PRODUCTION OF HAMLET ON THE RADIO.

AN AUDIO REVIVAL SHAKESPEARE'S EPIC TRAGEDY.

JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL RADIO ADAPTATION OF THIS TIMELESS STAGE CLASSIC.

HAMLET ON THE RADIO.

>>> WE ARE IN THE FINAL WEEK OF STATEWIDE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.

IN SOME WAYS, THIS SUMMER WILL FEEL LIKE PRE-PANDEMIC NORMAL.

ONE EXAMPLE IS IN DELMAR, WHERE THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR IS BACK.

IT WILL BE A SLIMMED DOWN VERSION CALLED HOMETOWN FUND, PARTLY DUE TO THE FAIRGROUNDS BEING USED AS A VACCINATION SITE.

THIS YEAR'S EVENT WILL INCLUDE PLENTY OF FOOD, THE EXHIBITS AND LIVE MUSIC.

THERE WILL BE RIDES FOR THE KIDS BUT THE THRILL RIDES ARE GONE THIS YEAR.

HOMEGROWN FUN RUNS THROUGH JULY 4.

>>> BIG EVENTS LIKE THE FAIR ABACK BECAUSE SAN DIEGO CONTINUES TO MAKE PROGRESS IN ITS VACCINE ROLLOUT.

COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS REMAIN WELL.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF STORIES THIS WEEK FROM KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN ON THE MOVE TO THE LEAST RESTRICTED YELLOW TIER IN THE STATE GUIDANCE ON MASKS.

>> Reporter: THE PANDEMIC IS NOT OVER.

JUNE 15 IS NOT THE MAGIC DATE.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER SO WE ARE STILL SEEING ABOUT 100 COVID CASES PER DAY BUT THINGS ARE SLOWING DOWN AS THE STATE PREPARES TO LIFT COVID RESTRICTIONS NEXT WEEK.

>> WE ARE NEAR THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

WE ARE OPTIMISTIC THE WORST OF COVID-19 IS NOW IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR.

>> Reporter: IN OTHER SIGN THE SITUATION IS IMPROVING, SAN DIEGO MOVING TO THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE YELLOW TIER TO ALLOW FOR MORE CAPACITY AT GROUP EVENTS.

SWEAT THAT IS A TREMENDOUS TESTAMENT TO SAN DIEGANS WILLING TO GET VACCINATED AND THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: NATHAN FLETCHER SAYS SAN DIEGO IS ABOUT 80% TOWARD ITS GOAL OF HERD IMMUNITY AND IN EDITION, COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE DOING THEIR OWN, NOW PARTNERING WITH THE SAN DIEGO PADRES, ENTERING THOSE VACCINATED IN RAFFLES FOR TICKETS AND TWO POP UP VACCINATION SITES ARE COMING TO PETCO PARK.

>> THE FIRST IS SATURDAY, JUNE 12 AND THE SECOND IS ON JUNE 26.

THE FIRST 1000 PEOPLE VACCINATED AT EACH EVENT GETS A FREE COMMEMORATIVE T-SHIRT.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS SAY VACCINE SUPPLY IS NOT AN ISSUE.

>> WE NOW HAVE MORE VACCINES AND WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO GET VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A BIG PUSH TO REACH THOSE UNVACCINATED WITH MOBILE TEENS.

VACCINATIONS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED SIMILAR TO FLU SHOTS .

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A FIRE AND YOU DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY, THE STATE OF EMERGENCY CONTINUES BEYOND BECAUSE IT IS PART OF THE REBUILD, IT IS PART OF THE RECOVERY.

>> Reporter: COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY TO ALIGN WITH THE STATE, THEY WILL EXTEND THEIR STATE OF EMERGENCY UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN MORE RESTRICTIONS POSTING 15.

>> DAY-TO-DAY LIFE OR SAN DIEGANS WILL REVERT TO AS CLOSE TO NORMAL AS WE HAVE BEEN IN MORE THAN A YEAR AND HALF.

>> Reporter: COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE STILL TRACKING AN UMBRELLA VARIANT FLORIST THAT COULD BE MORE CONTAGIOUS OR LESS RECEPTIVE TO THE VACCINES.

