>>> GOOD EVENING IT'S WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

RACIAL SLURS OVER COVERT REGULATIONS.

MORE HEATED EXCHANGES DURING A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING.

WE HAVE MORE ON THAT IN JUST A MOMENT.

FIRST, MAJOR MILESTONE FOR CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 11 LINING UP FOR THEIR VACCINATIONS.

THE ROLLOUT HAPPENING HERE.

WE HEAR NOW FROM OUR HEALTH REPORTER, MATT HOFFMAN.

>> Reporter: COVID-19 VACCINATIONS ARE OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY IN SAN DIEGO FOR KIDS AGES 5 TO 11 >> JOB.

>> I JUST FELT A LITTLE PAIN.

>> Reporter: TROY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST KIDS AT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TO GET HIS SHOT.

>> I FLINCHED AND IT WAS ALL OVER.

I REALLY WANTED IT, TO GET VACCINATED SO I WOULD NEGATIVE COVID.

>> Reporter: SHE DECIDED TO GET HER GETS VACCINATED TO PROTECT THEM AND OTHER IN YOUR COMPROMISE FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> WE ARE WAITING A WHILE.

ONE MORE LAYER OF PROTECTION FOR THEM AND OUR FAMILY.

>> Reporter: VACCINATIONS FOR YOUR KIDS REQUIRE RENTAL PERMISSION.

WHILE THE DOSES ARE SMALLER THAN THE ONES FOR ADULTS, CHILDREN STILL HAVE TO COME BACK FOR THE SECOND SHOT.

>> HOW A ENCOURAGE PARENTS IT IS SAFE.

>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR HELPS CREATES THE COUNTY COVID-19 EQUITY TEXT FORCE.

THEY KNOW SOME MAY HAVE CONCERNS GETTING THE KIDS VACCINATED.

THE PFIZER VACCINE WORKS AND TO SAY.

SPOT THERE WAS NO INCREASE IN SIDE EFFECTS BEHIND WHAT PARTICULAR OCCURRED IN THE POPULATION LIKE FATIGUE, LOCAL IRRITATION AND NO SIGNAL OF A BAD OUTCOME.

>> Reporter: KIDS ARE AT A LOWER RISK OF BEING HOSPITALIZED OR DYING FROM THE VIRUS, GILLESPIE SAYS VACCINES CAN PREVENT OTHER COVID RELATED ILLNESSES THEY CAN STICK AROUND FOR MONTHS AFTER INFECTION.

>> MOST PEOPLE THAT HAVE HIGH RISK.

OBESE KIDS, KIDS WITH OTHER IMMUNOCOMPROMISED STATES OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, IT IS A NO- BRAINER.

>> Reporter: VACCINATING YOUNGER KIDS COULD HELP A RETURN TO NORMAL IN CLASSROOMS TOO.

GILLESPIE SAYS IT COULD IMPROVE MENTAL HELP.

>> I HAVE SEVERE ANXIETY, SO, I REALLY WANT TO GET IT SO I DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE.

>> Reporter: AND THE YOUNGEST IN HER FAMILY MEANT SHE HAD TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER TO GET VACCINATED.

SHE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING OUT MORE.

>> I WAS EXCITED BECAUSE I CAN GO TO DISNEYLAND TOO.

LET'S GET A.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS HAVE ENOUGH SUPPLY TO EXIT THE ESTIMATED 20 MILLION KIDS NATIONWIDE AGES 5 TO11.

CURRENTLY, JESSE PFIZER VACCINE HAS EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION.

STRIKE ANGRY, RUDE AND RACIAL REMARKS FILLED THE AIR AT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING LAST NIGHT.

IT WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME.

AS OUR EQUITY REPORTER SHOWS US, SUPERVISORS WERE QUICK TO SHUT IT DOWN.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 60 MOSTLY ANTI-VACCINE SPEAKERS WITH PUBLIC COMMENT OUT OF THE SUPERVISOR BUT TO CONTINUE REQUIRING VACCINE MANDATES FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

AS HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY COMMON, MANY OF THE COMMENTS TOOK ACCUSATORY TONES AGAINST THE SUPERVISOR.

