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

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

SAN DIEGO MAY BE ON THE VERGE OF SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN IN MONTHS.

A LESS RESTRICTIVE REOPENING TEAR.

SINCE DECEMBER, SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAS BEEN IN THE MOST RESTRICTIVE PURPLE TEAR.

IN RECENT WEEKS, CASES HAVE BEEN DECLINING SHARPLY.

WE WILL LEARN, TUESDAY, IF WE REACH THE LEVEL NEEDED TO TO REOPEN GYMS AND EXPAND BUSINESS CAPACITY.

IN THE MEANTIME, KIDS WILL BE RUDE -- RETURNING.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A GOOD DAY.

THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH GOT EMOTIONAL OVER SETTLEMENT WHICH ALLOWS THE USE OF SPORTS INDOORS AND OUTDOORS STATEWIDE.

>> WE WORKED EVERY DAY TO TRY TO GET TO THIS PLACE AND TIME.

>> Reporter: THE COALITION MADE UP OF PARENTS AND COACHES HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR WEEKS.

>> IT SHOWS THAT THESE COACHES CARE A LOT MORE ABOUT US.

THESE COACHES REALLY CARE ABOUT US AS KIDS.

>> Reporter: NICK IS A FOOTBALL PLAYER WHO WAS A PLAINTIFF IN THE LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE.

THE JUDGE TEMPORARILY ALLOWS ALL SPORTS TO RESUME IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THE STATE DID RELAX SOME RESTRICTIONS FOR OUTDOOR SPORTS.

THE GROUP KEPT PUSHING.

>> KID, LIKE MY SON, IS MY REASON IN A MOVEMENT LIKE THIS.

HE HAS A 4.0.

HE HAS SOME OFFERS.

HE WANTS TO SHOW WHAT HE HAS BEEN DOING FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

HE MET HE IS HIS DAD AND HEAD FOOTBALL COACH.

>> WHEN IT TOOK THE FIELD FOR THE FIRST TIME, OFFICIALLY, I FELT LIKE MY SPRING HAD COME EARLY.

TODAY, FOR I'LL HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES, CHRISTMAS HAS COME EARLY.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHEN THEY PLAN TO PRESENT THE SETTLEMENT THAT, LIKE THE PROS, WILL REQUIRE SAFETY PROTOCOLS AND REGULAR TESTING FOR STUDENT ATHLETES.

>> SPORTS WILL BE ALLOWED WITH TESTING.

TESTING WITHIN 48 HOURS OF COMPETITION.

PERIODIC TESTING, AS WELL.

>> Reporter: ATTORNEYS SAY THAT THOSE TESTING REQUIREMENTS WILL GO AWAY ONCE THE VIRUS HAS LOW TRANSMISSION RATES.

WHILE A SETTLEMENT HAS BEEN APPROACHED HERE, A JUDGE HAS AGAIN DENIED A REQUEST FROM ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING BUSINESSES INCLUDING COWBOY STAR RESTAURANT.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FOLLOWING THIS REPORT, THE STATE HAS UPDATED ITS GUIDANCE FOR YOUTH SPORTS.

IT ESSENTIALLY REQUIRES THE SAME MEASURES AND SAFEGUARDS AS COLLEGE SPORTS.

THIS INCLUDES TESTING AND CONTACT TRACING.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED TO OPEN CLASSROOMS.

A DEAL WAS REACHED IN SACRAMENTO TO OFFER AN INCENTIVE TO MOVE THAT DATE UP.

REPORTER, JOE HONG, TELLS US HOW SCHOOLS MIGHT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT OFFER.

>> Reporter: LEGISLATORS ANNOUNCED A NEW FUNDING PLAN ON TUESDAY THAT WILL BRING AN ADDITIONAL $6.6 BILLION TO DISTRICTS, STATEWIDE.

>> WE INCENTIVIZE OPENING UP OUR SCHOOLS BY PROVIDING REAL RESOURCES TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: THE MONEY WILL BE SPLIT INTO TWO ALLOTMENTS.

THE FIRST, $2 BILLION FOR DISTRICTS TO OPEN K THROUGH SECOND GRADE.

THEY MUST AVERAGE A CASE RATE BELOW A THRESHOLD.

