TWO TONIGHT -- >> DR. NICOLE ALEXANDER-SCOTT, A STEADY PRESENCE THROUGHOUT THE CRISIS.

SHE SAYS HER>> THE AMOUNT OF STD COMMITMENT NEEDED TO BE THIS FAR ALONG IN THE JOURNEY AND STILL GOING STRONG, STILL COMMITTED IS WHAT INSPIRES ME EVERY DAY.

>> THE REAL CHALLENGE HERE IS THAT PEOPLE LIVE CLOSE TOGETHER AND HAVE TO GO TO WORK A BIDET.

>> THE SMALLEST CITY IN RHODE ISLAND CONTINUES TO TACKLE THE HIGHEST CORONAVIRUS RATE IN THE STATE.

>> ALL THAT WAS GOING THROUGH MY MIND WAS JUST LOOKING BACK AT THE NEWS AND HOW PEOPLE HAVE DIED, THOUSANDS HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS.

[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] ♪ MICHELLE: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR, RHODE ISLANDERS AND THE REST OF THE WORLD WERE WAKING UP TO A FRIGHTENING REALITY.

A PANDEMIC HAD ARRIVED.

OVERNIGHT, OUR LIVES DRAMATICALLY CHANGED AND THE WORLD SHUT DOWN.

TONIGHT AND NEXT WEEK, WE WILL BE REPORTING ON THE PANDEMIC AND HOW IT HAS TOUCHED OUR COMMUNITY.

WITH THAT, WE BEGIN WITH AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DIRECTOR OF RHODE ISLAND'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

IT HAS BEEN ONE YEAR SINCE RHODE ISLAND'S FIRST CASE SURFACED.

SINCE THEN, 2500 RHODE ISLANDERS HAVE DIED AND MANY OTHERS HAVE GOTTEN SICK.

DR. NICOLE ALEXANDER-SCOTT HAS LED THE RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK.

SHE BEGAN MAKING A NAME FOR HERSELF IN RHODE ISLAND YEARS AGO.

SHORTLY AFTER SHE ARRIVED FOR A FELLOWSHIP AT BROWN UNIVERSITY, SHE HELPED PASS UP -- PUBLIC HEALTH LEGISLATION.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT -- SWINE FLU YEARS AGO, BUT THAT EXPERIENCE GAVE HER LITTLE PREPARATION FOR THE COMING STORM.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALIZE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PANDEMIC?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: PROBABLY FEBRUARY.

WE HAD ALREADY ACTIVATED OUR TASK FORCE AND MOVED INTO ACTIVATING OUR INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM AND BEGAN GEARING UP FOR WHAT I WAS FAMILIAR WITH EXPERIENCING WITH H1N1.

WE NOW SEE IT HAS SURPASSED ANYTHING WE WENT THROUGH IN 2009, BOTH IN TERMS OF DURATION AS WELL AS INTENSITY.

IT WAS THAT FEBRUARY TIME WHEN I BEGAN TO BUCKLE UP.

>> OUR OVERALL GOAL IS TO STEER THIS SO THAT WE GET TO HAVE A GREAT SUMMER TOGETHER.

MICHELLE: FOR THE PAST YEAR, DR. NICOLE ALEXANDER-SCOTT HAS HELPED LEAD THE STATE'S RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS.

THIS IS NOT HER FIRST TIME TACKLING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

IN 2009, SHE WAS A CONSULTANT TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DURING THE H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: DURING THE H1N1 PANDEMIC, I SAW FIRSTHAND WHAT I REFERRED TO AS MY SUPERHEROES PUT ON THEIR CAPES AND DID WHAT WAS NEEDED.

23 HOUR DAYS, PARTICULARLY EARLY ON.

I HAVE BEEN THANKFUL IN THESE 10 YEARS PLUS THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT LEVEL BEFORE, BUT ALWAYS KNEW THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE AGAIN.

MICHELLE: ALEXANDER-SCOTT CREDITS HER HUSBAND FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR HER TO LEAD DURING THIS CRISIS.

THEY HAVE BEEN MARRIED SINCE 2013 AND HAVE A ONE-YEAR-OLD SON.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: MY HUSBAND IS ONE OF MY SUPERHEROES.

HE IS AN AMAZING COOK AND DOES WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILY AND SUPPORT ME.

THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

MICHELLE: IN MANY WAYS, SHE HAS BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS MOST OF HER LIFE.