PUBLIC REPORTS ABOUT THE LOCAL COVID-19 SITUATION WILL SOON SHIFT TO WEEKLY.

AFTER THAT, THEY WILL ONLY HAPPEN AS NECESSARY.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE ARE KIND OF IN LIMBO RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CEO SAID WITH MASKING GUIDANCE, SOME BUSINESS OWNERS ARE CONFUSED AND FRUSTRATED BUT HE THINKS IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> IT DOESN'T ALWAYS MAKE A LOT OF SENSE.

THAT IS WHY THE GOVERNOR AND PUBLIC HEALTH SAID WITH THEY PUT OUT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SEE ALL A CIRCLE BACK AND TRY TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE THIS MORE UNDERSTANDABLE.

>> Reporter: WHEN CALIFORNIA LISTS ALL COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, STATE RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE TO WEAR MASKS INDOORS WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS, LIKE RIDING PUBLIC TRANSIT, IN HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS.

WHEN OSHA MEETS NEXT WEEK, THEY WILL ALSO ADOPT SIMILAR REGULATIONS FOR VACCINATED WORKERS.

>> WE TAKE CAUTION UNTIL THE GUIDANCE COME OUT.

>> Reporter: AND MISSION BEACH, THAT IS WHAT I'LL MARK PARK OFFICIALS ARE DOING NOW, HOLDING THE COURSE.

THAT MEANS HAVING EMPLOYEES, VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED, STILL WEARING MASKS.

>> THEY NEED TO PROVIDE CLARITY WITH HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.

>> Reporter: STEVE THOMAS SAYS ASIDE FROM THE EMPLOYEE MASKING QUESTION, RIGHT NOW IS AN EXCITING TIME.

>> WE SEE PEOPLE COME OUT TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

THEY ARE SPENDING MONEY AND HAVING FUN.

>> Reporter: THOMAS WILL WAIT TO SEE IF THERE IS NEW UPDATED REGULATIONS NEXT WEEK.

IN THE MEANTIME, HE IS TRYING TO HIRE MORE EMPLOYEES.

>> HIRING HAS BEEN DIFFICULT.

WE ORIGINALLY LAID OFF 700 LAST APRIL, WHICH WAS PRETTY BRUTAL.

SINCE THEN, WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RAMP UP SINCE REOPENING APRIL 1.

IT HAS BEEN TOUGH, IT HAS BEEN SLOW GOING.

>> Reporter: WE SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE AT MISSION BEACH.

THAT COULD BE AN INDICATION FOR A BUSY SUMMER SEASON.

WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, THEY HOPE TO HAVE OUTDOOR PARK OPERATING AT A FULL NORMAL SCHEDULE.

THE OSHA BOARD COULD DECIDE TO UPGRADE REGULATIONS FOR WORKERS BUT THE EARLIEST THEY WOULD GO INTO EFFECT IS THE END OF THE MONTH.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A NORTH COUNTY TEENAGERS AMONG THE 30 LUCKY WINNERS OF THE STATE'S VACCINE LOTTERY PROGRAM.

GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM WAS IN SAN DIEGO TODAY TO MEET THIS 17-YEAR-OLD FROM VISTA.

>> WHAT HAPPENED?

SOMEONE CALLED YOU AND YOU THOUGHT IT WAS YOUR BROTHER PRANKING YOU OR SOMETHING?

>> THEY CALLED MY MOM.

MY MOM CAME IN AND SAID YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS.

WE DID NOT BELIEVE IT AT THE BEGINNING.

I THINK, AFTER A FEW MORE PHONE CALLS, IT WAS LIKE, OKAY, IT MIGHT BE TRUE.

>> Reporter: HER WINNINGS GO WILL BE HELD IN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT UNTIL SHE TURNS 18.

ANOTHER ROUND OF 15 WINNERS WERE CHOSEN FRIDAY MORNING.

EACH WILL RECEIVE $50,000, THAT INCLUDES ANOTHER WINNER FROM SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THAT IS A TOTAL OF FOUR FROM THE AREA.

>>> A LOT OF MONEY IS BEING SPENT TO HELP MAKE PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES SCHOOL.

IT IS PART OF THE FINAIAL SPONSP TO THE PANDEMIC.

