>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE SPECIAL EDITION OF K PBS NEWS, I AM ANNIKA SHARMA.

IT HAS BEEN WELL OVER A YEAR SINCE A MOMENT LIKE THIS, SAN DIEGO'S REJOICING OF A REOPENING.

THERE IS A BETTER EXAMPLE THAN PETCO PARK, AT FULL CAPACITY.

THE PADRE FANS CHEERING THEIR HEARTS OUT.

THE PADRES MADE THE MOST OF WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS SAN DIEGO OPENING DAY, THURSDAY NIGHT WAS THE FIRST GAME BACK WITH A FULL CROWD AND NO COVID-19 RESEARCHERS.

THE TEAM CELEBRATED FRONT-LINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN A PREGAME CEREMONY.

THE PADRES MADE IT EXCITING WITH A DRAMATIC WIN IN THE FINAL INNING, STUNNING THE CROWD INTO A FRENZY.

>>> SPORTS IS ALSO A BIG PART OF SAN DIEGO'S REOPENING IN LA JOLLA, WITH TORREY PINES HOSTING ONE OF GOLF'S BIGGEST EVENTS OF THE YEAR.

THE CROWDS ARE A BIT SMALLER THAN USUAL WITH A FEW EXTRA RULES IN PLACE, KPBS MATT HOFFMAN SHOWS US THE SCENE AT THE U.S. OPEN.

>> Reporter: CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF IS BACK AT TORREY PINES, BUT THINGS ARE LITTLE DIFFERENT SINCE THE LAST TIME THE U.S. OPEN WAS HERE.

WHILE MOST COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN LIFTED, THE PANDEMIC IS NOT OVER.

>> WE WILL SEE A SMALLER CROWD THIS WEEK, WE SAW GREAT CROWDS IN 2008, ANTS WERE AWESOME.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY WITH COVID STRICTURES WE ARE DOWN TO ABOUT EIGHT OR 10,000 TODAY.

RUSTY THEY SAY LAST YEAR THE TOURNAMENT HAD NO FENCE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, AND THAT WAS ALMOST THE CASE AGAIN.

>> UP TO ABOUT 90 DAYS AGO WE WEREN'T SURE WE WOULD HAVE ANY FANS ON SITE.

IT'S A BIG EVENT FOR THE AREA.

>> Reporter: ALL ATTENDEES ARE BEING ASKED IF THEY WERE VACCINATED, IF NOT THEY HAVE TO HAVE PROOF OF A NEGATIVE TEST WITHIN THREE DAYS.

VACCINATED FANS ARE LOGICAL MASK LIST.

>> IF YOU ARE NOT VACCINATED YOU WILL STILL BE ASKED TO WEAR A MASK AND KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCE.

>> Reporter: LOCAL PROS FELT NICHOLSON AND SOFTLY HAD LARGE FOLLOWINGS.

>> IF FEELS THE SAME, PRETTY SIMILAR, A LOT OF GUYS WATCHING STILL.

GOT TO LOVE THE LEFTY.

AND YEAH, PRETTY CROWDED.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE FEWER FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPTIONS, BUT FEWER PEOPLE IS A PLUS.

>> WE DO LIKE THE LIMITED CAPACITY BECAUSE WE ARE ABLE TO GET CLOSER TO THE GREEN, THE FAMILY, SO WE REALLY LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: MET DONOVAN WAS HERE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR HIS 20th REOPEN.

>> WATCHING SOME GOOD SWINGS.

>> Reporter: HE MISSES THE EXCITEMENT OF A PACK COURT WAS HOWEVER ABLE TO PICK UP SOME GOOD SWAG.

MORE THAN 150 PLAYERS ARE TEEING OFF THIS WEEK, TRANSLATING TO A LOT OF WALKING FOR FANS EAGER TO GET CLOSE TO THE PROS.

ANOTHER PANDEMIC RESTRICTION, NO AUTOGRAPHS, SELFISH OR FIST BUMPS WITH THE GOLFERS.

>> I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE OKAY BECAUSE THERE'S LESS PEOPLE AND IT MIGHT BE MORE ACCEPTABLE, BUT IT IS A BIT DISAPPOINTING.

