>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE SPECIAL EDITION OF NEWS.

IT HAS BEEN A WEEK OF MILESTONES, BOTH SOMBER AND PROMISING FOR THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC , THE NUMBER OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED FROM THE VIRUS IS NOW MORE THAN HALF 1 MILLION.

CALIFORNIA SURPASSED 50,000 THIS WEEK BUT WE ARE SEEING PROGRESS WHEN IT COMES TO VACCINATIONS.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON SINGLE SHOT VACCINE IS EXPECTED TO BE CLEARED FOR USE IN THE COMING DAYS, THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED ON THURSDAY THAT 50 MILLION DOSES OF THE PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINES HAVE BEEN GIVEN .

FAMILIES GOT THE NEWS THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR AND A DAY TO CIRCLE ON THEIR CALENDAR AS EDUCATION REPORTER JOE HONG HAS PLANS TO REOPEN CAMPUSES IF PROGRESS ON CASES AND VACCINES CONTINUES.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED OFFICIALS PLAN TO REOPEN CAMPUSES ON APRIL 12 SO STUDENTS IN ALL GRADES CAN BE ON CAMPUS AT LEAST PART-TIME, ONLY IF COVID INFECTION RATES DECLINE AND TEACHERS WORKING ON CAMPUS ARE VACCINATED.

OLIVIA IS A PARENT WHO SPOKE AT THE MEETING ON TUESDAY NIGHT AND EMPHASIZE THE URGENCY OF REOPENING.

>> EACH DAY MY SEVEN-YEAR-OLD BATTLES THE TEARS AS I EXPLAINED WE WILL PERSEVERE UNTIL APRIL 12, BUT PLEASE RECOGNIZE THAT ANY DELAY WILL BE A STRUGGLE FOR SO MANY FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: MOST OF THE PARENTS WHO SPOKE AT THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING SUPPORTED THE PLAN FOR PRIORITIZING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.

SARAH IS A PARENT AND VIROLOGIST AT UC SAN DIEGO.

>> THIS TIMELINE NEEDS TO BE CONTINGENT ON THE COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION RATE DECREASING INTO THE RED TEAR AND OFFERING VACCINES TO ALL OF OUR TEACHERS.

>> Reporter: A NUMBER OF PARENTS SAY SCHOOL SHOULD HAVE REOPENED MONTHS AGO.

>> REOPENING CAN AND HAS BEEN DONE SAFELY AND IT CAN BE DONE WITH VACCINATIONS, IF WE WAIT TOO LONG IT WILL BE TOO LATE AND WE WILL MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET KIDS BACK IN THE SPRING, GIVING SCHOOLS A CHANCE TO TEST THINGS OUT TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE SUMMER AND MAKE FALL THE BEST IT CAN BE.

>> Reporter: TEACHERS AND STAFF WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE STARTING MONDAY AND NATHAN FLETCHER AND SAN DIEGO CITY MAYOR APPLAUDED THE DISTRICT PLAN.

>>> WE WILL HAVE MORE FROM JOE IN A BIT LATER, INCLUDING THE BLACK STUDENT EXPERIENCE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

RECENT YEARS HAVE BROUGHT IMPROVEMENTS WHEN IT COMES TO INEQUITY, WE WILL HEAR FROM EXPERTS ON WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO KEEP THE TREND GOING WHEN STUDENTS RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM.

>>> FAMILIES WITH KIDS IN HIGH SCHOOL HAVE RETURNED WHEN SPORTS WOULD RETURN.

MUCH OF CALIFORNIA HAS THE GREEN LIGHT BUT SAN DIEGO IS NOT THERE YET.

33 COUNTIES, INCLUDING LOS ANGELES AND ORANGE, WILL BE ALLOWED TO RESUME OUTDOOR SPORTS FRIDAY, BUT THE CASE RATE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY JUST MISSED THE CUTOFF.

LOCAL SCHOOLS MAY BE CLEARED NEXT WEEK, SOME ACTIVITIES WILL BE ALLOWED, INCLUDING TEAM PRACTICES.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS WILL BEGIN A SPECIAL SEASON IN THE SPRING STARTING ON MARCH 11th.