SPOT TODAY, I PRESENT MY VERSION OF THEATRICAL COMMENTS.

WE HAVE TO WHAT YOU GUYS WITH THEATRICS WEEK AFTER WEEK.

>> LADIES, GENTLEMEN.

>> Reporter: THINGS QUICKLY TURNED UGLY WHEN AN ASPIRING COMEDIAN CLAIMS TO HAVE GOT TO HIGH SCHOOL IN SAN DIEGO WITH SEVERAL OF THE SUPERVISORS.

HE CALLED THE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER A RACIST SLUR REFERRING TO HER AS ANTRIM I AM.

SHE IS A BLACK WOMAN.

IMMEDIATELY BUS STOP WAS PUT TO IT.

>> YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SAY THAT TO HER YOU ARE NOT ON SAY THE.

>> I CAN'T SAY YOUR FAT PIECE OF --?

THEY ACTUALLY RESPONDED.

>> I WILL ASK YOU TO APOLOGIZE.

>> NO.

>> Reporter: AT THAT WAS THE QUICKER LOGO BASED ON A RACIST STEREOTYPE, AND ENSLAVED BLACK WOMAN WHO TAKES CARE OF WHITE FAMILIES.

QUAKERS STOPPED USING THE NAME AND LOGO LAST YEAR AMID THE COUNTRIES RACIAL RECKONING.

AHEAD OF THE VOTES, THEY PLEDGED TO REMOVE SOMETHING FROM THE CHAMBER CONTINUING TO INTERRUPT OTHER SPEAKERS AND ADMONISH THE CROWD BEHAVIOR.

>> WE FIRST AMENDMENT AFFORDS PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO PEOPLE TO SAY ANYTHING THEY WANT TO SAY EVEN IF IT IS A TRUE, EVEN IF IT IS VULGAR, EVEN IF IT IS AN APPROPRIATE.

SO MUCH OF WHAT THESE MEETINGS HAVE DEVOLVED INTO, IS A TYPE OF SPORT OR GAME TO SEE HOW BOLD OR OUTRAGEOUS ONE CAN BE.

>> Reporter: THEY UNDERSCORED THE SUPERVISORS ALREADY DECLARED RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND WILL NOT TOLERATE IT IN THE MEDIA.

>> I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO COMMENTS AND SPEAK AND AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL I CAN TAKE YOUR NAME., FATS, CALL ME WHATEVER YOU WANT.

I WILL NOT TOLERATE RACISM.

PARTICULARLY, I WILL NOT TOLERATE ANTI-BLACKNESS.

THE COMMENTS IS HATE SPEECH NOT FREE-SPEECH.

THAT NEEDS TO STOP.

>>> BUSINESSES ON THE BORDER HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A MOMENT MONDAY.

PREPARING FOR BORDER RESTRICTIONS TO BE LIFTED, ALLOWING FULLY VACCINATED FOREIGNERS TO CROSS INTO THE U.S. WHAT CAN TRAVELERS EXPECT ONCE THAT HAPPENS?

>> Reporter: IF YOU DON'T HAVE PROOF OF VACCINATION, HE WON'T BE ABLE TO CROSS SAYS THIS AGENT.

THE RULES ONLY APPLY TO NONCITIZENS CROSSING INTO THE U.S.

THESE AGENTS DETAIL PLANS BEFORE REOPENING THE BORDER ON NOVEMBER 8th.

THEY SAY EVERYBODY WILL BE REQUIRED TO CARRY PROOF OF VACCINATION, BUT NOT EVERYBODY WILL BE ASKED TO SHOW IT.

OFFICERS WILL ASK ARE VACCINATION PROOF ON A CASE-BY- CASE BASIS.

MINORS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO BE VACCINATED, BUT THEY MUST CROSS WITH A PARENT OR ADULT THAT IS.

>> THIS IS THE CPP OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE PORT OF ENTRY HE SAYS ONLY VACCINES APPROVED BY THE FDA WILL BE EXCEPTED.

