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

EVEN THOUGH MUCH OF THE ATTENTION WAS FOCUSED ON THE MOB ATTACK AT THE U.S. CAPITOL, THE ONGOING COVID-19 CRISIS HAS NOT SLOWED DOWN.

IN FACT, THIS WAS ONE OF THE WORST WEEKS YET.

THE NUMBER OF DEATHS THIS WEEK ALONE IS WELL OVER 100.

SINCE MARCH, MORE THAN 1700 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY WITH A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF THOSE DYING IN RECENT WEEKS.

AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY REPORTED MORE THAN 4000 DAILY DEATHS FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THURSDAY.

>>> VACCINES HAVE ARRIVED, BUT THE ROLLOUT IS A CHALLENGE.

THE STATE IS NOW ALLOWING DENTISTS TO GIVE SHOTS TO PRIORITIZE GROUPS.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTERS SAY IT IS AN EFFORT TO GET THE VACCINE OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 200,000 VACCINE DOSES MADE THEIR WAY INTO THE COUNTY FACILITIES.

VACCINATE IS ONLY ADMINISTERED ABOUT 47,000.

A SAN DIEGO PHYSICIAN SITS ON STATE AND COUNTY ADVISORY GROUPS.

HE SAYS, THE CHALLENGES, NOT ALL FACILITIES HAVE THE CAPACITY TO STORE IT.

>> EVEN IF I COULD STORE IT, I WOULD NEED PPE, AND AN EXPERT STAFF TO BE ABLE TO VACCINATE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS, THE COUNTY IS LAUNCHING VACCINATION SITES TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PRIORITIZED GROUPS TO ACCESS VACCINATION.

>> IT IS EASIER TO HAVE PODS RATHER THAN TRYING TO GET TO SMALL PRACTICES AND A SMALL ISSUE.

>> Reporter: THE ADVISORY GROUP IS MEETING TO DISCUSS FOR CRITICAL WORKERS, ADULTS, AND THOSE OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

THERE ARE MANY MORE VACCINATIONS TO BE DONE BEFORE WE REACH THOSE POPULATIONS.

THE SCHEDULE RIGHT NOW, PRIORITIZES THOSE IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

>>> IT HAS BEEN A NINE-MONTH BALANCING ACT BETWEEN PUBLIC HEALTH AND MAKING SURE SMALL BUSINESSES STAY AFLOAT.

OUR REPORTER TELLS US HOW THE STATE IS PROVIDING $500 MILLION IN GRANTS TO BUSINESS OWNERS.

>> Reporter: THE GRANT PROGRAM LAUNCHED LATE LAST WEEK RIGHT BEFORE THE HOLIDAY.

IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THE ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM IS READY TO HANDLE THE HEAVY DEMAND, THE MONEY, PART OF THE FEDERAL STIMULUS THAT WAS HANDED TO THE STATE, WILL REACH SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH THE PANDEMIC OFFERING GRANTS BETWEEN $5000 AND $25,000, DEPENDING ON THEIR SIDES.

THESE GRANTS DON'T HAVE TO BE PAID BACK.

>> I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT COVID- 19 HAS BEEN ON OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

BUSINESSES YOU DID NOTHING WRONG, YOU WENT INTO THE SALON BUSINESS OR RESTAURANT BUSINESS, A YEAR AGO, WE NEVER WOULD HAVE CONTEMPLATED THIS SITUATION.

>> ORIGINALLY, THE DEADLINE IS THIS MONDAY.

STATE OFFICIALS MOVED THE DATE BACK TO WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13th.

UNLIKE OTHER PANDEMIC RELIEF PROGRAMS, THIS ONE IS NOT FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.

IT MEANS NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED UNTIL JANUARY 14th.

THE SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL SMALL BUSINESS CENTER HAS DEVELOPED A SERIES OF WEBINARS.

THEY ARE HELPING NONPROFITS THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

>> THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS TO BE ABLE TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF RELIEF.

THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IS HERE TO SUPPORT THEM.

>> Reporter: THESE BUSINESS HAS BEEN NEARLY NONEXISTENT.

HE IS BEEN HANDLING THE COUNTY SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

HE SAYS, HIS BUSINESS HAS BEEN BLOCKED FROM OTHER SUPPORT PROGRAMS.

HIS FAMILY TOOK OVER THE BUSINESS IN JUNE AFTER THE BUSINESS RAN OUT OF MONEY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> IN ORDER TO CLAIM ANY HELP FROM THE COUNTY, YOU HAVE TO FILE TAXES FOR THIS BUSINESS.