>>> CINDY AKINS HAVE STRUGGLED FINANCIALLY WILL GET HELP AS CASH PAYMENTS ARE PART OF THE RELIEF PACKAGE PASSED THIS WEEK IN SACRAMENTO.

MATT HOFFMAN HAS DETAILS ON WHAT TO EXPECT.

>> I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES BACK HOME IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: STATE SENATOR TONI ATKINS WAS THERE AS GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGN SPENDING BILLS TOTALING $7.6 BILLION IN RELIEF FOR CALIFORNIANS, THAT IN FUTURE TAX RELIEF COULD BRING THE TOTAL PACKAGE TO ABOUT $10 BILLION.

>> THAT IS BIG BY CALIFORNIA STANDARDS.

>> CALIFORNIA BEING IN THE POSITION TO PUT $10 BILLION INTO OUR ECONOMY, WHERE WE NEED IT THE MOST, IS SOMETHING BIG.

>> Reporter: SIMILAR TO STIMULUS CHECKS, MANY OF LOW INCOME CALIFORNIANS WILL GET $600 IN DIRECT PAYMENTS AND THE RELIEF IS EXTENDED TO UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS WHO WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL CHECKS.

BILLIONS IS BEING PORTED TO THE SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF PROGRAM.

>> 2 MILLION $75 MILLION IN GRANTS THAT WILL GO OUT, BUILDING ON THE $500 MILLION IN GRANTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN GOING OUT SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS.

GRANTS, NOT LOANS.

A IMPORTANT DISTINCTION.

>> Reporter: BUSINESSES ARE HAVING FEES WAIVED, LIKE ALCOHOL LICENSES.

>> 59,000 BUSINESS THAT HAVE ABC LICENSE, SOME ARE AS MUCH IS 100 200, $1235, WE ARE WAVING THEM OVER TWO YEARS.

>> Reporter: IT WILL BENEFIT BARBERSHOPS AS THIS MONEY WILL KEEP CALIFORNIA GOING AS WE WORK OUR WAY OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY IS SMALL BUSINESS AND WE RECOGNIZE THE STRESS AND STRAIN.

>> Reporter: FOOD BANKS ARE GETTING A FUNDING BOOST AND SOME MONEY IS GOING TO PROVIDING DIAPERS FOR FAMILIES THAT NEED THEM.

$100 MILLION IN FINANCIAL AID IS BEING PUT UP FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS.

WHILE A DEAL TO REOPEN GRADE SCHOOLS IS BEING NEGOTIATED, MONEY TO EXTEND CHILDCARE FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS THROUGH NEXT YEAR IS ON THE WAY.

FUNDS WILL PROVIDE STIPENDS FOR STATE SUBSIDIZED CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOL PROVIDERS.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU MAY SOON BE ELIGIBLE TO GET SOME HELP PAYING YOUR INTERNET BILL.

A NEW FEDERAL SUBSIDY WILL ALLOW A CREDIT OF UP TO $50 FOR EACH MONTHLY BILL OR $75 IN A TRIBAL AREA.

THERE WILL BE $100 REBATES TO THE PURCHASE OF A NEW COMPUTER OR TABLET.

THOSE WHO LOST A JOB DURING THE PANDEMIC ARE AMONG THOSE WHO WILL QUALIFY.

THE PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO ROLL OUT IN THE NEXT 60 DAYS.

>>> AS MORE OF US GET THE COVID- 19 VACCINE, WE HAVE BEEN GRANTED BEHIND THE SCENES ACCESS TO OUR VACCINATION SITES.

HEALTH REPORTER TARRYN MENTO HAS THE LATEST IN HER SERIES OF REPORTS SHOWING US THE METICULOUS WORK HAPPENING AT ONE COMMUNITY CLINIC.

>> Reporter: A GENTLE SWIRL OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE IS CRITICAL.

ANYTHING MOORE COULD RENDER THE DOSE INEFFECTIVE BEFORE IT FILLS A SYRINGE AND PENETRATES AN ARM.

