OTHER AT TRACKS LIKE THE PADRES ARE WELCOMING BACK FANS.

WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW SAN DIEGO SCHOOLS ARE PREPARING FOR A RETURN TO IN PERSON LEARNING THIS MONTH.

>>> WE START WITH THE RACE TO VACCINATE WHICH GOT A BIG BOOST THIS WEEKEND.

A HIGH PROFILE VISIT.

GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM WAS IN CITY HEIGHTS FRIDAY TO SEE ONE OF THE LATEST POP UP VACCINATION SITES.

THIS IS AN AREA AMONG THE HARDEST HIT BY COVID-19 CASES.

>> I SAID A NUMBER OF MONTHS AGO -- WEEKS AGO THIS COUNTY, THIS CITY IS LEADING THE WAY IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN TERMS OF DOSES ADMINISTERED IN TERMS OF MEETING NOT JUST THE BROAD PLATITUDES OR BROAD STROKES ON THE ISSUE OF EQUITY BUT ACTUALLY MANIFESTING THEM BY DOING THE HARD WORK.

>> THE CITY HEIGHTS LOCATION IS AT THE PARK De La CREWS CENTER.

THIS WEEK THE GOVERNOR GOT HIS VACCINE, THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON SHOT.

MANY MORE CALIFORNIANS CAN NOW GET THEIRS.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGING TO GET APPOINTMENTS.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE MAKING IT EASY, ESPECIALLY FOR A COMMUNITY WHERE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE EXISTS.

PEOPLE DON'T HAVE AS MUCH ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.

>> Reporter: VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING DAVID ALVAREZ ARE GOING DOOR TO DOOR TELLING RESIDENTS IN A COMMUNITY HARD HIT BY THE PANDEMIC ABOUT A POP UP VACCINATION EVENT TARGETING THOSE IN THE 92011 ZIP CODE >> A LOT OF PEOPLE HEARD INFORMATION, WHO QUALIFIES AND DOESN'T QUALIFY.

I DON'T QUALIFY EVEN THOUGH THEY DO.

>> Reporter: THEY DO UP TO 800 VACCINATIONS AT THE LOGAN HEIGHTS SITE.

THEY ARE PARTNERING TO DO MORE SATURDAY >> WE ARE HOPING TO VACCINATE UP TO 2,000 PEOPLE, FOCUSING ON PEOPLE LIVING IN THE 92114 ZIP CODE.

>> Reporter: DR. SANDRA, WITH FAMILY HEALTH CENTER SAYS THERE WAS SOME HESITANCY TO GET VACCINATED.

SHE IS FIELDING QUESTIONS LIKE IF THERE WERE PEOPLE OF COLOR IN VACCINATION TRIALS.

>> THERE WAS RACISM IN HEALTH CARE OVER THE YEARS.

IT'S NATURAL THERE IS SKEPTICISM.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE TAKING APPOINTMENTS FOR THOSE 50 AND OVER >> THEN IN TWO WEEKS WE WILL EXPAND IT BIGGER.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHEN THOSE OVER 16 WILL BE ELIGIBLE.

>> WE ARE 25% HIGHER.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST JUMP WE HAVE SEEN.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS AREN'T PREDICTING AN INCREASE FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK BUT IT COULD CHANGE >> WE ARE ENCOURAGED AND WE THINK WE ARE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IF YOU REMEMBER AT THE BEGINNING, YOU KNOW, WE HAD BIG AMOUNTS THEN SIGNIFICANT SHORTAGES.

SO, WE HAD TREMENDOUS INSTABILITY WEEK TO WEEK IN WHAT WE ARE GETTING.

THAT SEEMS TO HAVE STABILIZED.

WE ARE HEADING IN A FLAT OR UPWARD TRAJECTORY.

>> Reporter: AT THE 30 COUNTY SPONSORED SITES, THEY ARE DELIVERING AROUND 12,000 DAILY DOSES, NOT COUNTING VACCINATIONS FOR THE MILITARY, VETERANS OR OTHER PROVIDERS.

THOSE IN THE 92113 ZIP CODE NEED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THIS SATURDAY AND HAVE TO MEET CURRENT ELGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

>>> A REMINDER FOR THOSE OF YOU IN THE NORTH COUNTY OR ANYONE THAT BOOKED AN APPOINTMENT AT THE SUPER STATION, IT WILL BE CLOSED THIS WEEKEND.