OTHER THAN THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> Reporter: WHILE SOCIAL DISSING IS NOT A MANDATE ANYMORE, FANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPREAD OUT.

TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT FOR THE TOURNAMENT THAT RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

AND ONE OF CALIFORNIA'S BIGGEST ATTRACTIONS IS TAKING A GRADUAL APPROACH TO ITS REOPENING, COMING UP WE WILL SEE HOW THINGS ARE GOING AT DISNEYLAND IN ANAHEIM.

>>> KEEPING THE DATE CIRCLED ON THE CALENDAR FOR MONTHS, AND K BPS REPORTER HAVE MORE ON SAN DIEGO'S BIG STEP FORWARD IN THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY GOT AN EARLY START OUT OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

>> WE ARE READY TO COME BACK TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, TO REBUILD AND RENEW AND READY TO ENJOY ONE ANOTHER.

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS ABOUT THIS MORNING WAS JUST SEEING PEOPLE HERE.

SMILING.

ENJOYING ONE ANOTHER'S COMPANY AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Reporter: AS SEPARATE CEREMONY TOOK PLACE AT CITY HALL.

A SOBERING REMINDER OF THE MORE THAN 62,000 CALIFORNIANS WHO DIED FROM COVID-19.

JOHN HOPKINS SAYS THE NATIONWIDE DEATH TOLL HAS NOW PASSED 600,000, AND JUST OVER 44% OF AMERICANS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

NORA VARGAS SAYS THEY'RE STILL WORKING ON VACCINATION EFFORTS AND SOME OF CALIFORNIA'S HARDEST HIT COMMUNITIES.

>> 80% OF SOUTH COUNTY FOLKS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE HAVE TWO VACCINES NOW.

>> Reporter: FLETCHER IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REBOUND OF SAN DIEGO'S ECONOMY.

>> SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN ADAPTED AND STRUGGLED AND OPENED AND CLOSED BUT THEY KEPT FIGHTING.

AND NOW, THEY ARE IN A POSITION TO TRULY ROAR BACK, ALL OF OUR BUSINESSES WHO ARE OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: LOCAL WORKFORCE EXPERTS SAY LEISURE DEMANDS, NOW THAT COVID-19 VACCINES ARE WIDELY ADMINISTERED.

K PBS NEWS.

>> WE ARE COMING OUT OF THAT.

I AM JUST BEING HONEST.

>> Reporter: IN LIBERTY STATION, BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE TONY SMALLS ARE HOPEFUL THAT CALIFORNIA'S BIG OPENING WILL HAVE A GOOD IMPACT ON THEIR BOTTOM LINE.

SPEAK MAC >> LOOKING FORWARD TO BUILDING UP THE CROWD, ALL OF THESE VENDORS IN HERE WE CAN START TO MAKE MORE MONEY, WE COULD TAKE CARE OF OUR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS ARE OFFICIALLY GONE AND FOR THOSE FULLY VACCINATED, MASKS CAN COME OFF INDOORS.

>> IT HAS BEEN INTERESTING TO JESSE THE GENERAL MOOD OF THE MARKET, MOST PEOPLE SEEM TO BE WEARING MASKS STILL AS THEY COME INSIDE.

>> Reporter: BLUE BRIDGE HOSPITALITY MANAGES THIS MARKET AND WILL SOON HAVE TABLES INSIDE AGAIN.

>> SINCE MARCH OF LAST YEAR WE HAVE HAD NO INDOOR CONSUMPTION, EVERYTHING WAS OUT THERE CONSUMPTION OR TO GO.

LOTS OF THE TIME WE HAD TO LIMIT HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE IN THE MARKET.

>> Reporter: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A YEAR, RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND OTHER BUSINESSES CAN OPERATE AT FULL CAPACITY.

>> HOPEFULLY PEOPLE FEEL A LITTLE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE EASING OF RESTRICTIONS, AND TO COME OUT AND VISIT US MORE.

