CLOSE PERMANENTLY.

>>> SOBERING, BUT HOPEFUL.

THAT WAS THE THEME OF TODD GLORIA'S FIRST STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS.

THE REPORT IT RECAPS THE MAYOR'S NEW MESSAGE TO SAN DIEGO.

>> HONESTLY THE STATE OF OUR CITY IS FRAGILE RIGHT NOW.

BUT, I HAVE FAITH THAT IT WON'T BE FOR MUCH LONGER.

>> Reporter: THERE IS NO SUGAR COATING THE DIRE SITUATION MANY SAN DIEGO IS FACING UNDER THE PANDEMIC.

>> THIS COULD MEAN BUILDING APARTMENTS ON TOP OF LIBRARIES AND FIRE STATIONS, AND I WILL TAKE A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM AND INFRASTRUCTURE CAN SUPPORT THESE NEW UNITS.

>> Reporter: IN ABSENCE OF AN INFLUX OF FEDERAL DOLLARS, IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, GLORIA FACES THE CHALLENGE OF ENCLOSING A BUDGET DEFICIT HE SAYS EXCEEDS $150 MILLION.

IN THE MEANTIME, GLORIA SAYS FOR THOSE STILL STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY -- >> NEXT MONTH, WE WILL BRING A PROPOSAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT WILL EXTEND THE CURVE OF EVICTION MORATORIUM.

HELP FOLKS PAYBACK THEIR RENT.

>> Reporter: PREVIOUS CITY COUNCIL VOTE EXPRESSED WANING SUPPORT OF THE EVICTION MORATORIUM.

AND UNPRECEDENTED 8-1 DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY.

>>> MORE FINANCIAL HELP IS COMING TO SAN DIEGO'S BLACK, LATINO, AND ASIAN COMMUNITIES.

THOSE COMMUNITIES HAVE SUFFERED A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: THE MONEY COMES FROM THE FOUNDATION'S COVID-19 RESPONSE FIND FUND.

THE FOUNDATION HAS ALREADY DELIVERED $54 MILLION IN GRANTS.

>> THE PANDEMIC HAS NOT AFFECTED ALL OF US EVEN THE UNDER RESOURCE COMMUNITIES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAD BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFLICTED DUE TO COVID-19 THE RECENT SURGE IN THE CORONAVIRUS CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IN OUR COUNTY THE NEED FOR SAN DIEGO'S CONTINUE TO GROW.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THE LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORPORATION SUPPORT SAN DIEGO THE LEADERS OF THAT CHOSEN ORGANIZATIONS DON'T FEEL AS IF THE MONEY WILL IN ANY WAY DULL THE DISPROPORTION IMPACT THE PANDEMIC HAS HAD ON THESE COMMUNITIES.

>> MOST IMPACTED OUR BLACK RESTAURANT OWNERS, HAIR SALONS, NEIGHBORHOOD STORES, CHILD CARE, AND OTHER NONPROFITS THAT SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

THE CHALLENGE TODAY IS THE SAME CHALLENGE THAT HAS BEEN FOR DECADES.

OVER THE LAST 10 MONTHS, IT HAS BEEN ALMOST NONEXISTENT.

>> Reporter: APPLICATIONS FOR THESE GRANTS ARE OPENING AT THE SAME TIME THAT A NEW ROUND OF APPLICATIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE FROM THE COUNTY IS REACHING ITS DEADLINE.

TO SECURE MONEY TO HELP THEM THROUGH THE LATEST ROUND OF PUBLIC HEALTH CLOSURES.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO ZOO AND SAFARI PARK HAS BEEN FORCED TO OPEN AND CLOSE DURING THE PANDEMIC NOW THE VIRUS IS IT AFFECTING SOME OF ITS ICONIC ANIMALS KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER HAS MORE ON CASES OF COVID-19 AMONG BAZOOKA LESS GUERRILLAS THE ZOO CO. AS GUERRILLAS.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL OF THE ANIMALS WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF THE SICKNESS SO THEY TESTED FECAL SAMPLES.

>> AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THERE WAS A CHALLENGE THAT WE WERE TRYING TO MATCH UP THE SAMPLE.

THAT WAS SENT OUT AND WE GOT A TENTATIVE POSITIVE ON FRIDAY.

>> Reporter: THE ZOO WAS REQUIRING MASKS AND GLOVES, PRECAUTIONS WOULD BE STEPPED UP KEEPERS WILL KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE GUERRILLAS.

>> WE WILL INTERVENE IF NEEDED BASED ON THE SYMPTOMS THAT SHOW THEMSELVES.

FORTUNATELY THE SYMPTOMS THAT WE ARE SEEING ARE WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER MY OLD MILD.

>> Reporter: THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER CASES OF HUMAN TO ANIMAL TRANSMISSION ESPECIALLY TO BIG CATS IN NEW YORK.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT IS A SIDE EFFECT OF PEOPLE SPENDING MORE TIME AT HOME MORE TRASH AT THE MIRAMAR LANDFILL.

JOHN CARROLL TELLS US HOW THE NUMBERS ARE UP DURING THE PANDEMIC AND WHAT WE CAN ALL DO TO HELP.

>> REPORTER:.MIRAMAR LANDFILL THE END OF THE LINE FOR SAN DIEGO'S TRASH AND THESE DAYS THERE ARE MORE OF IT.

MARCH 2019 KEEP, THE UNOFFICIAL BEGINNING OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM ISSUED A STAY- AT-HOME ORDER.

MORE TRASH AND RECYCLABLES STARTED POURING INTO MIRAMAR.

BUT, WHY DID PEOPLE ALL OF THE SUDDEN START USING AND START THROWING AWAY MORE STUFF?

YES, BECAUSE MANY OF US ARE HOME A LOT MORE THAN DURING PRE- PANDEMIC TIMES AND THAT BRINGS US TO WHAT FOLKS IN CLEARY'S BUSINESS CALL A WASTE STREAM.

FOR FRANCHISE HAULERS, THAT COLLECT BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL TRASH, IT IS JUST THE OPPOSITE.

>> CLEARY SAYS THE COMMERCIAL HAULERS ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN RESIDENTIAL WASTE AS WELL, AND THAT TRASH ENDS UP IN MIRAMAR TOO.

>> Reporter: IS THE LANDFILL GOING TO FILL UP IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

NOT QUITE.

>> THAT IS NOT IN THE NEXT 3 TO 4 YEARS.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW, CLEARY SAYS WE CAN ALL HELP IN EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE LANDFILL.

THINKING ABOUT BUYING THINGS WITH AS LITTLE PACKAGING AS POSSIBLE.

THINK ABOUT RECYCLING EVERYTHING YOU CAN.

>> TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROPER MATERIALS ARE BEING RECYCLED SO THAT THEY DO NOT GO INTO THE LANDFILL.

THAT WILL INCREASE THE LIFE OF THE MIRAMAR LANDFILL .

>> Reporter: THE DAY IT WILL CLOSE IS PARTLY UP TO ALL OF US.

WHAT WE BUY AND HOW WE DISPOSE OF IT.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THERE HAS BEEN NO SHORTAGE OF THE CREATIVE WAYS PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO HELP HOSPITAL WORKERS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES.

JACOB MET A WOMAN IN NORTH COUNTY WHO WAS DOING HER PART ONLINE.

>> Reporter: CINDY WHAT IS AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE NORTH COUNTY JUSTICE ALLIES .

RECENTLY, HER EFFORTS HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING LOCAL RESTAURANTS HURT BY THE PANDEMIC.

TO DELIVER THOSE EATERIES TO HOSPITALS IN SAN DIEGO.

>> SOMETHING THAT CAN BE EATEN WITH A NAPKIN OR A FORK THAT MOST.