SOME CAN STILL QUALIFY FOR THE DEADLINE, BUT THEY WILL LOSE 1% OF THEIR ALLOTMENT FOR EVERY DAY THAT THE A CAMPUS IS CLOSED.

THE STATES REMAINING $4.6 BILLION WILL BE DIVVIED UP AMONG ALL DISTRICTS.

DISTRICTS WILL BE ABLE TO USE THIS MONEY ON A RANGE OF THINGS FROM PURCHASING MORE PPE, TO EXTENDING THE SCHOOL YEAR INTO THE SUMMER.

>> ONCE YOU DIP YOUR TOE IN, ONCE YOU BUILD A COHORT, CONFIDENTLY.

ONCE YOU BUILD TRUST, THEN WE WILL START TO SEE A CADENCE OF REOPENING ACROSS THE SPECTRUM.

AGAIN, ON THE BASIS OF BUILDING CONFIDENCE.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT CAN QUALIFY FOR UP TO $100 MILLION OF THIS ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

HOWEVER, LAST WEEK, THE DISTRICT ANNOUNCED ITS NETS PHASE OF REOPENING.

TEACHERS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE BACK ON APRIL 5th.

THEY SAY THAT THE DISTRICT SHOULD STILL GET A FULL SHARE.

>> IT ALLOWS US, RIGHT AFTER SPRING BREAK, TO HAVE A WEEK WHERE THE STAFF IS ON CAMPUS PREPARING AND GETTING TRAINED WITH ALL OF THE MITIGATION STRATEGIES THAT ARE NECESSARY TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE.

WE CAN THEN BRING STUDENTS BACK ON APRIL 12.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER CAVEAT IS THAT ON THE 12th, DISTRICT OFFICIALS REACHED AN AGREEMENT TO NOT OPEN SCHOOLS UNTIL AFTER TEACHERS ARE VACCINATED.

THE TEACHER UNION PRESIDENT SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT BE CHANGING THE AGREEMENT TO MEET THE STATES APRIL 1st DEADLINE.

>> MANY EDUCATORS RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE VACCINE, OVER THE WEEKEND.

MOST OF THOSE EDUCATORS RECEIVED THE MODERNA DOSE WHICH REQUIRES FOUR WEEKS BETWEEN DOSES.

I'M NOT SURE IF AN APRIL 1st DEADLINE IS EVEN POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE STATE LEGISLATURE WILL VOTE ON THE FUNDING THIS THURSDAY.

KPBS NEWS.

STOMACH GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SIGNED THAT BILL INTO LAW FRIDAY MORNING.

HE WAS JOINED ON A ZOOM CALL WITH EDUCATORS AND LAWMAKERS, INCLUDING SAN DIEGO'S TONI ATKINS WHO PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN MOVING THE PLAN FORWARD AS SENATE PRESIDENT.

>>> CALIFORNIA SAW HOSPITALIZATION SKYROCKET OVER THE HOLIDAYS.

WHEN STAFFING COULD NOT KEEP UP, THE STATE LET HOSPITALS MORE PATIENCE ON A NURSES WORKLOAD THEN THE LAW WOULD USUALLY ALLOW.

IN THE FIRST OF A TWO-PART SERIES, KPBS HEALTH REPORT TARRYN MENTO TELLS US HOW NURSES WERE PUSHED TO THE BRINK.

THEY QUESTIONED WHETHER IT WAS EVEN NECESSARY.

>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN A LONG YEAR FOR NURSE, GEORGE SANTIAGO.

>> IF YOU HAD RESPONDED TO MULTIPLE CODE LOSING ONE SHIFT, THAT REALLY DRAINS YOU.

>> Reporter: CODE BLUE, MEANS A PATIENT IS NEAR DEATH.

SANTIAGO'S JOB IS TO RUSH TOWARDS THOSE CALLS AS A RAPID RESPONSE NURSE.

HE CARRIES THE EXTRA BURDEN OF OFTEN BEING A PATIENT'S LAST CONTACT.

>> I'M PICTURING MYSELF, IF THIS WAS MY FAMILY MEMBER AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO.

THE DESPERATION AND HOPELESSNESS.