>> Reporter: SOME PEOPLE AT LIBERTY STATION WERE NOT WEARING FACE COVERINGS BUT THE VAST MAJORITY STILL WEAR.

STEAK THAT IS SAYS THOSE UNVACCINATED HAVE TO WEAR THEM IN INDOOR SPACES AND EVERYONE VACCINATED OR NOT HAS TO KEEP THEM ON IN SCHOOLS WHEN WRITING PUBLIC TRANSIT OR AT HOSPITALS.

>> BUSINESSES WANT TO REQUIRE PEOPLE TO WEAR MASS, AND THEY CAN DO THAT.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA WORKERS WILL HAVE TO KEEP ON FACE COVERINGS UNTIL CAL OSHA UPDATES OF THE ROLES WHICH COULD HAPPEN AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

DR. WILMA WHITTEN SAYS MORE THAN 75% OF ELIGIBLE SAN DIEGO'S ARE NOT VACCINATED WITH AT LEAST THEIR FIRST DOSE.

PUTTING THE COMMUNITY IN A GOOD PLACE TO REOPEN AND START MIXING AGAIN.

>> WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHERE WE ARE TODAY, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THINGS ARE OVER.

>> Reporter: IN THE COMING MONTHS, THE VACCINATION PUSH WILL SWITCH TO KIDS 10 YEARS AND OLDER.

>> WE CONTINUE TO URGE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: NATHAN FLETCHER SAYS CASE COUNTS WERE LOW AND TODAY IS A DAY TO CELEBRATE HARD WORK AND GET BACK TO PRE- PANDEMIC LIFE.

>> ESSENTIALLY ALL RESTRICTIONS REOPENING, ALL ASPECTS OF OUR LIFE, WE ARE NOW EXPECTING A TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

>> Reporter: TELL GUESTS GOING OUT TONIGHT THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WORKING IN RESTAURANTS HAVE BEEN WORKING IN LONG AND HARD HOURS AND EXTRA SHIFTS TO TRY TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN.

BE KIND.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW THERE WILL BE SOME RESTRICTIONS FOR MAKE IT INTO EVENTS LIKE MEGA TESTING OR PROOF OF VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS WHICH APPLIES TO CONFERENCES AND CONFERENCES.

K PBS NEWS.

>>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES TO REOPENING, AS TANIA THORNE REPORTS, WORKERS HAVE AN EDGE IN A WIDE OPEN MARKET.

>> Reporter: JOB FAIRS HELP WANTED SIGNS AND SIGNING BONUSES ARE SEEING OUT SAN DIEGO, AND ALL OF THE SIGNS SCREAM NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE JOBS.

WAR THAN ONE IN FOUR WORKERS PLAN TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER JOB IN THE NEXT MONTH.

>> HOW WE REDUCE TURNOVER, THIS SHOULD BE ON OUR MINDS.

I THINK ONE IN THREE PEOPLE NATIONWIDE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO VOLUNTARILY QUIT.

>> Reporter: THE VICE PRESIDENT OF ROBERT HALF, CONDUCTED THIS NATIONWIDE SURVEY.

SAN DIEGO SURVEYED SAID THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A SALARY BLISS, CAREER ADVANCEMENT AND FLEXIBILITY.

THEY ALSO WANT TO WORK FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT ALIGN WITH THEIR PERSONAL VALUES.

THEY SAY EMPLOYERS NEED TO ASSESS WHAT THEY'RE OFFERING, BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE OPTIONS NOW WITH THAN EVER.

>> IT HAS BECOME VERY INTENTIONAL, TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE PAID AT OR ABOVE MARKET.

GIVEN THE FLEXIBILITY TO DO THEIR WORK WHEN AND HOW AND WHERE THEY WANT TO, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

AND A PLAN TO GET THE NEXT PART OF THEIR ROLE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS SEVERAL COMPANIES IN OUR COUNTY ARE HIRING.

>> THE WORKERS HAVE OPTIONS, AND LOOK AROUND AT THINGS THAT PROVIDE THEM OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Reporter: ONE OPPORTUNITY THAT COULD PERSUADE PEOPLE TO MAKE A JOB CHANGE, SHORTER COMMUTE.

