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

THIS IS THE WEEK CALIFORNIA ANNOUNCED A $6.5 BILLION PLAN TO REOPEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS SOON AS APRIL.

FRIDAY MORNING THE STATE LOOSENED RESTRICTIONS ON YOUTH SPORTS.

A BIG REASON FOR THE PROGRESS IS STEADY DOWNWARD TREND OF NEW COVID-19 CASES.

NUMBERS RELEASED BY COUNTY, HEALTH OFFICIALS SHOW WHERE WE ARE.

MOST DAYS ARE WELL UNDER 1,000 CASES.

HOSPITALS ARE GETTING A BREAK AS PATIENT LOADS ARE DROPPING.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAS MORE THAN 3100 TOTAL COVID-19 DEATHS WHICH ARE ALSO TRENDING DOWN.

>>> TAKING ON A NEW LEADERSHIP ROLE WITH THE COUNTY, SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER DELIVERED THE STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS.

AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT COVID-19 DOMINATED THE MESSAGE.

>> GOOD EVENING.

I COME TO YOU TONIGHT FROM THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER.

OUR COUNTY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO DECLARE PUBLIC HEALTH STATE OF EMERGENCY ON COVID-19 ACTIVATING THIS SITE AND OTHERS TO RESPOND.

FROM THE MODEST WAREHOUSE OUR REGION'S MASSIVE MOBILIZATION WAS EQUIPPED.

MASKS, VENTILATORS, TESTING SUPPLIES, PPE, NOW VACCINES.

>> BEYOND THE USUAL THEME OF LAYING OUTAGEN TODAY FOR THE YEAR, SUPERVISOR FLETCHER MAKES NEWS IN ANNOUNCING LAW ENFORCEMENT, GROCERY WORKERS, TEACHERS WILL BE AMONG THE NEXT GROUP OF ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINES.

FLETCHER SAYS THAT WILL BEGIN MARCH 15.

ALSO OF NOTE THURSDAY NIGHT PLENTY TRIBUTES TO HEALTHCARE WORKERS INCLUDING NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMED BY ONE OF THE NURSES AT UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH.

>>> HEALTHCARE WORKERS OF ALL STRIPES MEETING MOMENT IN WAYS BIG AND SMALL AS NUMBER OF VACCINATED IN SAN DIEGO SUDDENLY RISES.

KPBS GOT A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT THE WORK TO GET A CENTER UP AND RUNNING.

>> Reporter: THE NEON DUCT TAPE ON THE GROUND IS NOT AN ARBITRARY DECISION.

>> REGULAR TAPE IS GOING TO GET DIRTY AND YOU WILL NOT SEE IT ON THE PAVEMENT WHEN MOST PEOPLE ARE STANDING ON IT.

FLUORESCENT TAPE SEEMS TO WORK WELL.

>> Reporter: A TIP PICKED UP AFTER NEARLY A YEAR OF USHERING SOCIALLY DISTANCED CROWDS THROUGH COVID-19 TESTING SITES.

THE NONPROFIT IS THE LARGEST NETWORK OF COMMUNITY CLINICS SERVING.

>> WE'LL HAVE A PATIENT WAIT IN LINE.

>> Reporter: THE CAREFULLY SPACED SPOTS WILL SAFELY DIRECT UP TO 750 DAILY VISITORS TO COVID-19 VACCINATION.

DIEZ AND THE TEAM MUST FIRST DRAW OUT AND PLAN OUT EVERY DETAIL BEFORE THE FIRST DOSE.

>> THERE IS ALL KINDS OF SMALL LITTLE IDIOSYNCRASIES PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE OF THAT WE NEED TO PLAN FOR, SIMPLE THINGS LIKE YOUR VACCINATION CARD.

WHERE IS THIS VACCINATION CARD GOING TO BE GIVEN TO THE PERSON?

WHO IS GOING TO WRITE IT.

>> Reporter: METICULOUS PLANNING OF A SITE IS CRITICAL TO REACHING THE VACCINATION GOAL.