$650 MILLION IN FEDERAL RELIEF FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

HERE IS MORE ON HOW LOCAL LEADERS ARE DECIDING WHERE THE MONEY SHOULD GO.

>> Reporter: IT WOULD BE EASY AND UNDERSTANDABLETO THINK WE ARE BASICALLY DONE WITH COVID NEXT WEDNESDAY WHEN THE STATE'S TIER SYSTEM OF HEALTH RESTRICTIONS EXPIRES.

THE DAMAGE DONE TO LIVES, TO LIVELIHOODS, WILL LINGER.

THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DISCUSSED HOW TO DISTRIBUTE NEARLY $650 MILLION OF RELIEF FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

>> NO ONE DESERVES TO BE HOMELESS.

NO ONE DESERVES TO BE STRUGGLING.

NO ONE.

>> Reporter: MIA ROSEMARY COFOUNDED AND RUNS WOUNDED WARRIORS HOMES BASED IN SAN MARCUS.

>> WE PROVIDE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR POST-9/11 VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS.

>> Reporter: LIKE SO MANY NONPROFITS, SHE SAYS SHE CAN USE MORE FINANCIAL HELP, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ASSISTING VETERANS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

>> WE ARE REACHING 25% OF THE HOMELESS VETERANS IN SAN DIEGO.

A SIGNIFICANT FUNDING FROM THE COUNTY REGARDING TO HOUSING WOULD ALWAYS BE VERY HELPFUL TO, LIKE I SAID, TO HELP US TO PLAN FOR LONG-RANGE FUNDING.

>> Reporter: HERE IS THE BIG PICTURE BREAKDOWN ON HOW KENNY STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THE MONEY BE DISTRIBUTED.

TH LIONS SHAR $307$3 MILLION, WOULD GO TO COSTS ALREADY INCURRED FROM THE PANDEMIC AND MONEY TO DEAL WITH IT INTO THE FUTURE.

AS YOU CAN SEE, HOMELESS SERVICES, SMALL BUSINESS, INFRASTRUCTURE, MENTAL HEALTH AND PREMIUM PAY FOR COUNTY WORKERS WHO STAYED ON THE JOB DURING THE CRISIS WOULD ALL GET ASSISTANCE.

>> A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES STILL NEED CASH SUPPORT SO THEY CAN PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES AND PAY THEIR RENT.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPRESENTS MANY TYPES OF BUSINESSES, JERRY SANDERS SAYS RESTAURANTS ARE AMONG THE HARDEST HIT.

MANY SHELLED OUT THOUSANDS TO BUILD OUTDOOR DINING SPACES AND WITH THE ON-AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN CLOSURES, PURCHASING FOOD WAS A VACCINE DIFFICULT PROPOSITION.

>> THEY JUST HAD TO TAKE A CHANCE AND SOMETIMES THEY WOULD THROW IT AWAY.

>> Reporter: THE PREMIUM PAID PORTION OF THE MONEY FOR CENTRAL COUNTY A PONY -- EMPLOYEES IS OPPOSED BUT OVERALL, FLETCHER SAYS THE HELP SHOULD BE COMING SOON.

>> THE HOPE IS THAT BY SUMMER FOLKS WILL BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THOSE PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: PROGRAMS THAT REPRESENT A BIG FORWARD STEP IN HELPING THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY RECOVER FROM THE COVID PANDEMIC.

THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO RECEIVED MORE THAN $300 MILLION FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

PART OF IT WILL BE USED IN THE BUDGET PLAN TO AVOID CUTS IN CITY SERVICES.

>>> ONE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CITY IS PUTTING MONEY DIRECTLY INTO THE POCKETS OF SOME EAST CENTRAL WORKERS WHO WERE CALLED HEROES AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE POINT IS TO MAKE SURE THOSE WORKERS ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.

>> I AM ECSTATIC OVER IT, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WOULD ACTUALLY THINK ABOUT US.

>> Reporter: LUCY WILL GET A ONE-TIME $1000 PAYMENT TO GROCERY AND DRUG STORE EMPLOYEES WHO WORKED IN THE PANDEMIC.