>> THERE ARE GREAT COMPANIES THAT ARE ALONG THE CORRIDOR, YOU DON'T NEED TO DRIVE 15 MINUTES TO TRY TO FIGHT YOUR WAY THROUGH THE MERGE.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY WE WILL SEE MORE CHANGES IN THE FALL AT SCHOOL AND CHILDCARE FACILITIES OPEN TO FULL CAPACITY.

TANIA THORNE, K PBS NEWS.

>>> COVID-19 RECENTLY MADE FAMOUS AT CITY HALL.

>> Reporter: FOUR MONTHS, PROGRESSIVE ACTIVISTS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR CUTS TO THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET, AND FOR INCREASED FUNDING TO SOCIAL PROGRAMS.

MANY REPEATED THOSE CALLS MONDAY.

WHILE OTHERS CALLED IN TO OPPOSE CUTS TO POLICE FUNDING.

MONICA MONTGOMERY'S STAFF TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO CUT POLICE OVERTIME FUNDING, AND REALLOCATE IT FOR NEW STREETLIGHTS, HOMELESS OUTREACH AND OTHER PRIORITIES THAT SHE SAYS ALSO SUPPORT OUTLOOK SAFETY.

>> THIS IS WHAT THE REALLOCATION IS ABOUT.

IT IS ABOUT FINALLY PRIORITIZING THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN LEFT BEHIND, AND BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND, THEY HAVE HIGHER CRIME.

>> Reporter: ULTIMATELY THE COUNCIL APPROVED A $19 MILLION INCREASE TO THE POLICE BUDGET, MOSTLY DUE TO RISING SALARY AND BENEFIT COSTS.

AND THERE WERE A FEW LAST- MINUTE CHANGES TO THE BUDGET, AMONG THEM AN ADDITIONAL $2 MILLION FOR ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS, AND $350,000 FOR A NEW OFFICE OF CHILD AND YOUTH SUCCESS.

>> WE CAN AND MUST INVEST MORE OF OUR RESOURCES WITH THE SUCCESS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN MIND.

ESTABLISHING THIS OFFICE WE WILL LEVERAGE OUR ASSETS TO MAKE THE CITY A GREAT PLACE TO GROW UP AND A FAMILY.

>> Reporter: THE CITY BUDGET WAS STABILIZED THANKS TO ROUGHLY $150 MILLION IN FEDERAL AID FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN'S AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

THAT MONEY IS OFFSETTING MASSIVE DROPS IN REVENUE, FROM THE LOCAL TOURISM ECONOMY.

WHICH IS STILL RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMIC.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE PANDEMIC WAS ESPECIALLY TOUGH FOR ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUES, NOW THE STATE RESTRICTIONS ARE OVER THERE IS A CHANCE FOR A RESET.

WE CHECK IN WITH THEM IN NORTH COUNTY.

>> Reporter: ANGELIKA FILM CENTER AT CARMEL MOUNTAIN IS SAYING GOODBYE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING SINCE MARKETING MANAGER NATOSHA SAYS.

CINEMAS RECEIVED NEW GUIDELINES FOR OPERATIONS FROM THE STATE, SIGNALING THE RETURN TO THE KIND OF NORMALCY FOR THEATER PATRONS.

THE ANGELIKA FILM CENTER GENERAL MANAGER SAYS - >> IT IS LIKE COMING HOME, YOU WANT TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE VERY WEEKLY ROUTINES INCLUDING GOING TO THE MOVIES.

WE HAVE FILMS OUR REGULARS COME IN AND THEY ARE SO HAPPY AND IT IS GOOD TO SEE THEM.

YOU KNOW?

>> Reporter: THEATER STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO WEAR MASKS FOR THE TIME BEING, BUT PATRONS WILL NO LONGER NEED A MASK IF THEY ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

>> IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN, WE ARE REQUIRING THAT YOU COME IN WITH A MASK ON AND WHERE IT IN ALL COMMON AREAS.