SO WE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR IT.

WE JUST HAVE THIS.

WE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY HELP, BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT OWNED THIS BUSINESS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE STATE PROGRAM COMES WITH A SIMILAR REQUIREMENT.

THE BUSINESS NEEDS TO OPERATE BY JUNE 19th.

IT IS POSSIBLE THE TACO SHOP WILL BE LOCKED DOWN, ONCE AGAIN.

>> Reporter: BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS CAN SIGN UP THROUGH A NONPROFIT AT CA GRANT.COM.

REPORTING FOR KPBS .

>>> MOST COMPANIES HAVE COMPLIED WITH COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, EVEN IF IT HURTS THE BOTTOM LINE.

IN NORTH COUNTY, ONE CITY IS TRYING TO FIND A WAY AGAINST THE RULES OR WHO PROTECT THEM.

JOHN CARROLL HAS MORE FROM CARLSBAD.

>> Reporter: EVER SINCE THE STAY-AT-HOME-ORDER WENT INTO THE EFFECT ON DECEMBER 5th, SOME HAVE CHOSEN TO DEFY IT AND STAY OPEN, AT LEAST FOR OUTDOOR DINING.

IN CARLSBAD, A HANDFUL OF RESTAURANTS HAVE SHOWN WHERE THEY STAND BY KEEPING THEIR DOORS OPEN, AND PUTTING SIGNS UP.

MICHAEL REPRESENTS A COUPLE HUNDRED RESTAURANTS AND SALONS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

HE SAYS, STAYING OPEN IS NOT AN ACT OF DEFIANCE, RATHER JUST PEACEFUL PROTEST.

HE SAYS, UP UNTIL NOW, POLICE HAVE BEEN HANDLING THOSE PROTESTS THE RIGHT WAY.

>> CARLSBAD POLICE HAVE COME IN AND SAID, YOU ARE AWARE OF THESE ORDERS, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE FOLLOWING THEM, WE SEE THAT YOU'RE NOT, YOU ARE IN THE MIDST OF A PEACEFUL PROTEST, HERE IS A MASK, HAVE A NICE DAY.

>> Reporter: THAT CAN CHANGE.

UP UNTIL NOW, THE CITY COUNCIL HAD FOUR MEMBERS ON IT.

THEY LAST VOTED ON ENFORCING HEALTH REGULATIONS.

IT WAS A TIE.

NOW THERE IS A FIFTH MEMBER ON THE COUNCIL.

COREY SCHUMACHER CALLED FOR TODAY'S SPECIAL MEETING.

>> THIS IS REALLY ABOUT GETTING TO THE POINT WITH A FIVE MEMBER COUNCIL WHERE WE CAN GET TO A CLEAR DIRECTION ON WHAT WE EXPECT OUT OF OUR STAFF AND WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHEN IT COMES TO TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

>> Reporter: IF EMAILS ARE ANY INDICATION, THE SCHUMACHER COLLEAGUES COULD FACE SOME STIFF OPPOSITION TO STRICTER ENFORCEMENT.

PLEASE DON'T RUN US OUT OF CARLSBAD, WE RELY ON THESE RESTAURANTS TO KEEP US SANE.

WE WILL ALL JUST GO TO A DIFFERENT PLACE IF YOU SHUT THEM DOWN.

FROM ANOTHER, I REALLY DON'T WANT GIANT CORPORATIONS TO OWN EVERYTHING IN CARLSBAD OR SOCAL.

PLEASE ALLOW RESTAURANTS TO REMAIN OPEN AND HAVE INDOOR DINING.

THERE IS NOTHING SCIENTIFIC THAT SAYS EATING OUTSIDE AND FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES SPREADS COVID.

BUT, THERE WAS ALSO ENFORCEMENT FOR SUPREME ENFORCEMENT.

PLEASE LIMIT RESTAURANTS TO TAKE OUT ONLY.

OUR HEALTH DEPENDS UPON IT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE NEW COVID VARIANT SURFACING IN OUR COUNTY.

COUNCILMAN SCHUMACHER SAYS, THERE HAVE BEEN 28 CEASE-AND- DESIST ORDERS ISSUED IN HER DISTRICT, ALONE.