THE RISK BEGINS EVEN BEFORE THE SHIPPED VIALS ACROSS THE THRESHOLD AT FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS IN CITIGO.

>> THEY ARE PACKED CAREFULLY TO MINIMIZE DISTURBANCE.

>> Reporter: LISA OVERSEAS VACCINATIONS AT THE COMMUNITY CLINIC.

>> THEY ARE FROZEN, THAT HELPS, THEY DO NOT GET SLOSHED AROUND.

>> Reporter: IT CANNOT BE LOCATED OFF SITE WITHOUT A PRIOR OKAY.

>> THEY CAN HAVE ONE TRANSPORT THAT HAS TO BE APPROVED IN ADVANCE.

SO THAT EVERYONE KNOWS WHERE THE VACCINES ARE.

>> Reporter: THE VACCINE'S FRAGILITY ADDS AN EXTRA LAYER OF COMPLEXITY FOR PROVIDERS WHO MAY INJECT DOSES QUICKLY TO REACH THE COUNTY'S VACCINATION GOAL BY JULY.

BUT THEY ALSO MUST TAKE GREAT CARE.

MISHANDLING CAN DESTROY THE VACCINES POTENCY.

ONGOING SUPPLY CHALLENGES MEAN BACKUP DOSES ARE PRACTICALLY NONEXISTENT.

>> IT IS A GREAT ART AND SCIENCE OF MANAGING THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: THE CURRENT SMALL- SCALE OPERATION IS A TRIAL RUN, THEY ARE PLANNING TO VACCINATE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE PER DAY AT AN UPCOMING SITE OUTSIDE THEIR LOGAN HEIGHTS CLINIC.

THE NATION'S LIMITED VACCINE SUPPLIES HAVE DELAYED ITS OPENING, MAKING PROPER HANDLING THAT MUCH MORE CRITICAL.

>> THIS IS A CONFERENCE ROOM WE REPURPOSED FOR STAGING THE VACCINE.

WE HAVE A FREEZER HERE THAT, WHEN THE VACCINE ARRIVES FROM THE MANUFACTURER, WE PUT IT INTO THE FREEZER.

>> Reporter: THE FREEZER IS THE KEY COMPONENT, ANYTHING OUTSIDE THE REQUIRED COLD TEMPERATURES TRIGGERS AN ALARM.

>> IT IS HOOKED UP TO OUR WI-FI AND WILL SEND US A MESSAGE WHENEVER OR IF WE HAVE, HOPEFULLY IT DOES NOT HAPPEN, IF THE UNIT GOES OUT OF RANGE, WE ARE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY.

>> Reporter: THE VACCINE MUST BE THAWED BEFORE IT CAN BE USED, IT WILL LAST UP TO 30 DAYS IN THE REFRIGERATOR BUT ONLY HOURS IN A ROOM DOWN THE HALL FOR DOSING TAKES PLACE.

ONCE THE FILE IS PIERCED, IT HAS A SIX HOUR SHELF LIFE.

>> YOU ARE LOOKING AT HOW MUCH NEEDS TO GO IN THE REFRIGERATOR, HOW MUCH NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO THE ROOM, HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN IN THE ROOM, HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN OPEN SINCE YOU TOOK OUT THE FIRST DOSE?

>> ALMOST AS IF YOU WERE DEALING WITH CHOCOLATE.

>> Reporter: THIS ACCREDITS ANOTHER SCIENTIST WITH THE ANALOGY BUT RECOUNTS IT TO EXPLAIN THE VULNERABILITY OF A KEY INGREDIENT IN THE VACCINE.

RNA.

>> IF YOU HAVE CHOCOLATE, IF IT IS A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE, IT WILL MELT.

>> Reporter: HENCE THE COLD.

>> IT WILL DESTROY THE INTEGRITY THAT WILL NOT BE ACTIVE WHEN YOU HAVE A LOW TEMPERATURE, WHEN YOU HAVE A HIGHER TEMPERATURE, THOSE ENZYMES WILL BECOME ACTIVATED.