>> TO ME, THE IT IS SHOWING HOW MUCH THEY APPRECIATE US WORKING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND ALL THE HARD WORK WE PUT INTO WORKING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, GOING ON UNEMPLOYMENT.

>> Reporter: LAST WEEK THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A $2.5 MILLION GRANT FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, MAKING THIS CREDIT TO PROGRAM A REALITY.

>> IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, A LOT OFPLACES HAVE BEEN PASSING ORDINANCES AND WE WERE LUCKY TO DO SOMETHING SIMILAR FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

OXNARD WAS GOING TO SET UP A PLAN TO JUST COVER GROCERY WORKERS.

WE HAD ISSUES WITH THAT.

WE THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT WE COULD EXPAND THE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE MORE PEOPLE SO WE SUGGESTED THE CITY INCLUDE GROCERY AND DRUG RETAIL WORKERS.

>> Reporter: THE $1000 WILL GO TO FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES WHO WORKED A MINIMUM OF THREE MONTHS BETWEEN MARCH 2020 AND MARCH 2021.

THE UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS LOCAL 770 AND THE CENTRAL COAST LABOR COUNCIL ADVOCATED FOR EMPLOYEES WHO PUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES AT RISK WHILE KEEPING THE COMMUNITY FED AND HEALTHY.

>> IT WAS REALLY HARD.

IT WAS VERY SCARY THINKING WE MIGHT TAKE THIS VIRUS HOME TO OUR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: OXNARD IS THE FIRST CITY IN THE NATION TO IMPLEMENT THIS PAYOUT.

>> THEY MAY BE BEHIND IN RENT AND THIS WILL HELP CATCH THEM UP.

THEY MIGHT HAVE INCURRED DEBT BECAUSE OF CHILDCARE.

THIS COULD HELP THEM PAY SOME OF THAT OFF.

>> I AM A SINGLE MOM.

I PLAN TO PAY A LOT OF MY BILLS.

>>> CHILDCARE WAS ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES DURING COVID-19.

THAT INCLUDES THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

WE HAVE A LOOK AT THE MOVE TO CLOSE A GROUP HOME IN NORTH COUNTY AND HOW THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM WILL CHANGE AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: IN 2015, THE ASSEMBLY PASSED A BILL TO ELIMINATE MOST GROUP HOMES FOR FOSTER YOUTH.

THE ULTIMATE GOAL WAS TO MAINTAIN A STABLE, PERMANENT FAMILY FOR FOSTER CHILDREN.

CONGREGATE CARE, THE USE OF GROUP HOMES, WAS TO BE LIMITED TO SHORT-TERM INTERVENTIONS.

THAT IS SOMETHING TERESA STIVER SAYS HER ORGANIZATION DID DECADES AGO.

>> WHEN WE SEE THE YOUTH WHO ENTER OUR PROGRAM, THE MAJORITY OF THEM DON'T HAVE A GED.

THEY HAVE NO LIFE SKILLS WHATSOEVER.

THEY DON'T I HAD TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY OR EVEN OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD WHAT TO DO EVERY DAY, EVERY MINUTE OF THEIR LIVES.

>> Reporter: SHE IS THE CEO AND SAYS WITH HER FOSTER CARE AGENCY WAS ESTABLISHED, THEY ONLY WORKED WITH GROUPONS.

>> WE CHANGED VERY QUICKLY TO MOVE INTO FOSTER CARE IN A FAMILY SITUATION BECAUSE IF WE DON'T TEACH THESE CHILDREN TO LEARN HOW TO LIVE IN A FAMILY SITUATION WHEN THEY ARE YOUNG, WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO LEARN?

IT IS GOING TO BE MUCH MORE BENEFICIAL TO THEM AS THEY GET OLDER.

>> Reporter: HE WAS BORN IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND SPENT HIS CHILDHOOD LIVING IN SEVERAL PLACES.

>> IN BETWEEN 7 AND 11, I WAS IN 9 OR 10 DIFFERENT FOSTER HOMES AND 4 OR DID YOU FIVE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND DIFFERENT GROUP HOMES AT THAT TIME.

>> Reporter: HE PREFERRED THE FAMILY SETTING OVER THE GROUP HOME.