THAT'S WHAT KIND OF KILLS YOU.

>> Reporter: THE WEIGHT GREW HEAVY DURING THE LATE 2020 SURGE.

THEY RECEIVED STATE PERMISSION TO STRAY FROM A LANDMARK LAW THAT LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF PATIENTS UNDER A NURSES CARE.

STAFF COULD NOW BE ASKED TO TAKE ON 1 TO 2 ADDITIONAL PATIENTS.

>> HERE, WHY DON'T YOU CARRY THESE PILE OF BRICKS WHILE YOU TRY TO TREAD WATER?

>> Reporter: THIS IS MORE THAN 200 CALIFORNIA FACILITIES THAT RECEIVED STAFFING WAIVERS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM EXPEDITED THE PROCESS WHEN COVID-19 PATIENTS SKYROCKETED LIGHT, LAST YEAR.

BUT STAFFING DID NOT.

>> THIS STRETCHING OF RESOURCES, AGAIN, EMPATHY AND RESPECT TO THOSE HUMAN BEINGS.

THESE FRONT-LINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

THESE NURSES, IN PARTICULAR WHO ARE DOING HEROIC WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY.

ASKING, YET AGAIN, FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE DURING THESE VERY CHALLENGING, CHALLENGING NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>> Reporter: THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DECLINED AN INTERVIEW, BUT SAID IN AN EMAIL, WAIVERS SHOULD BE A LAST RESORT.

THE WAIVER APPLICATION SAYS THAT HOSPITALS SHOULD EXHAUST ALTERNATIVES BEFORE SEEKING ONE.

THE STATE SAID, AND IT'S EMAIL, THAT FACILITIES ACTUALLY DON'T NEED TO.

IN A KPBS EYEWITNESS NEWS SOURCE ANALYSIS FOUND THAT DOZENS DID NOT DOCUMENT THAT THEY TRIED LISTED ALTERNATIVES BEFORE SEEKING THE WAIVER.

>> THE PROCESS IS EASY.

THE PROCESS CAN BE APPROVED IN AS LITTLE AS EIGHT HOURS.

THERE YOU GO.

>> Reporter: STEPHANIE ROBERSON LEADS RELATIONS FOR THE CALIFORNIA NURSES ASSOCIATION.

SHE SAYS UNDER THE EXPEDITED PROCESS, A STAFFING WAIVER COULD BE GRANTED IN LESS THAN A DAY.

THE UNION HAS PROTESTED AGAINST THE WAIVERS, INCLUDING AT PALOMAR.

THEY SAID THAT THEY SUCCESSFULLY CONTESTED THE THREE OF AT LEAST FOUR WAIVERS THAT HAVE BEEN RESCINDED IN THE STATE.

>> THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN RESCINDED ARE BECAUSE WE SEE, ON THE GROUND, THEY HAVEN'T CHECKED ANY OF THE REMEDIES.

>> Reporter: THE APPLICATION FORM ASKED HOSPITALS WHAT OTHER METHODS THEY TRIED.

THAT INCLUDES TRANSFERRING PATIENTS TO OTHER BEDS, RESCHEDULING PROCEDURES, AND POSSIBLY SETTING UP CLINICS FOR NONEMERGENCY CASES.

THE KPBS EYEWITNESS NEWS SOURCE REVIEW FOUND THAT HALF OF THE APPROVED HOSPITALS DID NOT TRY ALL OF THE OPTIONS.

INCLUDING SOME IN SAN DIEGO.

>> THE PARAMETERS AREN'T STRICTLY ADHERED TO.

IT'S JUST QUITE HONESTLY, TO BE QUITE FRANK, IT'S A FORMALITY.

>> Reporter: MOST LOCAL FACILITIES THAT RECEIVED A WAIVER, DECLINED OR IGNORED REQUESTS FOR INTERVIEWS.

SANTIAGO SAID THAT THE WAIVER DID NOT NEED TO HAPPEN AT PALOMAR.

THE FACILITY THAT LAID OFF MORE THAN 300 STAFFERS WHEN PATIENTS TALLIES DROPPED, LAST APRIL.

>> WE CAN GET THEM BACK NOW.

THEY WON'T HANG AROUND.