SHE IS AN EXPERT IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND HAS A MASTERS DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

SHE REMEMBERS WANTING TO BE A DOCTOR AT A YOUNG AGE, GROWING UP IN BROOKLYN'S PARK SLOPE NEIGHBORHOOD.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: I LIKE SHARING THE STORY THAT MY FATHER WOULD MOVE TO NEW YORK FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.

I USED -- HE USED TO SAY, SHE WAS GOING TO BE A OCTOR SOMEDAY.

HE SADLY PASSED AWAY WHEN I WAS 11.

I FOUND OUT WHEN I WAS IN MEDICAL SCHOOL THAT THAT WAS SOMETHING HE USED TO SAY.

MICHELLE: YOU COULD SAY MEDICINE WAS IN HER BLOOD.

HER MOM RETIRED FROM NURSING AT A HOSPITAL IN NEW YORK CITY.

HER MOM WAS TOLD SHE WOULD NEVER BECOME A NURSE BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF HER SKIN.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: I GREW UP AROUND BOTH OF THEM.

WITH MY MOM IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING WITH HER JOB, BOTH OF THOSE WERE INFUSED IN ME AS A PATH THAT I WAS DESTINED FOR.

MICHELLE: ALEXANDER-SCOTT SAYS HER PATH TO PUBLIC HEALTH WAS INSPIRED BY A BABY BORN HIV-POSITIVE BECAUSE HER MOM WAS NOT TESTED DURING PREGNANCY.

THE INCIDENT INSPIRED HER TO PUSH FOR CHANGE.

IN 2007, SHE HELPED PASS A LAW TO MAKE HIV TESTING FOR PREGNANT WOMEN ROUTINE.

A STUDY FROM NIH FOUND THE LA LEAD TO INCREASED RATES OF HIV TESTING DURING PREGNANCY FROM 52.8% IN 2005 TO GREATER THAN 95% IN 2007.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: IN THAT TYPE OF POPULATION LEVEL IMPACT REALLY INSPIRED ME.

THAT IS PUBLIC HEALTH.

I WAS HOOKED.

NEVER LOOKED BACK.

MICHELLE: IN 2015, ALEXANDER SCOTT BECAME THE STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR.

SHE IS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT, A POSITION THAT HAS DRAWN HER PRAISE AND CRITICISM OVER THE STATE POSSIBLE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION ROLLOUT.

WE SPOKE IN MID-FEBRUARY JUST BEFORE THE STATE OPENED ITS MASS VACCINATION SITES.

AT THAT TIME, RHODE ISLAND HAD ONE OF THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: WE PURPOSELY CHOSE A TARGETED APPROACH BECAUSE WE WANTED TO FOCUS ON HAVING A LIMITED SUPPLY GET INTO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MOST AT RISK FOR HOSPITALIZATIONS OR DEATH.

WE KNEW WHAT WE SET OUT TO AND WE ACCOMPLISHED THAT.

MICHELLE: THEN LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DAN MCKEE WAS CRITICAL OF THE STATE VACCINE ROLLOUT.

ALEXANDER-SCOTT SAYS THERE ARE NO EASY DECISIONS AND HOW THE STATE DISTRIBUTES VACCINES.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: HE HAS UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING OUR HOSPITAL CAPACITY TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE AT THE HIGHEST RISK OF GETTING HOSPITALIZED ARE VACCINATED FIRST.

WE ALL WANT TO EXPEDITE AND GET BETTER.

THAT IS WHAT OUR FOCUS IS.

MICHELLE: RHODE ISLAND HAS SIGNIFICANTLY RAMPED UP DISTRIBUTION IN A SHORT PERIOD.

THE STATE HAS OPENED MASS VACCINATION CENTERS HAS MORE VACCINE HAS BECOME AVAILABLE.

WHEN DO YOU EXPECT RHODE ISLAND WILL RETURN?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: I AM HOPEFUL THAT BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR, SUMMERTIME, I AM EAGER FOR RHODE ISLANDERS TO HAVE A GREAT SUMMER.

MICHELLE: WE ARE LIVING IN A TIME WHEN SCIENCE IS BEING CALLED INTO QUESTION.

DR. FAUCI HAS RECEIVED THREATS, OTHER HEALTH OFFICIALS TOO.

HAVE YOU?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: THANKFULLY NO.