>> JUST THE ENVIRONMENT, IT WAS MORE SO JUST HOW LIKE SUMMER CAMP IS, IT WAS LIKE BEING SUMMER CAMP.

IT WAS FUN FOR A KID BUT FOR MY EDUCATION, THAT REALLY SUFFERED.

I HAD CHALLENGES WHEN I MOVED TO CERTAIN FOSTER HOMES AND DIFFERENT SCHOOLS.

OBVIOUSLY, FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, WHEN YOU GET BACK TO YOUR REGULAR ROUTINE, IT IS A CHALLENGE.

>> Reporter: AT 11 YEARS OLD, HE GAINED FROM STABILITY WHEN HE GOT REFERRED TO WALDEN FAMILY SERVICES.

>> THEY REALLY SUPPORTED ME AND MAKING SURE I WAS STABLE AND IT CAME TIME FOR ME TO TRANSITION OUT OF FOSTER CARE, WHICH WAS A CHALLENGE, THEY REALLY STEPPED UP AND TRIED TO FIND AS MANY RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP ME AND OTHER KIDS GET OUT.

>> Reporter: HE IS NOW ONE THE BOARD FOR WALDEN FAMILY SERVICES, HAS A FAMILY OF HIS OWN AND HAS PAID IN TOUCH WITH HIS MENTOR FOR 26 YEARS.

>> IT IS GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> Reporter: HE OFFERS A TREATMENT TEAM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS OR LIES WHAT EACH CASE NEEDS, WORK THAT DID NOT STOP BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE CONTINUED TO PLACE CHILDREN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WE PLACED CHILDREN WHO HAD COVID.

OUR NURSE CAME UP WITH A PLAN, THE FAMILIES AGREED TO QUARANTINE, SO WE WORKED NONSTOP AS ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND IT DIDN'T STOP FOR US JUST BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: SHE EXPECTS THE ENTIRE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM WILL BE BUSY BECAUSE OF THE AFTERMATH OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE ARE VERY CONCERNED.

YOU KNOW, CHILDREN ARE BEING SEEN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER 12 MONTHS BY ALL THE MANDATED REPORTERS, WHETHER THEY ARE IN DOCTOR'S OFFICES, SPORTS OR IN SCHOOLS.

HUGE NUMBER OF CHILDREN ARE ENTERING INTO THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM BECAUSE OF ALL THE STRESS, ABUSE AND NEGLECT THAT HAPPENED OR THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER STRESSOR FOR THE SYSTEM IS THE EXPANSION OF FOSTER CARE USE OF CHILDREN 18 TO 21.

MORE DONATIONS AND FOSTER FAMILIES ARE ALWAYS NEEDED.

>>> A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN COLORADO DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY RECENTLY, CITING INCREASING NUMBERS OF YOUTH SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SAYS LOCAL HOSPITALS ARE ALSO SEEING SURGES THAT CAN BE DIRECTLY LINKED TO COVID-19.

>> AT THIS POINT OVER A YEAR INTO THE PANDEMIC, WE HAVE DATA.

WE KNOW THE RATES OF ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND EATING DISORDERS HAVE ALL INCREASED.

>> Reporter: DR. WILLETT JENKINS IS A CHILD PSYCHIATRIST AT RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

>> PERSONALLY, I SEE CHILDREN EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THERE IS A 25% INCREASE IN MENTAL HEALTH VISITS TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> TO BRING THE CHILD TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE IS SOMETHING PRETTY ACUTE AND SEVERE.

THE MOST COMMON ISSUE WAS SUICIDE, WHETHER THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE OR ACTUAL ACTION.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS EARLY INTEREST INTERVENTIONS ARE KEY FOR A POSITIVE OUTCOME.

IF YOU NOTICE SOMETHING ISN'T QUITE RIGHT, SHE SAYS -- >> PARENTS GET NERVOUS SO I ALWAYS TELL FAMILIES, PLEASE, PLEASE ASK.

IF YOU ASK, YOU WILL NOT MAKE THAT CHILD THINK ABOUT IT MORE OR IT WILL NOT CAUSE THEM TO ACT BUT YOU COULD SAVE THEIR LIFE.

