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

>>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAID ALL AMERICANS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE COVID-19 VACCINE BY MAY 1st.

THAT IS JUST ONE OF THE HEADLINES FROM HIS FIRST PRIMETIME ADDRESS ON THE SAME DAY HE SIGNED A SWEEPING RELIEF BILL INTO LAW.

WE HAVE MORE ON THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE TO THE NATION.

>> FINDING LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS IS A VERY AMERICAN THING TO DO.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN MARKING A SOMBER OCCASION, WHEN YOUR SENSE THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DECLARED COVID-19 A PANDEMIC.

>> THE YEAR FILLED WITH THE LOSS OF LIFE AND A LOSS OF LEMING FOR ALL OF US.

>> Reporter: HE REFLECTED UPON HALF 1 MILLION U.S.

LIVES LOST, PRAISED AMERICANS RESILIENCE AND PREPARE THE NATION FOR MORE CHALLENGES AHEAD.

>> THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUR LIVES BACK, OUR ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK, IS TO BE THE VIRUS.

>> Reporter: HE TALKED ABOUT HOW HE BELIEVES THE NEARLY $2 TRILLION COVENANT RELIEF PACKAGE HE SIGNED INTO LAW WILL HELP RESTORE NORMALCY TO AMERICAN LIFE.

>> ALL AMERICANS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO GET A VACCINE NO LATER THAN MAY 1.

IF WE DO OUR PART, DO THIS TOGETHER, BY JULY 4th, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT YOU, YOUR FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS WILL BE ABLE TO GET TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THE KICKOFF OF THE CAMPAIGN BY THE WHITE HOUSE TO LET AMERICAN VOTERS KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GETTING.

>> A NEW WEBSITE THAT WILL HELP YOU FIND A PLACE TO GET VACCINATED AND THE ONE NEAREST YOU.

WE CAN ACCELERATE MASSIVE NATIONWIDE EFFORT TO REOPEN HER SCHOOL SAFELY.

>> Reporter: THE EFFORT WILL SEE BIDEN, KAMALA HARRIS AND CABINET MEMBERS TRAVEL TO STATE TO HIGHLIGHT PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE BELL.

IN WASHINGTON, I'M KAREN KVAL.

>> THE $1400 RELIEF PAYMENTS COULD HIT DIRECT DEPOSITS AS SOON AS THIS WEEKEND.

SMALL BUSINESSES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WILL GET MORE HELP.

MATT HOFFMAN BREAKS DOWN WHAT IS IN IT FOR SAN DIEGO.

>> THIS RELIEF PACKAGE WILL PRESERVE JOBS, AVOID SALARY CUTS, AND ENSURE EMPLOYEES WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE VITAL SERVICES.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAYS THE CITY ALONE IS EXPECTING AROUND $300 MILLION IN FEDERAL AID.

>> IT SEEMS LIKELY WE WILL NOT HAVE TO CLOSE A BUDGET DEFICIT BUT INSTEAD ABLE TO LOOK AT PRESERVING SERVICES DURING THIS RECESSION AND POTENTIALLY PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RELIEF.

>> Reporter: HE IS HOPING TO KEEP ESSENTIAL SERVICES RUNNING, LIKE TRASH PICKUP.

>> WE CAN BUILD BACK BETTER THAN WE WERE BEFORE.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE PACKAGE DOES INCLUDE MONEY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, HE IS HOPING TO PROVIDE SOME TO THEM TO.

SPIRIT >> WE NEED ALL THE SMALL BUSINESSES, WE NEED THE GOVERNMENT TO STEP OUT.

>> Reporter: HEAVIER GIMENEZ OWNED A CAFE F7 STREET IN SAN DIEGO, HE SAID WITH NEARBY BUSINESSES HAVING EMPLOYEES WORK AT HOME PLUS RESTRICTIONS, IT HAS BEEN TOUGH.

>> THEY DON'T CHARGE US ONE PENNY, SO RIGHT NOW, THE MONEY WE GET IS TO HAVE PAY THE BILLS, THE RENT AND STAY OPEN.

>> Reporter: HE DID GET SOME FEDERAL MONEY LAST YEAR BUT HE SAYS IT'S CONFUSING WITH LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAMS.

THE STIMULUS PACKAGE WILL ADD ANOTHER $30 MILLION INTO THE COUNTY'S SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF FUND.