I APPRECIATE THAT RHODE ISLANDERS HAVE UNDERSTOOD AND SUPPORTED AND ENCOURAGED RECOGNIZING HOW CHALLENGING THIS TIME IS AND THE WORK WE ARE DOING IS.

MICHELLE: YOU HAVE NOT FELT HARASSED OR INTIMIDATED?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: NO.

IT IS A BLESSING.

MICHELLE: YOU REALIZE OTHER COLLEAGUES CAN'T SAY THAT?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: I AM GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

MICHELLE: WE HAVE SEEN HOW -- RECOVERY DURING THIS TIME.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: COVID HAS FULLY EXPOSED THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING.

CURRENTLY, EVERYONE CAN LOOK AROUND,THERE ARE CERTAIN'S CODES THAT HAVE DIFFERENT -- CERTAIN ZIP CODES THAT HAVE DIFFERENT QUALITY SCHOOLS, ACCESS TO FRESH VEGETABLES, MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, CLEANLINESS, JOB OPPORTUNITIES, QUALITY HOUSING, SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITY.

THOSE DIFFERENCES ARE NOT IN PLACE BY ACCIDENT.

MICHELLE: IN 2015 UNDER HER DIRECTION, SEVERAL HEALTH EQUITY ZONES WERE LAUNCHED.

SHE SAYS THOSE HEALTH INITIATIVES WILL HELP ADDRESS DISPARITIES THAT COVID-19 HAS MADE MORE VISIBLE.

MICHELLE: WHAT OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES ARE YOU SEEING EMERGE?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: ONE IS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

WHAT HAS REALLY BEEN MAGNIFIED BY COVID IS OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND OUR SUBSTANCE USE CONCERNS.

THAT WAS A SIN THAT MAKE EPIDEMIC -- ON ITS OWN THAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON.

MICHELLE: WHILE DIFFICULT DECISIONS DURING THE COVID CRISIS ABOUND, ONE OF THE TOUGHEST WAS THE VISITATION RESTRICTIONS PUT IN PLACE IN HOSPITALS AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

LEAVING MANY ELDERLY AND SICK RHODE ISLANDERS TO DIE ALONE.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: IT HAS BEEN HEARTBREAKING FOR ME TO SEE THE IMPACT THAT HAS ON FAMILIES, KNOWING HOW IMPORTANT FAMILY IS TO ME.

INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DEALT WITH A LOVED ONE WHO HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED, OR IN ONE OF THE FACILITIES THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO VISIT, OR HAS LOST SOMEONE BY FAR HAS BEEN THE MOST HEARTBREAKING DYNAMIC.

MICHELLE: THE PANDEMIC HAS HIT HOME PERSONALLY.

SHE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS IN DECEMBER.

DID IT SURPRISE YOU THAT YOU GOT SICK?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: IT WAS A SURPRISE, BUT ALSO IT WAS A PART OF WHY I WAS TESTING.

I WAS VERY THANKFUL TO REMAIN ASYMPTOMATIC.

MICHELLE: ALEXANDER-SCOTT'S COLLEAGUES DESCRIBE HER AS UNFLAPPABLE AND PRAISE FOR ABILITY TO STAY CALM DURING CRISIS.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: I HAVE LEARNED FROM EARLY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE.

THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LOSE A PARENT AT THE AGE OF 11, YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT LENS ON WHAT MATTERS AND WHAT DESERVES GETTING WORKED UP, AND WHAT DESERVES TAKING A BREATH AND DETERMINING WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND WHAT IS NEXT.

MICHELLE: DESPITE THE LONG DAYS AND ENDLESS WORK, ALEXANDER-SCOTT SAYS SHE HAS FOUND TIME TO SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY BEING A WIFE AND A MOM.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: YOUR WHOLE JOURNEY IS A MARATHON.

THAT TAUGHT ME OVER TIME YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TAKE A BREATH, SMELL THE ROSES, BE PRESENT WITH YOUR LOVED ONES AND ENJOY GOING FOR WALKS TOGETHER.

GET ON THE FLOOR AND PLAY WITH MY 20 MONTH OLD.

LOOK HIM IN THE EYE, LAUGH AND SMILE.

MICHELLE: NEXT, WE REVISIT CENTRAL FALLS.

NO CITY OR TOWN IN RHODE ISLAND HAS FELT THE WRATH OF COVID-19 QUITE LIKE CENTRAL FALLS.

