>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, SUPPORTING THE MISSION OF KPBS, AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

HELPING HOMEOWNERS REMAIN HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD CREVICE FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING, IT IS THURSDAY, MARCH 4, I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

WE BEGIN WITH WHAT COULD BE A NEW APPROACH IN THE VACCINE PROCESS.

WE HAVE A PLAN TO DEVOTE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF VACCINES TO THE HARDEST HIT COMMUNITIES.

KPBS REPORTER EXPLAINS HOW IT IS AFFECTING THOSE IN SAN DIEGO, ESPECIALLY IN SOUTH COUNTY.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WILL RESERVE 40% OF ALL VACCINATIONS FOR THOSE RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE MOST DISADVANTAGE AREAS OF THE STATE.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE THE COMMUNITIES WITH THE HIGHEST COVID-19 CASE RATES.

>> JUST CONSIDER, LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, EARNING LESS THAN $40,000 PER YEAR HAVE BEEN IMPACTED DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF THOSE IN HOUSEHOLDS WHOSE INCOMES ARE NORTH OF $120,000 PER YEAR.

THEY HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY MULTIPLES.

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

>> AT THE SAME TIME, ADDING INSULT INJURIES, THOSE EARNING OVER 100,000 HAVE DOUBLED THE ACCESS TO VACCINES.

THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO RECONCILE WITH.

>> Reporter: STATE OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL ENSURE THE MORE VACCINES ARRIVING IN DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES AND UP IN THE ARMS OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS THAT NEED THEM THE MOST.

40% OF ALL VACCINES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO ABOUT 400 UNDER SERVED ZIP CODES.

MOST ARE IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY.

SEVERAL ZIP CODES IN THE SOUTH BAY WILL BENEFIT.

NORA VARGAS IS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REPRESENTING THE REGION.>> I AM ECSTATIC.

THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR.

I THINK THE BOARD ADVOCATING FOR HEALTH EQUITY, THIS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT.

>> Reporter: THERE MORE ESSENTIAL WORKERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO CATCH AND SPREAD THE VIRUS.

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

>> THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN DISPROPORTIONALLY AFFECTED BY COVID-19, ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTH BAY.

IF WE ARE GOING TO REACH HERD IMMUNITY, WE HAVE TO TAKE BOLDER STEPS, AS THE GOVERNOR SAID.>> Reporter: 1.6 MILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO CALIFORNIANS LIVING IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

ONCE 2 MILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED, THE THRESHOLD FOR READING AND RETREATING FROM THE PURPLE TEAR WILL BE RESTRICTED.

>>> ANOTHER STEP TOWARD GETTING KIDS BACK IN CLASSROOMS, THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE APPROVED $2 BILLION FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, IF THEY OFFER IN PERSON INSTRUCTION BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

ANOTHER $4.6 BILLION WILL GO TO DISTRICTS TO HELP STUDENTS CATCH UP.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED IS HOPING TO GET SOME OF THAT MONEY.

THEY ARE PLANNING TO BRING STUDENTS AT ALL GRADE LEVELS BACK ON APRIL 12.

>>> THE DELMAR VACCINES SUPERSTATION IS ABOUT TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY.

THE SITE WILL SHUTDOWN ON MARCH 6 DUE TO THE LOW NUMBER OF COVID-19 VACCINE DOSES THAT WERE DELIVERED THIS WEEK.

IT WILL, HOWEVER, REOPEN ON SUNDAY THE SEVENTH.

PEOPLE THAT SATURDAY APPOINTMENTS, THAT WERE FOR THE SECOND DOSES OF THE PFIZER VACCINE, ARE BEING RESCHEDULED ON SUNDAY, AUTOMATICALLY THROUGH THE MY TURN ONLINE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM.

