[ MUSIC ] THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THIS IS THE SPECIAL EDITION OF KBS NEWS.

IT HAS BEEN A WEEK, THAT WE HAVE WAITED MORE THAN THREE MONTHS FOR.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS BACK IN THE RED TEAR, AND MANY BUSINESSES THAT HAVE HAD TO LIMIT WORK OR CLOSE COMPLETELY ARE NOW BACK OPEN.

THERE ARE A COUPLE BIG REASONS FOR EASING, WITH KEY METRICS THAT CONTINUE TO GO IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, EASING THE BURDEN ON HOSPITALS.

ALSO, VACCINE DISTRIBUTION IS EXPANDING, WITH HEALTH OFFICIALS NOW ESTIMATING EARLY 20% OF THE POPULATION IS FULLY IMMUNIZED.

KBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SPOKE WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES ABOUT THE NEW STATUS.

>> IT IS A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY , TO STAY AFLOAT.

>> Reporter: TED HAS OWNED A RESTAURANT THAT IS A STAPLE IN OCEAN BEACH.

>> THIS IS MY LEGACY, AND MY PASSION.

I CARE ABOUT THE BUSINESS, I THINK ABOUT IT DAY AND NIGHT, IT IS A PART OF ME THAT I WOULD NEVER WANT TO GO AWAY.

>> Reporter: STARTING A YEAR AGO, THE PANDEMIC CHANGED EVERYTHING.

>> IT HAS BEEN DEVASTATING.

WE ARE DOWN BY TWO THIRDS.

WE ARE STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT.

>> Reporter: MOVING TO TAKE OUT WAS NOT EASY.

THE RED REOPENING TEAR CAN OPEN UP CAPACITY.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE SAME CUSTOMERS WE USE TO SEE.

>> Reporter: THEY CAN ALSO MOVE BACK INDOORS AT 10% OPACITY.

>> WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT IT ALL HAPPENS TOMORROW.

MEMBERSHIP IS EXCITED WITH THIS VAST AND BEAUTIFUL SPACE.

>> Reporter: BRIANNE WELCH IS A MEMBER OF POINT LOMA, THEY HAVE 20,000 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE.

>> THE INTENT WAS TO TAKE YES THIS YEAR, AND KEEP DOORS OPEN.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE ADAPTED.

OUTDOOR WORKOUT SPACE HAS BEEN ADDED.

RECENT WINTER STORMS HAVE PRESENTED SOME CHALLENGES.

AS NEW THINGS HE WOULD NOT THINK OF.

WHEN STORMS AND RAIN STORMS.

>> Reporter: HE PLANS TO OPEN INDOORS AND STILL KEEP THE OUTDOOR SET UP.

>> IT FEELS LIKE OPTIMISM IN THE AIR, BETWEEN THE VACCINATIONS, AND REALLY TARGETING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, I THINK IT IS WORKING.

>> Reporter: NOT JUST GYMS AND RESTAURANTS, WHEN IT'S THE LAST TIME THAT YOU WENT TO A MOVIE THEATER?

THEY ARE ALLOWED TO REOPEN INDOORS AT A LIMITED CAPACITY.

MORE SCHOOLS WILL BE OPENING IN SAN DIEGO.

IF WE KEEP ON THE CURRENT TREND AFTER APRIL 1ST, THEME PARKS AND STADIUMS CAN ONCE AGAIN WELCOME GUESTS AT A LIMITED CAPACITY.

FANS IN THE STANDS AT PETCO PARK.

PADRES OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN MAKING PREPARATIONS TO WELCOME PEOPLE BACK, AND EXPECT TO DO SO FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON THAT IS JUST DAYS AWAY NOW.

MATT HOFFMAN REPORTING WITH KBS NEWS.

>> IT IS NOT JUST BASEBALL.

HORSERACING PLANS TO WELCOME BACK LOCAL FANS.

THE DELMAR RACETRACK EXPECTS A LIMITED RETURN TO NORMAL THIS SUMMER.

AND THE THOROUGHBRED CLUB IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT SOON.

ORGANIZERS SAY THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND OTHER SAFETY MEASURES IF NEEDED.

LAST YEAR THE RACE HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY CROWD IN THE RENT STANDS.

>>> THIS WEEK, KBS NEWS HAS A SPECIAL SERIES OF REPORTS LOOKING AT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ONE YEAR ON.