IT HAS BEEN A COVID-19 HOTSPOT THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

RESIDENTS WERE GIVEN PRIORITY TO GET VACCINATED.

SO FAR, 34% HAS RECEIVED ONE DOSE, 21% OF THE POPULATION HAS BEEN FULLY VACCINATED.

HOWEVER, THE NEEDS AND RHODE ISLAND'S SMALLEST CITY DO NOT END WITH A SHOT IN THE ARM.

THE PANDEMIC HAS SHINED A LIGHT ON DISPARITIES THAT EXISTED BEFORE COVID-19.

AS WE FIRST REPORTED LAST DECEMBER, PEOPLE IN CENTRAL FALLS CANNOT DO THEIR JOBS FROM HOME.

CRAMPED LIVING CONDITIONS MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO ISOLATE WHEN THEY ARE SICK.

MICHELLE: ITS COMPACT SIZE IS PART OF ITS CHARM.

BUT IT HAS ALSO MADE IT AN IDEAL BREEDING GROUND FOR COVID-19.

>> THAT FAMILIES ARE BEAUTIFULLY INTEGRATED HERE.

THAT IS ITS GREATEST STRENGTH.

WHEN A PANDEMIC HITS, IT IS GOING TO SPREAD AND YOUR FAMILY FASTER THAN ANYWHERE ELSE.

MICHELLE: AT LESS THAN 1.3 SQUARE MILES, CENTRAL FALLS IS A COVID-19 HOTSPOT WHERE GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES LIVE TOGETHER IN TIGHT QUARTERS.

ACROSS FROM CITY HALL, A LINE STRETCHES ALONG THE SIDEWALK OUTSIDE OF THE PEDIATRICS.

BOTH CHILDREN ARE -- BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS ARE WAITING TO GET TESTED.

>> [SPEAKING SPANISH] MICHELLE: THIS MAN SAYS HE WANTS TO TAKE A COVID TEST BECAUSE HE WAS EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WHO HAS THE VIRUS AND NOW HIS HEAD HURTS.

PEDIATRICIAN DR.

BEYOND A NELKIN OPENED ON BROAD STREET IN FEBRUARY.

SHE TOLD US SHE NEVER WOULD HAVE IMAGINED SHE WOULD BE A LIFELINE FOR MOST OF THE CITY'S MOST VULNERABLE.

>> IT IS HARD TO STAND BY IF YOU HAVE THE SKILLS AND THE ABILITY TO HELP PEOPLE IN THEIR MOST DESPERATE MOMENTS.

I WAS READY TO GO TO NEW YORK BEFORE I GOT MY HANDS ON A MACHINE.

MICHELLE: RHODE ISLAND NELKIN A TESTING MACHINE.

BY EARLY MAY, SHE WAS DOING COVID TESTS AROUND-THE-CLOCK.

>> THEY GAVE ME ONE MACHINE, BUT I HAVE BOUGHT THREE SINCE.

I AM STILL NOT MEETING THE NEED THAT IT -- THAT EVEN THIS CLINIC CAN DO.

>> SO, EVERYONE GETS RESULTS WITHIN THE HOUR?

>> THAT IS THE IDEA.

THERE IS A SHUFFLE OF PAPERWORK AND DEPENDING ON THE WORKFLOW, IT IS WITHIN AN HOUR.

MICHELLE: OVER 400 PEOPLE FLOCK HERE EVERY WEEK TO GET TESTED.

MANY ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

DR. NELKIN ESTIMATES SHE SPENT MORE THAN $40,000 OF THE CLINIC'S MONEY ON COVID TESTS AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK SINCE MAY?

>> PRETTY MUCH.

>> WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING?

>> THESE FAMILIES.

I CAN'T SLEEP AND HAVE A DAY OF RELAXATION KNOWING THAT MY PHONE IS BLOWING UP AND THESE FAMILIES ARE DESPERATE.

I HAVE A SIMPLE MACHINE THAT CAN GET THEM INFORMATION TO PUT THE MADDIE'S FOR A MOMENT.

>> PATRICIA ARIANNA IS A MOTHER OF FOUR, WORKING AT A FACTORY EARLY THIS YEAR WHEN SHE GOT SICK WITH COVID-19.

SOON AFTER, HER HUSBAND TESTED POSITIVE.

>> WHAT WERE YOU THINKING DURING THAT TIME?