>> I THINK WE WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT SERIES OF INITIATIVE BUILDS.

WE WILL DO A SERIES OF PUBLIC WORKSHOPS.

>> Reporter: THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAIR SAID OFFICIALS ARE STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH THEIR ALLOCATION WILL BE BUT SAYS IT WILL HAVE TO PAY EXISTING BILLS FIRST.

IT'S COSTING AROUND $10 MILLION A DAY TO RESPOND TO THE PANDEMIC AND THEN THEY SEE WHERE THE MONEY IS NEEDED COUNTYWIDE.

>> I RECENTLY TALKED TO HER BREWERY AND THEY SAID THE STATE AMOUNT, CUT OFF AT $2.5 MILLION IN REVENUE, THEY ARE AT 2.6 FOR THE YEAR, AS WE FIND GAPS LIKE THAT, HOW CAN WE DO TARGETED THINGS TO FILL THOSE IN?

>> YOU CAN RAISE A GLASS THIS WEEKEND TO THE EASING OF MORE RESTRICTIONS, STARTING ON SATURDAY, BREWERIES, WINERIES AND DISTILLERIES ARE ALLOWED TO OPEN OUTDOORS IN PURPLE AND RED TEARS, THAT IS WHERE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FALLS.

BARS WILL STILL BE CLOSED.

ESTATE ANNOUNCED SLEEP AWAY CAMPS WILL BE ALLOWED TO RESUME , THAT STARTS ON JUNE 1st.

>>> WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT ONE YEAR AGO, MANY HOME-BASED CHILDCARE PROVIDERS OTHER BUSINESSES FALL APART OVERNIGHT.

KPBS REPORTER SHOWS US HOW PROVIDERS AND CITY HEIGHTS ARE STAYING IN BUSINESS AND IN SOME CASES, THRIVING.

>> Reporter: LAST MARCH THEY EMIGRANTS OTHER HOMECARE CHILDCARE BUSINESS FALL APART.

CHILDREN WERE KEPT HOME AND THEIR PARENTS COULD NOT PAY FOR CARE ANYMORE.

>> A YEAR AGO, WHEN THE PANDEMIC STARTED, IT HIT US, ESPECIALLY, HIT ME HARD.

I LOST A LOT OF KIDS, A LOT OF FAMILIES WHO COULD NOT KEEP THEIR JOBS.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHEN A COALITION OF GROUPS, THE INTERNATIONAL WHAT RESCUE COMMITTEE, YMCA AND SDSU STEPPED UP, THEY LAUNCHED A PROGRAM MEANT TO KEEP THESE LOCAL INSTITUTIONS ALIVE DURING A TIME WHEN MANY ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN THIS IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORHOOD STILL HAD TO GO INTO WORK.

THE SENIOR CHILDCARE PROGRAM COORDINATOR AT THEIR RESCUE COMMITTEE EXPLAINS THE PILOT PROGRAM WAS NOT ONLY MEANT TO HELP SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES FINANCIALLY, BUT WITH OTHERS APART LIKE MARKETING AND BOOKKEEPING.

>>@LIFELINE.

>> Reporter: BETWEEN MARCH AND JULY 2020, MORE THAN 9300 LICENSED CHILDCARE PROVIDERS WENT OUT OF BUSINESS IN CALIFORNIA, WITH HOME-BASED PROVIDERS REPRESENTING 80% OF THOSE CLOSURES.

BUT NONE OF THE 15 BUSINESSES THAT REOPENED TWO CHILDREN LAST SPRING AND TOOK PART IN THE 12 WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM HAD TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS.

SOME EVEN INCREASED THEIR REVENUES AND ENROLLMENT FROM BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

SHE NOW HAS A WAITING LIST.

SHE THINKS THE MOST VALUABLE ASSISTANCE SHE RECEIVED WAS FINDING WAYS TO CONNECT WITH THE LARGER IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY AND BEING MADE AWARE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMIGRANT CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.

>> THEY SENT US AN EMAIL TO LET US KNOW WHAT IS COMING OUR WAY, HOW WE CAN MAKE OUR BUSINESS, ALL THE GRANTS COMING UP.

>>> BUSINESS IS BOOMING AT CALIFORNIA'S PORTS.