THAT'S APRIL 3rd AND 4th.

SCRIPTS HEALTH IS RUNNING IT.

>>> THERE ARE PLENTY OF PLACES TO GET THE VACCINE BUT SETTING UP AN APPOINTMENT IS ANOTHER STORY.

TONYA THORN TELLS US HOW SAN DIEGO JANUARIES ARE HELPING EACH OTHER WITH WORD OF MOUTH AND SOME TEAMWORK ONLINE >> AS MORE AND MORE BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE, THE QUESTION ON HOW TO SECURE A VACCINE APPOINTMENT STANDS.

THIS HAS SOME PEOPLE TURNING TO SOCIAL MEDIA.

LENA EVANS IS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE VACCINE HUNTER'S FACEBOOK GROUP >> THEY ARE SHOWING TRUE HUMANITY AND HELPING EACH OTHER AS A COMMUNITY.

EVERYDAY WE HAVE POSTS THAT SAY THANK YOU FOR THIS GROUP.

I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.

I JUST JOINED YESTERDAY AND I GOT MY FIRST VACCINE.

>> Reporter: THE GROUP HAS OVER 4,000 MEMBERS ON FACEBOOK WITH HUNDREDS OF THREADS WITH TIPS, QUESTIONS AND LINKS ALL AIMED AT HELPING LAND A SPOT FOR A VACCINE.

>> BALBOA PARK AND NOT EVERYBODY SHOWED UP FOR THEIR APPOINTMENTS.

GET DOWN HERE RIGHT AWAY.

INFORMATION LIKE THAT THAT IS DYNAMIC.

THE STATE JUST ISN'T ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT TYPE OF DYNAMIC IMMEDIATE INFORMATION.

>> Reporter: EVANS FEELS THE GROUP IS LIKE AN INFORMAL PARTNER TO THE COUNTY.

AS THEY CONTINUE TO DO THEIR PART IN SUPPLYING VACCINE APPOINTMENTS.

THE COUNTY SAYS IT'S CONTINUING TO ADD VACCINATION SITES BUT DEPENDENT ON SUPPLY.

DR. CHRISTIAN RAMERS IS ON THE COUNTY CRITICAL ADVISORY PANEL >> THE SUPPLY DOES HELP.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE LAST PHASE, PHASE 1-C, A LOT OF THE SITES SHIFTED INTO DOCTOR'S OFFICES.

I THINK THE MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE TALK TO YOUR OWN HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, KEEP IN MIND THIS ARE OTHER VENUES THAT YOU CAN GET VACCINATED IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO GET AN IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT.

>>> MAKING SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH VACCINES TO GO AROUND IS QUITE A PROCESS.

COMING UP, A LOOK AT SPECIAL BEHIND THE SCENES ACCESS GRANTED BY PFIZER, ONE OF THE COMPANIES WITH A VACCINE ON THE MARKET.

WHAT IT TAKES TO PUMP OUT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF SHOTS FOR PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.

>>> THIS WEEK ALSO BROUGHT A COUPLE OF REMINDERS THAT SAN DIEGO STILL HAS A WAY TO GO WHEN IT COMES TO BRINGING BACK SOME OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS.

COMICON SAYS THE SCALED DOWN IN PERSON CONVENTION WON'T HAPPEN UNTIL NOVEMBER 26th THROUGH THE 28th.

THAT HAPPENED TO BE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND.

THEY ARE CALLING IT COMICON SPECIAL EDITION.

LAST MONTH COMICON ANNOUNCED THE USUAL EVENTS IN JULY WILL BE CANCELED FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR.

>>> SAN DIEGO HOSTS ITS ANNUAL PRIDE FESTIVAL IN JULY.

THAT IS CANCELED THIS YEAR.

ORGANIZERS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THEY ARE PLANNING ANOTHER VIRTUAL EVENT DUE TO CONCERNS ABOUT THE PANDEMIC.

SOME LIMITED IN PERSON GATHERINGS MIGHT BE ON THE SCHEDULE BUT THOSE DETAILS ARE BEING WORKED OUT.

LIKE COMICON, SAN DIEGO PRIDE IS AN EVENT THAT USUALLY DRAWS PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

>>> ONE BRIGHT SPOT AT PETCO PARK WHERE A MALL CROWD CAN PATCH PADRE GAMES IN PERSON.