IF STRICTER ENFORCEMENT IS APPROVED, FINES COULD RANGE FROM $100-$500 PER VIOLATION.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS EXPECT TO GET SOME OF THE $54 BILLION SET ASIDE FOR EDUCATION IN THE LATEST COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE.

OVERALL, LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL GET NEARLY $400 MILLION.

ONE THIRD OF THAT WILL GO TO SAN DIEGO UNIFIED.

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, RICHARD BARRERA, SAYS IT WILL BE A GOOD FIRST STEP.

HE SAYS, THE MONEY WILL BE NEEDED TO ADDRESS LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS, LIKE AN EXTENDED SUMMER SCHOOL TO GET STUDENTS CAUGHT UP.

THE MONEY WILL HELP STAFF AVOID LAYOFFS.

>>> SAN DIEGO UNIFIED IS JOINING OTHER LARGE DISTRICTS, SAYING THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO OPEN REALLY -- ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND THIS MIGHT HURT STUDENTS.

WE WILL EXPLAIN WHY THESE DISTRICTS WANT TO SLOW DOWN THE OPENINGS.

>> Reporter: IN A LETTER ON WEDNESDAY, SOME OF THE STATES LARGEST AREAS CRITICIZED GAVIN NEWSOM, OF REOPENING SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

UNDER THIS PROGRAM, THE STATE CAN RECEIVE MILLIONS IN FUNDING IF IT IS ABLE TO BEGIN IN PERSON STRUCTURE NOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, BUT ONLY DISTRICTS AND COUNTIES WITH A SEVEN DAY AVERAGE OF FEWER THAN 20 COVID CASES PER AREA CAN QUALIFY.

CINDY MARTIN WAS AMONG THE OFFICIALS WHO WROTE THE LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR, ARGUING THAT DISTRICTS IN AREAS WITH LOWER CASE RATES WOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN FIRST AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EXTRA STATE FUNDING.

>> OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING TO GO TO THE PARTS OF THE STATE THAT NEED IT THE LEAST.

THAT IS NOT GOOD.

>> Reporter: MARTINS SAID THE PLAN HIGHLIGHTS DETAILS ON HOW TO HIGHLIGHT STUDENTS AND TEST THEM ONCE THEY COME BACK.

>> YOU'VE GOT TO TEST THEM SO WE CAN OPERATE SAFELY.

HIS PLAN IS NOT CLEAR ON THAT.

WE NEED THE GRADUAL REOPENING AND A PLAN TO GET STUDENTS BACK SHOULD FOCUS FIRST ON PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> Reporter: JOHN IS THE ADVOCATE DIRECTOR AT A BAY AREA- BASED CIVIL RIGHTS LAW FIRM.

HE PRAISED THE GOVERNOR'S EFFORTS TO REOPEN SCHOOLS.

>> I THINK, THE GOVERNOR DESERVES CREDIT FOR PUSHING THIS CONVERSATION, NOT GIVING UP ON THIS YEAR, BUT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO INCENTIVIZE SCHOOLS TO REOPEN.

>> Reporter: HE UNDERSTANDS THE PREDICAMENT OF THE SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE ALLOWING AREAS WITH LOW CASE COUNTS TO REOPEN, WHILE PROVIDING REPORTS FOR THOSE WITH HIGH CASE COUNTS.

>> HOW DO WE DO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME?

OPEN AS MANY SCHOOLS AS WE CAN, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING EXTRA ATTENTION TO COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HARDEST HIT, SO THAT WE CAN GET THOSE SCHOOLS THE BEST CHANCE TO REOPEN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE ALSO.

>> Reporter: THE SAFE SCHOOLS FOR ALL PLAN NEEDS TO BE APPROVED BY STATE LEGISLATURE.

SCHOOLS WOULD REOPEN ON FEBRUARY 15th.

>>> UC SAN DIEGO STARTED IT'S WINTER TERM WITH SOME CLASSES BEING HELD OUTDOORS.

SEVERAL TEACHING TENTS ARE SET UP AROUND CAMPUS.

MASKS MUST BE WORN.

CLASS SIZES ARE KEPT.

ALSO NEW FOR THE WINTER QUARTER, FREE COVID-19 TEST KITS AND 11 VENDING MACHINES SCATTERED ACROSS CAMPUS.

STUDENTS AND STAFF CAN SET THE KIDS OFF FOR PROCESSING, AND GET TEST RESULTS IN ABOUT TWO DAYS.

>> THIS IS ACCESSIBLE.