MANY LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT WERE OPEN THIS TIME LAST YEAR DID NOT SURVIVE.

AS CLAIRE SHOWS US, THE LOSS IS MUCH DEEPER THAN DOLLARS AND CENTS.

>> MY GRANDFATHER STARTED IN 1941.

AND THOSE DAYS IT WAS A SMALL CLIENT STORE, WHERE HE STOLE HE WHERE HE SOLD RADIOS AND PHONOGRAPHIC RECORDS AND APPLIANCE.

>> Reporter: THE SPORTING GOODS STORE HAD BEEN IN HIS FAMILY FOR 80 YEARS.

>> I WORKED THERE 40 YEARS.

I THINK I WAS 22 YEARS OLD WHEN I STARTED THERE.

>> Reporter: THE STORE WAS IN GOOD SHAPE HEADING INTO 2020 WITH ORDERS FROM YOUTH SPORTS TEAMS, INCLUDING THE ENTIRE NORTHPARK LITTLE LEAGUE.

>> THAN THE PANDEMIC HIT, AND I KNEW I WAS IN TROUBLE IMMEDIATELY.

THE LOCAL LITTLE LEAGUE PLAYED ONE GAME, AND THEN CANCELED THE REST OF THE SEASON.

>> Reporter: IN JANUARY HE CLOSED THE DOORS.

STORIES LIKE THIS HAVE BECOME ALL TOO FAMILIAR, DURING THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY PANDEMIC YEAR, IN WHICH THOUSANDS CLOSED FOR GOOD WHILE OTHERS, COUNTLESS OTHERS ARE BARELY HOLDING ON AS THEY RIDE THE ROLLER COASTER OF OPENING AND CLOSING.

COVID-19 HAS A FINAL TOLL ON THE SAN DIEGO ECONOMY THAT WILL TAKE YEARS TO CALCULATE, SAYS EDUARDO VELASQUEZ, THE RESEARCH DIRECTOR AT SAN DIEGO REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

>> IT MAY WELL BE THAT IT MAY NOT BE FOR A LONG TIME THAT WE KNOW HOW BIG THE IMPACT HAS BEEN IN TERMS OF PERMANENT CLOSURES AND TRUE JOB LOSS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

>> THIS OF COURSE MEANS MASSIVE JOB LOSS.

SINCE FEBRUARY, 580 BUSINESSES HAVE NOTIFIED THE SAN DIEGO WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP OF LAYOFFS AND FURLOUGHS, ACCOUNTING FOR 90,000 EMPLOYEES.

IN A TYPICAL YEAR, THE PARTNERSHIP RECEIVES UP TO 150 PLUS NOTICES.

AND THE CLOSURE GOES BEYOND FINANCIAL IMPACT.

>> IT IS NOT ONLY FINANCIAL IMPACT, IT IS THE RELATIONSHIP AND THE EMOTIONAL DECISIONS ABOUT HAVING TO CONSIDER SACRIFICING THESE THINGS.

>> THAT IS TRUE OF VERONICA NANCY.

>> I AM DISABLED, SO USING MY DISABILITY, SO I WASN'T $20,000 IN BACK RENT.

>> Reporter: MARIBEL OWNS A TAQUERIA, SHE SAYS SHE IS BARELY HOLDING ON, BUT SHE WANTS TO KEEP THE BUSINESS TO PASS ON TO HER CHILDREN.

>> THEY CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE SOMETHING, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY HAVE TO BE IN A RESTAURANT ALL THE TIME, NOT GETTING A CAREER.

BUT THEY HAVE ALL SOMETHING ALREADY, SO THEY CAN START.

>> Reporter: FAMILY BUSINESS IS A BIG SOURCE OF GENERATIONAL WEALTH, SAYS JUAN PABLO GUERRERO, AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY AT UC SAN DIEGO.

>> PART OF THE ADVANTAGE OF SMALL BUSINESS, THEY BECOME ASSETS.

THEY CAN BE PASSED ON TO OTHER GENERATIONS AS ASSETS.

AND YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR JOB TO YOUR KIDS.

>> Reporter: BUSINESSES OWNED BY PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE SUFFERED THIS PROPORTIONATELY.

A NATIONWIDE STUDY FOUND SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC, BLACK AND LATINO OWNERSHIP DROPPED BY 42%.

WHITE BUSINESS DROPPED BY 17%.