THIS IS OPENING DAY.

>> SOME OF THE FANS WON'T BE ABLE TO COME IN HERE, I FEEL GOOD.

I FEEL LUCKY.

MY SEAT IS WAITING FOR ME.

IT HAS MY NAME ON IT.

I EARNED IT.

>> Reporter: TODAY'S HOME OPENER AGAINST THE ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS ALLOWED FOR 8400 FANS BECAUSE OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.

THAT IS CAUSING SKY HIGH TICKET PRICES THAT RANGED FROM 200 TO $2,000 WITH SEASON TICKETHOLDERS GETTING PRIORITY.

BUT FOR PADRE FANS THAT CAN'T GET INTO THE BALLPARK LIKE GLENN FAVOR, OPENING DAY EXTENDED BEYOND PETCO >> WE NEEDED TO BE HERE.

WE ARE STILL AMONGST THE PADRE FANS AND WE ARE STILL TOGETHER AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT JUST A GAME TO US ANY MORE.

IT'S AN ANNUAL TRADITION FOR US.

WE NEEDED TO BE HERE.

>> Reporter: FOR THOSE WHO GOT SEATS INSIDE, ROWS WERE BLOCKED OFF.

FANS DIDN'T HAVE TO LINE UP AT CONCESSION STANDS BUT ORDERED FOOD AND DRINKING FROM AN APP.

>> WE WILL FIND OUT NEXT WEEK IF MORE FANS WILL BE ALLOWED INTO PETCO PARK SOON.

THIS WEEK ORANGE COUNTY MOVED INTO THE ORANGE TIER.

WE ARE IN THE RED TIER FOR NOW.

THE PROCESS MIGHT BE SPED UP IF THE STATE VACCINATES MORE PEOPLE IN UNDERSERVED ZIP CODES >>> ELECTRIC SCOOTERS ARE RETURNING TO STREETS AFTER MANY COMPANIES PULLED THE DEVICES AT THE ON SET OF THE PANDEMIC.

ANDREW BOWEN LOOKS AT WHAT CHANGES COULD BE ON THE HORIZON.

>> Reporter: SIX SCOOTER SHARING COMPANIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO OPERATE IN SAN DIEGO.

A FEW ARE BRAND-NEW HOPING TO CAPITALIZE ON THE CITY'S GRADUAL REOPENING.

COLIN IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MOBILITY ADVOCACY GROUP IS CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO.

HE SAID THE LACKS REGULATIONS LED TO SEVERAL COMPANIES COMING AND GOING >> THE CITY HAS TO EXAMINE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SCOOTERS AND A REGULATED MARKET SO IT'S MORE FUNCTIONAL.

>> Reporter: SCOOTER COMPANIES ARE MOSTLY STAGING AROUND DOWNTOWN, HILLCREST AND PACIFIC BEACH.

ADVOCATES FOR LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES SAY THEY SHOULD HAVE THEM AS WELL >> COMMUNITY ACCESS TO EVERYDAY DESTINATIONS.

BUT THAT COMES IN TO SAFETY AS WELL.

LIKE BIKES, SCOOTERS SHOULD HAVE LANES, PLACES WHERE PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE.

>> Reporter: SCOOTER REGULATIONS WERE PASSED ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO AND WILL RE- EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS LATER THIS YEAR.

>>> ON MONDAY, SAN DIEGO UNIFIED TEACHERS BEGIN A ONE WEEK PREP PERIOD TO WELCOME KIDS BACK FOR LIMITED IN PERSON CLASSES ON THE 12th.

EDUCATION REPORTER JOE HONG SHOWS US HOW THE DISTRICTS ARE MOVING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: ASHLEY LEWIS IS A PARENT OF TWO STUDENTS AT OCEAN BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

FOR THE PAST YEAR SHE HAS BEEN JUGGLING CHILD CARE.

NOW SHE SEES THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

SHE KNOWS THAT DOESN'T MEAN THINGS WILL BE GOING BACK TONORMAL SOON >> IN THE PAST WE WOULD GATHER ON THE BLACKTOP BEFORE SCHOOL AND LISTEN TO THE MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PARENTS WOULD HAVE COFFEE AND CHAT AND A REAL CENTER OF THE COMMUNITY.