SOMETHING YOU CAN DO IN FIVE MINUTES., HERE AND GET IT.

>> THE SCHOOL IS NOW REQUIRING STUDENTS TO GET TESTED, EACH WEEK.

THEY MUST COMPLETE AN ONLINE SCREENING, EACH DAY.

>>> THE PANDEMIC HAS HIGHLIGHTED THOSE DISPARITIES IN ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO A PERSON'S RACE.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTERS WILL TELL US ABOUT THE EFFORT TO WRITE SOME HISTORIC WRONGS.

>>> COUNTY DATA SHOWS THAT MANY PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE HIT HARDER BY THE CORONAVIRUS.

ONE SUPERVISOR SAYS COVID-19 IS NOT THE ONLY PANDEMIC.

>> WE MUST COLLECTIVELY RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS SO THAT THE PANDEMIC OF SYSTEMIC RACISM IS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, AND IN OUR NATION.

>> Reporter: SHE AND HER SUPERVISOR WERE JOINED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS TO DECLARE RACISM A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

ANGELA ELLIOTT SANTOS EXPLAINS HOW THE PAST UNJUST PRACTICES AGAINST THE LOCAL INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY CREATED LOW HEALTH COLOR -- OUTCOMES.

>> AFTER HAVING BEEN FREE AND PROUD, WE WERE PINNED UP ON LAND THAT WOULD SUSTAIN ONE FAMILY OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS, 4200 FEET UP AT MANZANITA.

SO WE SEE THE LASTING EFFECTS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS, THE MEASURE WILL GO BEFORE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO ADDRESS PAST DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES.

IT DIRECTS STAFF TO COLLECT COMMUNITY INPUT, BETTER USE DATA TO IDENTIFY GAPS IN PROGRAMMING, AND TO INCORPORATE AN EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT FOR FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BOARD.

>> WE ARE ESTABLISHING A COMMITMENT TO DISRUPT AND DISESTABLISH THESE SYSTEMS.

WE WILL MAKE SURE REMOVE BARRIERS TO PREVENT DIVERSITY AND INVASION.

>> Reporter: TURN MENTAL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ARTS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN HIT HARD BY THE PANDEMIC.

AS THE ARTS REPORTER TELLS US, SAN DIEGO OPERA DISCOVERED LESSONS IT LEARNED FROM AN EARLIER FINANCIAL CRISIS HAVE PROVEN USEFUL DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES.

>> Reporter: BACK IN MARCH, SAN DIEGO OPERA WAS STAGING THIS EVENT.

THEN, COVID-19 HIT, PREVENTING CHILDREN FROM TRAVELING.

>> WE WERE THE FIRST OPERA COMPANY TO HAVE THE FIRST CANCELED PERFORMANCES DUE TO COVID.

IT HIT US VERY EARLY IN MARCH.

THEN, WE HAD TO POSTPONE THE REST OF THE SEASON.

SINCE THEN, ALL WE HAVE DONE IS THINK ABOUT BEING NOBLE AND FITTING, TRYING TO FIND WAYS AND EXPLORE WAYS TO PRODUCE OPERA THAT CAN GUARANTEE SAFETY.

>> Reporter: HE TOOK ON THE ROLE OF THE GENERAL DIRECTOR BACK IN 2015, AMIDST FEARS OF CLOSURE.

LITTLE DID HE REALIZE, THE RESPONSE TO THOSE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES AND WHAT THE COMPANY LEARNED FROM IT WOULD BE HELPFUL DURING THIS CURRENT PANDEMIC.

>> AS A RESULT OF THE NEAR CLOSURE, WE WROTE NEW MISSION STATEMENT AND CORE VALUES THAT CAME OUT AT THAT POINT.

HER NIMBLE ADAPTATION THROUGH THE CHANGING MARKETPLACE, WE PRESERVE THE FUTURE OF SAN DIEGO OPERA.

THAT WAS REALLY IN RESPONSE TO, I THINK, THE FINANCIAL CHANGING MARKETPLACE, THE FACT THAT PLACES WERE CLOSING.

BUT BOY, THERE ARE NOT TRUER WORDS THAT COULD BE SPOKEN ABOUT WHERE YOU'RE LIVING, RIGHT NOW, WITH COVID.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE BEEN NIMBLE AND ADAPTABLE.

IN OCTOBER, THEY BUILT AN OUTDOOR STAGE IN THE SPORTS ARENA PARKING LOT SO IT COULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST OPERA COMPANIES IN THE U.S. TO RETURN TO LIVE PERFORMANCES.