THIS IS UP TO THE PATIENT, AND THE PATRON, TO BE HONEST ABOUT IT, AND WE KNOW PEOPLE DO THE RIGHT THING.

>> Reporter: CINEMAS ARE NOW ALLOWED TO FILL EVERY SEE, THE ANGELIKA FILM CENTER IS NOT SELLING OUT, AT LEAST NOT YET.

>> WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO COME BACK, TO CINEMA WEEK WHICH IS TAKING PLACE JUNE 22nd THROUGH THE 27th, AND IT INCORPORATES SEVERAL FUN EVENTS BUT WE WILL BE DOING MOVIE TRIVIA, ON THE OUTDOOR PATIO, JUNE 23rd.

AT 7:00 P.M. WE ARE HERE TO TEST YOUR MOVIE KNOWLEDGE.

>> Reporter: MOVIEGOERS MAY HAVE TO TEST THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THINGS LIKE SERVING THEMSELVES AND THEIR OWN DRINKS AND STANDING TO PEOPLE IN LINE.

HOW EAGER PEOPLE ARE TO COME BACK TO MOVIE THEATERS MAY DEPEND ON THE FILM.

>> THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THAT MOMENT WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DOWN.

AND WE BELIEVE.

>> Reporter: WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF SALES FOR F9, WE JUST REALLY STARTED TAKING ADVANCED TICKETS FOR BLACK WIDOW AND THAT HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY POPULAR, ALREADY.

>> WE ARE GEARING UP FOR THAT, BASICALLY WE ARE BEEFING UP STAFFING LEVELS JUST FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: ANGELIKA FILM HAS A HISTORY OF ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO ATTEND MORE THAN JUST BLOCKBUSTERS.

>> THE SPARKS BROTHERS, THE EDGAR WRIGHT FILM, I REALLY FEEL A STRONG SENSE OF POSITIVITY, I THINK PEOPLE REALLY DO WANT TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE, AND WANT TO HAVE THAT FEELING OF NORMALITY AGAIN.

OUR CINEMAS ARE A PLACE FOR COMMUNITY, AND FOR FAMILY AND PEOPLE WHO LOVE FILM, ESPECIALLY THE ANGELIKA.

>> WE TRY TO MAKE SURE WE DO TWO THINGS, WE SHOW GOOD MOVIES AND WE TAKE CARE OF OUR GUESTS.

AND THAT, FIRST AND FOREMOST, WHEN YOU COME IN HERE WE TREAT YOU LIKE YOU'RE PART OF THE FAMILY.

THAT I THINK IS WHAT REALLY BRINGS PEOPLE HERE TO ANGELIKA.

>> IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> Reporter: NOW THE PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN LIFTED, ANGELIKA FILM CENTER LIKE SO MANY THEATERS, IS HOPING PEOPLE WILL GET OFF THEIR COUCHES AND GET BACK INTO THE HABIT OF GOING OUT TO A MOVIE.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU CAN STREAM ALL OF OUR LOCAL CONTENT ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE IN A PETITION TO REPORTED PAGES WE HAVE COVERAGE OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND KPBS BROADCASTS.

YOU CAN ALSO LIFESTREAM EPISODES OF KPBS EVENING EDITION.

>>> THE REASONS IS GUEST TOURIST ATTRACTION IS TAKING IT SLOW WHEN IT COMES TO WELCOME ME BACK CROWDS.

WE CHECK IN WITH VISITORS AT DISNEYLAND WHERE PARK GOERS ARE STILL WAITING.

>> Reporter: SOCIAL DISTANCING AND MASKS MAY HAVE GONE AWAY FOR THE MOST PART AT DISNEYLAND, BUT THE REAL BONUS, GUEST TELUS, IS THE LACK OF CROWDS.

>> THE CROWD WISE, IF YOU THINK A SUMMER NOTE, A SPRING DAY.

>> CROWDS ARE NOT VERY HEAVY.

>> Reporter: WITH TUESDAY'S REOPENING OF CALIFORNIA, CAPACITY LIMITS HAVE DISAPPEARED.