>>> WE ARE FOLLOWING ALL OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AT KPBS.ORG.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR A SHOT, CLICK ON THE VACCINES IT HAVE ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

YOU WILL FIND A SEARCHABLE MAP WITH CLINIC LOCATIONS AND A LINK TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE.

>>> KIDS COULD BE RETURNING TO YOUTH SPORTS SOONER THAN EXPECTED.

ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING STUDENT- ATHLETES SAY THE STATE AGREED TO RELAX RESTRICTIONS ALLOWING KIDS TO PLAY OUTSIDE AND INDOORS.

MATT HOFFMAN SAYS THERE WILL BE A STRICT SAFETY PROTOCOL, INCLUDING REGULAR TESTING.

>> THIS IS A GOOD DAY.

>> Reporter: TORREY PINES FOOTBALL COACH GOT EMOTIONAL RENEWS OF A SETTLEMENT THAT THE ATTORNEYS THEY WILL ALLOW YOUTH SPORTS INDOORS AND OUTSIDE TO RESUME PLAY STATEWIDE.>> Reporter: WE WORKED EVERY DAY TO TRY TO GET TO THIS PLACE.

>> Reporter: HE AND THE GRASSROOTS, LET THEM PLAY COALITION, MADE UP OF KIDS, COACHES, PARENTS, NEGOTIATED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR WEEKS.

>> THE COACHES CARE MUCH MORE ABOUT US, NOT JUST WINNING FOOTBALL GAMES.

THEY CARE ABOUT US AS KIDS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A FOOTBALL PLAYER AT SCRIPPS RANCH HIGH SCHOOL.

HE IS A PLAINTIFF IN A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE, RESULTING IN A JUDGE TEMPORARILY ALLOWING ALL YOUTH SPORTS TO RESUME IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THEY DID RELAX RESTRICTIONS FOR OUTDOOR SPORTS.

THEY KEPT PUSHING.

>> I THINK ABOUT MY SON, HE IS MY REASONS.

HE HAS MY OFFERS.

HE WANTED TO SHOW WHAT HE HAS BEEN DOING FOR MANY YEARS.

>> Reporter: MARVIN IS NEXT AT AUNT THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH.

>> WHEN MY TEAM TOOK THE FIELD OFFICIALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT FELT LIKE SPRING CAME EARLY.

TODAY, FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES IN CALIFORNIA, CHRISTMAS HAS COME EARLY.

>> Reporter: ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING TWO ATHLETES THAT HAVE A COURT DATE TOMORROW IN SAN DIEGO.

THAT IS WHEN THEY PLAN TO PRESENT A SETTLEMENT THAT WILL REQUIRE SAFETY PROTOCOLS AND REGULAR TESTING FOR STUDENT ATHLETES.>> Reporter: INDOOR SPORTS WILL BE ALLOWED WITH TESTING.

WE HAVE TESTING WITHIN 48 HOURS OF COMPETITION.

ALSO PERIODIC TESTING DURING THE WEEK.

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

A SETTLEMENT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN REACHED HERE, THE FIGHTS CONTINUE FOR RESTAURANTS AND JAMS.

A JUDGE HAS DENIED A REQUEST BY ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING BUSINESSES, INCLUDING COWBOY STAR RESTAURANT TO RETURN INDOORS AT A LIMITED CAPACITY.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> LOCAL OFFICIALS AND UNION LEADERS ARE AMONG SOME 134 TOURISM AND LABOR GROUP STATEWIDE, CALLING ON THE GOVERNOR TO IMMEDIATELY ISSUE NEW GUIDELINES.

THEY WANT CLARIFICATION ON THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH TO ALLOW BUSINESS MEETINGS, EVENTS, AND CONVENTIONS TO RESUME.

THEY SAY IS NOT THE ECONOMIC LOSSES LAST YEAR OR THIS YEAR, BUT WHAT IS AHEAD FOR 2022 AND BEYOND.