IT INTRODUCED AN INNOVATIVE DRIVE-IN VERSION OF LA BOHHME.

>> ONE OF THE PROTOCOLS THEY ESTABLISHED, DURING AN OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE, WHICH WE DID, EACH SINGER HAD TO HAVE 120 SQUARE FEET OF THEIR OWN SPACE.

YOU COULD NOT ENCROACH IN THE SPACE OF ANOTHER SINGER.

SO THAT WAS A CHALLENGE.

THAT WAS DEFINED BY 15 FEET IN FRONT OF YOUR MOUTH FOR THE NEXT SINGER, AND 4 FEET OFF THE SIDE.

IF THE SINGER TURNED, YOU HAD TO INCREASE THE SPACE OF 15 FEET.

THAT WAS A CHALLENGE.

WE HAD TO COME UP WITH CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO MAKE SURE WE TOLD THE STORY OF LA BOHHME WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS AND SAFETY.

>> Reporter: THE RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT KIND OF REPORTS SOMEONE CAN DO WOULD GENERATE TICKET SALES AS THEY USED TO IN THE MASSIVE CIVIC THEATER.

BUT EVEN THAT HAS LED TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

>> WHAT WE DID FIND, WAS THAT WE HAD NEW SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAME TO US BECAUSE WE WERE DOING SOMETHING OUTDOORS THAT REALLY REACHED THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT IT DIDN'T IF WE DID THE CIVIC THEATER.

>> Reporter: SO FAR, THE HOPPER HAS NOT HAD TO LAY OFF STAFF BECAUSE OF THE NIMBLENESS IT LEARNED.

NOW, A PANDEMIC IS CHALLENGING THE COMPANY.

THEY ARE DEMANDING NEW INFORMATION THAT CAN BE LIFE -- USED AFTERLIFE COMES BACK TO NORMAL.

>> THAT IS OUR FIRST BIG LEARNING EXPERIENCE, I WOULD SAY.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL LOOK AT, POST COVERED.

CHALLENGES CAN GIVE YOU A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES.

LET'S PUT IT THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: HE KNOWS THAT 2021 WILL BE A CHALLENGING YEAR.

>> BUT HOW LONG YOU CAN BE AN OPERA COMPANY THAT'S NOT PRODUCING OPERA AND STAY IN BUSINESS, THAT IS THE CHALLENGE.

WE HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY.

WE HAVEN'T HAD TO FURLOUGH OR LET ANYTHING OFF.

WE DID RECEIVE PPP FUNDS THAT CAME THROUGH IN THE SUMMER, WHICH HELPED RETAIN EMPLOYEES, BUT WE ARE STILL IN A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE HAD TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: BENNETT AND THE SAN DIEGO OPERA ARE READY FOR WHATEVER CHALLENGES LIFE POSES.

THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO STAGING OPERA WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS SO THEY CAN BRING US STORIES TO A THEATER WHERE IT BELONGS.

KPBS NEWS COME ALIVE.

>>> FINDING AN AUDIENCE IS NOT EASY THESE DAYS ARE THOSE WHO MEET THE OUTLET TO PERFORM.

OUR KPBS REPORTER SPOKE WITH ONE SAN DIEGO AND WHO HAD TO FIND ANSWERS FROM LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS.

>> Reporter: RUBEN VALENZUELA IS IN FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS.

♪ >> Reporter: IN THE STRANGEST OF TIMES -- >> AS THE MONTHS PROGRESSED, IT BECAME EVEN MORE CLEAR THAT THIS WAS A LONG, LONG HAUL.

♪ >> Reporter: VALENZUELA HAS PLAYED THE ORGAN AT THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH THOUSANDS OF TIMES.

NOW, HE PLAYS TO AN EMPTY CHURCH WITH NO MICROPHONES TO LISTEN.

HE IS THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND THE ORGANIST HERE.

>> WHAT HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY IS A VERY THING WE ARE USUALLY DOING, THAT IS PERFORMING.

>> Reporter: LIKE MANY CHURCHES AROUND THE WORLD, HE MOVED THE CHOIR INTO THE VIRTUAL SPACE.

HE CALLS THOSE EARLY ONLINE DAYS THE JURASSIC PERIOD.

OVER TIME, WITH SAFETY IN MIND, CHANGES WERE MADE.