OFFICIALS SAY EVERY SHOT COUNTS TO VACCINATE 1.8 MILLION IN SAN DIEGO BY JULY.

COMMUNITY CLINICS ARE KEY TO REACHING UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES MOST AFFECTED BY COVID-19.

>> THIS IS AN AERIAL SITE OF THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS WHICH IS THE LARGEST SITE WE'LL BE PROVIDING VACCINATIONS.

>> Reporter: HALF OF THE LOT ALREADY HOLDS A TESTING SITE.

THE TEAM MUST PLOT OUT HOW TO WEAN VACCINE RECIPIENTS THROUGH ZONES.

>> WE WANT THE PATIENT TO HAVE A GOOD EXPERIENCE.

WE WANT THEM TO HAVE A SEATING AREA WHERE THEY'LL WAIT IF WE HAVE TO TAKE MORE TIME WITH A PATIENT.

>> Reporter: DIEZ IS PLANNING FOR LONG LINES STRETCHING ALONG THE SIDEWALK LIKE THEY SAW FOR TESTING.

>> WE WOULD HAVE 50 TO 60 PEOPLE HERE AT 5:00 IN THE MORNING.

>> Reporter: THE CLINIC ZIP CODE HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS IN THE COUNTY BUT THE SITE WITH THE CLEAR VIEW OF THE BRIDGE IS ALSO AN AREA THAT HAS LOWEST VACCINATIONS.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT MAYBE HAVING A COUPLE DIFFERENT POINTS WHERE PEOPLE WILL BE STANDING.

MAYBE THIS SIDE OF THE FENCE MIGHTING PATIENTS THAT WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR THE FIRST HOUR AND THEN MAYBE ON THAT SIDE OF THE FENCE WILL BE ANOTHER LINE FOR PATIENTS TO BE SCHEDULED FOR THE NEXT HOUR.

>> Reporter: THEY NEED TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN VOLUNTEERS THAT WILL PRESCREEN, REGISTER, GUIDE PATIENTS THROUGH THE ORCHESTRATED MAZE AND WILL HAVE TO DEVELOP A SYSTEM TO TRACK 15 MINUTE OBSERVATION PERIOD FOR DOZENS OF PATIENTS WITH VARIOUS VACCINATION TIMES.

>> WHO WILL BE CLOCKING THE 15 MINUTES WHEN PEOPLE ARE SITTING?

HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THAT PERSON'S 15 MINUTES JUST STARTED.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE TO FIND SECURE STORAGE FOR SUPPLIES WHEN NOT IN USE.

>> THERE IS TALK ABOUT MAYBE PUTTING A STORAGE SHED ON SITE ALSO TO STORE NONMEDICAL SUPPLIES.

BECAUSE THAT'S ANOTHER CONSIDERATION.

HOW MUCH EQUIPMENT THAT WE NEED TO HAVE THERE.

>> Reporter: EACH DAY WILL REFLECT ON LESSONS LEARNED BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BE SURE EVERY SINGLE DAILY PATIENT RETURNS IN A FEW WEEKS FOR THEIR SECOND DOSE.

>> WE WILL COME TO THE CHAIR AND WE WILL INTRODUCE OURSELVES, THANK THEM FOR TAKING TIME AND COURAGE TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: EXTRA FOCUS ON PATIENT EXPERIENCE IS WHAT HE HOPES WILL BRING THEM BACK FOR ROUND TWO.

THE SITE WAS SET TO LAUNCH NEXT WEEK BUT THEY RECEIVED WORD THURSDAY THAT THE INCOMING VACCINE SUPPLY WOULDN'T BE ENOUGH.

FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS HOPES SHIPMENTS FROM BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S NEW PROGRAM WILL REACH THEM THE WEEK AFTER NEXT.

>> IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SITE THAT'S CLOSE TO WHERE YOU LIVE, KPBS HAS YOU COVERED.

WE HAVE DASH BOARD@KPBS.ORG WHERE YOU CAN FIND A MAP OF SITES.

WE ARE TRACKING THE PROGRESS TO GETTING OUR VACCINATION VACCINATED.