IT IS ESTIMATED, FOR EVERY MONTH CALIFORNIA DELAYS OPENING THESE TYPES OF EVENTS, THE STATE IS A LOSING $4.1 BILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, NOT TO MENTION JOB LOSS.

>>> NEW UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS ARE OUT.

THE LABOR DEPARTMENT IS REPORTING 1.2 MILLION NEW JOBLESS CLAIMS.

THE NUMBER IS MADE UP OF 745,000 FIRST TIME UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS ADJUSTED ON A SEASONAL BASIS.

IT ALSO ADJUSTS THE 437,000 WORKERS THAT APPLIED FOR PANDEMIC BENEFITS.

SELF-EMPLOYED AND GIG WORKERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT PROGRAM.

>>> TODAY, THE SENATE GOT THE BALL ROLLING ON THE $1.9 BILLION COVID-19 RELIEF BILL.

THE VICE PRESIDENT BROKE THE TIE, TO START THE DEBATE.

IT WILL BE A LONG NIGHT.

THAT IS BECAUSE THE ENTIRE 628 PAGE BILL IS NOW BEING READ ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

WE DO MEAN THE ENTIRE THING.

>>> AS THE AMERICAN RESCUE ACT OF 2021, SECTION 2, TABLE OF CONTENTS, THE TABLE OF CONTENTS IS AS FOLLOWS.

SECTION 1, SHORT TITLE.

SECTION 2, TABLE OF CONTENTS.

>>> THE DEBATE CONTINUES AMID AN INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN WARNING THAT MILITIA EXTREMISTS COULD TRY TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE U.S. CAPITAL.

EMILY SCHMIDT HAS MORE FROM WASHINGTON.

>>> THE CHP HAS JUST IDENTIFIED THOSE INJURED IN A DEADLY CRASH IN IMPERIAL COUNTY.

FOUR PEOPLE FROM MEXICO AND TWO FROM GUATEMALA ARE AT HOSPITALS IN SAN DIEGO WITH MAJOR INJURIES.

THE BORDER FENCE WHERE AUTHORITIES SAY THE SUV DROVE THROUGH ON TUESDAY IS NOW CLOSED UP AGAIN.

25 PEOPLE WERE CRAMMED IN THE SUV WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A TRACTOR-TRAILER, KILLING 13 PEOPLE.

THEY RANGE IN AGE FROM 15 THROUGH 53.

A MEMORIAL NOW STANDS AT THE CRASH SITE WHERE PEOPLE ARE STOPPING TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS, INCLUDING A CONGRESSMAN.

>> THIS IS A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY, OBVIOUSLY.

WE ARE SADDENED TREMENDOUSLY BY THE LOSS OF LIFE, THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE LOSS OF LIFE.

>> YOU HEAR ABOUT PEOPLE MAKING THE TRIP ALL THE TIME.

PEOPLE DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THEM.

YOU HEAR ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

IT MAKES YOU THINK.

I FIGURED THE LEAST I COULD DO WAS COME OUT AND PAY MY RESPECTS.

>> Reporter: THE BAY AREA WHERE THE CRASH HAPPENED BECAME A MAJOR ROUTE FOR ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSINGS IN THE LATE 1990S AFTER HEIGHTENED ENFORCEMENT IN SAN DIEGO PUSH MIGRANTS TO MORE REMOTE AREAS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAS NOT BEEN SPARED FROM THE NATIONWIDE SPIKE IN RACIST ATTACKS AGAINST MEMBERS OF ASIAN-AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITIES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

OUR REPORTER HAS DETAILS ON THESE INCIDENTS.>> Reporter: THE ALLEGED ATTACK WAS A CRUEL AND BRAZEN.

A MAN PUNCHEON ELDERLY FILIPINO WOMAN ON A SAN DIEGO TROLLEY.

THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAYS THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO FILE A HATE CRIME CHARGE IN THAT CASE.

IT HAS FILED CHARGES IN THREE OTHER CASES OF HATE CRIMES AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS.