>> I WAS THINKING ABOUT MY CHILDREN, MAKING SURE THEY DIDN'T GET SICK BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I HAD TERRIBLE SYMPTOMS AND I DID NOT WANT MY CHILDREN TO GO THROUGH WHAT WE WERE GOING THROUGH.

>> SHE SHOWED US THE BASEMENT WHERE SHE STAYED IN HER CENTRAL FALLS APARTMENT AFTER SHE FOUND OUT SHE HAD COVID-19.

SHE SAYS HER HUSBAND BUILT THIS BEDROOM IN TWO DAYS ONCE SHE STARTED FEELING THICK.

DURING THIS TIME, HER 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER STAYED UPSTAIRS WITH HER THREE YOUNGER BROTHERS.

>> YOU SUDDENLY FIND YOURSELF RUNNING AROUND THE HOUSE.

>> YES.

MY PARENTS COULD NOT BE CLOSE TO US SO WE HAD TO MAINTAIN DISTANCE.

WE ARE USED TO HUGGING OUR PARENTS AND BEING CLOSE.

NOW THAT WE HAD TO KEEP A DISTANCE, IT WAS HARD FOR THEM.

I WAS SCARED BECAUSE ALL THAT WAS GOING THROUGH MY MIND WAS LOOKING AT THE NEWS AND HOW PEOPLE HAVE DIED, THOUSANDS HAVE DIED.

THAT IS ALL THAT I WAS THINKING.

I JUST TRIED TO BE POSITIVE AND HELP OUT MY MOM AND MY DAD.

>> THE FEDERAL STIMULUS CHECK THE FAMILY RECEIVED HELPED THEM BOUNCE BACK ALONG WITH SUPPORT WITH THE COMMUNITY.

EMPLOYEES FROM THE CHARTER SCHOOL HER SONS ATTEND WOULD BRING THE FAMILY FOOD SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK.

STILL, SHE WORRIES ABOUT LIVING IN CENTRAL FALLS WHERE THE INFECTION RATE REMAINS HIGH.

>> IT IS SCARY BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW IF THE PERSON NEXT TO US HAS THE VIRUS.

MANY PEOPLE LEAVE THEIR HOMES KNOWING THEY HAVE THE VIRUS.

MICHELLE: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE YOU ARE ENCOUNTERING IN CENTRAL FALLS?

>> OH BOY.

I THINK IT IS POVERTY ITSELF.

THE REAL CHALLENGE HERE IS THAT PEOPLE LIVE CLOSE TOGETHER AND HAVE TO GO TO WORK EVERY DAY.

CENTRAL FALLS HAS MORE INFECTION THAN ANYPLACE ELSE IN THE STATE.

MICHELLE: DR. MICHAEL FEIN IS THE CHIEF HEALTH STRATEGIST FOR CENTRAL FALLS AND FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

>> A LITTLE ABOVE PROVIDENCE AND PAWTUCKET, THE VIRUS TREATS EVERYONE EQUALLY.

OUR SOCIETY DOES NOT TREAT EVERYBODY EQUALLY AND THAT INEQUALITY IS WHAT IS MAKING IT SO THAT PEOPLE OF COLOR AND IMMIGRANTS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING EVERY DAY WHO MIGHT BE CONSIDERED LOW INCOME, THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE GETTING HIT.

>> WHEN WE STOPPED BY DR. FINE'S OFFICE, HE INTRODUCED US TO CONTRACTORS WHO ARE WORKING FOR THE CITY AND HANDING OUT MASKS.

>> THEY ARE WORKING ALL OVER THE CITY, IN AND OUT OF THE STREETS, REMINDING PEOPLE TO ROOT -- TO WEAR MASKS AND GET FLU SHOTS.

MICHELLE: SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, ONE IN 10 PEOPLE IN CENTRAL FALLS HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

CENTRAL FALLS' MAYOR ELECT SAYS SHE HAS WATCHED THOSE NUMBERS CLIMB WITH INCREASING ALARM.

>> IT JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE BY THE MINUTE.

MICHELLE: WHAT MORE HELP DO YOU NEED?

DO YOU FEEL LIKE CENTRAL FALLS IS GETTING ENOUGH?

>> WE NEED MORE TESTING.

>> IT IS NEVER ENOUGH.

FAMILIES ARE NOT EATING.

FAMILIES CAN'T ISOLATE.