NOW WE WON'T HAVE THAT.

>> Reporter: SHE IS GRATEFUL THAT SAN DIEGO IS STARTING PART TIME IN PERSON INSTRUCTION >> I CAN'T WAIT FOR THEM TO GET BACK.

>> Reporter: THERE WILL BE FLEE HOURS OF IN PERSON INSTRUCTION PER DAY.

STUDENTS WILL BE ON CAMPUS TWO OR FOUR DAYS EACH WEEK.

ELEMENTARY STUDENTS CAN STAY ON CAMPUS FOR ANOTHER TWO HOURS EACH DAY TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY.

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLERS CAN STAY FOR ONE EXTRA HOUR.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL BOARD >> EVERYBODY WILL BE WEARING MASKS.

WE HAVE ALL THE MASKS, ALL THE PPE.

WE HAVE GONE THROUGH AND IMPROVED THE VENTILATION IN ALL OF OUR CLASSROOMS WHICH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STRATEGY BECAUSE WE KNOW COVID IS A VIRUS.

>> Reporter: HOW MANY DAYS PER WEEK STUDENTS CAN BE ON CAMPUS DEPENDS ON THE PHYSICAL DISTANCING RULES AND THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT WANT TO COME BACK.

MANY THE AGREEMENT WITH THE TEACHERS UNION, STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIT 6 FEET APART DESPITE THE GUIDANCE BY CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION THAT ALLOWS FOR 3 FEET OF DISTANCING IN ELEMENTARY CLASSROOMS.

THE DISTRICT IS STICKING TO 6 FEET.

THEY WILL DROP IT TO 5 FEET IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS IF IT MEANS ONE OR TWO ADDITIONAL STUDENTS CAN JOIN THE CLASSROOM.

>> OUR BIGGEST CONCERN IS SAFETY.

AND, SO, IF A LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN A CLASSROOM WANT TO RETURN, THOSE STUDENTS WOULD THEN BE SPLIT INTO TWO GROUPS AND THOSE STUDENTS COULD COME BACK TWO DAYS A WEEK.

IF THERE IS LOW NUMBERS AND THE ENTIRE CLASS CAN FIT SAFELY IN A CLASSROOM, THEY COULD COME BACK FOUR DAYS.

>> Reporter: BUT LEWIS SAYS THE DISTRICT SHOULD RENEGOTIATE THE AGREEMENT TO ALLOW FOR 3 FEET OF DISTANCING, ESPECIALLY IF STUDENTS CAN BE ON CAMPUS FOUR DAYS A WEEK >> IT'S FRUSTRATING THAT THEY CAN'T RE-EVALUATE AND SAY, LOOK, THE CDC SAID THIS IS SAFE.

WHY CAN'T WE DO 3 FEET OF SPACING AND LET EVERYBODY COME BACK WHO WANTS TO COME BACK FOR FOUR DAYS A WEEK.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE REOPENING TIME LINES ARE DIFFERENT, THE MAJORITY OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE PLANS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SAN DIEGO UNIFIED.

THE STATE'S LARGEST K-6 DISTRICT EXPECTS ABOUT 60% OF STUDENTS TO COME BACK FOR IN PERSON INSTRUCTION APRIL 12th.

STUDENTS WILL BE SPLIT INTO MORNING AND AFTERNOON AND STAY ON CAMPUS 2 1/2 HOURS EACH DAY.

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE DISTRICT >> I WOULD BELIEVE THAT AS THE SITUATION CONTINUES TO IMPROVE, MORE PARENTS WOULD WANT TO HAVE THEIR KIDS GO IN PERSON AND WE WILL DEFINITELY TRY TO BE FLEXIBLE AS LONG AS WE HAVE THE CAPACITY.

WE WANT TO -- WE WANT THE STUDENTS IN IN PERSON ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: HE SAID TEACHERS WILL TRY TO FOCUS ON PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES TO MAKE UP FOR A YEAR OF EXCESSIVE SCREEN TIME.

AS FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR THAT STARTS IN JULY HE HOPES STUDENTS WILL BE BACK ON CAMPUS >> SOME FAMILIES THAT WILL STILL WANT A DISTANCED LEARNING COMPONENT.