COUNTY PROSECUTORS HAVE ALSO DOCUMENTED A NUMBER OF OTHER RACIST INCIDENTS.

IN ADDITION, THE SAN FRANCISCO- BASED ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION, STOP EIGHT, COLLECTED 29 REPORTS OF RACIST INCIDENTS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS FROM MARCH THROUGH DECEMBER 2020.

>> THAT IS WHAT IS DISTURBING.

WE ARE NOT SEEING I KIND OF HATE DIRECTED TOWARD THE ASIAN COMMUNITY UNTIL COVID-19 IN 2020.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SET UP A HOTLINE LAST MAY, WHERE PEOPLE COULD CALL OR MAKE ONLINE REPORTS OF HATE CRIMES AND RACIST INCIDENTS.

SHE SAYS THEY RECEIVED 110 REPORTS TO THE HOTLINE AND 10 WERE REPORTS OF INCIDENTS DIRECTED TOWARD PEOPLE OF ASIAN DESCENT.

>> IT HAS BEEN HORRIFIC.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A PROFESSOR IN SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY'S ASIAN- AMERICAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT, THE COFOUNDED THE STOP EIGHT GROUP.

>> THE ATTACKS ARE TRAUMATIZING.

IT IS UNEXPECTED THAT ADULTS WOULD BULLY OTHERS AND THEY WOULD USE RACIAL SLURS.>> REPORTER:'S GROUP HAS BEEN DOING CHINATOWN STROLLS IN SAN FRANCISCO AND OAKLAND.

PEOPLE GO VISIT BUSINESSES THAT ARE MEANT TO CREATE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY.

SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCILMAN DID SOMETHING SIMILAR IN THE CONVOY AREA AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE WANTED TO SHOWCASE THE COMMUNITY AND SHOW SUPPORT.

IT IS OKAY, AND YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO VISIT YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HATE CRIMES MUST BE PURSUED VIGOROUSLY, BECAUSE THEY TEAR THE FABRIC OF COMMUNITIES IN ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY.

>> IT IS SO CLOSE TO HOME, IT AFFECTS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

MY HUSBAND, MY KIDS ARE ASIAN- AMERICAN.

EVERY TIME WE HEAR ABOUT AN INCIDENT IT IS AS IF IT HAPPENED TO OUR OWN FAMILY.

>>> NOW WE WANT TO GET BACK TO THE LATEST ON THE COVID-19 RELIEF BILL.

HERE IS EMILY SCHMIDT.

>> Reporter: IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS IN THE 600 PAGE, $1.9 TRILLION COVID-19 RELIEF BILL, YOU COULD HEAR EVERY WORD OF IT.>> Reporter: I FEEL BAD FOR THE CLERKS THAT HAVE TO READ IT.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: WISCONSIN SENATOR RON JOHNSON SAYS READING, WHICH COULD TAKE ABOUT 10 HOURS, WHICH I GOT A VOTE HE CONSIDERS TO BE TOO BROAD.

UTAH SENATOR MATT ROMNEY SAYS HE AGREES WITH JOHNSON'S TACTIC.>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN IS MASSIVELY EXCESSIVE.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATS HAVE A DIFFERENT READ ON THE DELAY.

>> WE KNOW THIS WILL MERELY DELAY THE INEVITABLE.

>> Reporter: IT IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE HOUSE APPROVED.

ONE BIG CHANGE HINGES ON INCOME.

IN BOTH VERSIONS, INDIVIDUALS MAKING LESS THAN $75,000 PER YEAR, AND COUPLES EARNING LESS THAN $150,000 PER YEAR, COULD BANK ON $1400 PER PERSON.

THE SENATE IS LOWER THAN THE HOUSE.

DOES THAT MAKE MORE THAN $80,000 PER YEAR, OR COUPLES EARNING TWICE THAT WILL NOT SEE ANY RELIEF.