THEY ARE GOING TO LOOK FOR OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME.

>> Reporter: APPLICATIONS ASK IF HOSPITALS EXPERIENCED LAYOFFS WITHIN THE LAST TWO MONTHS.

THE PALOMAR LAYOFFS WERE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE SANTIAGO SAYS THE FACILITY APPLIED.

HOWEVER, THE DETAIL OF ITS APPLICATION IS NOT POSTED ON THE STATES WEBSITE.

SANTIAGO SAYS THE FACILITY DID NOT CANCEL ELECTIVE PROCEDURES BEFORE GETTING ITS WAIVER.

>> WHICH WAS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE RECOVERY ROOM NURSES.

PEOPLE HAVE TO RECOVER FROM SURGERY.

AND THEN THEY HAVE TO HANDLE COVID PATIENTS, TOO.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT THE UNION FILED A GRIEVANCE BECAUSE PALOMAR DID NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THEM BEFORE THEY GOT A WAIVER.

PALOMAR REFUSED REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW.

A SPOKESMAN PREVIOUSLY SAID THAT CLAIMS OF UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS WERE INACCURATE.

HE CALLED THEM APPALLING AND IRRESPONSIBLE.

ALL EXPEDITED WAIVERS WERE DUE TO EXPIRE LAST MONTH.

AT LEAST 84 HOSPITALS RECEIVED EXTENSIONS, UNTIL THE STATE PROVIDED AN ADDITIONAL STAFF RESOURCE.

>>> AS CONGRESS TRIES TO PASS ANOTHER ROUND OF COVID RELIEF, SOME STATES ARE DISREGARDING PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORIES.

MASK MANDATES ARE OUT.

BUSINESSES ARE REOPENING WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS.

MARTIN SAVAGE TELLS US HOW POLITICS ARE BECOMING A BIGGER PART OF THE RECOVERY.

>> Reporter: IN LESS THAN A WEEK, THE STATE OF TEXAS WILL STOP REQUIRING MASKS.

BUSINESSES CAN OPERATE WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS.

GOING AGAINST THE ADVICE OF HEALTH EXPERTS.

>> NOW WAS NOT THE TIME TO RELEASE ALL RELEASED RESTRICTIONS.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE STATES DECIDE.

>> Reporter: THE RULE CHANGES ARE FRUSTRATING SOME LOCAL LEADERS.

>> IT WILL LEAD TO A LOT OF CHAOS AND CONFUSION.

>> Reporter: HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN TEXAS ARE FEARFUL OF ANOTHER RESURGENCE.

>> PETRIFIED DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE GRAVITY AND DEPTH OF MY FEELINGS.

>> Reporter: FROM THE OVAL OFFICE, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS CALLING A BIG MISTAKE TO LIFT RESTRICTIONS.

>> THE LAST THING THAT WE NEED HIS NEANDERTHAL THINKING.

IN THE MEANTIME, WEAR THE MASK.

IT STILL MATTERS.

>> Reporter: TEXAS GOVERNOR GRAB -- GREG ABBOTT RESPONDED.

THERE ARE REDUCED HOSPITALIZATIONS AND SAFE PRACTICES THAT TEXANS ARE USING.

STATE MANDATES ARE NO LONGER NEEDED.

WE MUST DO NOW, MORE TO RESTORE LIVELIHOOD FOR TEXANS.

MISSISSIPPI'S GOVERNOR WAS ALSO PUSHING BACK, JUST HOURS BEFORE THE STATE MASK MANDATE AND LIMITS EXPIRE.

>> GIVEN HOW LONG AGO MR. BIDEN WAS ELECTED TO THE U.S. CONGRESS, HE CERTAINLY SHOULD KNOW HOW NEANDERTHALS THINK.

MISSISSIPPIANS CAN MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS.

THEY CAN ASSESS THE RISK.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO DR. ANTHONY FAUCI -- >> THIS IS ILL-ADVISED.

YOU WILL ONLY SET YOURSELF BACK IF YOU COMPLETELY PUSH ASIDE THE PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES.

>> Reporter: HEALTH EXPERTS SAY IT IS KEY TO WAIT FOR MORE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED AND HAVE A LOWER NUMBER OF NEW CASES BEFORE REMOVING PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS.