WE WILL DEFINITELY -- IF THE DEMAND IS THERE, WE WILL SET THAT UP FOR THEM BUT I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE AS ROBUST, IN PERSON APPROACH TO EDUCATION AS POSSIBLE.

>>> IF YOU LIKE THAT STORY YOU JUST SAW?

WE HAVE IN DEPTH FEATURED REPORTING UNMATCHED IN SAN DIEGO.

IT'S POSTED TO THE KPBS AND>>> WE HAVE THE HELP THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING TO PAY FOR BASIC ITEMS LIKE FOOD.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE CAL FRESH PROGRAM, ALSO KNOWN AS FOOD STAMPS, MANY PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR BENEFITS EVEN IF THEY ARE STILL ELIGIBLE.

>> FISH, SALMON WHICH IS AT TIMES VERY EXPENSIVE.

>> Reporter: MARIA GONZALEZ STANDS OUTSIDE OF HER APARTMENT AND TALKS ABOUT WHAT SHE LIKES TO BUY WITH HER CAL FRESH FOOD STAMPS.

>> SALMON, FRESH CHICKEN, GREEN ORGANIC KIND.

WE LIKE THE GOOD STUFF WHEN IT'S AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: THE 74-YEAR-OLD HOUSE CLEANER GOT ON THE PROGRAM IN 2019.

>> IT TOOK A WHILE TO REPLAY BUT BLESS BE GOD THEY ACCEPTED ME.

I ONLY LASTED A MERE TWO MONTHS.

>> Reporter: WITHIN A MATTER OF MONTHS, HER ELATION TURNED TO DISAPPOINTMENT.

GONZALEZ WAS TOLD HER BENEFITS HAD STOPPED BECAUSE A REPORT WAS MISSING.

HOWEVER, SHE SAYS THAT IS NOT RIGHT.

I CALLED AND ASKED THEM IF THEY HAD RECEIVED IT.

THEY SAID YES.

BUT TOWARD THE END OF DECEMBER, I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID IT WAS SUSPENDED DUE TO THE PAPER.

>> Reporter: UNDER THE CAL FRESH PROGRAM WHICH DISTRIBUTES FOOD STAMPS PAID FOR BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AN INDIVIDUAL WILL RECEIVE $234 A MONTH, A TEMPORARY INCREASE DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

BUT THIS MONEY COMES WITH A NUMBER OF STRINGS ATTACHED.

EVERY SIX MONTHS RECIPIENTS HAVE TO PROVIDE WRITTEN PROOF OF ANY AND ALL CHANGES TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT STATUS, FAMILY SIZE AND LIVING ARRANGEMENTS.

THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT TO AN INTERVIEW EITHER IN ATTORNEY OR ON THE PHONE.

IN ANY OF THESE STEPS ARE MISSED, THE MONEY STOPS.

>> THEY ARE SIX TIMES MORE LIKELY TO LEAVE THE PROGRAM IN THE MONTHS THAT THEY HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH ONE OF THESE HOOPS.

>> Reporter: A RESEARCH FELLOW SAYS THE COMPLICATED PROCESS REGULARLY DRIVES OUT CAL FRESH RECIPIENTS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM.

IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND ACROSS THE STATE, BETWEEN HALF AND THREE QUARTERS OF THE RECIPIENTS THAT LEFT THE PROGRAM WERE STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE BENEFITS ACCORDING TO THE STUDY >> WE THINK THIS HAS TO DO WITH UNDER STAFFING AND A LACK OF TRAINING.

>> Reporter: CEO OF THE SAN DIEGO HUNGER COALITION, A NONPROFIT THAT HELPS PEOPLE APPLY FOR CAL FRESH.

SHE SAID THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE COUNTY FUNDING FORECAST WORKERS AND CALL CENTER OPERATORS THAT HELP PEOPLE GET THEIR BENEFITS >> WE ARE -- WE WILL SEE WHETHER IT'S BEEN A LACK OF FUNDING THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THAT OR NOT, NOW THAT WE HAVE MORE POLITICAL WILL TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

BUT WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH COMFORT WITH HOW MUCH PEOPLE SUFFER TRYING TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS DOING WHAT IT CAN TO HELP RECIPIENTS SAYS RICK WAYNE, THE COUNTY'S DIRECTOR FOR SELF- SUFFICIENCY PROGRAMS.