IT'S A MIX OF OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND HOW OUR BUYING HABITS HAVE CHANGED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

STACY BUTLER TAKES US TO THE PORT OF L.A.

WHICH IS DOING ALL IT CAN TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND.

>> I'VE HAD TROUBLE FINDING CERTAIN PRODUCTS.

>> Reporter: JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT WE HAD PANDEMIC SHOPPING DOWN, SUDDENLY FINDING YOUR HIM FAVOR IMPORTED GOODS SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES SAYS HE KNOWS WHY.

>> THIS IS THE CHANGE IN THE AMERICAN CONSUMER.

>> Reporter: THE PORT CAN HARDLY KEEP UP WITH SURGING CONSUMER SPENDING SINCE JULY.

THEY ARE MOVING 900,000 CONTAINERS THROUGH THE PORT A MONTH.

>> SINCE EMERGENCY ORDERS CAME DOWN, WE HAVE BOUGHT MORE RETAIL GOODS, HOME IMPROVEMENT PRODUCTS AND EXERCISE EQUIPMENT THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> Reporter: IMPORTS ARE UP A WHOPPING 50%.

THE PART OF L.A. USED TO SEE MAXIMUM 10 CARGO SHIPS AT A TIME AND NOW THERE IS 15 EVERY DAY WITH 30 MY WAITING OUTSIDE TO UNLOAD CONTAINERS FULL OF GOODS.

>> I'VE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS OVER 30 YEARS AND THIS IS THE BIGGEST SURGE WE HAVE SEEN OF IMPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES EVER.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE 2 BILLION SQUARE FEET OF WAREHOUSE SPACE FROM HERE TO THE MOHAVE IS NOT ENOUGH BUT HE IS HOPEFUL THAT CARGO WILL BE MOVED AS HUNDREDS OF WORKERS, WHO ARE OUT WITH COVID-19, ARE NOW RETURNING TO WORK AND GETTING VACCINATED.

>> EVERYONE IS HUSTLING, WE'VE GOT TO DO OUR JOBS.

>>> THE PORT OF L.A. HAS SET UP A VACCINATION CENTER ON SITE TO PROVIDE VACCINES TO TRUCK DRIVERS AND LONGSHORE WORKERS.

>>> GETTING AROUND SAN DIEGO BY MASS TRANSIT COULD BE A BIT CHEAPER FOR SOME WRITERS STARTING THE SUMMER.

REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN TELLS US ABOUT A PLAN TO BRING BACK FREE BUS AND TROLLEY TRANSFERS.

>> Reporter: MTS BOARD MEMBERS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE NEW FAIR SYSTEM, CALLED PRONTO, WHICH INCLUDES THE PAY-AS-YOU- GO FUNCTION, THAT INCLUDES PASSENGERS NEVER PAY MORE THAN THE COST OF A DAILY OR MONTHLY PASS EVEN IF THEY PAY THEIR FARES WITH ONE-WAY TICKET.

THE BOARD ALSO LOW VOTED TO LOWER YOUTH FARES TO $1.25.

CAROLINA MARTINEZ SAYS THOSE MEDS BRING JUSTICE TO PUBLIC TRANSIT.

>> ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND FREQUENT TRANSIT SYSTEM IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY.

A DECREASE TO YOUTH FARES AND LOW TRANSFER COSTS IS A MUCH- NEEDED LONG-TERM STRATEGY TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES AND REBUILD RIDERSHIP.

>> Reporter: THEY HAD CONSIDERED RAISING FARES TO PAY FOR THE SYSTEM UPGRADES BUT THE BOARD ULTIMATELY DECIDED TO USE FEDERAL TRANSIT SUBSIDIES INCLUDED IN THE COVID-19 RELIEF BILLS.

COUNCILMEMBER AND MTS BOARD MEMBER, VIVIAN MARINO, SAYS FARE INCREASES WHATEVER RIDERSHIP WHICH IS ALREADY SUFFERING DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> I THINK FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, WE WILL DEPEND MORE THAN USUAL ON SUBSIDY FUNDING TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET AND IN THIS CONTEXT, IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO DO WHAT WHATEVER WE CAN WITHIN REASON TO BOOST OUR RIDERSHIP TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS WHILE WE HAVE THIS CUSHION OF FUNDING.