THE REALITY IS SEEMINGLY IN REACH.

THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON CORONAVIRUS VACCINE CONTINUES TO ARRIVE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> I WOULD PLAY WITH PEOPLE, GIVEN ANOTHER MONTH OR TWO.

LET US GET AS MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED AS AGAIN.

LET US CONTROL THIS NEW VARIANT BEFORE WE RELAX UNMASK MEASURES.

>> THAT WAS MARTIN SAVAGE REPORTING.

WE GAVE OUR ONE MONTH VACCINE.

BUT THEY ARE NOT REACHING NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THEY'RE NEEDED THE MOST.

JOE HONG DESCRIBES WHAT WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WILL NOW BE RESERVING 40% OF ALL VACCINATIONS FOR THOSE RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE MOST DISADVANTAGED AREAS OF ESTATE.

THE DISPARITIES IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE HAD THE HIGHEST COVID-19 CASE RATES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS ARE LEARNING THAT THEY HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY TWO TIMES OF THOSE IN HOUSEHOLDS WHOSE INCOMES ARE NORTH OF $120,000.

THEY HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY MULTIPLES.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THESE DISPARITIES THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE VACCINE HAS FAVORED WEALTHIER COMMUNITIES.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, HOUSEHOLDS EARNING OVER $120,000 HAVE TWICE THE ACCESS TO VACCINES.

THEN THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED.

THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO RECONCILE WITH.

>> Reporter: STATE OFFICIALS SAID THAT THEY WOULD ENSURE THAT MORE VACCINES ARRIVE IN DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

THE 40% OF ALL VACCINES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO 400 UNDERSERVED ZIP CODES STATEWIDE.

MOST ARE IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

SEVERAL COUNTIES IN THE SOUTH BAY WILL ALSO BENEFIT.

A COUNTY BOARD SUPERVISOR REPRESENTING THE REGION.

>> I AM ECSTATIC.

IS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR SINCE DAY ONE.

THE BOARD IS ADVOCATING FOR HEALTH EQUITY.

THIS IS WHAT HEALTH EQUITY IS ALL ABOUT.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE HOME TO MORE ESSENTIAL WORKERS THAT WORK LIKELY TO CATCH AND SPREAD THE VIRUS.

THE ZIP CODES IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTY ALSO HAVE THE HIGHEST INFECTION RATES THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

>> THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN MOST IMPACTED DISPROPORTIONATELY BY COVID-19.

ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTH BAY.

IN ORDER TO REACH HERD IMMUNITY, WE HAVE TO TAKE BOLDER STEPS, AS THE GOVERNOR SAID.

>> Reporter: SO FAR, 1.6 MILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO CALIFORNIANS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ANNOUNCED ON TUESDAY THAT THEY HAVE REACHED THE THRESHOLD FOR THE MOST RESTRICTIVE PURPOSES.

IT WILL BE RELAXED FROM 100,000 RESIDENTS, TO 10 DAILY CASES.

JOE HONG, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS A COUNTY OPENS, MORE VACCINATION SITES, WE HAVE YOU COVERED.

TO FIND ONE NEAR YOU AND IT'S HOURS OF OPERATION, GO TO KPBS.ORG.

YOU CAN GO TO THE COVID-19 LINK.

A NEW PROGRAM, LAUNCHED THIS WEEK, IT WILL HELP LOCAL AS THIS IS AND RENTERS COVER PAST DUE RENT AND UTILITY BILLS.

THE COUNTY'S EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE -- RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY OVER $100 MILLION WITH STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS.

TO BE ELIGIBLE, YOU HAVE TO BE RENTING AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC.

THERE ARE SOME INCOME RESTRICTIONS, HOWEVER, AND YOU CAN FIND ONE THAT.

YOU CAN ALSO APPLY.

HOUSING IS ALSO A PROBLEM TO HER EAST.

FARMWORKERS IN IMPERIAL COUNTY HAVE LONG SUFFERED FROM LOW PAY AND FEW OPTIONS.

A NEWS SOURCE INVESTIGATOR REPORTED THAT IT ONLY MAKES THINGS WORSE.