THOSE WITH THE PROPER DOCUMENTATION RISK BEING TURNED BACK.

>> WE UNDERSTAND THAT SOME ARE DIGITAL AND EXCEPT THE DIGITAL PROOF.

OF COURSE IF IT IS ON PAPER AND IT IS ON THE WE WILL ALSO CHECK THAT OUT.

>> Reporter: THE PHOTO OF THE VACCINE CARD ALSO WILL BE EXCEPTED.

>> WE ARE EXPECTING HAVE YOU TRAVEL ON THAT DAY ACTUALLY FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, SO, WE ARE EXPECTING AND LET YOU KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE HIGH WAIT TIMES DURING THOSE TIMES.

>> Reporter: STAFFING OF THE PORT OF ENTRY IS A MUST BACK TO PRE-COVID LEVELS, BUT THE CROSSING WILL REMAIN CLOSE.

>> WE FIND IT MORE EFFICIENT TO OPEN FULLY SO WE WILL OPEN FULLY BUT NOT AT THIS TIME.

>> Reporter: PRE-COVID, THERE WERE TWO OFFICERS AT EACH LANE HELPING EASE TRAFFIC FLOW.

BUT HE SAYS EACH LANE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE WHAT OFFICER ONLY, WHICH PRESENTS THE RISK OF LONG LINES OF TRAFFIC.

WHEN ASKED WITH THE REASONING BEHIND THE DECISION WAS?

HE SAID -- >> SEVERAL FACTORS, BUT AT THIS TIME WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT PUTTING OFFICERS ON EACH LANE.

>> Reporter: THOSE TRAVELING TO THE U.S. SHOULD AVOID CROSSING DURING PEAK HOURS TO AVOID LONG WAIT TIMES.

>>> THE OCEANSIDE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT TOSSING OUT A CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSAL FOR CONSOLIDATING AND CLOSING SOME OF ITS SCHOOLS.

SAID THE BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE REBUILDING OF REYNOLDS ELEMENTARY AND MODERNIZATION OF SURFSIDE ACADEMY.

THE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS WOULD HAVE IMPACTED SCHOOLS SERVING A LARGE NUMBER OF LATINO FAMILIES INCLUDING WHITBY LAKE ELEMENTARY.

PARENTS RALLIED AHEAD OF THE MEETING.

>> WE WERE A STATIC.

WE WERE CHEERING AND YELLING.

IT SHOWED ALL OF THE HARD WORK AND UNITY THE LATINO COMMUNITY HAD IT COMING TOGETHER.

>> PARENTS BELIEVE THE BOARD VOTED AGAINST THE CLOSURES AND CONSOLIDATIONS AFTER MANY OF THEM SPOKE UP.

MORE DETAILS ON THE REPAIRS AT REYNOLDS ELEMENTARY OF SURFSIDE ACADEMY WILL BE DISCUSSED AT A LATER BOARD MEETING.

>>> SO THE TWO TEACHERS ARE IN HIGH DEMAND IN ORDER FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT TO MAINTAIN STATE REQUIRED COVERAGE IN CLASSROOMS.

OUR EDUCATION REPORTER TELLS US THERE IS NOW A REAL FINANCIAL BENEFIT FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY TO BE TEACHERS FOR A DAY OR LONGER.

>> Reporter: SAM TO HER STUDENTS, A NEW SUBSTITUTE TEACHER THIS WEEK AT MONTGOMERY MIDDLE SCHOOL.

THIS IS SEVENTH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS.

IT IS A LONG WAY FROM THE LAW FIRM JOBS USED TO HAVE.

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC LEFT HER WANTING MORE FOR HER FUTURE.

A BACHELORS DEGREE AND ESTATE 30 DAY URGENCY TEACHING PERMIT BROUGHT HER HERE ON THE ROAD TO A FULL TEACHING CREDENTIAL SUNDAY.

>> THIS JOB HELPS ME SEE THE REAL ISSUES KIDS ARE FACING TODAY AND SEEING WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP.