>> Reporter: FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS HAVE COORDINATORS WHOSE ONE JOB IS TO MONITOR THE SAFE HANDLING AND STORAGE OF VACCINES.

>> ALL OF US ARE VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE PARAMETERS AND BACK EACH OTHER UP.

GENERALLY, ONE PERSON IS IN CHARGE OF MAKING SURE THE SUPPLY IS MOVING OUT OF THE REFRIGERATOR APPROPRIATELY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, EVERYBODY STARTS SHARING THE VIALS SO THAT WE DO NOT OPEN ONE UP.

>> Reporter: EVERY DETAIL WILL BE DUPLICATED AND EXPANDED AT LOGAN HEIGHTS.

FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS IS HOPING IT CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 750 PEOPLE PER DAY BUT VACCINE SUPPLY SHORTAGES, THEY ARE HOPING CHIVAS WILL FLOW EARLY NEXT MONTH THANKS TO AN UPCOMING FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT PRIORITIZES COMMUNITY CLINICS.

>>> AS THE COUNTY OPENS MORE VACCINATION SITES, KPBS HAS YOU.

TO FIND ONE NEAR YOU AND THE HOURS OF OPERATION, GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND CLICK ON THE TRACKING COVID-19 LINK .

WE ARE TRACKING THE PROGRESS TO GETTING OUR POPULATION VACCINATED.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE MAKING PROGRESS WHEN IT COMES TO INEQUITIES FOR BLACK STUDENTS BUT THERE IS ROOM FOR GROWTH.

EDUCATION REPORTER JOE HONG SPOKE WITH STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND EXPERTS ABOUT THE BLACK STUDENTS EXPERIENCE AT SAN DIEGO UNIFIED AND WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE WHEN STUDENTS RETURN TO A POST-PANDEMIC CLASSROOM.

>> I GREW UP HERE IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO FOR THE MAJORITY OF MY LIFE.

>> Reporter: THE DAUGHTER OF ETHIOPIAN IMMIGRANTS CAME TO THE UNITED STATES DURING THE WAR, SHE SAYS GROWING UP HER PARENTS HAD HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF HER BUT SHE REALIZED HER TEACHERS DID NOT HAVE THE SAME EXPECTATIONS.

>> I REALIZED THAT, I KNOW THEY WILL NOT SEE ME THE SAME SO I NEED TO DO BETTER IN SCHOOL AND GET SERIOUS.

IF I DIDN'T, THEY WOULD SEE ME AS THAT OTHER BLACK STUDENT AND I DON'T CARE ABOUT SCHOOL.

JUST THE REINFORCEMENT OF STEREOTYPES.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID HER MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE WAS DISCOURAGED AS SHE AND HER PEERS ISOLATED AND MONITORED, BUT SHE TOUGHENED UP WHEN SHE GOT TO HIGH SCHOOL.

>> I TALKED TO MY COUNSELORS.

THAT IS WHEN I REALLY STARTED GETTING INTO SCHOOL BUT THE EXPERIENCE WAS DEFINITELY NOT EASY.

>> Reporter: SHE IS MAJORING IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AT UC'S INDIGO, SHE IS PART OF A POSITIVE TREND.

THE DEAN OF THE ROSS YOUR SCARE OF EDUCATION LED A STUDY OF THE DISTRICT THAT FOUND IT HAD INCREASED BOTH GRADUATION AND COLLEGE READINESS RATES FOR BLACK STUDENTS.

>> THAT IS A POWERFUL FACTOR BECAUSE IT MEANS COLLEGE ELIGIBILITY RATES, YOU SEE THE NUMBER OF BOXES ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION TO CAL STATE AND UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA GO UP, THAT IS NOT AN INSIGNIFICANT DATA POINT.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE DISTRICT MADE THE STRIDES, RESULTS FOR SCHOOL DISCIPLINE HAVE THE NEXT.