>> Reporter: AGRICULTURE IS KING IN IMPERIAL COUNTY.

A $4.5 BILLION INDUSTRY.

EVEN DURING A PANDEMIC, PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE, STILL CROSS THE BORDER FOR.

THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

[ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE. ]

>> Reporter: FARMWORKERS HAVE COME THROUGH MEXICO FOR DECADES.

MANY LIVE IN MEXICO BECAUSE OF THEIR LOW WAGES.

HE IS WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD CLINIC WHICH IS HELPING FARMWORKERS WITH ISOLATION.

EVEN BEFORE COVID-19, THE WORKERS WEREN'T ALWAYS WELCOME.

>> >> Reporter: DON'T USE THE RESTROOM UNLESS YOU ARE A PAYING CUSTOMER.

YOU CAN ONLY BE IN THE RESTROOM FOR FIVE MINUTES.

NO BATHING.

IMAGINE YOU WALK INTO THIS RESTAURANT AND THERE IS ALL THIS SIGNATURE AND SIGNAGE, BASICALLY NOT WELCOME YOU.

>> Reporter: AND ENCAMPMENT HAS POPPED UP JUST STEPS AWAY FROM THE [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE.

]BORDER.

IT'S BEING USED BY FARMWORKERS, SOME OF THEM HOMELESS, AND OTHERS TRYING TO AVOID THE LONG COMMUTE.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS ARE NOW SEEKING GRANTS FOR PERMANENT HOUSING.

COUNCILMEMBER ROWE, SAYS HE SEES MORE FARMERS SLEEPING ON THE STREETS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> THIS COMMUNITY IS VERY MUCH IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE FARMING COMMUNITY.

MANY OF US, INCLUDING MYSELF, HAVE HAD PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WORKING THESE VERY FIELDS SO THAT AT SOME POINT, MY GENERATION WAS ABLE TO TO A UNIVERSITY.

OR AT LEAST WAS ABLE TO GET A JOB OUTSIDE OF THE FIELDS.

>> Reporter: THE STATE IS SPENDING AN EXTRA $24 MILLION TO HELP FARMWORKERS.

THE MONEY WILL GO TOWARDS SERVICES TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE ISOLATED BECAUSE OF COVID-19, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

FOR KPBS, I AM INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER JENNIFER BOWMAN.

>>> I NEWS SOURCES ARE NONPROFIT FUNDERS OF KB PS.

THE ZOO HAS RECEIVED THEIR OWN VERSION OF THE COVID-19 TEXTING THE RECIPIENTS, INCLUDE A HEARING AT 10 WHO RECEIVED OPEN- HEART SURGERY IN 1994.

THE FIRST SUCH ANIMAL TO UNDERGO THE PROCEDURE.

OTHER ORANGUTANS AND SOME BONOBOS RECEIVED AN EXPERIMENTAL VACCINE FROM A COMPANY FOUNDED BY PFIZER.

THE ZOO SAYS THAT THERE WERE NO ADVERSE REACTIONS IN THE ANIMALS.

THEY ARE DOING WELL.

>>> THAT'S NOT THE ONLY NEWS THAT THE ZOO MADE THIS WEEK.

THE ORGANIZATION LAUNCHED A MAJOR RE-BAND TO AFFECT AN EVOLVING MISSION.

NICK ANDERSON SAYS IT TAKES A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CONSERVATION.

>> Reporter: TO AFRICAN ELEPHANTS, HE EAGERLY REACH OUT THEIR TRUNKS SEARCHING FOR A TREAT FROM ZOOKEEPER AARON.

>> IT'S REALLY WRINKLY.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE ATTIRE.

IT HAS SOME GIVE TO IT, EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN TELL IT IS SUPERSTRONG.

IT IS SUPER WRINKLY.

THEY HAVE HAIR ALL OVER THEIR BODY.

YOU CAN SEE IT ON THE TRUNK.

IT'S REALLY THICK, LIKE WIRES.

>> Reporter: SHE REACHES INTO A BUCKET OF CUTUP SWEET POTATOES, CUCUMBERS, AND FOOD PELLETS.