>> IN ANOTHER PICTURE OF MY FATHER AND GRANDPA.

>> Reporter: FOR ONE OWNER, IT IS TOO LATE, HIS STORE IN NORTHPARK NOW SITS VACANT, HE IS LEFT WONDERING WHAT TO DO NEXT.

>> I FEEL LIKE I AM FLOATING IN A BOAT TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.

IT IS HARD.

I AM ROUTINE ORIENTED.

I WENT TO THE STORE EVERY DAY AT 7:30 IN THE MORNING OVER 40 YEARS.

SO IT IS A DIFFICULT ROUTINE TO STOP.

>>> ANDREW IS GOING TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT TRANSPORTATION OVER THE LAST YEAR.

AND WE WILL LOOK AT IT IF CHANGING HABITS HAVE THE STAYING POWER.

>>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAID ONE OF THE GOALS OF HIS FIRST 100 DAYS OF OFFICE ARE TO REACH 100 MILLION VACCINE DOSES.

LAST WEEK THAT NUMBER WAS IN FACT REACHED.

>> WE HOPE TO KEEP THE PACE OF 2.5 MILLION PER DAY.

WE MAY BE ABLE TO DOUBLE IT.

THANK YOU.

>>> LOCALLY, WE HAD ANOTHER EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY, WITH INCREASED DEMAND AND SOME HAD A HARDER TIME FINDING AN APPOINTMENT.

MATT HOFFMAN HAD MORE ON FINDING THE COUNTY APPROACH.

>> THERE WILL BE A SHORTAGE OF FIRST DOSE APPOINTMENTS IN GENERAL.

>> NATHAN FLETCHER SAYS THAT IS BECAUSE VACCINE ALLOTMENTS ARE NOT KEEPING UP WITH DEMAND.

THE MOST RECENT DELIVERY WAS A 10% PUMP.

>> IT IS NOT THE INCREASE THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE, WE WOULD RATHER HAVE A DOUBLING.

I THINK IT DOES BEGIN TO SHOW THAT THE SUPPLY IS BEGINNING TO TAKE UP.

>> Reporter: SO FAR, 30% OF SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS OVER THE AGE OF 16 HAVE AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

17% ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

THIS WEEKEND, THE BUSIEST VACCINATION SITE IS CLOSING PERMANENTLY TO MAKE SPACE FOR PADRES BASEBALL.

>> WE KNEW THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO CEASE OPERATIONS.

THIS IS PART OF A PLANNED OPERATION.

THEY WILL BE SEEN THROUGH THE SECOND DOSE APPOINTMENT.

>> Reporter: MILLIONS OF CALIFORNIANS BECAME ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATIONS, BUT THERE ARE STILL SENIORS WHO NEED SHOTS.

>> I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS NAMED HAS HELPED PEOPLE GET IN THE PAYMENT.

>> Reporter: CURRENTLY HEALTHCARE TEAMS ARE WORKING TO VACCINATE HOMEBOUND SENIORS.

RESIDENTS CAN CALL 211, AND GET ON A LIST, BUT PROGRESS HAS BEEN SLOW.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO GET IT BACK ON TRACK AND MOVING A LITTLE BIT FASTER.

>> Reporter: THIS WEEK, RESTRICTIONS AT RESTAURANTS AND OTHER BUSINESSES LIKE MOVIE THEATERS WILL RELAX FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS.

>> WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE BOOK AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE CAUTIOUS AND CAREFUL, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A SMOOTH AND STEADY RECOVERY.

>> Reporter: MAC HOT MATT HOFFMAN, GIPHY APP - - KPBS EVENING NEWS, MATT HOFFMAN.

>> IF YOU NEED TO KNOW THE LATEST PROGRESS, OR WHERE TO FIND A SITE IN YOUR AREA, WE HAVE YOU COVERED.

WE HAVE A SECTION UPDATED, WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION AND DATA FROM THE DAILY REPORTS.

AND TO GET THERE, JUST CLICK ON THE VACCINE LINK AT THE TOP OF THE WEBPAGE.

>>> CALIFORNIA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL IS ABOUT TO TAKE ON A NEW RULE THAT IS CRUCIAL TO GETTING THE COUNTRY BEYOND COVID-19.

JAVIER BECERRA WAS CONFIRMED TO BE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THE CABINET LEVEL POSITION WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE CDC AND STATES ON A WIDE RANGE OF PANDEMIC ISSUES.