THE SUSPENSION RATE FOR BLACK STUDENTS DROPPED FROM 9% IN 2013-2014 TO 8.6% IN 2018-2019, BUT BLACK SPENDS MORE THAN THREE TIMES AS LIKELY TO BE SUSPENDED THAN THEIR WHITE PEERS ACCORDING TO THE RECENT DATA.

A FORMER SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE FROM SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO SAID IT IS A SIGN THE BLACK STUDENT IS STILL AS OUTSIDERS AT SCHOOLS.

>> WHEN YOU THINK OF A CHILD AS YOUR NEIGHBOR, YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBER, YOUR FAMILY MEMBER, THEY COULD BE YOUR CHILD, THE WAY YOU SEE THEM IS DIFFERENT THAN IF YOU SEE THEM AS LIKE THOSE KIDS.

>> Reporter: AS THE DISTRICT BRING SCHOOLS, STUDENTS BACK TO CAMPUSES, THEY SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REBUILD TRUST.

THEY SENT OVER SOME, MAKING UP FOR LEARNING LOSS IS NOT THE PATH TO INEQUITABLE POST- PANDEMIC PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

>> I WOULD PRIORITIZE RELATIONSHIPS, BRINGING SOME JOY TO LEARNING, ARTS, MUSIC, SO THAT KIDS WANT TO BE IN SCHOOL.

AND THEN, I WOULD FOCUS ON GETTING KIDS ENGAGED AS LEARNERS BEFORE WE FOCUS ON ASSESSMENT.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED OFFICIALS ARE TAKING STEPS IN THAT DIRECTION THEY SAY, AFTER THE SUMMER PROTEST AND RACIAL JUSTICE, IT REVISES GRADING TO -- THEY REVISE THE SCHOOL POLICE POLICY SO THAT DISTRICT POLICE OFFICERS ARE CALLED ONLY FOR THE MOST SERIES OFFENSIVE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND POSSESSION OF A WEAPON OR A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.

THE UC SAN DIEGO STUDENT SAYS SHE IS HOPING HER YOUNGER SIBLINGS MAY EXPERIENCE A MORE INCLUSIVE CURRICULUM IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.

>> THERE IS SO MUCH HISTORY THAT NEEDS TO BE COVERED AND SO MUCH HISTORY THAT BLACK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DESERVE TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR OWN PEOPLE.

THEY JUST BRUSH OVER THE MAJOR TOPICS, JIM CROW, SLAVERY.

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>>> A SAN DIEGO-BASED NAVY SHIP IS AMONG THOSE THE MILITARY IS KEEPING AN EYE ON AS NEW CASES OF COVID-19 ARE REPORTED .

THE USS SAN DIEGO IS CURRENTLY OVERSEAS IN BAHRAIN IN THE PERSIAN GULF.

OFFICIALS SAY A DOZEN SERVICEMEMBERS TESTED POSITIVE.

THE MILITARY DOES NOT YET KNOW THE SOURCE OF THE OUTBREAK OR IF ANY OTHER PERSONNEL WERE EXPOSED.

THE USS PHILIPPINE BASED OUT OF FLORIDA IS ALSO DEALING WITH COVID-19 CASES .

>>> PAY WHAT YOU CAN IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF COASTAL ROOTS FARM IN ENCINITAS.

DURING A TIME WHEN DRIVE-UP GIVEAWAYS AND FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS ARE OFTEN IN THE NEWS, THIS ORGANIZATION IS DOING HIS PART IN ITS OWN UNIQUE WAY.

JACOB HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: COASTAL ROOTS FARM SHARES ORGANIC PRODUCE WITH THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST, SITUATED ACROSS 17 ACRES OF LAND THE NONPROFIT BEGIN HIS JOURNEY OVER FIVE YEARS AGO.

THEY DONATE OVER HALF OF THEIR HARVEST EACH YEAR TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO LACK ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD THROUGH A HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATION ACROSS INDIO COUNTY.

THE PRESIDENT AND CEO SAYS THAT THEY ALSO HELP THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THEIR PAY WHAT YOU CAN FARM STANDS AND FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS.