>> WE SEND IT TO THEM BY MAIL WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON THOUGH COMPLETE IT AND SEND IT BACK.

WE INCLUDE AN ENVELOPE WITH FREE POSTAGE ON IT AND SEND ALL OF THE CUSTOMERS A TEXT MESSAGE REMINDER WHEN THE REPORT IS DUE.

THAT MESSAGE ALSO HAS A LINK WHERE THE CUSTOMER CAN ACTUALLY COMPLETE IT ELECTRONICALLY.

>> Reporter: BUT HE SAYS SOME PEOPLE STOP THE BENEFITS WHILE THEY ARE ELIGIBLE BECAUSE OF, QUOTE, INDIVIDUAL CHOICE.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME TEMPORARY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM DURING COVID-19.

FOR SIX MONTHS NO FORMS WERE REQUIRED AND THE INTERVIEW REQUIREMENT HAS BEEN SUSPENDED BUT WILL LIKELY RETURN IN JULY.

ALSO NEXT YEAR, HOUSEHOLDS WITH ONLY ELDERLY OR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NO EARNED INCOME WILL NOT HAVE TO SUBMIT FORMS.

BUT UNWRAP THE CO-AUTHOR OF THE BERKELEY STUDY WANTS MORE.

HE SAYS ALL RECIPIENTS SHOULD ONLY FILE PAPERWORK ONCE A YEAR.

>> IT WILL BE CHEAPER FOR GOVERNMENT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO ADMINISTER THESE RECERTIFICATIONS AS FREQUENTLY.

IT SAFES HOUSEHOLDS A LOT OF TIME AND STRESS.

FOR THE MOST PART, THAT TYPE OF REFORM WOULD MORE LIKELY BENEFIT ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS THAN ALLOW INELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS THAT WOULD TAKE AN ACT OF CONGRESS.

>>> THE DEMAND ON SAN DIEGO'S FOOD BANKS IS HIGH.

MELISSA MAY VISITED A DISTRIBUTION CENTER AND HAS MORE TO COME IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

>> Reporter: VOLUNTEERS WERE READY TO HELP APPROXIMATELY 1400 SOUTH BAY HOUSEHOLDS WITH NUTRITIOUS FOOD DURING THE CONTACTLESS DRIVE THROUGH DISTRIBUTION AT THE NORTH ISLAND CREDIT UNION AMPITHEATRE >> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FACING HUNGER FOR THE FIRST TIME DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

SO ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HEAR FOR.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE CALLING IT THE TOGETHER TOUR.

THEY LOADED UP TO 50 POUNDS OF FOOD PER CAR.

SAM DUKE IS THE PROGRAM MANAGER >> PEOPLE EXPECT ABOUT 25 POUNDS OF DRY GOODS AND 15 POUNDS OF PRODUCE AND THEY WILL RECEIVE A PRO ZEN PROTEIN.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE SETTING UP FOR THE LARGE SCALE DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTH BAY, PEOPLE ARE LINING UP TWO HOURS EARLY TO GET THEIR SHARE >> SINCE MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND HER THREE KIDS MOVED IN, I'M HERE MORE FOR THE CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: JIM DIDN'T WANT US TO USE HIS LAST NAME BUT HE WAS GRATEFUL FOR THE HELP >> ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE VOLUNTEERING TIME AND RESOURCES AND TO THE FOOD BANK, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT MEANS THE WORLD TO A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: THE TOGETHER TOUR NEXT DISTRIBUTION WILL BE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7th FROM 10:00 TO NOON.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS >>> AS WE WRAP UP, WE HAVE A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE VACCINE PRODUCTION PROCESS.

PFIZER IS PUSHING OUT 13 MILLION DOSES A MONTH.

>> Reporter: ONE YEAR AGO THE PROCESS YOU ARE WATCHING DIDN'T EXIST.

FOR MIKE McDERMOTT, PFIZER'S PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL SUPPLY, A NOVEL VIRUS MEANT HE NEEDED A NOVEL APPROACH TO VACCINE MANUFACTURING >> THIS IS AN AMAZING 12 MONTHS, NOTHING LIKE I EXPERIENCED IN MY CAREER.

>> Reporter: UNTIL THE END OF LAST YEAR, NO VACCINE USING MRNA TECHNOLOGY MAD EVER BEEN AUTHORIZED.