>> Reporter: IF APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AGENCY, THE FARE CHANGES WILL TAKE EFFECT WITH THE NEW FAIR SYSTEM LAUNCH THIS SUMMER.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> VIOLENT CRIME HAS GONE UP IN A NUMBER OF BIG CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

KPBS REPORTER SIT CLAIRE'S SAYS THAT HAS BEEN TRUE IN SAN DIEGO COMMUNITIES AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE CITY SAW A 1.7% INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME IN THE LAST YEAR.

MURDERS TICKED UP BY FIVE AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS ROSE BY ABOUT 300.

ROBBERIES AND WERE DOWN.

THE NUMBERS REPRESENTED TO THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL, POLICE SAID OVERALL CRIMES ARE DOWN 8% MOSTLY BECAUSE THEFTS AND BURGLARIES ARE DOWN.

DURING THE PRESENTATION, A RESIDENT OF SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 SAID THE DECREASING CRIME CITYWIDE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN DETERMINING THE NEXT POLICE BUDGET.

>> I HOPE AS YOU GO INTO THIS BUDGET CYCLE YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT KINDS OF THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT CRIME THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE ADDING MORE COMMON OFFICERS ON THE STREETS.

>> ANOTHER SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE INVESTMENT AND CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP PREVENT CRIME AND THE LONG- TERM.

>> IT'S ABOUT TAKING CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY, LOVING OUR COMMUNITY, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY AND HOPE AND WE CAN LEAN INTO THOSE EFFORTS JUST AS MUCH AS THE MORE DIRECT WAYS WE DEAL WITH INTERRUPTING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

>> Reporter: OTHER COUNTY IS EXPERIENCE SIMILAR TRENDS, VIOLENT CRIMES INCREASED BY 1% AND 50% FROM 2019 TO 2020 IN OCEANSIDE, CHULA VISTA, CORONADO, ESCONDIDO AND LA MESA, WITH EVERY CITY EXCEPT CORONADO SEEING AN INCREASE IN MURDERS.

CORONADO HAD NO MURDERS IN EITHER 2019 OR 2020.

VIOLENT CRIME WAS DOWN IN CARLSBAD BY 7% AND NATIONAL CITY BY 4%.

THE OTHER CITIES HAVE NOT PROVIDED RECORDS TO KPBS.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> STARTING MONDAY, VACCINE ACCESS EXPANDS TO THOSE AGED 16 TO 64 WITH UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

SUPPLY REMAINS TIGHT SO IT MIGHT TAKE A WHILE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.

YOU CAN FIND A MAP OF SITES NEAR YOU AND LINKS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT KPBS.ORG.

TO GET THERE, JUST CLICK ON THE VACCINE LINK AT THE TOP OF OUR HOME PAGE.

>>> BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, AND INDIVIDUAL COMBINATION THAT IS THE CORNERSTONE FOR WELL-BEING FOR NATIVE AMERICANS, I PAID A VISIT TO FIND OUT MORE HOW THE LOCAL NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY HAS BEEN UNIQUELY AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

RUBEN WAVA HOISTS KERNELS OF CORN FROM A SMALL POUCH, IT'S AN OFFERING TO HONOR THE LAND AT THE INDIAN HEALTH CENTER, TURNING IN EACH DIRECTION FOR THE FOUR PHASES OF LIFE FROM CHILDREN TO ELDERS.

>> THAT MEANS HELLO IN THE APACHE LANGUAGE.

I AM A CHAIR CALA APACHE.

>> Reporter: HE IS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THIS CLINIC IN BAKER CELL.

>> I STAND HERE HONORED AND HUMBLED TO SPEAK TO YOU.

>> Reporter: STARTED IN 1979, IT PROVIDES A HUB OF SERVICES FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE MADE UP OF 33% NATIVE AMERICANS.

HE SAYS THE CLINIC REPRESENT SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT FOR THE URBAN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY.

>> THE URBAN COMMUNITY IS DIFFERENT THAN THE TRIBAL COMMUNITY BECAUSE MANY OF US HERE IN THE URBAN AREAS MAY NOT BE TRADITIONAL TO THESE LANDS.

SO, WE RELY ON PLACES LIKE SAN DIEGO AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTH CENTER TO ESTABLISH NETWORKS OF SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND HOW COVID-19 IS IMPACTED NATIVE AMERICANS, HE OFFERS SOME HISTORICAL CONTEXT.