THE VOTE WAS CLOSE, 50-49.

AND THE FIRST LATINO TO HOLD THE POSITION OF SECRETARY, AND GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM HAS NOT YET NAMED A REPLACEMENT FOR CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>>> A SAN DIEGO JUDGE SAYS THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA CANNOT ENFORCE RULES LIMITING SCHOOL RE- OPENINGS.

TONYA TELLS US WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS INVOLVED.

>> Reporter: THE JUDGE AGREED WITH PARENTS WHO SUED THE STATE OVER REOPENING GUIDELINES.

SCOTT DAVISON SAID PARENTS WERE IN TEARS AFTER MONDAY'S RULING.

>> SADLY WE WERE SURPRISED TO SEE SOMEBODY FINALLY AGREED WITH US, AND IT HAD TO COME TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAD TO ASK A JUDGE TO MAKE THAT RULING FOR US.

>> Reporter: THE LAWSUIT SAID THAT THE STATE AND WORK WAS ARBITRARY, SOME COULD GO TO CLASSES WHILE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COULD NOT.

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COULD BE ALLOWED ON CAMPUS PART TIME LATER THIS WEEK.

>> WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT THEY ARE HOPING UP AS SOON AS THEY CAN FOR HYBRID MODELS, ONE OF DAY OR TWO DAYS OF CONSTRUCTION.

THEY IMMEDIATELY NEED TO PLAN TO BRING KIDS BACK TO CAMPUS FOR SEVERAL MORE DAYS THEN THAT.

>> WE TALKED TO ONE PARENT WHO WANTED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS.

SHE SAID SHE IS NERVOUS ABOUT WHAT IS TO COME FROM SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> I AM HOPEFUL.

I NOTICED IT IS A HUGE WIN FOR US AS PARENTS, BUT I DON'T TRUST THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

I AM VERY BITTER ABOUT THE TEACHERS NOT WANTING TO COME BACK.

I DON'T TRUST IT.

>> THE DISTRICTS STILL HAVE TO MAKE A PLAN, THEY HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE JUDGE AGAIN THIS MONTH, EXPANDING THE PLAN AND OFFERING THE SAME OPTIONS FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS.

>> THEY HAVE TO WORK A LITTLE BIT OF OVERTIME, AND WE SHOULD SHOW THE JUDGE THAT THEY HAVE DEVELOPED A PLAN.

AND THIS IS HOW THEY WILL IMPLEMENT IT AND HOW QUICKLY THEY CAN DO IT.

>> THE DISTRICT IS SCHEDULED TO RESENT THE PLANS ON WHICH 30TH.

>> AN ENDURING IMAGE FROM THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC, SAN DIEGO OPENED FREEWAYS AND EMPTY TROLLEYS, TRAFFIC AND TRANSIT RIDERSHIP IS RECOVERING, WILL IT EVER COME BACK ALL THE WAY?

AS PART OF THE SERIES, PANDEMIC LIFE ONE YEAR ON, WE CONSIDER IT WE CONSIDER A LASTING IMPACT ON TRANSPORTATION.

>> SO, THIS IS THE LIVING ROOM/DINING ROOM, AND KITCHEN.

>> Reporter: LIKE MILLIONS, ANDREW HAS BEEN WORKING FROM HOME FOR THE PAST YEAR.

>> MOST MORNINGS I START MY DAY ON THE SOFA WITH COFFEE, A BLANKET, MY CAT, WATCHING THE NEWS.

>> Reporter: THEY MISSED SEEING COLLEAGUES IN PRISON.

HE MISSES FOLKS ABILITY.

HE SAVED A BOATLOAD ON CAPS ON GAS AND CAR INSURANCE.

FOR THE PANDEMIC HIS COMMUTE WOULD TAKE UP TO ONE HOUR ONE WAY.

>> NOW?

>> MY COMMUTE IS 20 FEET.

IT TAKES ME TWO MINUTES TO GET FROM MY BEDROOM TO THE LIVING ROOM, OR WHEREVER I AM GOING TO BE PARKED FOR THE DAY.

>> Reporter: EVEN AS MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED AND COME TO SOME VERSION OF PRE-PANDEMIC WORK LIFE, HIS JOB WILL LIKELY STAY REMOTE FOR AT LEAST PART OF THE WEEK.

>> PEOPLE ARE REALLY KEEN TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY.