THE KEEPER SAYS THAT THE ELEPHANTS GET TREATS A COUPLE OF TIMES A DAY AS PART OF THEIR TRAINING.

>> THEY SHOULD RESPOND TO THEIR NAMES.

IF THEY CHOOSE TO COME OVER, THEY GET REINFORCEMENT.

FOR LEAVING WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND COMING OVER.

THEY WILL WALK AWAY WHEN WE ARE DONE AND THEY GET TO ENJOY ALL OF THEIR TREATS AGAIN.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THAT THE ELEPHANTS HAVE CHOICE AND CONTROL OVER WHAT THEY DO IN THE YARD.

THE TREATS ARE A WAY TO REINFORCE POSITIVE BEHAVIOR.

>> IN THE BEGINNING, IT'S JUST GETTING THEM TO THEIR NAME.

COME TO US WHEN THEY'RE CALLED.

THEY MOVE INTO MORE COMPLICATED BEHAVIOR LIKE BLOOD AND MILK COLLECTION.

IS LIKE THAT THAT WE CAN USE FOR DIFFERENT STUDIES.

>> Reporter: THE TWO MOMS IN THIS NINE ELEPHANT HERD, HAVE BEEN PART OF A YEAR-LONG STUDY FOR ELEPHANT MILK.

KEEPERS REGULARLY TAKE SAMPLES FROM LACTATING MOMS AND ANALYZE THE MILKS COMPOSITION.

RESEARCHERS ARE TRYING TO ANALYZE HOW ELEPHANT MILK CHANGES OVER TIME SO THEY CAN HELP ORPHAN ELEPHANTS IN KENYA.

WORKERS AT THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY CAN MAKE AGE- APPROPRIATE FORMULAS THAT CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH FOR ELEPHANT CALVES.

THAT CONNECTION MAKES THE WORK IN SAN DIEGO EVEN MORE IMPORTANT FOR BOTH RESEARCHERS AND KEEPERS.

>> THE WORK THAT THEY DO EVERY DAY IS HELPING ANIMALS AND PLANTS IN THE WILD.

>> Reporter: NADINE IS THE ORGANIZATION'S CHIEF CONFERENCE OFFICER.

SHE SAYS THIS AFFECTS A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CONSERVATION.

>> IT IS ABOUT WILDLIFE.

IT'S ALSO ABOUT PEOPLE.

IT'S ALSO ABOUT, AGAIN, THE ECOSYSTEMS THAT WE SHARE.

IT'S THAT BALANCE OF NATURE THAT BECOMES SO IMPORTANT IN OUR WORK.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THAT THE CONCEPT HIT HOME RECENTLY WHEN THE CORONAVIRUS INFECTED THE SAFARI PARKS GUERRILLA TROOP.

IT WAS THE FIRST EVER CASE OF A HUMAN TO GUERRILLA TRANSMISSION.

SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE TROUPE WERE INFECTED.

THE SILVERBACK GOT ANTIBODY THERAPY.

ALL, HAVE RECOVERED.

NADINE SAYS THAT THE SITUATION OFFERED A LESSON.

>> THIS IS A SITUATION THAT ORIGINATED FROM ANIMALS AND THEN WENT INTO PEOPLE.

UNFORTUNATELY, PEOPLE TRANSMITTED IT BACK TO ANIMALS.

IT GOES BEYOND JUST THAT.

WE HAD A MEETING, JUST THE OTHER DAY, WITH OUR COLLEAGUES THAT WORK WITH GREAT APES IN THE WILD.

WE TALKED ABOUT HOW TO PROTECT WILD GORILLAS.

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T SUFFER CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE OF THE EXPOSURE TO THIS VIRUS?

>> Reporter: IN FACT, COVID-19 PUSHED THE ZOO TO CHANGE THE WAY THAT IT DOES BUSINESS AROUND THE WORLD.

THE SAN DIEGO ZOO CEO, PAUL, SAYS THAT THE ZOO WAS MAKING IN INTO -- THE PANDEMIC ACCELERATED THE CHANGE.

>> THROUGH THIS PAST YEAR, WE HAVE SEEN HOW OUR OWN HUMAN HEALTH IS TIED TO THE WILDLIFE.

IT'S TIED TO THE GLOBAL HEALTH OF THE PLANET.