THIS IS VERY, VERY SERVICE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A 24 PATIENT BED UNIT, WHICH HAS BEEN FULL.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW NATIONWIDE.

IT IS A SIX BED SPECIALIZED PEDIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY ROOM.

IS STAFFED WITH A CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST, SOCIAL WORKERS, EVERYTHING IS GEARED TO SUPPORTING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUTH.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THERE ARE NUMBER OF REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN VISITS.

>> THE FEARS OF GETTING SICK.

AT THIS POINT IN THE PANDEMIC, WE HAVE CHILDREN WHO LOST THEIR PARENTS TO COVID-19.

THERE IS GRIEF AND LOSS AND INDIRECT EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC.

THIS IS RELATED TO SCHOOL CLOSURES, BEING SOCIALLY ISOLATED AND AWAY FROM FRIENDS AND PEERS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS ONGOING RACIAL INJUSTICE ISSUES AND TENSIONS IS AN ONGOING FACTOR, SO OUR PARENTS WHO LOST THEIR JOBS.

>> IF YOU SEE YOUR CHILD BECOME MORE WITHDRAWN, NOT HANGING OUT WITH THEIR FRIENDS AS MUCH, NOT DOING THINGS THEY ENJOY, IF THEY ARE MORE IRRITABLE AND MORE ANGRY, THAT IS A KEY SIGN OF DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON FEARS FOR PARENTS AS IF THEY THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG AND THEY ALERT DOCTORS THEIR CHILD WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE PUT ON DRUGS.

SHE SAID MOST CASES COULD BE HANDLED WITH THERAPY.

>> NOTHING IS DONE WITHOUT A FULL EVALUATION, TALKING WITH THE FAMILY, REVIEWING ALL OF THE OPTIONS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY DATA SAYS IN 2020 THERE WAS NOT AN INCREASING USE SUICIDE COMPARED TO THE LAST FEW YEARS.

ANYONE IN CRISIS SHOULD CALL THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AT 802 73255 OR VISIT SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE.ORG .

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> VACCINE DIPLOMACY IS PART OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S AGENDA ON HIS FIRST VISIT TO EUROPE.

IN ENGLAND, THE PRESIDENT MADE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT AMERICA'S RAKELL.

>> WE ARE TAKING A MAJOR STEP THAT WILL SUPERCHARGE THE GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST THIS PANDEMIC.

UNDER MY DIRECTION, THE UNITED STATES WILL PURCHASE AN ADDITIONAL HALF-BILLION DOSES FROM PFIZER, THE PFIZER VACCINE, THAT WE WILL DONATE NEARLY 100 LOW AND LOWER INCOME COUNTRIES.

THEY WILL BE THE BENEFICIARIES.

>> THE FIRST DOSES ARE SET TO SHIP IN AUGUST.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION WILL COORDINATE THE DISTRIBUTION.

THE UNITED STATES AND A HANDFUL OF OTHER DEVELOPED NATIONS HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN VACCINATING THEIR OWN POPULATIONS BUT VACCINE SUPPLY REMAINS A CRITICAL ISSUE ACROSS WORLD.

>>> THE ORIGIN OF THE CORONAVIRUS 19 IS STILL A MYSTERY.

ONE THEORY THAT WAS DISCARDED EARLY ON IS GETTING NEW SCRUTINY.

>> Reporter: I AM STILL STRUCK BY WHAT FORMER CDC DIRECTOR DR. ROBERT REDFIELD TOLD ME IN NOVEMBER.

>> I AM OF THE VIEW I THINK THE MOST LIKELY ETIOLOGY OF THIS PATHOGEN WAS FROM A LABORATORY, YOU KNOW, IT ESCAPED.

>> Reporter: FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, IT WAS STUNNING.

NOT SO MUCH WHAT WAS SAID, AFTER ALL, THE LAB LEAK THEORY HAVE BEEN OUT THERE FOR SOME TIME, BUT RATHER, THAT THE FORMER DIRECTOR THE CDC WAS THE ONE SAYING IT.

SOMEONE WITH ACCESS TO RAW DATA AND INTELLIGENCE, DATA OTHERS DIDN'T HAVE.

AFTER LARGELY BEING DISMISSED BY THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY, THE LAG LEAK THEORY IS NOW GAINING NEW MOMENTUM.