>> DURING COVID , YOU WOULD COME, YOU WOULD FILL OUT A MENU OF ITEMS, AND IT WOULD BE BAD FOR YOU.

WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE.

YOU WOULD GO UP TO THE PAY WHAT YOU CAN KIOSK AND YOU WOULD CHOOSE IN INCREMENTS HOW MUCH YOU WOULD LIKE TO PRODUCE COME UP TO $30.

>> Reporter: THEY HELP HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, ACTIVE DUTY MEMBER AND VETERANS, REFUGEES, NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES, LOW INCOME SENIORS AND FAMILIES.

THE EDUCATION MANAGER SAYS THEY ALSO RUN CAMPS TO EDUCATE CHILDREN OF ALL BACKGROUNDS AND HOW TO CONNECT WITH NATURE.

>> WE PROVIDE PARTIAL AND FULL SCHOLARSHIPS.

GROWING THIS FOOD FOR US, HAVING THE KIDS BE ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS, THEY ARE PLANTING AND PULLING WEEDS AND HARVESTING, WE KNOW THAT IS GOING BACK TO THE SCHOOLS AND TO THOSE FAMILIES WHO COULD NOT OTHERWISE AFFORD SUCH AN EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE NEED FOR FOOD IS GREATLY INCREASED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> PRIOR TO COVID, A THIRD OF THE PRODUCE WE WERE OFFERING TO THE FARM STAND WAS BEING DONATED.

PEOPLE WERE NEEDING THAT FOOD.

IT HAS GROWN TO CLOSER TO TWO THIRDS DURING COVID .

>> Reporter: THE FOOD THAT IS OPEN THURSDAY AND SUNDAY AND THE POLICY IS DISCREETLY PROCESSED AT A CASH REGISTER.

>>> IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO THIS WEEKEND, MORE ATTRACTIONS ARE OPENING UP, LIKE BIRCH AQUARIUM IN LA JOLLA.

IT IS HOLDING A MEMBERS ONLY PREVIEW DAY ON FRIDAY, THEN REOPENING TO EVERYONE ON SATURDAY.

INDOOR EXHIBITS WILL BE CLOSED BUT OUTDOOR SPACES WILL BE USED FOR A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE TIDE POOL PLAZA WHERE GUESTS CAN TOUCH ANIMALS LIKE SMALL SHARKS, RAYS, AND SNAILS.

>>> THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR MENTAL HEALTH, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE STUCK INSIDE WITHOUT GROUP ACTIVITIES.

WE LEARNED ABOUT A CITY HEIGHTS YOUTH GROUP THAT IS TRYING TO GET YOUNG BLACK MEN HIKING.

THEY ARE FINDING A HUGE RESPONSE.

>> Reporter: IT IS A SATURDAY MORNING NEAR CITY HEIGHTS.

A GROUP OF YOUNG MEN ARE GOING FOR A HIKE AROUND THE LAKE.

CHATTING, JOKING, AND ENJOYING BEING AROUND EACH OTHER.

SOMETHING HARD FOR YOUNG MEN DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN MOST SOCIAL INTERACTIONS HAVE TO BE VIRTUAL.

THAT DISTANCE IS MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE HEALTH OF YOUNG MEN.

DURING SUCH A PIVOTAL TIME IN THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

A YOUTH MENTOR AT THE UNITED WOMEN OF EAST AFRICA, THEY RUN PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG MEN.

>> IT IS TOUGH BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH.

BEFORE COVID , WE WERE IN TUNE WITH WHAT THE KIDS WERE FEELING, THE YOUTH, THEY WERE OPEN AND TALKATIVE ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS.

>> Reporter: THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN HARD-HIT BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC .

HE CAN COUNT 10 DEATHS OVER THE PAST MONTH IN THEIR TIGHTKNIT COMMUNITY.

MANY FAMILIES ARE FACING HARDSHIP UNDER LAYOFFS.

>> EVER SINCE COVID WE HAVE LOST TOUCH WITH A LOT OF THEM .

SOME DON'T HAVE LAPTOPS AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH DEPRESSION AND A LOSS IN THE FAMILY.