WITH THE 50/50 SPLIT IN THE SENATE, DEMOCRATS DON'T HAVE ROOM TO LOSE A VOTE.

>> WHAT WILL COME BACK TO THE HOUSE, WE WILL REVIEW IT AND SEND IT TO THE PRESIDENT.

>> Reporter: AND SHE SAID THAT, THE HOUSE WAS IN RECESS.

THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ON HIGH ALERT.

AN INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN ISSUED EARLIER WARNED MILITIA EXTREMISTS TALKED OF TARGETING THE CAPITAL AND DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ON OR AROUND MARCH 4.

>> THIS WILL BE THE NEW REALITY FOR A BIT.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO TWO DEFENSE OFFICIALS, CAPITOL POLICE REQUESTED A TWO-MONTH EXTENSION OF NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS SUPPORT AT THE CAPITAL TO FIRM UP SECURITY FOR LAWMAKERS.

IN WASHINGTON, EMILY SCHMIDT, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SOME FAITH LEADERS HAVE RAISED MORAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF JOHNSON&JOHNSON'S COVID-19 VACCINE.

THAT IS BECAUSE, UNLIKE THE OTHERS, IT WAS PRODUCED THROUGH THE USE OF CELLS DERIVED FROM AN ABORTED FETUS.

IN CLERMONT, 100 PRIESTS AND DEACONS WITH THE SAN DIEGO CATHOLIC DIOCESE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE PFIZER VACCINE.

ALVARADO HOSPITAL PROVIDED SHOTS FOR THE CLERGY FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTY.

BISHOP ROBERT McELROY SAYS THE VACCINE IS BECOMING MORE AVAILABLE.

IT IS A CHANCE TO HEAL FROM THE PANDEMIC.

>> I URGE PEOPLE OF FAITH, AS AN ACT OF FAITH, AS A SERVICE TO GOD AND NEIGHBOR TO GET VACCINATED.

YOU'RE NOT ONLY PROTECTING YOURSELF, EQUALLY IMPORTANT, YOU ARE PROTECTING THOSE THAT YOU LOVE, AND OUR COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.

>>> THE BISHOP ISSUED A STATEMENT, INDICATING THE USE OF ANY OF THE LEADING COVID-19 VACCINES WOULD BE ENTIRELY, MORALLY, LEGITIMATE.

>>> CALIFORNIA SAW HOSPITALIZATIONS SKYROCKET AROUND THE HOLIDAYS.

WHEN STAFFING CANNOT KEEP UP, THE STATE LET HOSPITALS PUT MORE PATIENTS ON A NURSES WORKLOAD AND THE LAW NORMALLY ALLOWS.

IN THE FIRST OF IT TWO-PART SERIES, KPBS HEALTH REPORTER TELLS US HOW NURSES FELT PUSHED TO THE BRINK BY THE MOVE, AND QUESTIONED WHETHER IT WAS EVEN NECESSARY.>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN A LONG YEAR FOR NURSE GEORGE SANTIAGO.

>> IF YOU RESPONDED TO MULTIPLE CODE BLUES IN A SINGLE SHIFT, THAT DRAINS YOU.

>> Reporter: CODE BLUE MEANS THE PATIENT IS NEAR DEATH.

SANTIAGO'S JOB IS TO RUSH TOWARD THOSE CALLS AS A RAPID RESPONSE NURSE AT THE MEDICAL CENTER IN ESCONDIDO.

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

>> I PICTURE MYSELF, THIS WAS MY FAMILY MEMBER, AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO, YOU KNOW, YES, THE HOPELESSNESS AND DESPERATION, THAT IS WHAT KIND OF KILLS YOU.

>> Reporter: THE WAY GREW HEAVY DURING THE LATE 2020 SEARCH.

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

THE STAFF COULD NOW BE ASKED TO TAKE ON ONE OR TWO ADDITIONAL PATIENTS.