TRACK THROUGH THE LINK AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> IT CAN BE HARD TO GET TO A VACCINATION SITE ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS AND THOSE IN UNDER SERVED AREAS.

BRIDGING THE GAP IS IMPORTANT WORK.

THAT'S WHY FIRST RESPONDERS AND A SPECIAL GROUP OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE BY REACHING TO RESIDENTS FACE TO FACE.

OUR KPBS REPORTER HAS STORIES FROM THE SOUTH BAY AND CITY HEIGHTS.

>> IT'S GREAT.

IT'S WONDERFUL TO HAVE THE SERVICE DONE HERE FOR ALL THE SENIORS.

>> Reporter: FIRE DEPARTMENT BRINGING VACCINATIONS TO SOUTH BAY SENIORS, PART OF OPERATION IMMUNITY.

THE CAP PAIN IS WITH THE CHULA VISTA FIRE DEPARTMENT.

>> THEY MIGHT NOT GET THEIR VACCINATION IF WE DIDN'T COME TO THEM.

>> Reporter: SOME SAY THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT WHERE TO GET SHOTS.

>> I JUST APPRECIATE, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY COME HERE AND HELP US OUT.

SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GOING SOMEWHERE AND LOOKING FOR TRANSPORTATION.

NOT ALL PEOPLE CAN DRIVE OVER HERE.

>> Reporter: TEAMS WERE PREPARED TO DELIVER AROUND 200 VACCINATIONS.

>> IT IS GREAT FOR ALL THIS COMMUNITY.

MOST IS 65 AND OLDER.

WE ARE ELDERLY PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM RECENTLY STARTED AND IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE FIRE AND COUNTY.

CREWS ARE HITTING DIFFERENT APARTMENT BUILDINGS AND EVEN DOING VACCINATIONS TO HOME BOUND SENIORS.

>> WE WANTED TO BE INVOLVED.

WE WANTED TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT.

WE HAVE DONE AT LEAST FIVE SEPARATE COMPLEXES, AND WE HAVE MORE SLATED ON THE CALENDAR TO DO.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT TO ALL OF THEM DEPENDING HOW MUCH VACCINE WE ARE GIVEN.

>> Reporter: PARAMEDICS DELIVERING SHOTS AND EMTs ARE BEING TRAINED TO EXPAND VACCINE ATORRS.

THOSE OVER 65 CAN CALL (619)476- 2397 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR VACCINATION.

>>> IT'S VERY GRASSROOTS, MOMS, NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR.

>> Reporter: THE HEALTH COALITION, WORKING AS A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER IN CITY HEIGHTS FOR 15 YEARS NOW.

>> THE WORK IS SO IMPORTANT.

IT'S PART OF OUR CULTURE.

YOU ARE WELCOME.

YOU ARE HERE.

HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

>> LATINOS MAKE UP MAJORITY OF CORONAVIRUS CASES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY BUT ARE NOT GETTING MAJORITY OF VACCINATIONS.

OFFICIALS HOPE SENDING TEAMS TO THE AREAS AND THAT WILL CHANGE.

>> WE GO TO DIFFERENT SUPERMARKETS ALL OVER THE COUNTY.

NOT ONLY ARE WE LISTENING TO EACH OTHER BUT WE ARE ENCOURAGING THEM.

I ALREADY HAD THE VACCINE LAST WEEK.

I AM FEELING GREAT.

GO AHEAD.

DO YOU NEED HELP SIGNING UP?

CAN SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY HELP YOU SIGN UP?

>> Reporter: RODRIGUEZ SAYS SHE'S HEARING FEARS ABOUT VACCINATION AND POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS BUT MANY WANT TO KNOW WHEN A LARGE SCALE VACCINATION SITES WILL BE COMING TO CITY HEIGHTS.

>> THEY'RE READY.

>> Reporter: SOME PEOPLE IN THE AREA DO NOT HAVE EASY ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION.

THEY HAVE TO BRING VACCINES TO THE COMMUNITY.