>> DATING BACK TO 1519 WITH HERNANDO CORTEZ ENTERED THE AMERICAS, HE CAME ACROSS MONTEZUMA AND FROM THAT POOR WORD, WE HAVE BEEN BATTLING DISEASES.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS NATIVE AMERICANS BORN INTO HISTORICAL DRAMA WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HARM COMMITTED AGAINST THEM THAT CAN USE THE STRUGGLES OF PAST TO TURN INTO POSITIVE OUTCOMES, INCLUDING THE FIGHT AGAINST THE LATEST PANDEMIC.

RONNIE WHITEHURST IS AN RN HERE AND A MEMBER OF THE NAVAJO NATION IN ARIZONA, WHICH IS BEEN HIT HARD BY THE PANDEMIC SHE SHARES REAL CONCERNS OF MEMBERS ON THE RESERVATIONS, BECAUSE OF LACK OF SUPPLIES OR MEDICINE.

>> HAVING THIS VACCINE HERE AND THE ABILITY TO GIVE IT OUT IS REALLY, REALLY HUGE FOR US.

>> Reporter: BUT EVEN WITH THE AVAILABILITY OF THE VACCINE, SHE FACES RESISTANCE WHEN CALLING ON PATIENTS TO COME IN FOR THE SHOT.

>> WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD HISTORY WITH THE GOVERNMENT, SO THAT IS THE BASIS OF A LOT OF THE MISTRUST.

>> I CAN IMAGINE WHY PEOPLE WOULD SAY WAIT A MINUTE.

>> Reporter: THE ORGANIZATION IS BUILT AROUND THE PATIENT WITH NATIVE AMERICANS SERVING NATIVE AMERICANS, WHICH HELPS BUILD TRUST.

THE CLINIC USES SOCIAL MEDIA TO ENGAGE IN URBAN MEMBERS WITH CLASSES AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.

WHEN IT COMES TO VACCINATION HESITANCY, HE SAYS PATIENCE IS PARAMOUNT BUT SOCIAL MEDIA HAS HELPED ON THAT FRONT TOO.

>> ONE THING WE DID TO COUNTER IT WHICH IS AMAZING, AND SOME OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS THAT ARE ELDERS, THEY SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT , WHEN I GET MINE, I'M HAPPY TO DO IT ON VIDEO AND GIVE A MESSAGE AND SHOW THAT I AM DOING THIS AS I BELIEVE WE HAVE TO PROTECT EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THOSE ELDERS IS RANDY EDMONDS.

>> I'M FROM THE NATIONS OF OKLAHOMA.

>> Reporter: HE RECEIVED BOTH VACCINATIONS, HIS VISIT POSTED ON FACEBOOK TO ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO FOLLOW SUIT.

>> SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ELDER WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE LIVING AND WANTS TO TAKE THE SHOT TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: A SURVIVOR OF THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM AND RELOCATED TO CALIFORNIA BY THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN LIED TO, DISENFRANCHISED, BY THAT, WE BEGAN TO LOSE TRADITIONS, WE BEGIN TO LOSE OUR LANGUAGE, WE BEGIN TO LOSE OUR HISTORY.

>> Reporter: LOSING HISTORY IS SOMETHING THIS TIGHTKNIT COMMUNITY FACES AGAIN, THIS TIME AS A SIDE EFFECT OF THE PANDEMIC.

HE SITS BONELLI A COLOR FOR L MIRA CREATED OF HIS IMAGE AND TRADITIONAL REGALIA, A REMINDER OF THE PRE-PANDEMIC DAYS OF SINGING, DANCING AND SOCIALIZING AT POWWOWS.

>> THAT IS HOW WE STAYED TOGETHER, WE DON'T HAVE A COMMUNITY LIKELY AFRICAN- AMERICANS DO, THE HISPANICS, THE ASIANS, THEY ALL HAVE THEIR LITTLE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY LIVE.

INDIANS DON'T HAVE THAT.

WE ARE SCATTERED ALL OVER SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: WHILE SOCIAL MEDIA HAS HELPED TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY CONNECTED, THE PANDEMIC STILL IMPEDES THE CONVEYING OF IMPORTANT GENERATIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

HE SAYS SOME OBJECTS IN CEREMONIES OR TO PRIVATE OR SACRED TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED, FILMED OR SHARED ONLINE.

