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

SADLY, THIS WEEK BROUGHT A MILESTONE OF 2000 DEATHS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

THEY SHOW US WHO IS BEARING THE BRUNT OF THE VIRUS.

>> Reporter: SINCE THEN, A PERIOD OF LESS THAN TWO MONTHS, THE REGION HAS SURGED TO MORE THAN 2000 DEATHS.

>> WE ARE PROBABLY 6 TO 8 WEEKS OUT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS A SPIKE IN INFECTIONS LEADS TO A SURGE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS TWO WEEKS LATER, WHICH LEADS TO ANOTHER SURGE IN DEATHS.

DEATHS WILL CONTINUE TO RISE RAPIDLY FOR WEEKS OR,, BUT HE DOES NOT THINK THE RISING DEATH NUMBERS COULD BE CONTRIBUTED IN ANY WAY .

>> THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHIFT OUR RESOURCES WITH GREAT EFFICIENCY, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK IS TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE ARE GOOD AT DOING THESE THINGS.

IT HASN'T LOOKED LIKE WE HAVE DONE MUCH.

>> Reporter: THE PANDEMIC CONTINUES TO IMPACT PEOPLE DISPROPORTIONATELY DEPENDING ON THEIR RACE AND WHERE THEY LIVE IN THE COUNTY.

THE COUNTY TELL US LATINO COMMUNITY IS STILL AT BEING HIT THE HARDEST ACCOUNTING FOR 44% OF DEATHS.

>> REALLY HASN'T SURPRISED US.

>> Reporter: IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE THERE IS INFECTION RATES ARE COMING FROM, IT IS A LOT OF THESE FRONTLINE JOBS, AND THAT HASN'T CHANGED.

THE LATEST REPORT SHOWS THAT THE MEMBERS NUMBERS FOR GROCERY STORE WORKERS.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE IN THESE JOBS ARE LESS LIKELY TO FEEL INCOMPETENT, DEMANDING PROTECTIONS FROM THEIR EMPLOYERS .

PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE OFTEN TREATED DIFFERENTLY BY DOCTORS.

>> PEOPLE ARE SENT HOME EVEN THOUGH THERE SYMPTOMS WOULD INDICATE THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE SENT HOME.

>> Reporter: ALL OF THESE INEQUITIES CONTRIBUTE TO A TRAGEDY THAT PEOPLE ARE STILL NOT YET GRASPING.

>> ALL OF THESE NUMBERS ARE INDIVIDUALS HE WAS A SON, MOTHER, DAUGHTER.

IT DOESN'T REALLY HIT PEOPLE UNTIL IT IMPACTS THEM DIRECTLY.

>> Reporter: GROCERY STORE WORKERS FOR YOUR PHARMACY STAFF OR SORT OF YOUR RIGHT AID OR CVS WORKERS.

THEY MIGHT HAVE ALSO DONE THINGS, GATHER THEMSELVES OVER THE HOLIDAYS, BUT PEOPLE COMING INTO THESE PUBLIC SPACES ARE AT HIGHER RISK .

>> Reporter: THE DAILY DEATH TOLL OF THE VIRUS IS INESCAPABLE SAYS LORI.

>> I WORK SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

EVERY TIME I GO INTO THE ICU, I AM ALWAYS SO IMPRESSED ABOUT HOW CALM AND COOL AND COLLECTED THEY ARE.

THAT BEING SAID, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE LAST 3 TO 4 WEEKS, THEY STILL HAVE THE SAME LEVEL OF COMPETENCE.

THEY STILL HAVE THE SAME COMMON APPROACH WITH THEIR PATIENTS.

THEY JUST ARE SUBJECTED TO THIS CONTINUAL ONSLAUGHT OF PATIENT CARE THAT WE HAVE HAD TO DO EVER IN OUR CAREER.