DISNEYLAND STILL HAS ITS RESERVATION SYSTEM IN PLACE, WHICH IS KEEPING ATTENDANCE DOWN, ACCORDING TO THOSE INSIDE.

>> IT IS USUALLY MUCH MORE CROWDED, AND STAFF MEMBERS ARE ALL WEARING A MASK.

GUESS SOARING MASKS, SOME GUESTS ARE NOT.

>> Reporter: THE SHALLOTS A VIDEO OF THEIR EXPERIENCE, AND WERE SUPER EXCITED.

>> WE ARE GLAD TO BE ABLE TO WEAR A HAT AND DRINK YOUR WATER IN LINE, AND NOT HAVE TO WEAR A MASK.

>> I FEEL A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE, HAVING BEEN VACCINATED AND EVERYTHING, AND I'M EXCITED TO BE IN THE PARK.

>> WE APPRECIATE THAT EMPLOYEES ARE WEARING A MASK.

IT'S A COMMON COURTESY, NOT EVERYONE CAN SEE THAT YOUR VACCINATED.

ALL OF US HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

BUT YOU KNOW, JUST TO MAKE OTHER PEOPLE AROUND ME MORE AT EASE.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER CHANGE WELCOMED BY GUESTS, IS ANAHEIM HIT 90 DEGREES AND THERE IS NOW LINES INDOORS.

>> WHEN YOU ARE WEARING A MASK IT'S HARD TO BREATHE.

THIS IS A LOT BETTER.

>> Reporter: THERE IS SOMETHING DISNEY FANS HOPE WILL IMPROVE.

>> THE LINES FOR THE RIDES ARE REALLY FAST.

>> THAT WAS MICHELLE JULIE REPORTING, VACCINES MADE REOPENING POSSIBLE BUT THERE IS ONE GROUP THAT CANNOT PARTICIPATE.

KPBS REPORTER IS OUT THERE TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO CAN'T GET VACCINES FOR MEDICAL REASONS.

>> TWO WEEKS AFTER I GOT MY MEDICATION, THE VACCINE HAD BECOME AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE THAT WORK IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS BERNICE, WE ARE NOT USING YOUR REAL NAME FOR IS THE REASONS.

BECAUSE OF HER JOB, SHE KNEW SHE WOULD BE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE LINE FOR A COVID VACCINE WHEN THEY BECAME AVAILABLE LAST WINTER.

BUT, BERNICE HAS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.

AND AT THE TIME, HER SYMPTOMS WERE FLARING UP.

>> I AM PRETTY COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE HOW MUCH ON COMFORT COULD I DEAL WITH?

THAT IS THE QUESTION.

HOW MUCH WAS I WILLING TO ACCEPT.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE DRUG TRENDS THAT CAN HELP, BUT THEY SUPPRESS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM MAKING OUR VACCINE LESS EFFECTIVE.

THE PARTIES WERE TO DO THE TREATMENT, SHE COULDN'T TAKE THE VACCINE FOR SIX MONTHS.

>> AT ONE POINT IT WAS LIKE I CAN DO THIS ANYMORE.

>> SHE GOT HURT TREATMENT, TO BE STATED SHE WAS ELIGIBLE TO GET THE VACCINE.

BUT INSTEAD, NOW SHE WILL BE WAITING UNTIL AUGUST.

>> IT WASN'T LIKE I WAS REALLY FRUSTRATED, I AM MORE FRUSTRATED THE PEOPLE ARE BACK TO NORMAL.

>> Reporter: MANY PEOPLE NATIONWIDE HAVE CHRONIC CONDITIONS REQUIRING IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE TREATMENT, AIDS, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, AND CROHN'S DISEASE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES.

ALSO INCLUDED ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECEIVED ORGAN TRANSPLANTS AND THEN CANCER PATIENTS.

UC SAN DIEGO EPIDEMIOLOGISTS REBECCA FIELDING MILLER SAYS THESE PEOPLE AREN'T GETTING ENOUGH CONSIDERATION.

>> WE HAVE NOT DONE A GREAT JOB THINKING ABOUT PEOPLE WITH SOMETHING, WHO ARE NOT 100% ABLE-BODIED THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS LISTENING MASK ROLES IN STORES AND WORKPLACES PUT UNFAIR BURDEN ON PEOPLE.