IN SO MANY WAYS, COVID WAS THE CATALYST.

WE SAID THAT WE NEED TO DO THIS NOW.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE BRINGS RESEARCH SKILLS TO THE TABLE.

HE SAYS THAT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR A COMPLETE SOLUTION, WHICH ENGAGES COMMUNITIES FOR GOVERNMENTS, AND OTHER WILDLIFE ORGANIZATIONS OUTSIDE OF SAN DIEGO.

>> FOR US TO HAVE A GREATER IMPACT IN CONSERVATION, WE NEED TO USE THIS MOMENT TO ENERGIZE EVERYBODY, ALL OF OUR PARTNERS AND DONORS.

ALL OF THE SUPPORTERS HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

NEED TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT THE NEW FOCUS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE PARKS WILL BE IGNORED.

THOSE PARKS MUST THRIVE FOR THE ORGANIZATION TO STAY FINANCIALLY HEALTHY.

HE SAYS, THE ANIMALS LIKE THE AFRICAN ELEPHANTS AT THE SAFARI PARK, HELP CONNECT LOCAL VISITORS TO THE ORGANIZATION'S RESEARCH WORK.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS MONTH WE WILL BE GOING TO THE KPBS ARCHIVES TO MARK PANDEMIC LIFE.

MARCH 2020 IS WHEN THINGS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY IN SAN DIEGO.

IT'S ALSO WHEN OUR COMMUNITY STEPPED UP TO HELP THOSE IN NEED, INCLUDING OUR PETS.

HERE'S THE STORY FROM KPBS REPORTER, JOHN CARROLL.

>> Reporter: IN FRONT OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY, VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF ARE LIVING UP TO THE SOCIETY'S NAME.

THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING TRULY HUMANE FOR OUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS.

>> WE ARE HERE AS A RESOURCE AND AS A SAFETY NET FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

WE WANT TO KEEP PETS OUT OF THE SHELTER.

WE ARE HERE, PROVIDING PET FOOD DAILY FROM 10 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. FOR ANY FAMILY.

>> Reporter: THE HUMANE SOCIETY PROGRAM THAT GERALDINE HEADS, TYPICALLY HELPS LOW INCOME PEOPLE WITH THEIR PET FOOD AND SUPPLY NEEDS.

NOW, THE NEED HAS GROWN BECAUSE IN MANY PLACES, THE SHELVES ARE EMPTY.

>> THE LINES ARE LONG.

WE HAVE FIVE KIDS AT HOME.

THERE'S NO DOG FOOD, NO CATHODE AT THE WALMARTS.

IF YOU ARE NOT THERE IN TIME TO GET IT, IT'S GONE.

>> Reporter: ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST CASSIDY EDMUND IS USUALLY INSIDE, WORKING AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY.

TODAY, SHE IS OUTSIDE AND LOVING IT.

>> I FEEL LIKE I'M MAKING A DIFFERENCE TODAY.

I'M HELPING PEOPLE THAT REALLY NEED IT.

SOME PEOPLE CAN'T GO OUT AND GO TO WALMART AND STAND IN LINE.

WE ARE THERE RESOURCE.

>> Reporter: AS LONG AS THEIR STOCKPILE HOLDS OUT, THE HUMANE SOCIETY WILL CONTINUE GIVING OUT FOOD EVERY DAY, BETWEEN 10:00 AND 4:00.

THEY ARE DISTRIBUTING PET FOOD AT MORE THAN JUST ITS CAMPUS HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

THEY ARE ALSO SENDING OUT THE SUPPLIES TO THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK.

AND TO THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THEY ARE THEN DISTRIBUTING THOSE SUPPLIES.

YET ANOTHER WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY IS COMING TOGETHER, IN THE AGE OF COVID-19.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS STILL OFFERING FOOD ASSISTANCE TO PET OWNERS.

THE ORGANIZATION SAYS THAT THE MAIN CHANGE IS PART OF A STRATEGY TO EXPAND ITS REACH.

YOU CAN GET MORE INFORMATION AT THEIR WEBSITE.

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

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

FOR ALL OF THOSE AT KPBS, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

STAY SAFE.