>> Reporter: WHILE MOST DOCTORS AND NURSES ARE VACCINATED AND THERE IS HOPE THAT NUMBERS WILL SLOWLY GOING DOWN, LORI SAYS THERE IS STILL A LONG RACE.

>> AND THAT IS JUST ONE OF THE STORIES YOU WILL FIND ON THE TRACKING PAGE OF KPBS.ORG.

IT IS A PART OF OUR ROBUST ONLINE COVERAGE RIGHT NOW ON KPBS.ORG.

>>> ONE OF THAT TRUSTED FACES LAST YEAR WAS DR. ANTHONY FAUCI.

HE HAS THIS TO SAY ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S APPROACH AND HOW MISINFORMATION MAY HAVE COST LIVES.

>> I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE A SOUNDBITE, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, WHEN YOU START GOING DOWN PATHS THAT ARE NOT BASED ON ANY SCIENCE I DON'T.

WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH IT BEFORE I DO NOT WANT TO REHASH IT.

ALMOST BEING IN A CRISIS OF CASES AND THE NUMBER OF HOSPITALIZATIONS WE HAVE HAD.

THAT CLEARLY IS NOT HELPFUL.

>> DR. FOUNDRY IS NOW PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S CHIEF MEDICAL ADVISOR ON THE PANDEMIC IN AN APPEARANCE IN THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS BRIEFING ROOM ON WEDNESDAY, HE FEELS LIBERATED TO SPEAK FOR FREELY.

>>> ANOTHER FAMILIAR FACE WILL NO LONGER BE A PART OF THE RESPONSE.

HER ROLE OFFICIALLY ENDED WITH THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR.

>>> HERE IN SAN DIEGO AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE STRUGGLING TO GET SHOTS INTO ARMS BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH DOSES.

MEGAWATT SHOWS US HOW CITIES ARE TRYING TO MEET THE CHALLENGE .

>> Reporter: IN CALIFORNIA, IT COULD TAKE ABOUT FIVE MORE MONTHS TO VACCINATE.

NEW YORK STATE HAS JUST TWO OR THREE DAYS WORTH OF DOSES ON HAND.

IF THE NATION CONTINUES AT THIS SLUGGISH RATE IT WILL BE MORE THAN A YEAR 75% OF ADULTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

>> IT REALLY SEEMS LIKE AN ALL HANDS ON DECK MORE TIME EFFORT.

>> Reporter: YOU JUST HEARD THE PRESIDENT HAS A DETAILED PLAN AND MORE VACCINES ARE COMING.

THEY ARE LITERALLY WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO OF GETTING THEIR DATA ANALYZED SO THAT WE CAN MAKE A DECISION.

NATIONALLY, USE CASE COUNTS ARE FALLING.

COVID FITTED AND WERE CONTAGIOUS ARE CHANGING THAT.

>> THAT IS REALLY A CHALLENGE THAT I DON'T THINK MANY PEOPLE REALIZE YET.

>> Reporter: 4375 DEAD.

AMONG THE DEAD, THE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER DURING COVID BRIEFINGS.

>> THE VIRUS TOOK HOLD OF HER BODY AND RAVAGED IT.

>> Reporter: IT COULD REACH A HALF 1 MILLION DEAD, MORE THAN LIVES LOST BEFORE VALENTINE'S DAY.

>>> IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH PROGRESS WE'RE MAKING ON VACCINATIONS YOU CAN DO SO ON THE NEWLY LAUNCHED VACCINATION DASHBOARD.

IT SHOWS THE NUMBER OF VACCINATIONS.

AND A LIST OF VACCINATIONS CENTERS.

KPBS.ORG AND CLICK ON VACCINES.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAS ITS SECOND VACCINATION SUPER SITE UP IN AND RUNNING.

JACOB SHOWS US HOW THOSE AT RISK IN THE SOUTH BAY ARE ROLLING UP THEIR SLEEVES.