>> WE KNOW ALL LABORATORIES EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD HAVE HAD ACCIDENTS AND THEY CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCIDENTS, DESPITE OUR VERY BEST EFFORTS TO PREVENT THEM.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A MICROBIOLOGIST AND PROFESSOR AT STANFORD.

HE PENNED A LETTER, ALONG WITH 17 OTHER SCIENTISTS IN THE JOURNAL OF SCIENCE WRITING, MORE INVESTIGATION IS STILL NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE ORIGINS OF THE PANDEMIC.

THEORIES OF ACCIDENTAL RELEASE FROM A LAB AND DO NOT EXPEL OVER BOTH REMAIN VIABLE.

NOW THE QUESTION IS, WILL WE EVER KNOW?

IT IS NOT EASY.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, TRACING THE ORIGINS OF A SMALL STRAND OF GENETIC MATERIAL ON A MASSIVE PLANET NEVER IS.

CONSIDER IT HAS BEEN 45 YEARS SINCE THE FIRST RECOGNIZED CASES OF EBOLA.

AND YET, WE STILL AREN'T SURE OF ITS ORIGINS.

TRACING SARS TO HORSESHOE BATS TOOK 15 YEARS.

>> NEARLY ALL PREVIOUS OUTBREAKS OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS HAVE RISEN THROUGH NATURAL MEANS.

SECOND, THIS FIRE IS DOES APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO BACK CORONAVIRUS IS.

>> Reporter: JUST HOW RELATED IS A CRITICAL ACTION.

ACCORDING TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, THIS CORONAVIRUS IS 96% SIMILAR TO ANOTHER VIRUS FOUND IN BATS.

>> IT IS NOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO SAY THAT IT IS THE EXACT FIRE IS THAT GAVE RISE TO THIS ONE IN A SIMPLE EVOLUTIONARY STEP.

THAT KIND OF GAP, 4%, MEANS YEARS.

IT MEANS DECADES.

IN TERMS OF NATURAL EVOLUTIONARY TIME.

>> Reporter: THAT EVOLUTION MEANS SOMETHING.

TYPICALLY, AFTER A VIRUS MAKES THE JUMP FROM ANIMAL TO HUMAN, IT SPUTTERS ALONG, EVOLVING, LEARNING HOW TO BECOME MORE EFFICIENT.

THAT TAKES TIME.

WITH SARS-CoV-2 2, THE VIRUS SEEMED TO COME SCREAMING OUT OF THE GATES.

>> NORMALLY WHEN A PATHOGEN GOES FROM ANIMAL TO HUMAN, IT TAKES A WHILE FOR IT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BECOME MORE AND MORE EFFICIENT IN HUMAN TRANSMISSION.

>> IN THE LAB, DO YOU THINK THAT PROCESS OF BECOMING MORE EFFICIENT HAS HAPPENED?

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING?

SPENT MOST OF US IN THE LAB ARE TRYING TO GROW A VIRUS BETTER SO WE CAN DO EXPERIMENTS.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO TWO PEOPLE BRIEFED ON U.S. INTELLIGENCE WELL BEFORE THE FIRST CLUSTER OF CASES IN WUHAN WAS REPORTED TO THE W.H.O.

ON DECEMBER 31, 2019, THERE WERE CONCERNING REPORTS OF RESEARCHERS FROM THE WUHAN INSTITUTE OF VIROLOGY BECOMING SICK WITH SOME SORT OF PNEUMONIA LIKE ILLNESS.

WHERE THEY THE FIRST PATIENTS IN THE WORLD TO CONTRACT COVID?

WE DON'T KNOW.

WE WERE TOLD THEY TESTED NEGATIVE FOR ANTIBODIES.

THAT HASN'T BEEN INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED.

WHICH LEADS TO PERHAPS THE MOST CRUCIAL PARTS OF A SUCCESSFUL INVESTIGATION.

ACCESS AND TRUST.

>> IF WE CAN CONVINCE THE SCIENTISTS IN CHINA AND IN WUHAN TO SIT DOWN WITH US AND SHARE EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAVE AND WE, LIKEWISE, SHARE EVERYTHING WE HAVE WITH THEM, I REALLY DO THINK WE CAN MAKE SOME HEADWAY.