AND I THINK WHAT THE PANDEMIC HAS PROVEN, IN MANY INDUSTRIES, YOU CAN BE AS PRODUCTIVE OR MORE PRODUCTIVE IN A REMOTE ENVIRONMENT.

>> IT IS A VERY DIFFERENT STORY FOR RODNEY JEROME.

HE PROVIDES IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED, WORK THAT CANNOT BE DONE REMOTELY.

HIS COMMUTE BACK HOME TO CITY HEIGHTS STARTS BACK ON THE BIKE, FOLLOWED BY A TROLLEY AND A BUS.

IT TAKES AN HOUR AND A HALF OR MORE EACH WAY.

JEROME LIKES MOVING AROUND, HE DOES NOT LIKE WORKING FROM HOME.

HE JUST WISHES THE COMMUTE WERE FASTER.

>> I WANT TO DIRECT SERVICE AND A WAY OF GETTING HERE, INSTEAD OF HAVING A TRANSFER, OR GOING FROM BUS, TO TROLLEY.

>> THE STARK DIFFERENCE COMMUTES IN COMMUTES SHOWS THE BENEFIT.

THE BENEFITS OF REMOTE WORKING GO TO THOSE WHO ARE HIGHER PAID AND MORE LIKELY TO BE HELD BY WHITE PEOPLE.

OTHER JOBS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE HELD BY PEOPLE OF COLOR, WILL WEAR WORKING FROM HOME IS NOT AN OPTION.

>> WE ARE THINKING HARD ABOUT SOCIAL EQUITY, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY TRUST PETITION PLANNING AGENCY DIRECTOR PLANS A MEETING.

>> THIS IS JUST A TEASER OF WHAT IS GOING TO COME.

>> Reporter: THE SINS OF THE PAST INCLUDE BULLDOZING COMMITTEES OF COLOR TO BUILD FREEWAYS.

THEY ARE UPDATING LONG-TERM TRANSPORTATION PLANS WITH A PLAN TO/WINGHOUSE GAS.

THE PANDEMIC HAS MADE CLEAR THAT THE NEW PLANS SHOULD PUT THE NEEDS OF DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES FIRST.

>> ONE PROJECT IS BUILDING AN INTERCHANGE FOR A FREEWAY AND THE OTHER IS BUILDING A BIKEWAY, THE INTERCHANGE FOR THE FREEWAY, IT MIGHT SEEM LOGICAL, BUT IF THE SOCIAL NEED IS FOR THE BIKEWAY, WE SHOULD DO THE BIKEWAY, THAT WILL UPSET SOME PEOPLE COME UP WITH THAT IS HOW YOU GET RID OF THE SINS OF THE PAST.

>> BUS AND TROLLEY TRIPS ARE DOWN BY ABOUT 60% SINCE FEBRUARY 2020.

CAR TRAFFIC HAS RECOVERED FASTER.

RUSH-HOUR IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE.

HE SAID IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO BASE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ON A ONE TIME EVENT, NO MATTER HOW DRAMATIC IT MIGHT BE IN THE SHORT TERM.

>> THE PANDEMIC WILL BE OVER.

WE CANNOT AS A SOCIETY MOVE FORWARD LIKE THIS.

KIDS CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE AT HOME.

THEREFORE, IT IS SHORTSIGHTED TO SAY SCRAP EVERYTHING AND START OVER AGAIN.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PANDEMIC WILL LOOK LIKE.

BUT WE CAN ANTICIPATE THAT IT IS GOING TO BE BACK TO NORMAL.

>> Reporter: HE PREDICTS REMOTE WORKING WILL CURB GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS SOMEWHAT, BUT JUST NOT ENOUGH GIVEN THE CLAIM THE SCALE OF THE CRISIS.

LOOKING BEYOND, HE STILL SEES BETTER TRAVEL TO BE KEY.

>> YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT BETTER, WE HAVE TO MAKE PEOPLE WANT TO GET OUT OF THEIR CARS.

IF THEY CAN'T DO THAT, IT WON'T HAPPEN.

>>> IN NORTH COUNTY, LEGOLAND IS GETTING READY TO REOPEN, WELCOMING GUESTS IN APRIL.

MICHAEL IS THE - - THE 15% CAPACITY, FOR THE SAN DIEGO ZOO, SEAWORLD AND OTHERS, THEY HAVE ANNOUNCED RECENT PLANS IN RECENT WEEKS.