NOT EVERYONE IS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND SOME SENIORS ARE NOT ONLINE SO TAKING THE MESSAGE TO THEM IS KEY.

>> WE SHARE OUR EXPERIENCE AND LET THEM KNOW, THIS IS A FLYER SO YOU CAN KNOW MORE IN YOUR LANGUAGE HOW IT IS.

AT THE SAME TIME CALL ME, SEND ME A MESSAGE.

I AM HERE FOR YOU.

>> Reporter: THE HEALTH COALITION IS ONE OF MANY GROUPS WORKING TO BE SURE ANYONE ELIGIBLE FOR A VACCINATION APPOINTMENT IS ABLE TO GET ONE.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO BE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WHO IN OTHER WORDS THE INFORMATION IS ABLE TO GET THE INFORMATION.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE SENDING TEAMS ACROSS THE COUNTY TO DELIVER VACCINATION INFORMATION.

THEY'RE CONTINUING TO HAND OUT SUPPLY KITS WITH MASKS AND SANITIZERS VIA APPOINTMENT ONLY.

THEY CAN BOOK THROUGH THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE.

>>> EXTREME WEATHER ACROSS THE U.S.

DISRUPTED VACCINE SHIPMENTS TO SAN DIEGO THIS WEEK.

KEEPING UP WITH SUPPLY AND DEMAND IS A CHALLENGE HERE AND AROUND THE WORLD.

ANNA STEWART HAS MORE ON THE RUSH TO PRODUCE BILLIONS OF VACCINE DOSES.

>> Reporter: THIS LAB IS MAKING LIPID NANO PARTICLES, GENETIC CODE IN MRNA VACCINES TRANSPORTED TO HUMAN CELLS BY LITTLE FATTY BUBBLES.

AROUND 1,000th OF THE WIDTH OF A SINGLE HUMAN HAIR, THEY'RE INCREDIBLY SMALL, CRITICAL TO THE COVID-19 VACCINE ROLL OUT AND THERE AREN'T NEARLY ENOUGH.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BIOTECH FIRMS MAKING LIPID COMPONENT IN THE VACCINE.

THEY'RE ALSO SUPPORTING THOSE WITH VACCINE CANDIDATES IN THE PIPELINE BUT CAN'T MAKE ENOUGH BY THEMSELVES.

>> WE DON'T TRY AND DO IT ALL OURSELVES.

WE TRY AND ENABLE OTHERS AROUND THE GLOBE TO BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EFFORT.

WHENEVER WE REACH TO OTHER COMPANIES TO ASK THEM WHETHER THEY CAN SUPPORT MANUFACTURING OF THE LIPID COMPONENTS FOR EXAMPLE, AS SOON AS THEY HEAR IT'S TO SUPPORT COVID-19 VACCINE THEY'RE COMPLETELY ENGAGED.

>> POWERFUL ALLIANCES BEING FORGED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

THERE ARE CALLS THOUGH FOR MORE COOPERATION AT GOVERNMENT LEVEL.

>> NOW THERE IS A SITUATION WHERE OVERALL CAPACITY, WHETHER FOR FIRST STEPS OF MANUFACTURING OR FINISH, THEY'RE SCARCE.

AS A RESULT WE NEED PUBLIC AGENCIES, GOVERNMENTS NATIONALLY OR REGIONALLY, THEY HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AND ASK THE QUESTION IF I HAVE SCARCE CAPACITY FOR SOMETHING HOW DO I ENSURE IT REMAINS COORDINATED WITH THE VACCINE MANUFACTURERS.

>> Reporter: GREEN LIGHT SCIENCES, A BIOTECH FIRM IN BOSTON DELAYED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CANDIDATE SO THEY CAN TAYLOR FOR THE NEWER VARIANTS OR CORONAVIRUS.

IT WILL ALLOW THEM MORE TIME TO INCREASE CAPACITY.

>> GREEN LIGHT HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR MULTIPLE FACILITIES.

WITHER IN CONVERSATIONS WITH MULTIPLE REGIONAL PARTNERS IN SOUTH ASIA, SOUTHEAST ASIA, AFRICA, NORTH AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA TO IMPLEMENT THE FACILITIES.