THE END PRODUCT GOT BETTER.

>> THINGS STARTED TO REFINE THEMSELVES.

OKAY, WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THE BUILDING TO GIVE US PROPER ACOUSTIC, WHICH MEANS WE CAN USE THE ORGAN, WHICH MEANS, OKAY, I THINK THE PRODUCT WOULD BE BETTER IF WE HAD LIGHTS.

SOMEBODY DONATED LIGHTS.

LITTLE BY LITTLE, THE CHURCH BECAME A RECORDING STUDIO.

>> ♪ >> Reporter:'S MUSICAL WORLD STRETCHES BEYOND THE SACRED.

HE IS ALSO THE CHORAL CONDUCTOR FOR THE LA JOLLA SYMPHONY CHORUS.

THE GROUP IS MADE UP OF VOLUNTEERS.

ALONG WITH MOVING PERFORMANCES ONLINE, HE HAD TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO KEEP THE GROUP ENGAGED.

>> WE HAVE SOME TIME, LET'S LOOK AT XY AND Z IN DEPTH.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT, WE CAN LOOK AT THE CONTEXT.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO HIS DUTIES AT THE LA JOLLA SYMPHONY CHORUS, VALENZUELA IS ALSO THE DIRECTOR OF A GROUP HE FOUNDED IN 2003.

THE PANDEMIC PRESENTED HIM WITH DIFFERENT CHALLENGES THAN THE OTHER GROUPS.

>> WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NEXT?

PEOPLE PAID FOR THINGS.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

>> Reporter: SOMEHOW, HE HAS MADE IT ALL WORK.

HE HAS DONE IT BY BEING INNOVATIVE, THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.

>> CALL THEM CHANGES FORCED BY THE PANDEMIC, NEW WAYS OF DOING THINGS THAT VALENZUELA SAYS, WILL NOT ENTIRELY DISAPPEAR ONCE THE PANDEMIC IS OVER.

>> IT WOULD BE A HUGE MISTAKE TO TURN YOUR BACK ON ALL THAT HAS BEEN LEARNED IN THIS YEAR, WHENEVER THIS ENDS.

THERE ARE VALUABLE TOOLS.

YOU NEED TO HAVE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS THE ABILITY TO REACH OUT TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS, WHETHER THEY ARE YOUR CONGREGATION, WHETHER YOU ARE A TICKET BUYER, SUPPORTER, DONOR, WHEN YOU CANNOT DO A LIVE PERFORMANCE.

>> Reporter: NOW, WITH VACCINES BEING DISTRIBUTED, BALANCE WEATHER IS LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE.

HE ADMITS TO SOME ANXIETY.

>> I FOUND MY SELF LOOKING AT TV AND YOUTUBE, I SEE PANDEMIC FOOTAGE AND I CRINGE, BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE GOTTEN USED TO SEEING PEOPLE DISTANCED, PEOPLE WITH MASKS, CERTAINLY IN THE MUSIC ARENA.

I THINK THAT SUGAR WILL BE THERE FOR SOME TIME.

I WONDER HOW MUCH OF THAT DISTANCING ASPECT WILL LINGER FOR EVEN LONGER THAN WE THINK.

>> Reporter: EVEN IN A VIRTUAL WAY, THE ARTS HAVE HELPED A LOT OF US GET THROUGH THESE DARK DAYS.

NOW THAT THE COVID ERA IS HOPEFULLY COMING INTO VIEW, WE ARE LEFT TO WONDER, WHAT FORM WILL THE ARTS TAKE?

THIS IS A WORLD FINALLY FREE OF THE RAVAGES OF THE PANDEMIC -- JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> KEVIN FAULKNER HAS NOT BEEN SHY ABOUT CRITICIZING GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S HANDLING OF COVID-19.

THAT MIGHT BE A SPRINGBOARD FOR THE FORMER MAYOR'S FUTURE PLANS.

KPBS METRO REPORTER, ANDREW, WILL EXPLAIN.

>> Reporter: THE ODDS ARE STACKED AGAINST FAULKNER, BUT FAULKNER SEES OPPORTUNITY TO RECALL GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM.

>> CALIFORNIANS ARE HURTING, PARTICULARLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC, WHERE WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 500 CALIFORNIANS -- 500,000 CALIFORNIANS WHO CANNOT RECEIVE UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS.

THAT'S WHY THERE IS THIS GROWING, NOT ONLY ANGER, FRUSTRATION, BUT RESOLVED THAT SAYS WE NEED CHANGE AT THE TOP.