ON APRIL 15TH, LEGOLAND ANTICIPATES HAVING RIDES AND A AND THE ATTRACTIONS AVAILABLE TO GUESTS.

>>> MANY AMERICANS RECEIVED STIMULUS PAYMENTS THIS WEEK, $1400 FOR MOST PEOPLE.

AS VANESSA REPORTS, MANY NEED THAT MONEY TO KEEP FAMILIES AT FINANCES AFLOAT.

>> WE HAVE GIVEN UP SO MUCH AS A FAMILY ALREADY, IT IS JUST SCARY TO THINK THAT WE MIGHT BE LOSING MORE.

>> Reporter: A YEAR OF SACRIFICE AND UNCERTAINTY FOR ASHLEY, KYLE, AND FIVE CHILDREN THEY HAVE IN DENVER.

THEY DRAINED THE SAVINGS, THEY SOLD THE WEDDING RING, ALL TO SURVIVE.

>> THAT WAS A TOUGH ONE.

>> IT IS JUST MATERIAL, A MEANS TO AN END FOR MY BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: LIKE 100 MILLION OTHER AMERICANS, THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR STIMULUS CHECKS AS PART OF THE COVID RELIEF PACKAGE.

THEY COULD GET UP TO 8400 DOLLARS FOR THEIR FAMOUS FAMILY, WHICH WILL GO STRAIGHT INTO THE WELLNESS STUDIO THAT HAS BEEN SURVIVING MONTH TO MONTH.

THE CHECKS WILL GIVE THEM ONE MORE.

>> IT IS KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE.

>> Reporter: IN ARKANSAS, NIKKI MARTIN GOT HER CHECK JUST IN TIME.

>> IT HAS KEPT A ROOF OVER MY HEAD.

IT HAS KEPT MY LIFE TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: SHE STARTED MONTHS OF CHEMO TREATMENT.

>> I DIDN'T GET TO CELEBRATE BEING CANCER FREE FOR LONG BEFORE THIS DATE.

>> Reporter: WITHOUT A JOB, SHE FILED FOR HIS ABILITY, SHE IS STILL WAITING, AND SHE IS INELIGIBLE FOR EMPLOYMENT.

WHEN $1400 IN STIMULUS CAME, SHE BREATHED A SIGH OF RELIEF.

>> I IMMEDIATELY GOT ONLINE AND PAID EVERY BILL THAT I HAD AND GOT CAUGHT UP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS.

>> Reporter: AND MADELEINE, WHO WAS OUT OF WORK FOR THE LAST YEAR, SHE HAS SPENT MUCH OF THE YEAR HERE, APPLYING TO HUNDREDS OF JOBS.

>> I HAD TO MOVE.

>> Reporter: SHE LOST HER JOB IN HOSPITALITY WHEN THE INDUSTRY WAS CRUSHED BY THE PANDEMIC.

WITH WORK HARD TO COME BY, SHE FOUND HERSELF IN DEBT AND RECEIVING A STIMULUS CHECK BOTH FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT $1800, DOES THAT SEEM LIKE A LOT?

>> NOT IN COMPARISON.

>> DO YOU SEE A WAY OUT OF THE DEBT THE NEAR FUTURE?

>> THE ONLY WAY OUT IS TO GET A JOB.

>> Reporter: FOR MANY AMERICANS, STIMULUS CHECKS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, FOR ASHLEY AND KYLE, THEY PUT THE HOUSE UP FOR COLLATERAL TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN KEEP THEIR BUSINESS, IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

>> EXTRA INCOME GO STRAIGHT TO THE BUSINESS SO WE DON'T LOSE THIS HOUSE.

IT IS KIND OF THE LAST THING THAT WE HAVE.

SO IT IS REALLY SCARY, THINKING ABOUT THIS.

[ CRYING ] [ CRYING ] THERE IS LIKE - - [ CRYING ] >> Reporter: THE THOUGHTS OF THE FUTURE THAT ARE TOO MUCH TO BEAR, ESPECIALLY ONE SO UNCERTAIN.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS VANESSA, REPORTING.

MEAL IS PAYMENTS ARE GOING TO THOSE WHO MAKE $75,000 OR LESS.

MORE POINT PAYMENTS WILL BE DELIVERED BY DIRECT DEPOSIT OR BY MAIL CHECKS IN THE COMING WEEKS.