NOW I'M GETTING AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK IN MICHIGAN AT HOW PFIZER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BY I DON'T KNOW TECH PRODUCED MILLIONS OF THESE VACCINES >> 60 MILLION DOSES ARE SURROUNDING US, HUGGING US.

IMAGINE THE IMPACT IT WILL HAVE ON U.S. CITIZENS AND PATIENTS AROUND THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: THAT GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS.

PFIZER DOUBLED THE OUTPUT FROM A MONTH AGO, PRODUCING 13 MILLION DOSES A WEEK, IT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR McDERMOTT >> BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR, WE WILL BE AT 25 MILLION IN A COUPLE MONTHS.

>> Reporter: 100 MILLION A MONTH >> 100 MILLION A MONTH.

>> Reporter: HE IS LOOKING FOR NOVEL SOLUTIONS.

EVEN SIMPLE ONES.

THEY FOUND THAT THE SUPPLIERS COULDN'T PROVIDE ENOUGH DRY ICE SO THEY DECIDED TO PRODUCE THEIR OWN.

IT MEANS THAT YOU ARE SEEING THINGS THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN DIDN'T SEE WHEN HE WAS HERE JUST FIVE WEEKS AGO IN FEBRUARY.

>> THIS IS THE NEW FORMULATION SUIT.

>> Reporter: THIS IS HOW THEY SCALED UP FAST.

THE SUITES ARE BUILT IN TEXAS BEFORE BRINGING IT HERE >> IF WE BUILT IT WALL BY WALL IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN US A YEAR.

DOING IT MODULELY WE CAN DO IT IN A HALF.

GET ON ONE SIDE AND I WILL GET ON THE OTHER.

>> Reporter: IT IS AS EASY AS PUSHING IT INTO PLACE.

AMAZING.

FOR McDERMOTT IT CAME DOWN TO THIS KEY PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A COMMERCIAL SCALE MRNA VACCINE.

SO, EVERYTHING YOU SEE HERE IS CUSTOM DESIGNED.

>> Reporter: REMEMBER, WHAT MAKES UP PFIZER'S VACCINE IS BASICALLY MRNA HOUSED IN FOUR DIFFERENT LIPIDS WHICH IS JUST FAT AND THIS TINY TOOL CALLED AN IMPINGEMENT JET MIXER MAKES IT POSSIBLE.

THIS WILL SOUND TOO SIMPLE BUT HERE GOES.

ON ONE SIDE MRNA IS PUMPED IN.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, LIPIDS.

THEY ARE FORCED TOGETHER WITH AROUND 400 POUNDS OF PRESSURE.

OUT COMES A LIPID NANO PARTICLE THAT McDERMOTT SAYS IS THE PERFECT PACKAGE TO DELIVER MRNA TO YOUR CELLS.

THAT'S THE VACCINE.

WHEN YOU START TO SCALE IT UP LIKE THAT, HOW CONFIDENT WERE YOU THAT IT WOULD WORK?

>> THE FIRST TIME SOMEBODY SHOWED ME THIS IMPINGEMENT JET MIXER, YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS.

MY CONFIDENCE LEVEL WAS LOW.

NOT THAT IT COULDN'T BE DONE.

I KNEW IT COULD WORK AT THIS SCALE BUT HOW COULD YOU REPRODUCE IT.

>> Reporter: HIS LIFE HAS NOW COME FULL CIRCLE >> AS A KID, MY DAD WORKED FOR NASA.

HE WAS IN MISSION CONTROL IN HOUSTON WHEN NEIL ARMSTRONG STEPPED ON THE MOON, AMAZING MOMENT >> ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND >> THE DAY WE SHIPPED THE FIRST DOSES OUT OF THE SITE IT RUSHED OVER ME LIKE THAT WAS OUR MOON SHOT.

>> Reporter: CNN, MICHIGAN.

>>> AS MORE PEOPLE GAIN ACCESS TO THE VACCINE, WE ARE UPDATING OUR VACCINE DASHBOARD AT KPBS.ORG.

WE HAVE THE LATEST INFORMATION ON LOCATIONS, DATA FROM THE COUNTIES DAILY REPORTS.

TO GET THERE, GO TO KPBS.ORG AND CLICK ON THE VACCINE LINK AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE.

THAT'S ALL FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.