>> WE DON'T HAVE A TREMENDOUS DOCUMENTED WRITTEN EXPLANATION OF OUR CUSTOMS AND CULTURE, THOSE ARE DELIVERED, AND HAVE BEEN, SUMS TIME AND MEMORIAL, VERBALLY AND IN PERSON.

>> Reporter: LIKE ALL CHALLENGES OF THE PAST, THAT THE URBAN NATIVES COMMUNITY HAS ENDURED AND OVERCOME, DURING THIS PANDEMIC, IT'S THE TIME SPENT APART THAT HURTS THE MOST.

THE SAN DIEGO AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTH CENTER IS ALSO OPEN TO NON-NATIVE AMERICAN PATIENTS FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

>>> THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR OUR ELDERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO LIVE IN NURSING HOMES.

AS RESTRICTIONS EASE, SO IS THERE ISOLATION AS THEY FINALLY GET TO SEE AND TOUCH THEIR FAMILIES IN PERSON.

LISA TALLEY SHOWS US ONE HAPPY REUNION IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY.

>> Reporter: WHEN LISA ARRIVED AT PALMS ASSISTED-LIVING TO VISIT HER 90-YEAR-OLD FATHER, SHE WAS GREETED WITH WELCOME NEWS.

>> WE ARE OPENING UP FOR INDOOR VISITATIONS.

>> Reporter: A YEAR AGO, AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, THIS WAS LISA VISITING HER FATHER.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS AND QUESTIONING WHETHER IT WAS SAFE TO GO IN OR NOT.

WE DID A LOT OF WINDOW VISITS.

>> Reporter: ON THIS DAY SHE GOES TO HIS WINDOW TO TELL HER FATHER THIS AND FUTURE DIFFERENCE WILL BE DIFFERENT.

>> THEY ARE OPENING UP FOR VISITS INSIDE THE BUILDING.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THAT?

THAT IS GOOD NEWS, RIGHT?

>> Reporter: THE STATE GUIDELINES SAY FULLY VACCINATED SENIORS AND VISITORS CAN HAVE INDOOR VISITS AND HUGS.

>> WE ARE STILL GOING TO IMPLEMENT SOME SAFE SOCIAL DISTANCING STATIONS INSIDE OF OUR BUILDING AND WE ARE BEYOND THRILLED TO HAVE THE RESIDENTS INVITE THEIR FAMILY AND LOVED ONES INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

IT WILL BRING A LOT OF LIFE BACK.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THESE PRECAUTIONS, RESIDENTS CELEBRATED THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> WE HAD TEARS, LAUGHTER, EVERYONE'S A LITTLE NERVOUS BUT WE ARE EXCITED.

>> ARE YOU HAPPY?

YEAH, I AM VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

>> Reporter: NORMAN SAYS HE LOVES THAT HERE IN THE PRECAUTIONS HELPED HIM STAY HEALTHY BUT THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS AND PEOPLE HE MESSED.

>> LONG WALKS AND MISSED GETTING TO GO DOWNTOWN AND MISSED SEEING MY FRIENDS, IT HAS BEEN KIND OF A LOAN SOMETIME.

>> Reporter: BUT LISA AND HER DAD ARE PLANNING TO MAKE UP FOR IT.

>> WE WILL PICK YOU UP AND HAVE DINNER WITH US.

>> AT YOUR PLACE?

THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> Reporter: NORMAN CAN'T WAIT TO HUG PEOPLE.

AND GET RID OF THE MASK.

BUT FOR NOW, HE HE AND HIS DAUGHTER WILL ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS THEY CAN DO TOGETHER AGAIN.

>> THAT WAS KATIE ALVARADO REPORTING.

>>> SOME SCHOOLS IN NORTH COUNTY WANT TO BE ALLOWED TO REOPEN SOONER, TONYA THORNE EXPLAINS HOW THEY ARE GOING TO COURT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: IT'S CLOSE TO A YEAR SINCE MANY STUDENTS HAVE SEEN THE INSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

SCOTT DAVIDSON WITH THE CARLSBAD PARENTS ASSOCIATION SAYS HE BEGAN HEARING FROM OTHER PARENTS THAT THE CLOSURES ARE TAKING A TOLL ON THE STUDENTS.