>> Reporter: BOTH LOCATIONS ARE ADMINISTERING VACCINES SEVEN DAYS A WEEK TO PEOPLE ELIGIBLE UNDER PHASE ONE A. FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDICS NURSING STUDENTS WILL HELP ADMINISTER VACCINES TO ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS AT THE CHULA VISTA SITE.

>> WE DO BELIEVE WE CAN EVEN SCALE HIGHER THAN THAT SO THIS IS REALLY BUILT OUT FOR A HIGHER CAPACITY.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE PETCO PARK LOCATION HAS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHULA VISTA HEALTH, THE NEW SITE WAS SELECTED TO PROVIDE AN EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF VACCINES, ESPECIALLY TO HARDEST HIT COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTH BAY.

>> WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS BASED ON SCIENCE AND DATA.

>> Reporter: TWO LOCATIONS UP IN RUNNING IN ORANGE COUNTY.

>> WHILE THE ROLLOUT OF THE VACCINE HAS SEEN SLOW, IT IS COLLABORATIONS LIKE THIS ONE THAT WE ARE ANNOUNCING TODAY THAT WILL ALLOW US TO RETURN OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL REOPEN UP BUSINESSES AND REOPEN OUR ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: STARTING TOMORROW AT SELECT LOCATIONS THOSE ELIGIBLE WILL BE DIRECTLY CONTACTED BY THEIR PROVIDER.

REGULARLY CHECK THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE.

>>> WE NEED TO SCALE UP IN A HURRY AND A BIG PART OF THAT IS FINDING QUALIFIED STAFF YOU CAN SAFELY DELIVER THE VACCINE THERE IS ONLY SOMEWHAT MANY DOCTORS AND NURSES TO GO AROUND COMING UP A LITTLE BIT LATER WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW DOCTORS AND NURSES ARE BEING TRAINED TO GET THE VIRUS UNDER CONTROL PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HAS ALWAYS ALREADY ISSUED MUCH OF THE HEAVY LIFTING WILL REQUIRE CONGRESS KAREN HAS MORE ON HIS NEW APPROACH BY A NEW PRESIDENT.

>> Reporter: TO A NATION WAITING FOR ACTION, LET ME BE CLEAR IS ON THIS POINT HELP IS ON THE WAY ONE YEAR AND MORE THAN 400,000 AMERICAN DEATHS LATER PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HAS INHERITED A CRISIS LIKE NO OTHER ON HIS FIRST FULL DAY IN OFFICE HE IS WASTING HER TIME.

>> HE IS WASTING NO TIME.

>> Reporter: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS A NEW NATIONAL STRATEGY AND THE PRESIDENT HAS AT LEAST SIGNED 10 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS TO COMBAT COVID-19.

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI NOW BIDEN'S CHIEF MEDICAL ADVISOR MAY BE ABLE TO SURPASS IT THE CONCERN I HAVE IS SOMETHING WE ARE WORKING ON IS GETTING PEOPLE WHO HAVE A VACCINE WHO DON'T WANT TO GET VACCINATED BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT THAT.

HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI SAYS SHE IS EAGER TO GET THE COVID RELIEF BILL PASSED.

>> THE LEADER OF THE STATE'S SECOND LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IS BEING CALLED TO WASHINGTON BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

>> Reporter: MARTINIS BEING TAPPED TO BE SECOND IN CHARGE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> CHILDREN WHO COME FROM STRUGGLE WHATEVER THAT STRUGGLE MAY BE CAN ACHIEVE EDUCATION AT HIGHER LEVELS.

>> Reporter: IT IS THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF HER HOMETOWN THAT MAKES THIS POSSIBLE.

THE SENATE WILL HAVE TO TAKE UP HER CONFIRMATION.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF EDUCATION.

SHE ASKED THE PRESIDENT-ELECT TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES WITHIN THE FIRST 100 DAYS.

THE PANDEMIC IS DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTING PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> THEY MUST BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE EMOTIONAL BURDENS AND THE TRAUMA THAT MANY STUDENTS WILL BE CARRYING.