THE FACILITIES WILL TAKE ROUGHLY SIX TO NINE MONTHS TO CONSTRUCT.

THEN THEY NEED TO BE VALIDATED BY LOCAL REGULATORY WHICH IS BETWEEN A MONTH AND THREE MONTHS.

ONCE EACH OF THE FACILITIES IS UP AND RUNNING THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PRODUCE BILLIONS OF DOSES OF COVID-19 VACCINE LOCALLY.

>> IF YOU SEE THE VACCINE MAKERS FAIL TO MAKE A VACCINE, PULL OUT OF THE VACCINE RACE ARE YOU LOOKING TO BUY OUT THEIR FACILITIES TO ENSURE YOU CAN MAKE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE ARE LOOKING FOR A FACILITY.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR LOCAL PARTNERS.

THAT'S MY WANTED AD ON CNN.

CAN WE PLEASE SPARE CAPACITY OR PARTICIPATE IN GETTING LOCAL PRODUCTION UP AND RUNNING?

PLEASE GIVE US A CALL.

>> Reporter: VACCINE FACTORIES AND LIPID NANO PARTICLES ARE JUST SOME OF THE BOTTLENECKS TO VACCINATING THE WORLD.

THERE WILL BE MORE.

NOT LEAST IS NEW VARIANTS OF CORONAVIRUS REQUIRE MORE DEFINED VACCINES AND PERHAPS FOR YEARS TO COME.

>>> WHILE SCIENCE HAS BEEN THE PRIMARY CHALLENGE DURING COVID- 19, MANY ARE STILL HURTING ECONOMICALLY.

THE COUNTY'S SECOND LARGEST CITY WILL SPEND $16 MILLION TO HELP PEOPLE WITH RENT AND OTHER BILLS.

KPBS REPORTER TELLS US WHO WILL QUALIFY.

>> Reporter: $16.8 MILLION COMES FROM A MIX OF STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS MEANT TO HELP PAY BILLS OF PEOPLE IN A CITY HARD HIT BY THE PANDEMIC.

THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED IT WILL HELP COVER PAST OR CURRENT RENT AND ALSO UTILITY BILLS.

>> MANY STRUGGLE TO PAY THE RENT, GAS, ELECTRIC, WATER, SEWER BILLS.

SOME HAVE BEEN FACED WITH HARDSHIPS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.

THESE FUNDS CAN HELP THOSE WHO MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TO GET THOSE BILLS PAID.

>> Reporter: CURRENTLY AN EVICTION MORATORIUM IN THE STATE PROTECTS MOST RENTERS FROM EVICTION OVER NONE PAYMENT.

BACK RENT CONTINUES TO PILE UP.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO SIMILAR PROGRAMS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND ON UTILITIES.

THERE IS A WEBSITE FOR THOSE SEEKING ASSISTANCE TO SEE IF THEY QUALIFY AND A CALL IN LINE FOR THOSE WITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS.

RESIDENTS CAN SIGN UP.

THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO HAS A SEPARATE RENT RELIEF FUND WHICH IS MEANT TO REACH RESIDENTS WHO LIVE OUTSIDE OF CITIES LIKE CHULA VISTA WHICH HAVE QUALIFIED FOR AID FROM THE GOVERNMENTS.

>>> FOOD INSECURITY IS ANOTHER AREA OF NEED AND DEMAND HASN'T LET UP FOR ORGANIZATIONS LIKE FEEDING SAN DIEGO.

VISITING A RECENT DISTRIBUTION THAT HELPED HUNDREDS OF HOSPITALITY WORKERS.

>> Reporter: CARS LINED UP MONDAY FOR FEEDING SAN DIEGO'S EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION SPECIFICALLY TO WORKERS WHO LOST JOBS OR GOT HOURS CUT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER AT FEEDING SAN DIEGO.

>> LAST COUNT, THERE WERE 77,000 WORKERS IN THE INDUSTRY SEGMENT THAT HAD BEEN DISPLACED FROM WORK.