>> WHY DON'T YOU CARRY THIS PILE OF BRICKS WHILE YOU ARE TREADING WATER.

THAT IS THE EQUIVALENT.

>> Reporter: PALOMAR IS ONE OF 200 CALIFORNIA FACILITIES THAT RECEIVED TEMPORARY STAFFING WAIVERS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

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

STAFFING DID NOT.

>> THE STRETCHING OF RESOURCES, AGAIN, EMPATHY, AND RESPECT TO THOSE HUMAN BEINGS, THE FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS, THE NURSES IN PARTICULAR THAT ARE DOING HEROIC WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WE ARE ASKING FOR LITTLE BIT MORE DURING THESE VERY CHALLENGING, CHALLENGING NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>> Reporter: THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DECLINED AN INTERVIEW.

THEY SAID IN AN EMAIL, WAIVERS SHOULD BE A LAST RESORT.

THE WAIVER APPLICATIONS AS HOSPITALS SHOULD EXHAUST ALTERNATIVES BEFORE SEEKING ONE.

THE STATE SAID IN THE EMAIL THAT FACILITIES DON'T NEED TO.

OUR ANALYSIS OF PUBLICLY POSTED WAIVERS AND FOUND DOZENS DID NOT DOCUMENT THAT THEY TRIED ALL LISTED ALTERNATIVES BEFORE SEEKING THE WAIVER.

>> THE PROCESS IS EASY.

IT CAN BE APPROVED IN AS LITTLE AS EIGHT HOURS.

THEY GO.

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

SHE SAYS UNDER THE ASSET, A STAFFING WAIVER CAN BE GRANTED IN LESS THAN A DAY.

THE UNION PROTESTED AGAINST THE WAIVERS, INCLUDING A PALOMAR.

SHE SAYS THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY CONTESTED THREE OF THE 43 WAIVERS THAT HAVE BEEN RESCINDED IN THE STATE.

ECHOES THAT HAVE BEEN RESCINDED ARE BECAUSE WE ARE SITTING ON THE GROUND, WE ARE LOOKING AT YOUR FORM, AND YOU HAVE NOT CHECKED ANY OF THE REMEDIES.

>> Reporter: APPLICATION FORM ASKS HOSPITALS WHAT OPTIONS THEY TRIED, INCLUDING TRANSFERRING PATIENTS WHETHER BEDS.

RESCHEDULING ELECTIVE PROCEDURES, AND POSSIBLY SETTING UP CLINICS FOR NONEMERGENCY CASES.

THE RESOURCE AND REVIEW FOUND HALF OF APPROVED HOSPITALS DID NOT REPORT THAT THEY TRIED ALL OPTIONS.

SOME IN SAN DIEGO ARE INCLUDED.

>> THE PARAMETERS ARE NOT STRICTLY ADHERED TO.

QUITE HONESTLY, TO BE QUITE FRANK, IT IS A FORMALITY.

>> Reporter: MOST FACILITIES I GOT WAIVERS DECLINED OR IGNORED REQUESTS FOR INTERVIEWS.

SANTIAGO SAID THE WAIVER DID NOT NEED TO HAPPEN A PALOMAR.

THE FACILITY LAID OFF MORE THAN 300 STAFFERS WHEN THE PATIENT TALLIES DROPPED LAST APRIL.

>> WE CAN GET THEM BACK NOW.

THEY WILL NOT HANG AROUND.

THEY WILL LOOK FOR OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME.

>> Reporter: APPLICATIONS ASKED OF HOSPITALS EXPERIENCED LAYOFFS WITHIN THE LAST TWO MONTHS.

THE PALMAR LAYOFFS WERE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE SANTIAGO SAID THE ESCONDIDO FACILITY APPLIED.

THE DETAILS OF THE APPLICATION ARE NOT POSTED ON THE STATES WEBSITE.