IT SUCKS TO NOT BE THERE FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE YOUNG MEN AND THE PROGRAM HAD AN IDEA, GOING OUT FOR HIKES.

ALLOWING YOUNG MEN TO SOCIALIZE, GET OUT SOME ENERGY, AND DO IT IN A SAFE, SOCIALLY DISTANCE WAY.

HE PUTS TOGETHER THE FIRST HEIGHTS.

>> IT IS GOOD BECAUSE WE ARE EXERCISING AT THE SAME TIME, GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER, AS NEWCOMERS, WE ARE BUILDING THE BOND.

WHEN EVERYTHING FINISHES UP, LIKE WHEN COVID ENDS , WE WILL HAVE THE FRIENDSHIP.

>> Reporter: HE HAS BEEN HOME FROM COLLEGE FROM BERKELEY DURING THE PANDEMIC AND SAYS IT IS TAKING A TOLL ON MENTAL HEALTH.

>> IT PUTS PRESSURE ON YOUNG MEN, THEIR FAMILY STRUGGLE, FACE-TO-FACE, 24 HOURS BECAUSE THEY ARE AT HOME.

IT CAUSES A LOT OF ANXIETY.

SOMETIMES IT LEADS TO DEPRESSION.

NOT BEING ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: AS MUSLIMS, THE INTERRUPTION OF THE FRIDAY PRAYER AND HANGING OUT AFTERWARDS WITH YOUNG MEN HAS HURT THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE NEED PLACES TO ASK QUESTIONS, LEARN FROM EACH OTHER AND BE A COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM MANAGER SAID ONCE THE IDEA OF GOING THROUGH HIKES WAS PUT OUT THERE, YOUNG MEN SHOWED UP BY THE DOZENS.

>> THEY ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GET ACTIVE.

WE ARE VERY SOCIAL YOUNG MAN IN THE COMMUNITY.

EVER SINCE WE HAVE BEEN LOCKED DOWN, JUST PLAYING VIDEO GAMES AND EATING, EVERYBODY HAS BEEN PUTTING ON WEIGHT.

WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.

>> Reporter: THE STIGMA WITH SITE, HIKING, THAT IT IS A QUITE SPACE AND NOT INCLUSIVE FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

>> TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN WE WERE HIKING, I INVITED A LOT OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY, I WOULD SAY 90% OF THE RESPONSE WAS, WHY WOULD WE DO THAT, THAT IS A WHITE PEOPLE THING.

I DON'T BLAME THEM BECAUSE IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY, WHEN IT COMES TO RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES HIKING, SWIMMING, IT WAS ACTIVITIES THAT BLACK PEOPLE WERE BANNED FROM PARTICIPATING IN.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHY THE GROUP FEELS IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRY SOMETHING NEW WHILE BEING CLOSE TOGETHER AND CHANGING THE PERCEPTION OF WHO HIKES IN AMERICA.

>> THAT MEANS A LOT, TO SEE THIS, THANK YOU, GOD.

>> Reporter: THE GROUP HAS TAKEN TRIPS TO MISSION TRAILS, AND THEY SAY THE GROUP IS LOOKING TO FUND RAISE TO GET FURTHER OUT OF THE CITY FOR OTHER HIKES.

WITH TRANSPORTATION BEING THE MAIN BARRIER BETWEEN THIS COMMUNITY AND THE OUTDOORS.

AND TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM BEYOND JUST YOUNG MEN.

>> WE'RE HOPING TO GET THE WHOLE COMMUNITY INVOLVED AND UP AND ACTIVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN EVERYBODY IS SITTING AT HOME.

>>> THE PANDEMIC OPENED AT THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AND THAT WILL BE EVIDENT DURING AWARDS SEASON WHICH KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND.

THE ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY NIGHT AND FANS WILL NOT SEE A RED CARPET CELEBRATION AS USUAL, INSTEAD, MUCH OF THE SHOW WILL BE VIRTUAL WITH HOSTS LOCATED IN L.A. AND IN NEW YORK.