AS A RESULT, MANY OF THEM HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THE NEED TO REACH TO OTHERS FOR HELP.

>> Reporter: THE HOSPITALITY WORKERS, THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC HAVE CAUSED ECONOMIC HARDSHIP.

>> IT'S BEEN ROUGH PERSONALLY TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT.

I RECENTLY STARTED WORKING AND HONESTLY IF I DIDN'T PICK UP THIS FOOD, I WOULDN'T KNOW WHERE MY FOOD WOULD COME FROM UNTIL I GOT PAID.

>> Reporter: DISTRIBUTIONS WILL PROVIDE EACH HOUSE 50 POUNDS OF FOOD INCLUDING FROZEN MEAT, PRODUCE, DRY GOODS.

PEOPLE ARE GETTING INFORMATION ON HOW TO ACCESS DISTRIBUTIONS ENCLOSE HE IS TO THEIR HOMES AND ABOUT THE STATE RUN PROGRAM PROVIDING MONTHLY FOOD BENEFITS FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

>> I DON'T QUALIFY FOR FOOD STAMPS.

I DON'T QUALIFY FOR OTHER FOOD PROGRAMS.

TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET SOME HELP WITH GETTING FEED, IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOR ME.

>> Reporter: ONE MORE DISTRIBUTION SESSION THIS MONTH IS PLANNED FOR NEXT MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22.

IT WILL BE FOR PEOPLE ALSO IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

ATTENDEES MUST REGISTER ONLINE AT FEEDING SANDIEGO.ORG.

THEY CONTINUE TO PLAN THESE IN THE COMING MONTHS INCLUDING ONE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

>>> AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, A DELAY IN RECEIVING NEW VACCINE SUPPLY FORCED ONE OF THE COUNTY SUPER SITES TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE.

THE PETCO PARK LOCATION IS OUR LARGEST.

IT COULD REOPEN AS SOON AS SUNDAY IF NEW SHIPMENTS ARRIVE IN TIME.

IT'S THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF RECENT DAY TO DAY CLOSURES CAUSED BY SUPPLY SHORTAGES AND WEATHER.

ANYONE WITH AN APPOINTMENT WILL BE NOTIFIED BY E-MAIL WITH DETAILS ON HOW TO RESCHEDULE.

>>> COMMUNITIES ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HAVE SUPER SITES LIKE THIS.

NURSING STUDENTS ARE GETTING VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN THE INLAND EMPIRE.

>> Reporter: BEHIND EVERY COVID- 19 VACCINE.

>> TAKE A SEAT.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A FRIENDLY FACE WAITING TO GIVE THE LIFE SAVING SHOT.

>> HOW ARE YOU?

>> I'M GREAT.

>> Reporter: AT THIS VACCINE CLINIC SOME OF THE VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL IN SCHOOL.

>> IT'S BEEN A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY TRY MY SKILLS AND PUT IT OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: A NURSING STUDENT.

>> WE'RE GRADUATING IN JUNE.

>> Reporter: SHE'S HERE BECAUSE THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECRUITED NURSING STUDENTS FROM ACROSS INLAND EMPIRE TO HELP VACCINATE PEOPLE DURING THE PANDEMIC TO FREE PROFESSIONAL WORKERS SO THEY CAN TREAT PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS.

>> I AM HAPPY TO HAVE IT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SOME PEOPLE LOOK AT THEM SIDEWAYS WHEN THEY SET THEIR EYES ON THE NURSING STUDENT BADGE.

>> SOMETIMES THEY'RE LIKE ARE YOU OKAY FOR THIS SKILL?

IT'S LIKE YES, EVER SINCE FIRST QUARTER.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ANXIOUS BUT I TRY TO REASSURE THEM AND LET THEM KNOW THEY'RE IN GOOD HANDS.

>> YOU WILL WANT TO LEAVE THIS BANDAGE FOR A DAY OR TWO.

>> Reporter: HE WAS NERVOUS TOO.

>> YOU WILL BE EXPOSED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: HE REALIZED THIS WAS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY.