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

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

THEY HAVE THE LOAD OF PEOPLE THEY HAVE TO RECOVER FOR SURGERY, FROM SURGERY, AND THEY HAVE TO HANDLE COVID-19 PATIENTS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE UNION FILED A GRIEVANCE BECAUSE PALOMAR DID NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THEM BEFORE GETTING WAIVER.

PALOMAR REFUSED THE REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW.

A SPOKESMAN PREVIOUSLY SAID 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 ADDITIONAL STAFFING RESOURCES.

TOMORROW, LOCAL HOSPITAL SHARES WHY THEY NEEDED A WAIVER.

>> WE HAD 500 PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH COVID-19.

THAT IS FIVE TIMES MORE THAN WHAT WE HAD EARLIER IN THE YEAR.>> Reporter: THAT IS IN THE SECOND PART.

>>> THIS STORY WAS CO. REPORTED BY REPORTER CASTELLANO.

THIS IS A NONPROFIT PARTNER OF KPBS.

>>> A NUMBER OF GORILLAS AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO HAVE BEEN GIVEN DOSES OF AN MENTAL COVID-19 VACCINE, FOLLOWING INFECTIONS AMONGST EIGHTH -- APES.

ONE WAS THE FIRST ORANGUTAN TO UNDERGO OPEN SURGERY BACK IN 1994.

SHE WAS AMONG FOUR ORANGUTANS AND FOUR BONOBOS THAT RECEIVED SHOTS.

THE DOUBLE DOSE VACCINE WAS DEVELOPED BY A VETERINARY PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, FOUNDED BY PFIZER.

IT HAD ONLY BEEN USED ON CATS AND DOGS PRIOR TO THE GORILLAS.

>>> SAN DIEGO RESEARCHERS AT THE SAME STORM SYSTEMS THAT CARRIED RAIN TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ALSO CREATED ICE ON ANTARCTICA.

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER HAS THE DETAILS.>> Reporter: THE SATELLITE IS REVEALING HOW STORMS HELPED BUILD THE ICE PACK ON ANTARCTICA.

RESEARCHERS FOUND ICE WAS INCREASING BECAUSE STORMS REPEATEDLY DUMPED SNOW ON THE CONTINENT.

>> WE HAVE THE SATELLITES THAT ARE HIGHLY PRECISE AND CAN MEASURE TINY CHANGES IN THE SURFACE ELEVATION.>> Reporter: THEY SAID THE ICE SHEET THICKENED MOST ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE CONTINENT.

ONE REASON WAS FREQUENT STORMS KNOWN AS ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS.

THAT WAS A SURPRISE FOR THE CO- AUTHOR, MEREDITH FISH.

>> THIS IS A SUBTROPICAL ORIGIN STORM.

THINK ABOUT HALF OF THAT HAS TO TRAVEL TO HAVE SUCH PROFOUND IMPACTS.

THAT WAS THE PART THAT WAS SURPRISING.

>> Reporter: ATMOSPHERIC RIVER STORMS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE AS THE CLIMATE WARMS.

THAT COULD LOSE ICE LEVELS EVEN MORE.

THEY SAY IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THAT BALANCES THE AMOUNT OF ICE THE CONTINENT IS SHEDDING DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> WE NEED TO FIND OUT THESE THINGS, IF THEY WOULD BALANCE OUT.

THE CURRENT CONSENSUS IS THAT THEY MIGHT NOT.

THE MELT MAY OUTWEIGH GAINS FROM SNOWFALL.

>> Reporter: SEA LEVELS COULD CONTINUE TO RISE, INCREASING THE CHANCES OF FLOODING IN SAN DIEGO.

THE FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE CURRENT EDITION OF THE JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE ARE MANAGING TO HOLD ONTO A DRY WEEKEND.

ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER.

WHAT I WILL SAY IS WE HAVE AN ONSHORE FLOW, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE SOME MOISTURE AND SOME CLOUDS.

IT IS A PRETTY QUIET TIME.