>> BACK IN SAN DIEGO, TWO MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS WILL BE PART OF OUR REOPENING NEXT WEEK.

>>> SOME OF COSTCO'S BEST PLAYERS WILL BE A TORREY PINES FOR THE U.S. OPEN TOURNAMENT.

>>> THE PADRES RETURN JUNE 17 FOR THEIR FIRST FULL CAPACITY GAME SINCE 2019.

THEY ARE PLANNING A BIG CELEBRATION CALLED SAN DIEGO'S OPENING DAY.

THERE WILL BE SPECIAL GIVEAWAYS, ALONG WITH A MILITARY FLYOVER AND ATTRIBUTE TO FRONTLINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

>>> THE BIGGEST SPORTING EVENT ON EARTH IS A MONTH AWAY.

TOKYO WAS THE HOST CITY FOR THE SUMMER OLYMPICS, ALREADY DELAYED A YEAR BY THE PANDEMIC.

WE SPOKE TO VOLUNTEERS WHO WERE WORRIED THE GAMES CAN'T BE HELD SAFELY.

>> I THINK IT IS A PROBLEM WITH HUMAN RIGHTS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ONE OF SOME 10,000 TOKYO OLYMPIC VOLUNTEERS OUT OF 80,000 THAT HAVE QUIT A MID-PANDEMIC THE FIERCE.

>> I QUIT BECAUSE MY HEALTH CONDITION AND TO SHOW MY OPINION.

>> Reporter: WHEN THIS COLLEGE STUDENT SIGNED UP TO BE A VOLUNTEER, HE WAS EXCITED TO WITNESS THE WORLD'S BEST ATHLETES COME TOGETHER AT THIS OLYMPIC VILLAGE.

INSTEAD, HE HAS WITNESSED MOUNTING PROBLEMS.

>> Reporter: AN ARMY OF ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEERS HAS BEEN KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF RECENT GAMES, HELPING TO OPERATE VENUES, ASSIST SPECTATORS AND ATHLETES.

ORGANIZERS SAY FEW WERE VOLUNTEERS THIS YEAR WILL NOT IMPACT OPERATIONS, GIVEN NO FOREIGN SPECTATORS IN THE DOWNSIZING OF EVENTS.

THIS VOLUNTEER, LANGUAGE TEACHER WHO LIVES HERE, SAYS PROTECTION HASN'T BEEN NEARLY ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: WHAT COVID PROTECTION HAVE YOU BEEN GIVEN AS A VOLUNTEER?

>> WE WILL GET TWO MASKS AND A BOTTLE OF HAND SANITIZER.

>> Reporter: THAT IS IT?

>> THAT IS IT.

>> Reporter: VOLUNTEERS ARE ASKED TO TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN THEIR HOMES AND OLYMPIC VENUES.

FOR THOSE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE OF TOKYO, THEY HAVE TO FIND THEIR OWN LODGING.

HE HASN'T QUITE YET BUT SAYS HE IS THINKING ABOUT IT.

>> I COULD BE BRINGING BACK OVER TO MY FAMILY.

>> Reporter: ORGANIZERS SAY THE OLYMPICS CAN BE HELD IN A SAFE BUBBLE WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE VACCINATED, BUT MANY PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS SAY THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LARGELY UNVACCINATED AND UNTESTED VOLUNTEERS AT OLYMPIC VENUES ACROSS TOKYO AND JAPAN.

LAST THEN 4% OF JAPAN'S POPULATION IS FULLY VACCINATED.

>> WE ARE NOT BEING GIVEN EITHER TESTING OR A VACCINE.

WE HAVE TO GO IN AND OUT OF THE BUBBLE AT ALL TIMES.

THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL OF THIS BECOMING A SUPERSPREADING EVENT.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH A SYMBOL OF NATIONAL PRIDE AND EXCITEMENT IN THE HOST COUNTRY, MANY VOLUNTEERS INSTEAD ARE SCARED, LARGELY LEFT ON THEIR OWN TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM COVID-19.

>>> THAT IS IT FOR THE SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.

I AM JOHN CARROLL.

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