>> WHAT IT MEANS IT IS EVERYBODY CAN FEEL SAFE GOING INTO TARGET, BUY A CARTON OF ICE CREAM AND NOT HAVE THAT BE A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE.

>> OTHER THAN THOSE VERY, VERY, RARE CIRCUMSTANCES, PEOPLE SHOULD BE GETTING A COVID-19 VACCINE.

>> Reporter: DR. DAVEY SMITH, SAYS ONLY PEOPLE WITH KNOWN ALLERGIES TO A VACCINE INGREDIENT SHOULD SKIP THE SHOT.

THAT MEANS PEOPLE ON IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE TREATMENT SHOULD PROBABLY STILL GET COVID- 19 VACCINES, EVEN IF THEY WON'T BE AS PROTECTED AS A HEALTHY PERSON.

>> WHAT I WOULD SAY, WHAT THEY DO SAY, IS I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU THE VACCINE, BUT YOU HAVE A CONDITION, OR YOU ARE TAKING A MEDICATION THAT MIGHT NOT, MAKE IT WORK AS WELL AS WE WANTED TO.

SO BE CAREFUL.

>> THE MOST I DO IS JUST DRIVE THROUGH A REMOTE STUFF.

>> THAT IS ATTITUDE.

>> Reporter: BIANCA SANTOS TAKES IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS AFTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANT.

SHE RECEIVED BOTH DOSES OF THE MOTOR THE VACCINE, BUT KNOWS THEY MAY NOT BE AS EFFECTIVE ON HER.

SO SHE DOESN'T FEEL THE FREEDOM MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCE POST VACCINE.

>> IT IS VERY DISHEARTENING, BECAUSE YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR FRIENDS THEY ARE ALL GOING OUT AND STUFF AND DOING ACTIVITIES OUTDOORS.

EATING AT RESTAURANTS.

>> Reporter: AS A YOUNG PERSON, SANTOS SAYS IT IS FRUSTRATING TO LOOK AT HER FRIENDS SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> A BIG PART OF THE VACCINE ROLLOUT, IS THAT SUPERSTITIONS ARE PHASING OUT.

THE SOUTH BAY SUPERSTITION ON JUNE 27th WILL CLOSE.

ANY SECOND DISAPPOINTMENTS CAN BE SCHEDULED AFTER THOSE DATES AND RELOCATED OR RESCHEDULED TO THE DELMAR SUPERSTITION ON JUNE 30th.

>>> THE US PASSED 600,000 COVID- 19 VACCINE DESK, AS A REMINDER OF HOW DISGUSTED THIS VIRUS IS.

AS A TALK WITH FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO ARE HESITANT TO GET THE VACCINE, AND REGRET THEY NOW CARRY.

>> Reporter: THE COLOSTRUM HER HUSBAND'S FUNERAL STILL COVERS THE TABLE AND MARILYN PRICES HOME.

DARRELL PRICER DIED OF COVID-19 LAST MONTH, THE 63-YEAR-OLD BECAME SICK AFTER A FAMILY WEDDING.

AND WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR A MONTH.

>> HE'S FINE, HE'S SCARED I'M SCARED, BECAUSE NOW IT IS GETTING WORSE.

AND HE SAID TO ME I AM GOING TO MAKE YOU A WIDOW AT 60.

I SAID I KNOW IT.

I KNOW IT I DREAMT IT TWO NIGHTS AGO.

I AM GOING TO GO TO THE SIXTH FLOOR AND DIE.

>> Reporter: MICHELLE SAID SHE WAS VACCINATED BUT HER HUSBAND WAS RELUCTANT.

DARRELL WAS NERVOUS, BUT PLANNED TO GET THIS OUT EVENTUALLY.

>> THERE ARE NO MORE TO COME, THAT IS ALL.

AND IT'S THE HARD PART.

>> Reporter: THE DECISION HAUNTS HER NOW.