>> Reporter: THE CAMPAIGN GIVES FAULKNER A FAMILIAR, IF UNLIKELY, PATH TO VICTORY.

THEY COULD WIN IN THE LOW TURNOUT SPECIAL ELECTION.

ONE SCIENCE PROFESSOR SAYS, THAT IS HOW FAULKNER WAS ELECTED MAYOR IN 2014.

>> IF TURNOUT IS LOWER IN A RECALL, IF IT'S HELD IN AN ODD YEAR OR AN ODD MONTH, THEN YOU MIGHT HAVE A MORE REPUBLICAN SLANTED ELECTED, AT LEAST ONE WHERE IT WOULDN'T BE SO BLUE.

MOST ELECTRICS ARE IN CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: THIS PHASE IS A TRICKY BALANCING ACT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP, WHO IS STILL THE DOMINANT PLAYER IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

TRUMPS BRAND IS TOXIC IN CALIFORNIA.

FAULKNER HAS ALWAYS TRIED TO PAINT HIMSELF A MODERATE, SUPPORTING IMMIGRATION REFORM AND ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> DOES HAVE MADE THEM DIFFERENT FROM DONALD TRUMP.

HE CANNOT REJECT TRUMP IS HIM AND STILL EXPECT A REPUBLICAN BASE TO TURN OUT FOR HIM IF HE WANTS TO ADVANCE IN CALIFORNIA POLITICS.

>> Reporter: FAULKNER DOESN'T HAVE MUCH TO RUN ON, ACCORDING TO GIL GUERRERA, AN ATTORNEY WHO SERVED ON SEVERAL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

HE SAYS, FAULKNER MOSLEY AVOIDED MAJOR SCANDALS.

>> WE ALSO HAD BUDGET DEFICITS DURING A GROWING ECONOMY.

ALL OF THE THINGS THAT A REPUBLICAN WOULD NORMALLY RUN ON, I DON'T KNOW THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO.

>> THE RECALL NEWSOM CAMPAIGN HAS MONTHS TO GATHER THE 1.5 MILLION VALID SIGNATURES IT NEEDS TO FORCE A SPECIAL ELECTION.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> A NEW LAW WILL PROVIDE EMERGENCY AID FOR HOMELESSNESS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>>> STEVE WALSH SAYS MORE VETERANS HAVE NOW DIED FROM COVID THEN DIED IN COMBAT DURING THE LAST TWO WARS.

>>> THE NEW LAW WOULD TEMPORARILY LOOSEN UP THE RULES FOR PROVIDING SERVICES AND OUTREACH FOR HOMELESSNESS, INCLUDING THE AMOUNT OF THE VA COULD PAY LANDLORDS IN SAN DIEGO.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE BILL SPONSORS.

>> THE RENT PAYMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN ADEQUATE FOR A COMMUNITY LIKE OURS.

WE KNOW THAT ROUGHLY A QUARTER OF THOSE EFFORTS ARE GOING UNUSED.

>> THEY WERE GOING UNUSED IN SAN DIEGO EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE ISSUES, LACK OF OUTREACH.

>> THEY CAN CHOOSE TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT THEY COULD NOT COME UP BEFORE.

THEY WILL HAVE A LOT MORE FLEXIBILITY IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT THINGS LIKE TEMPORARY HOUSING OF HOMELESS VETERANS.

>> Reporter: THE LAW COMES AS 6772 PATIENTS HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19.

THIS IS MORE THAN THE NUMBER OF TROOPS WHO DIED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN COMBINED.

RECENT DEFENSE BILL INCLUDED LANGUAGE THAT WOULD INCLUDE OTHER THAN HONORABLE DISCHARGES TO QUALIFY FOR BENEFITS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> VETERANS WHO HAVE ADDICTION ISSUES, WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS, WE HAVE TO BE VERY MINDFUL THAT THESE PROGRAMS ACTUALLY ARE DESIGNED TO HELP VETERANS WHO NEED THE HELP, NOT JUST THOSE WHO MIGHT CHECK A BOX.

>> Reporter: THE LEGISLATION ALSO REQUIRED THE VA TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW TO SERVE THE GROWING NUMBER OF WOUNDED VETERANS.

THEY WOULD ALSO EXPAND SERVICES TO HELP VETERANS GET A JOB AS THEY LEAVE THE SERVICE.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> 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.

♪ ♪