RIGHT INTO THE MIDDLE NEXT WEEK, WE'LL START TO SEE THE NEXT CHANCE FOR RAIN.

TONIGHT, WE HAVE NO PROBLEMS AS WE HIT THE 30s AND 40s IN MOST LOCATIONS.

IT IS 39 IN ESCONDIDO.

WE HAVE QUIET CONDITIONS.

NOTICE, WE COULD HAVE A FEW CLOUDS OUT THERE.

I DO THINK WE ARE LOOKING FAIRLY CLEAR THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT.

TOMORROW, WE SHOULD HAVE INCREASES IN CLOUDS, MOSTLY TO THE NORTH.

WE WILL FIND THEM COASTAL CLOUDS.

THE TREND WILL BE TO GET MORE MOISTURE AS WE GO TOWARD THE WEEKEND.

WE WILL CALL IT A MOSTLY SUNNY DAY.

WE COULD FIND A FEW CLOUDS OFFSHORE.

IT IS 67 IN OCEANSIDE.

MOUNT LAGUNA IS IN THE MID-50s.

IT IS FAIRLY QUIET.

FUTURE CAST STARTS OFF WITH A FEW OF THE COASTAL CLOUDS.

WE DON'T HAVE MUCH MOISTURE.

YOU CAN SEE, AT THE EDGE OF THE SCREEN, GOING INTO FRIDAY AFTERNOON, WE HAVE MORE MOISTURE OFFSHORE.

WE WILL EVENTUALLY TAP INTO A FEW EXTRA CLOUDS OVER THE WEEKEND.

REALLY, IT IS THE TREND OF BRINGING IN COOLER AIR.

SATURDAY STILL LOOKS QUIET.

IT IS THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK WHEN WE START TO SEE SOME STORMY ACTIVITY WORKING ITS WAY IN.

WE COULD BE TALKING ABOUT SOME RAIN SHOWERS OUT THERE.

FOR THE COAST, THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, WE WILL NOTICE CLOUDS ON THE INCREASE.

TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE 60s AND IT IS FAIRLY COMFORTABLE.

SHOWERS ARE POSSIBLE BY TUESDAY.

THAT WILL BE TRUE IN THE INLAND LOCATIONS AS WELL.

GETTING INTO SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, WE HAVE MORE CLOUDS LIKELY.

THE MOUNTAINS WILL SEE CLOUDS AS WELL.

THIS IS A GRADUAL INCREASE AS WE GET COOLER AND WINDY ON MONDAY, AWAITING THE NEXT STORM SYSTEM.

IN THE DESERTS, WE WILL HAVE A FEW SHOWERS POSSIBLE NEXT TUESDAY AS WELL.

FOR KPBS NEWS , I AM METEOROLOGIST AT MELISSA CONSTANZER.

>>> 40% OF ALL COVID-19 VACCINATIONS WILL NOW BE RESERVED FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE MOST DISADVANTAGED AREAS OF CALIFORNIA.

THE VACCINES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO ABOUT 400 ZIP CODES, INCLUDING SEVERAL IN SAN DIEGO AND SOUTH BAY.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS WANTS TO MILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED IN THESE COMMUNITIES, THE THRESHOLD FOR EXITING THE MOST RESTRICTIVE PURPLE TEAR WILL BE RELAXED TO 10 DAILY CASES PER 1000 PEOPLE.

>>> THE AZTEC MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM CAPTURED ITS SECOND STRAIGHT MOUNTAIN WEST TITLE.

THEY BEAT YOU AND I'LL BE ON THE ROAD 71-62, GRABBING THE CROWN AGAIN.

IT WAS THEIR 11th STRAIGHT WIN AS WELL.

THIS GIVES THE AZTECS THE TOP SEED IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST TOURNAMENT.

THEY WILL LIKELY MOVE UP FROM 19th IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS.

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THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I AM A MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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THANK YOU.