>> NOW I AM WARNING THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF HE HAD GOTTEN VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: JOSH GARCES MEDICAL HISTORY MADE HIM ELIGIBLE TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE BUT HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE A VEXING GUINEA PIG.

>> I DIDN'T THINK I NEEDED TO DO IT, AS FAR AS THE VACCINE, I THOUGHT EVERYTHING I DID WAS ENOUGH.

I LIVED BY THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> Reporter: BUT IT WASN'T, GARZA GOT SIX AND COVID-19 RAVAGED HIS LUNGS.

IT FILLED HIS LUNGS TO THE POINT WHERE YOU COULDN'T EVEN SEE THE OUTLINE OF HIS LUNGS IN THE CLOUDY X-RAYS.

GARZA WAS IN THE HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOR FOUR MONTHS, AND SAYS HE WAS DAYS AWAY FROM DYING UNTIL A DOUBLE LUNG TRANSPLANT SAVED HIS LIFE.

NOW YOU CAN SEE HIS LUNGS AGAIN.

GARZA SAYS THE VACCINE WOULD HAVE SPARED HIM FROM THIS ORDEAL.

>> IF I COULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN I WOULD DO IT.

THERE IS NO DOUBT.

I WISH PEOPLE WOULD RECONSIDER, OR AT LEAST LISTEN TO WHAT WE WENT THROUGH AND HOPEFULLY NEVER HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT, EVER.

>> Reporter: THIS IS AN OLD SCHOOL SOUTHERN TENT REVIVAL, RIGHT?

AT THIS POINT, REVEREND HOLMES BELIEVES THE BATTLE TO SPREAD ACTING VACCINE ACCEPTANCE WILL BE SPREAD BY TRUSTING VOICES.

>> IF WE GET FIVE, SEVEN, EIGHT PEOPLE VACCINATED, DURING THIS, IT'S A GOOD THING.

>> Reporter: HE LEADS ABOUT THE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA.

FOR FOUR DAYS, HE LED AN OUTDOOR SURVIVAL AND NURSES ADMINISTERED 18 VACCINE SHOTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

>> WE TELL THEM THE TRUTH, YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS, TO TAKE THE VACCINE OR TAKE YOUR CHANCES WITH COVID-19.

>> Reporter: MIKE LEWIS JUNIOR CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF THE REVIVALS MESSAGE COULD HAVE SAVED HIS FATHER'S LIFE.

HIS FATHER WAS KNOWN AS BIG MIKE.

FOR 30 YEARS MICHAEL LEWIS WAS A FIXTURE, WORKING SECURITY AT THE FRONT DOORS OF THE ST. PETERSBURG FLORIDA NIGHTCLUB SCENE.

BIG MIKE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH COVID IN EARLY MAY, AND DIED JUST FOUR DAYS LATER.

>> IT'S TOUGH.

I LOST A PIECE OF MYSELF, I FEEL LIKE.

>> Reporter: HIS SON SAYS HE WAS NEVER VACCINATED BECAUSE IT WASN'T A PRIORITY.

AS THE 58-YEAR-OLD MULTIPLE TIMES SAID HE WAS JUGGLING TOO MANY JOBS.

>> THIS HAS CHANGED MY OUTLOOK ON THE VACCINE NOW.

FEARS ARE THERE.

>> Reporter: REVEREND HOLMES KNOWS THAT TOO OFTEN IT TAKES STORIES OF PAIN AND LOSS TO MOTIVATE A FLOCK.

SO HE WILL KEEP TRYING TO CONVERT THE VACCINE HESITANCE.

INTO VACCINE BELIEVERS, ONE SOUL AT A TIME.

>> THAT WAS ED LAVANDERA REPORTING, K PBS.ORG HAS THE LATEST VACCINE INFORMATION, CUSTOMIZABLE TO YOUR AREA.

CLICK ON THE VACCINE LINK ON OUR HOMEPAGE FOR A MAP OF LOCATIONS AND UPDATES ON REACHING OUR VACCINATION GOALS.

AND THAT IS ALL FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS, I AM ANNIKA SHARMA, FOR ALL OF US HERE AT KPBS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.