EVEN MORE MOVIES AND TV SHOWS FROM STREAMING PLATFORMS ARE NOMINATED, PARTLY DUE TO THE PANDEMIC SHUTTING DOWN PRODUCTIONS AND THEATERS.

>>> BECAUSE LIFE PERFORMANCES ARE NOT ALLOWED, LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE CONTINUES TO RELEASE NEW SHOWS ONLINE.

OUR ARCH REPORTER HAS THE LATEST FROM THE WITHOUT WALLS LINEUP.

>> Reporter: LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE IS FITTING TRUTH TO POWER WHILE THEY OFFER A PERFECT WAY TO CLOSE OUT BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

>> A THREE-PART INTERGENERATIONAL MUSICAL POEM THAT IS THE YIN AND THE YANG, THE ANCIENT AND THE NEW, THE MALE AND FEMALE, IT IS AN INTERGENERATIONAL PIECE THAT WAS CREATED BY TWO ARTISTS, AN OCTOGENARIAN, AND A MILLENNIAL.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE PRODUCERS, IT USES IMAGES, MUSIC, AND SPOKEN WORD AND THE WEST AFRICAN TRADITION.

>> THE WEST AFRICAN TRADITION OF ORAL STORYTELLING, CARRYING ON OUR HISTORY THROUGH ORAL STORYTELLING AND MUSIC.

IT IS THE MUSIC AND THE WORDS THAT ARE CARRYING ON THIS HISTORY, AS YOU WILL SEE IN THE FIRST PIECE, THE SERMON, IT REALLY IS A LOOK BACK AT WHAT WE HAVE OVERCOME.

THE HISTORY OF AFRICAN- AMERICANS IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> WE LIVE TO A RACE THE SEED OF RACISM.

LINED TO OUR COMMON CREATION.

WE ARE THE AGENCY OF REVOLUTION.

>> Reporter: SHE WANTED TO ADDRESS AN INTERGENERATIONAL, SHE FELT A POP WOULD HELP.

>> PUTTING IT TO MUSIC AS A WAY TO GET PEOPLE TO LISTEN TO THE STORY OF THEIR HISTORY.

THE SECOND PART IS A PRAYER, A PRAYER FOR JUSTICE, A PRAYER FOR RESOLUTION, A PRAYER FOR RESURRECTION.

>> PLEASE, WATCH OVER THE FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN HAVE PASSED.

>> THE THIRD PART IS A COMING TOGETHER OF THE FOLLOWING OF THE ANCESTORS AND REALIZING THAT WE JUST HAVE TO LISTEN TO OUR HISTORY.

WE HAVE TO FEEL THE POWER OF THE PATH THE ANCESTORS HAVE LAID FOR US.

>> WE APPROACH THIS PROJECT LIKE A FILM, VERSUS A PIECE OF THEATER.

I FELT WE HAD GOTTEN BACK TO WORK FOR A BRIEF MOMENT, THAT WE WERE DOING WHAT WE DO AGAIN, INSTEAD OF BEING IN FRONT OF THE SCREEN.

>> Reporter: THEY WANT TO CONNECT WITH THEIR VIRTUAL AUDIT AND IS INVITING PEOPLE TO TAKE THE SERMON CHALLENGE.

>> THE SERMON IGNITES THE HISTORY AND THE PASSION, AND WHAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD.

WHAT WE ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO DO IS RESPOND TO THAT.

WHAT DOES THAT IGNITE IN YOU?

>> Reporter: THE PLAYHOUSE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH MUSIC TO CREATE YOUR OWN VERSION OF THE SERMON VIDEO.

>> IT IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PIECE, ALL THREE PARTS ARE ALL TOGETHER NINE MINUTES, IT WILL BE THE MOST POWERFUL NINE MINUTES OF YOUR YEAR THUS FAR, I CAN GUARANTEE IT.

>> Reporter: FIND NINE MINUTES AND GET INSPIRED.

>>> A REMINDER, YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR CONTENT ON THE TRACKING COVID-19 PAGE AT KPBS.ORG .

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

THAT IS ALL FOR THE SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.