>> TO HAVE A ROLE IN COMBATING COVID-19, IT GIVES A GOOD SENSE OF PURPOSE IN BEING ABLE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT CAN STAY IN THE REFRIGERATOR, THE PFIZER VACCINE, FOR FIVE DAYS.

IT CAN STAY ROOM TEMPERATURE FOR SIX HOURS.

>> Reporter: THE DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY SAYS IT IS A RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK TO GET THAWED VACCINES INTO THOUSANDS OF ARMS PER DAY AT THE CLINIC.

>> WE HAVE GIVEN 15,000 DOSES AND NO SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE REACTIONS.

>> Reporter: THE STUDENTS HAVEN'T WASTED A SINGLE DOSE.

>> THAT'S IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> IN ONE OF HIS FIRST DOMESTIC TRIPS AS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WAS IN MICHIGAN FRIDAY TO GET A LOOK AT THE WORK PFIZER IS DOING TO MANUFACTURE VACCINES.

>> IT'S NOT ENOUGH THAT WE FIND CURES FOR AMERICANS.

THERE NEEDS TO BE CURES THAT THE WORLD IS ABLE TO TAKE PART IN.

YOU CAN'T BUILD A WALL OR FENCE HIGH ENOUGH TO KEEP A PANDEMIC OUT.

>> THE PRESIDENT TOURED THE FACILITY AND SPOKE ABOUT HIS ADMINISTRATION'S GOAL TO HAVE THE VACCINE AVAILABLE TO MOST AMERICANS BY SUMMER.

THIS WEEK THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ALSO TOOK STEPS TO ALLOW MORE PEOPLE TO GET HEALTH INSURANCE BY REOPENING ENROLLMENT THROUGH AFFORDABLE CARE ACT FOR ANOTHER THREE MONTHS.

>>> DESPITE THE PROGRESS WE HAVE SEEN, THERE ARE SO MANY FAMILIES DEALING WITH HEARTACHE OF A LOVED ONE HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19.

THE STORY OF ONE FAMILY IN ORANGE COUNTY AND THEIR MUSICAL SUPPORT FOR THEIR FATHER AND HUSBAND.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A VERY SPECIAL REASON A MARIACHI BAND FILLED A HOSPITAL PARKING LOT WITH MUSIC.

>> HE WOULD HAVE DONE IT FOR ME.

I BEAT HIM TO IT.

I KNOW HE LOVES ME.

EVERY YEAR HE DOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR ME.

>> Reporter: IT IS ONE WAY THAT PATRICIA COULD SHOW HER LOVE FOR HER HUSBAND WHO SPENT THE LAST MONTH AT ST. JUDE MEDICAL CENTER BATTLING COVID.

AS THE BAND PLAYS IN THE PARKING LOT JOSEPH IS UPSTAIRS IN ISOLATION ROOM.

HE IS VERY SICK AND IT IS LIKELY HE IS NOT AWARE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING.

BUT HIS WIFE IS HOPING HE CAN HEAR THE MARIACHI MUSIC AND FEEL THE PRAYERS.

♪ [ MUSIC ] ♪ >> UNBELIEVABLE.

HE IS SUCH A WELL LIKED GUY THROUGHOUT OUR WHOLE SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT WE WORK AT.

WHEN SHE SENT THIS MASS TEXT OUT FRIDAY, I SAID WE GOTTA BE THERE.

>> HOSPITAL STAFF WHISKED PATRICIA TO HER HUSBAND'S BED SIDE.

SHE HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET CLOSE TO HIM FOR A MONTH.

A NURSE HELD THE PHONE NEAR HIS FACE AS MARIACHI STRUMMED THEIR GUITARS.

COVID HAS RAVAGED THIS ORANGE COUNTY FAMILY.

THE KIDS AND PARENTS WERE SICK.

PATRICIA'S FATHER DIED A WEEK AND A HALF AGO.

THAT SAME DAY JOSEPH TREJO WAS PUT ON A VENTILATOR.

>> IT'S SAD.

I MISS HIM.

I MISS MY DAD.

HE IS MY FATHER.