THERE ARE SO MANY SITUATIONS.

I SHOULD NOT RUN OUT OF TESTING SUPPLIES EVER.

MICHELLE: THERE WAS A TESTING SITE IN CENTRAL FALLS AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC LOCATED AT A HUB FOR RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

THE SITE MOVED TO POT BUCKET IN AUGUST WHEN THE SCHOOL NEEDED THE SPACE BACK.

IT WAS A BLOW TO CENTRAL FALLS WHERE 25% OF RESIDENTS DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION.

>> IT IS CHALLENGING FOR RESIDENTS BECAUSE THEY FEEL SAFE WITH US HERE.

THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE HAVING CONVERSATIONS AND REACHING OUT TO US.

AS SOON AS WE TELL THEM THE TESTING SITE IS IN PAWTUCKET, THEY HOLD BACK.

MICHELLE: MORE THAN HALF THE POPULATION IN CENTRAL FALLS HAS BEEN TESTED FOR COVID-19.

BUT, THERE ARE MANY WHO ARE STILL AFRAID.

THERE ARE 29,000 UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN RHODE ISLAND.

ACCORDING TO THE LATINO POLICY INSTITUTE AT ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY.

THOUSANDS OF THEM LIVE HERE IN CENTRAL FALLS AND CANNOT COLLECT ON EMPLOYMENT OR THE FEDERAL STIMULUS CHECK.

MANY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS.

>> DON'T WORRY ABOUT YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS.

>> IT IS NOT JUST THOSE WHO ARE UNDOCUMENTED.

EVELYN, WHO IS DOMINICAN, HAS BEEN TESTING PEOPLE SINCE THE SUMMER THROUGH JOB WITH THE LIFESPAN COMMUNITY HEALTH INSTITUTE.

>> MY COMMUNITY, WHERE I CAME FROM, WE BELIEVE YOU NEED TO BE DYING TO GET A VIRUS.

EVERYONE WAS THINKING, YOU NEED TO BE IN THE HOSPITAL, THAT IS WHEN YOU KNOW YOU ARE SICK.

PEOPLE WERE GETTING SCARED.

LIKE, I DON'T WANT TO DO THE TEST BECAUSE I'M GOING TO END UP IN THE HOSPITAL AND DIED.

MICHELLE: THE FEAR OF GOING TO THE HOSPITAL HAS LED TO PEOPLE DYING IN THEIR HOMES FROM THE VIRUS.

>> I RECEIVED A CALL ABOUT A MAN WHO LIVED WITH HIS NEPHEWS.

THE NEPHEWS WERE SEVEN AND EIGHT YEARS OLD.

THE NEPHEWS FOUND HIM IN THE BATHROOM.

OVERNIGHT.

I GUESS ONE OF THEM WOKE UP TO GO TO THE RESTROOM MEANT HE WAS DEAD IN THE RESTROOM ON THE FLOOR.

THEY WERE UNDOCUMENTED.

THEY WERE SCARED.

OF CALLING ANYONE.

I DID NOT KNOW WHO THEY WERE.

THEY DIDN'T CALL ME UNTIL HE HAD ALREADY PASSED.

BECAUSE OF FEAR, HE DID NOT GET TESTED.

MICHELLE: THE COMMUNITY HAS STEPPED UP TO ASSIST UNDOCUMENTED FAMILIES.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THEY RAISED MORE THAN $17,000.

THE ELISHA PROJECT CONTINUES TO DONATE FOOD TO FAMILIES IN NEED.

A WELCOME RELIEF IN A CITY WHERE ONE THIRD OF THE POPULATION LIVES IN POVERTY.

>> I KNOW FAMILIES HAVE TO GO TO WORK.

NOW THEY ARE LEAVING THE YOUNGER KIDS WITH THE 14-YEAR-OLD BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GO TO WORK.

HOW DO WE EXPECT THIS 15-YEAR-OLD AND THE YOUNGER ONES TO GET THROUGH DISTANCE LEARNING AT HOME?

THERE ARE MOMS WHO CANNOT HELP THEIR KIDS WITH DISTANCE-LEARNING BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER SAT IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER.

AND THEY DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH.

A YEAR FROM NOW, WE WILL KNOW HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT THIS HAS DONE TO OUR KIDS.

MICHELLE: THAT IS A BIG GAP.

>> IT IS, AND IT IS SCARY.