>>> ANOTHER DELAY FOR COACHELLA.

THE POPULAR MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL WILL NOT HAPPEN IN 2021 AFTER ALL.

ORGANIZERS HOPE TO HAVE THE EVENT IN OCTOBER, ALREADY RESCHEDULED FROM APRIL.

NOW THEY SAY THEY WILL HOLD THE EVENTS DURING THE SPRING IN 2022.

LAST YEAR, COACHELLA WAS ALSO CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19.

>>> THOSE ATTENDING THE OSCARS NEXT MONTH ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE PANDEMIC IS NO EXCUSE TO GO CASUAL.

THE ACADEMY IS TELLING NOMINEES THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO ATTEND THROUGH ZOOM CALLS.

THEY WILL NEED TO DRESS FORMAL.

THAT IS A BIT OF A CHANGE FROM THE GOLDEN GLOBES, WHICH WAS MOSTLY VIRTUAL, WITH CELEBRITIES APPEARING FROM HOME.

THIS YEAR THE SHOW IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 25TH IN LOS ANGELES.

>>> HOPES ARE RISING FOR A RETURN TO NORMAL.

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS TALKED TO SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST.

>> THE PANDEMIC HAS TURNED LIVES UPSIDE DOWN.

NOW AS MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED, EVERY DAY THERE IS HOPE THAT WE CAN EVENTUALLY DO THE THINGS THAT WE USED TO.

WE TALKED TO PEOPLE AROUND THE COMMUNITY TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN THE PANDEMIC IS OVER.

HERE IS WHAT SOME OF THEM HAD TO SAY.

>> MY NAME IS KATHERINE GARCIA.

I LIVE IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.

ONE THING I CAN'T WAIT FOR IS GOING TO A CONCERT, FEELING THE ENERGY OF BEING IN A SWEATY CROWD, CONNECTED BY THE MUSIC THAT WE LOVE.

>> MY NAME IS CARLA.

I LIVE IN SAN YSIDRO, CALIFORNIA.

I AM MOST EXCITED, WHEN IT COMES TO THE PANDEMIC ENDING, IT IS TRAVELING.

I LOVE TO TRAVEL.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MAYBE GETTING ON AN AIRPLANE, AND GOING SOMEWHERE FAR.

MAYBE TO EUROPE.

ONE OF THE PLACES I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO VISIT IS SWITZERLAND.

SO MAYBE I WILL GET TO DO THAT AFTER THIS IS ALL OVER.

>> MY NAME IS FLORA ZELL, I LIVE IN THE CLAREMONT AREA.

WHAT I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO DO WHEN THIS PANDEMIC IS OVER, IS TO SHARE A BOWL OF BRIGHT GREEN TEA WITH MY FRIENDS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO DO SINCE LAST MARCH.

AND WE REALLY MISS ONE ANOTHER.

WE SEE EACH OTHER VIRTUALLY ON ZOOM.

BUT IT IS JUST NOT THE SAME.

>> I AM KEVIN DAVIS.

I LIVE IN NORTH PARK, IN SAN DIEGO.

THE FIRST THING I WANT TO DO AFTER THE PANDEMIC IS OVER IS TRAVEL, AND GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.

I LIKE TO VISIT FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN TUCSON, DENVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA.

AND IN NEW YORK CITY, AND THAT AREA.

IN WASHINGTON DC, IN BALTIMORE, AND IN THAT AREA.

AND IN ORLANDO, AND IN FORT LAUDERDALE.

FINALLY I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO LAS VEGAS, LONDON, AND ENGLAND.

>> HELLO, MY NAME IS JEANETTE HUTCHINS.

BEFORE COVID-19 STRUCK, I WAS TRAVELING A LOT, I MEAN A LOT, LIKE THREE OR FOUR TIMES PER YEAR, MAYBE, OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

I WAS DANCING A LOT.

WHEN I WAS NOT TRAVELING, I WAS DANCING.

WHEN I'M TRAVELING, I AM DANCING.

IF I'M ON A CRUISE, I AM DANCING IN THE SHIP.

AFTER THIS COVID-19 IS DONE, AND EVERYONE HAS BEEN VACCINATED, HOPEFULLY, AND WE ARE ALL SAFE TO GO OUT, I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK TO THAT AGAIN.

TO TRAVEL.

>> THAT IS ALL FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF K PBS NEWS.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT K PBS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.