THIS FACT MAKES ADDITIONAL FUNDING ESSENTIAL.

>> Reporter: MARTIN SHARED THE ADDITIONAL PLAN.

PART OF IT ALSO FOCUSES ON TEACHERS.

>> WHILE CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IS IMPORTANT, IT IS NOT THROUGH MORE EFFECTIVE DISTANCE LEARNING.

OUR STUDENTS NEED THEIR TEACHERS.

>> Reporter: SHE ALSO SAYS SHE WANTS TO SEE A COURT TEAM ESTABLISH AS HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION.

>> KPBS IS MAKING AN EFFORT TO PROFILE EVERY DAY SAN DIEGO IN AND THAT INCLUDES OUR CAREGIVERS.

THEY ARE THE LINK TO OUR ELDERLY IN NURSING HOMES.

ONE OF THE MEMBERS SHARED THEIR EXPERIENCE.

>> MY NAME IS LEAH.

I THINK A CAREGIVER IS NOT A JOB, YOU KNOW?

IT IS A QUALITY.

WE ARE DEALING WITH RESIDENTS THAT HAVE ISSUES.

THEY TEND TO BE REPETITIVE.

NOW THAT THERE IS COVID, IT IS REALLY SCARY.

THAT ALSO ADDS TO MY STRESS.

I ALSO HAVE MY MOTHER.

WHAT IF I DON'T GO TO WORK?

I WILL BE SAFER AT HOME.

BUT, YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR JOB.

TAKE A DEEP BREATH.

THE RESIDENTS ARE SAVED.

THIS PANDEMIC HAS BROUGHT A LOT TO EVERYONE'S LIVES.

IT HAS BROUGHT SO MUCH LONELINESS, PAIN, AND SUFFERING TO THE RESIDENTS.

WHY ARE YOU CRYING?

THEY WOULD JUST SAY, I MISS MY FAMILY SO MUCH.

EVERYTHING WILL BE OVER.

I AM GLAD A VACCINE IS COMING.

I HOPE IT WORKS.

TOO MANY PEOPLE DIED FROM THE VIRUS.

IF NOT, 100% OF THIS LESSON, THE VIRUS.

>> THAT WAS KPBS REPORTER.

MEDICAL WORKERS OF ALL STRIPES ARE BEING CALLED ON TO DELIVER VACCINES, AND IT IS A PROCESS THAT REQUIRES THE UTMOST CARE.

>> Reporter: REGISTERED NURSES ALREADY KNOW HOW TO GIVE A SHOT.

THERE ARE SOME OTHER STEPS UNIQUE TO THE COVID-19 VACCINES.

WHILE LANDSCAPERS WORKED OUTSIDE ON A RECENT CLOUDLESS DAY, SHE SPENT HOURS INSIDE A COUNTY VACCINE SITE.

SALAZAR WILL TAKE THE HANDLING, STORING, AND MONITORING DETAILS.

THEY WILL HELP TO VACCINATE LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES NOT COVERED BY PHARMACIES.

>> I BELIEVE WE COULD BE A PART OF THIS MOVE.

>> Reporter: SALAZAR'S FIRST PATIENT WAS JUST AS EXCITED TO BE ON THE OTHER END OF THE SYRINGE.

HOWARD WORKS AT A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACILITY, AND SAYS HE HAD WANTED TO GET THE VACCINE ONCE IT WAS APPROVED.

>> I THINK IT IS MY DUTY TO DO THAT SO WE CAN MOVE ON WITH OUR LIVES.

>> Reporter: AS SALAZAR BARED HER ARM FOR THE VACCINE, SHE SAYS SHE IS HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THE EFFORT TO END THE PANDEMIC.

>> ONE DAY WHEN I GET ORDER, WHEN I AM A GRANDMA, WHEN COVID HAPPENED, I GOT TO BE ABLE A PART OF IT.