AFTER THIS PANDEMIC, WE ARE GOING TO BE FACING SO MANY OTHER ISSUES BECAUSE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST NINE >> [SPEAKING SPANISH] MICHELLE: USE OF PROGRESS IN VACCINE DEVELOPMENT IS ENCOURAGING, BUT IT IS NOT SLOWING THE LINE OUTSIDE OF DR. NELKIN'S OFFICE.

>> THIS IS A NEW SURGE, A NEW LEVEL OF DESPERATION.

THE PHONES DON'T STOP.

ALL NIGHT.

THERE IS A NEW LEVEL.

EVERYBODY IS BEING AFFECTED.

MICHELLE: ARE YOU CONCERNED IS YET TO COME?

>> I KNOW THE WORST IS YET TO COME.

IT IS COMING.

WE HAD BETTER BE PREPARED.

I AM PREPARED FOR A TOUGH WINTER.

MICHELLE: THE LATINO POLICY INSTITUTE HAS MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS INEQUITIES.

IT INCLUDES EXPANDING PAID SICK LEAVE AND INVESTING IN MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

NOT LONG AFTER THE PANDEMIC SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING, WE AT RHODE ISLAND PBS STARTED OUR "KIDS WANT TO KNOW" SERIES.

WE BEGAN WITH SCHOOLCHILDREN ASKING DOCTORS THEIR QUESTIONS.

TONIGHT, WE REVISIT THOSE QUESTIONS AND HOW THE DOCTORS RESPOND AGAIN, BUT NOW WITH MORE THAN A YEAR OF LEARNING ABOUT THE VIRUS.

SOME OF THESE ORIGINAL SEGMENTS INCLUDE CHILDREN OF RHODE ISLAND PBS STAFF MEMBERS.

>> I AM ALEX.

HOW LONG IS THIS GOING TO LAST?

>> ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT QUESTIONS WE GET AS PHYSICIANS IS HOW LONG THIS IS GOING TO LAST.

HOW LONG WILL COVID BE AROUND?

THE ANSWER TO THAT IS UNKNOWN.

NO ONE KNOWS HOW LONG COVID IS GOING TO BE AROUND.

OF DISEASES.

AS WELL AS FROM CORONAVIRUS.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CORONAVIRUS IS THAT ALREADY EXIST.

PEOPLE JUST GET COLDS FROM THEM.

OUR BEST GUESS IS THAT OVER TIME, MORE PEOPLE WILL HAVE IMMUNITY, MORE PEOPLE WILL BE VACCINATED, AND THE CORONAVIRUS WILL POP UP NOW AND AGAIN.

BUT AS PEOPLE GET MORE IMMUNITY, IT IS LIKELY THIS WILL BECOME MORE OF A COLD.

I AM HOPING WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS THAT IT MOVES IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> I AM KYLE, I HAVE 50 -- I AM 15.

WHAT IS HERD IMMUNITY?

>> ABOUT 20% OF THE POPULATION HAS HAD CORONAVIRUS.

WE ARE TRYING TO IMMUNIZE THE OTHERS SO THAT WE AT LEAST CAN GET 70% OF PEOPLE IMMUNE TO THE VIRUS, AND IT WILL STOP KILLING PEOPLE.

THAT IS GOING TO BE EXCITING.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE COULD BE MUTATIONS OF THIS VIRUS.

THESE NEW MUTATIONS CAD -- CAN EITHER BE RESISTANT TO THE VACCINE, RESISTANT TO MEDICATIONS OR MORE DEADLY.

WE ARE IN A HURRY TO GET EVERYONE VACCINATED AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THEY'VE GOT ENOUGH VACCINE ALREADY THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO IMMUNIZE ALL THE ADULTS BEFORE THE END OF MAY.

ONCE THAT HAPPENS, WE ARE GOING TO SEE A DRAMATIC DOWNTURN IN THE FREQUENCY IN WHICH THE VIRUS IS HAPPENING.

EVERYBODY HAS TO DO THEIR PART.

TELL YOUR PARENTS, TELL EVERYONE, GO GET THE VACCINE.

COMING THIS FALL, LOOK FOR A VACCINE FOR KIDS TOO.

MICHELLE: OUR THANKS TO THE STUDENTS AND DOCTORS WHO PARTICIPATED.

THE ORIGINAL SERIES CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE.

I AM MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

FROM ALL OF US AT RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND STAY SAFE.

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