IT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE EATEN QUICKLY BECAUSE THESE WORKERS ONLY GET A FEW MINUTES BREAK.

>> Reporter: PANDORA'S PIZZA WHICH DELIVERED FOOD FOR LOCAL ICU STAFF.

SINCE THEN, VENMO DONATIONS TO HER ACCOUNT HAS SOARED.

>> YOU CAN'T JUST GIVE UP.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN UP.

WE ARE A FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS, SO EVERYBODY PITCHED IN.

MY DAUGHTER HELPS.

MY SON HELPS.

THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> Reporter: THE SECOND PART OF THE PLAN IS TO DELIVER THE FOOD TO HOSPITAL STAFF.

>> I AM INSPIRED TO KEEP THIS GOING.

MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE INSPIRED TO CONTINUE TO HELP IN WAYS THAT WORK.

MUTUAL AID IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

THAT JUSTICE ALLIES ARE WORKING ON MUTUAL AID FUND, AND I DO CONTINUE SEEING THIS CONTINUE TO GROW.

>> Reporter: HER EFFORTS INSPIRE THE COUNTY TO ADOPT CERTAIN SIMILAR.

>>> THE PANDEMIC HAS NOT LET ANYONE UNTOUCHED PARTICULARLY CHILDREN IN THEIR FORMATIVE YEARS.

I RECENTLY SPOKE TO A SIXTH GRADER 6 RATER HIS LATEST BOOK CELEBRATES THE UNIQUENESS OF THE CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD.

HERE IS OUR INTERVIEW.

>> Reporter: WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Reporter: SO WHILE MOST KIDS SPEND THEIR SUMMER BREAKS NOT WANTING TO DO ANY WORK, YOU WROTE A 24 PAGE CHILDREN'S BOOK BASED ON YOUR VACATIONS.

TO TURKEY, CHINA, MEXICO.

TELL US ABOUT THE ADVENTURES OF NOAH'S FLYING CAR.

>> DURING COVID, YOU COULDN'T GO OUT AND GO ON VACATION.

I DON'T WANT IT TO BE LIKE A HISTORY BOOK WHERE IT IS JUST LIKE FAX.

I WANTED TO BRING IN MY CHARACTERS TOO TO MAKE IT MORE FUN.

AT LEAST, THAT WAS MY GOAL.

>> Reporter: THOSE ARE ALL FROM THE EYES OF CHILDREN WHO ARE IN THIS FLYING CAR.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ADVENTURES THAT YOUR CHARACTERS GO ON?

>> MY NEWEST BOOK, THEY GO TO LIKE OCEANS.

THEY SEE WHALES.

THEY GO TO BUTTERFLY RESERVES.

THEY EAT TACOS AND BURRITOS.

WE HAVE A GREAT TIME BECAUSE IT IS MIGRATION SEASON.

THEY SWAM 6000 MILES TO GET HERE.

AFTER A FEW MINUTES IN THE FLYING CAR, WE THEN WENT TO TODOS SANTOS.

>> Reporter: CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THE MAIN MESSAGE YOU ARE HOPING THAT READERS ARE GOING TO RECEIVE FROM THESE BOOKS?

>> I WANT TO EXPLAIN DIVERSITY TO KIDS.

I'M DIFFERENT.

I AM TURKISH-AMERICAN.

IT IS OKAY TO BE DIFFERENT.

IT IS OKAY TO BE FINE.

>> Reporter: THIS PARTICULAR BOOK, IT RAISES MONEY TO THE FOR THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DONATE TO THIS CAUSE?

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS OKAY.

>> Reporter: YOU RECENTLY WERE AWARDED THE BEST CHILD ACTOR BY LOS ANGELES FILM AWARDS.

TELL US ABOUT THIS GREAT HONOR.

>> DURING THE SUMMER, I WAS SELECTED TO BE IN THIS MOVIE CALLED "P.A.W.S."

I HAD SUCH FUN MEETING THE CREW AND THE CAST.

IT WAS AWESOME.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

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

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