>> THEIR KIDS WERE STARTING TO BREAK DOWN, A LOT OF THEM, WE FELT LIKE THEY WERE LONELY OR BORED OR QUIET.

REALLY HAVING SOME SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND ACTING OUT AND ENGAGING IN SELF HARM.

>> Reporter: NOW, SOME PARENTS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE TAKING LEGAL ACTION AFTER THE STATE SAID NO TO THE REOPENING PLANS.

>> THEY HAD PLANS AND DATES AND THE STATE DECIDED TO STEP IN FOR SOME ARBITRARY REASON AND SHUT EVERYBODY DOWN.

SO THAT IT HAS BEEN OUR LAWSUIT AND WE HAVE REDIRECTED AT THE STATE AND THAT IS WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED BY SIX DISTRICTS.

IT ASKED THE JUDGE TO PREVENT ENFORCING TWO THINGS.

>> A MANDATE OF FOUR FEET, WE UNDERSTAND THE HEALTH REGULATIONS IN THE MITIGATION MEASURES SHOULD ALL BE PUT INTO PLACE IN A BALANCE AND IN SOME CASES, IF YOU CAN ACHIEVE FOUR FEET, YOU IMPLEMENT OTHER MEASURES.

THE SECOND ISSUE IS, THE RULE OF STABLE ROOTS.

IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL, THAT SOMEHOW WE ARE SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE STUDENTS IN ONE CLASSROOM ALL DAY LONG, WHICH IS COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE CASE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HEARD WEDNESDAY MORNING BUT GOT DELAYED UNTIL MONDAY TO GIVE THE STATE TIME TO RESPOND.

DAVIDSON SAID OF THE SCHOOL RULES IN THEIR FAVOR, SOME DISTRICTS COULD REOPEN THE VERY NEXT DAY.

>>> WE ARE GOING INTO THE KPBS ARCHIVES THIS MONTH TO SHOW YOU HOW THE PANDEMIC DISRUPTED DAY-TO-DAY LIFE ACROSS SAN DIEGO.

FOR STUDENTS AT SES YOU THAT MEANT LEAVING CAMPUS IN A HURRY.

HERE IS THE STORY FROM MATT KAUFMAN.

>> HE DIDN'T BELIEVE ME, HE IS LIKE NO YOU ARE NOT.

I WAS LIKE YES I AM.

>> I THOUGHT HE WAS CRAZY, I SAID WHO TOLD YOU THIS?

>> Reporter: MOVEOUT DAY CAME EARLY FOR THIS FRESHMAN WITH OFFICIALS ONLY GIVING A DAYS NOTICE TO CLEAR OUT OF THE DORMS.

>> IT WAS ABSOLUTELY NUTS, EVERY SINGLE DAY IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE.

FIRST THEY SAID YOU CAN LEAVE THE DORMS AND THEN THEY WANTED US OUT BY SPRING BREAK, THEN IN A WEEK, NOW THEY WANT US OUT.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE CROWDS OF STUDENTS TO RUSHING TO GET OUT BY 7:00 P.M. >> IT WAS STRESSFUL.

>> I WASN'T PLANNING ON MOVING OUT TODAY.

>> Reporter: WITH CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS, MANY TOOK PRAKASHAN TO COVER THEIR FACES.

>> I'M 61, SO I SAID BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY.

>> Reporter: A LOT OF STUDENTS ARE SAD THERE EAR IS ENDING ABRUPTLY.

>> I GOT SAD.

>> I LIKE BEING HERE, TO GO HOME, JUST KIND OF SUCKS.

>> Reporter: IS STUDENTS NEED TO, THEY CAN GET A WAIVER TO STAY IN THE DORMS LONGER.

SOME STUDENTS ARE LENDING A HELPING HAND TO THOSE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.

>> HE IS COMING WITH US, HE HAS NO PLACE TO GO.

>> Reporter: OTHERS WERE HAPPY TO KNOW THEY WOULD BE GETTING MONEY REFUNDED.

>> GETTING REIMBURSED FOR THE MONTH, FOR HOUSING AND MAIL PLAN BUT WE ARE STILL PAYING TUITION TO GO TO A FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION BUT IT'S ONLINE SO IT IS A LITTLE WEIRD.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH STUDENTS ARM MOVING OUT, MANY STILL HAVE ONLINE CLASSES.

>>> IS ALL FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.

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