I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM IN A MONTH.

>> I STARTED TO PRAY EVEN HARDER AND HE OPENED HIS EYES AGAIN.

I KNOW HE HEARD ME AND I KNOW HE HEARD THE MUSIC.

>>> THIS WEEK BROUGHT ARRIVAL OF LENT FOR CATHOLICS AROUND THE WORLD.

THIS YEAR IT LOOKS DIFFERENT.

OUR KPBS REPORTER SHOWS US CHANGES SAN DIEGO PRIESTS ARE MAKING TO KEEP PARISHIONERS SAFE.

>> Reporter: ASH WEDNESDAY SIGNIFIES START OF LENT FOR MANY CHRISTIANS WORLDWIDE AND TYPICALLY PARISHIONERS RECEIVE ASHES ON THEIR FOREHEAD USUALLY PLACED BY A PRIEST'S THUMB TO MARK REPENTANCE.

THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT FOR MANY CHURCHES.

>> THE PRAYER CALLED THE PRAYER REPENTANCE, PRAYER OVER THE ASHES WILL BE SAID OVER ONCE.

THEN THE PEOPLE WILL COME, AND WE ARE USING Q-TIPS TO MARK THE CROSS ON THE PEOPLE'S FOREHEADS.

>> Reporter: VATICAN ENCOURAGED PRIESTS TO OFFER THE ASHES WITH A CONTACT LESS MOTION BY SPRINKLING THEM ON TOP OF HEADS BUT THEY CHOSE TO HAVE ALL THE PRIESTS USE Q-TIPS TO APPLY ASHES.

ST. JOSEPH CATHEDRAL STAFF MEMBER RECEIVED HIS INDOORS.

>> IT FEELS GOOD BECAUSE IT'S A SPECIAL DAY FOR CATHOLICS.

IT REMINDS US THAT WE HAVE TO BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL, REPENT, CHANGE OUR LIVES.

IT REMINDS US THAT WE ARE DUST AND WE ARE GOING BACK TO DUST.

SOME CHURCHES IN SAN DIEGO ANNOUNCED THEY WILL FOREGO ASHES ENTIRELY AND OTHERS SEND THEM IN ENVELOPES TO THE FAITHFUL TO USE DURING THE ONLINE SERVICE.

THE FATHER IS GRATEFUL TO HAVE INDOOR SERVICES AGAIN AND IS OPTIMISTIC FOR THE FUTURE.

>> I HAD THE FIRST VACCINE.

MOST HAVE HAD TWO VACCINES.

A LOT OF OUR PEOPLE ARE SENIORS.

THEY ALREADY HAD THEIR VACCINES INCLUDING MY DEACONS.

THEY'VE HAD THEIR VACCINES.

I AM HOPING THAT BY EASTER WE WILL HAVE MORE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: UNDER CURRENT RULES EVEN WITH VACCINATIONS INDOOR CHURCH SERVICES REMAIN LIMITED TO 25% OF A BUILDING'S CAPACITY.

>>> AS WE END THE SHOW, AN UPDATE ON COVID-19 CASES THAT GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION.

THOSE GORILLAS AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK ARE BACK TO FULL HEALTH.

THE ZOO ANNOUNCED THE GORILLAS RECOVERED AND ARE READY FOR VISITORS.

THE EIGHT MEMBER TROOP HAD BEEN OUT OF VIEW AFTER BEING SICK IN JANUARY.

THEY RECEIVED CARE FROM EXPERTS IN HUMAN AND VET MEDICINE.

ZOO STAFF BELIEVE THE GORILLAS WERE LIKELY EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS BY ONE OF ITS KEEPERS.

>>> YOU CAN FIND ALL OF YOUR CONTENT ON THE TRACKING COVID- 19 PAGE AT KPBS.ORG.

IN ADDITION TO REPORTER STORIES WE ARE UPDATING OUR LIVE BLOG WITH THE LATEST NEWS AND CASE NUMBERS.

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

FROM ALL OF US AT KPBS, THANKS FOR JOINING US, AND STAY SAFE.