BE OUT THERE.

BE ACTIVE.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE >>> IT IS A GESTURE OF GRATITUDE NOW THAT THEY HAVE THEIR VACCINES, SOME OF AMERICA'S HEALTHCARE WORKERS PLAN TO BE IN TAMPA THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> I KNOW EVERYONE IN YOUR AREA IS EXCITED ABOUT AN EVENT COMING UP IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT WE SO IF YOU ARE ABLE TO SPEND IT, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EACH MEMBER OF YOUR TEAM TO BE OUR GUEST AT THE SUPER BOWL.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT MEANS YOU ACCEPT OR NOT.

>> WE ACCEPT.

>> AND THAT IS NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL MAKING THE SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT 25,000 PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND SUPER BOWL IN TAMPA.

>>> WE END OUR SPECIAL WITH A LOOK AT HOW THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY IS MAKING IT THROUGH THIS CHALLENGING TIME.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL RECENTLY TALKED WITH HIM ABOUT HOW TO KEEP THE MUSIC GOING WITH LIVE PERFORMANCES AREN'T POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE GOOD OLD DAYS BEFORE ANYONE HAD EVER HEARD THE WORDS CORONAVIRUS OR COVID- 19, A TIME WHEN WE COULD GO HERE IN-PERSON WORLD-CLASS SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY.

THEN, IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR, THE LIVE MUSIC STOPPED.

>> WHAT DO YOU DO?

YOU TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND YOU START TO IMAGINE WHAT LIFE LOOKS LIKE IN THE NEXT ITERATION .

>> Reporter: FOR THE SYMPHONY, THE NEXT ITERATION LOOKS LIKE THEM NEXT MANY ITERATIONS OF MANY ORGANIZATIONS, MOVING ONLINE ON ZOOM.

>> WE WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO RETURN TO LIVE PERFORMANCES, SOCIALLY DISTANCED, WITH STRINGS WEARING MASKS.

>> Reporter: THIS WAS FROM A PERFORMANCE FROM LAST NOVEMBER.

>> THIS IS THE BEST QUALITY LIFE EXPERIENCE IN A NATURAL ACOUSTIC WITH BEAUTIFUL, BEING REALLY CLOSE TO THE PLAYERS IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME.

WE DO SOME BEAUTIFUL PIECES THAT OFTEN DON'T MAKE THEIR WAY TO A CONCERT PROGRAM, BUT BEAUTIFULLY SERENADES FOR STRINGS ALONE, OR FOR WINDS ALONE.

>> Reporter: WHO WE SHOULD NOTE ARE ALSO SUPPORTERS OF KPBS.

THE PRINCIPAL IS LEFT UNTOUCHED SO KEEPING THE SYMPHONY IN GOOD FINANCIAL CONDITION IS ANOTHER NEVER ENDING EFFORT.

THEY THEIR HEALTH BENEFITS HAVEN'T BEEN TOUCHED FORTUNATELY GILMER SAYS SEASON-TICKET HOLDERS DONATIONS HAVE BEEN GENEROUS.

THE SYMPHONY IS DOING AS WELL AS COULD BE EXPECTED.

THE FIRST PLACE WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE THAT IS THE NEW SHELL EMBARCADERO MARINA SOUTH.

>> RIGHT NOW, WHEN YOU GO OUT THERE, YOU WILL SEE THAT THEY ARE PUTTING THE INTERLINING IN.

>> Reporter: VERY SOON CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH FOR GILMER.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS MOST DIFFICULT FOR ME IS, PEOPLE REALLY NEED AT THIS TIME MORE THAN EVER TO BE ABLE TO BE TOGETHER AND EXPERIENCE MUSIC THAT IS JUST CARRIES YOU AWAY.

IT TAKES YOU TO ANOTHER PLACE.

WE NEED IT NOW MORE THAN EVER.

>>> 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.