AND HONESTLY SEE THE EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE TODAY AND THEN, HOPEFULLY, WHEN I COULD GET MY DEGREE, FIGURE OUT WAYS WHERE I CAN BE THE BRIDGE TO FIX A.

>> Reporter: SHE AND OTHER QUALIFIED GRADUATES ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AS OF THE TWO TEACHERS FROM THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED DISTRICT.

MOST OTHER UNIFIED DIGITS IN THE COUNTY.

COVID WITH CONFUSION AND UNCERTAINTY EMPTYING THE TEACHING POOL.

THE JUDGE IS TO PAY $125 A DAY.

NOW, LOOK AT THESE AS A TWO TEACHER DAILY PAY RATES IN SOME LOCAL DISTRICTS.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED STARTS AT $172 A DAY.

UP TO $285 A DAY FOR A LONG- TERM RESIDENT SUB.

THE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH THE PAY RATE OF $180-$200.

AND HERE THE PAY IS THAT A HIGH OF $225 UP TO $285 A DAY.

>> WE ARE LOOKING FOR SUBSTITUTES.

TEACHERS, BUS DRIVERS.

EDUCATORS.

FOLKS WHO WORK DIRECTLY WITH THEIR STUDENTS.

IF YOU HAVE KIDS WITH ANY DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU.

>> Reporter: IN AUGUST, GOVERNOR NEWSOM TRIED TO SUPPORT THE SITUATION WITH AN EXECUTIVE ORDER.

THE ORDER ALLOWED RETIRING TEACHERS TO RETURN TO WORK IMMEDIATELY.

DOING AWAY WITH A SIX MONTH WAITING PERIOD.

SHE WILL FINISH HER ASSIGNMENTS AT MONTGOMERY FRIDAY AND LOOKS FORWARD TO HER NEXT LESSON.

>> IT IS SUPER REWARDING.

FELLOWS ARE THE LITTLE BITS I NEED TO FOCUS ON.

THOSE ARE WHAT KEEPS ME GOING.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE SUBSTITUTES WILLING TO TRUDGE THE ROAD OF EDUCATION.

>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A DECADE THE SUPREME COURT IS HEARING ARGUMENTS ON A SIGNIFICANT SECOND AMENDMENT CASE.

IT IS ABOUT A GUN LAW IN NEW YORK THAT REQUIRES A RESIDENT TO PROVE THEY FACE A SPECIAL OR UNIQUE DANGER TO THEIR LIFE IN ORDER TO GET A LICENSE TO CARRY A CONCEALED PISTOL OR REVOLVER OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOMES.

THE CASE WAS BROUGHT FORWARD BY AN AFFILIATE OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

IT ARGUES THAT THE LAW MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR AN ORDINARY CITIZEN TO OBTAIN A LICENSE BECAUSE THE STANDARD IS SO BROAD AND HAS THE DISCRETION OF THE LICENSING OFFICER.

FIVE OTHER STATES INCLUDING CALIFORNIA HAVE SIMILAR REGULATIONS.

STRUCK REPUBLICANS ARE CELEBRATING A WIN, POSSIBLY A SECOND IN THE KEY GOVERNOR RACES WHILE DEMOCRATS HAD A HISTORIC MAYORAL WINS IN SOME OF THE BIGGEST.

>> Reporter: ACROSS THE COUNTRY, DEMOCRATS ARE ANALYZING THE RESULTS IN KEY RACES MANY VIEW AS A PREVIEW OF THE 2022 MIDTERMS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO WORK.

WE ARE GOING TO RESTORE EXCELLENCE IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: IN THE VIRGINIA GOVERNORS RACE, REPUBLICAN BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GLENN YOUNGKIN WITH THE DECISIVE VICTORY OVER FORMER CREDIT OWNER TERRY McAULIFFE.

THE BLAME GAME ALREADY BEGINNING WITH THE VIRGINIA SENATOR TIM KING PLACING ON CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS.

>> YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A DEAL AND DELIVER RESULTS.

THEY WANT MORE RESULTS.

WE HAVE TO DELIVER BECAUSE WE ARE THE MAJORITY AND EXPECT US TO DELIVER.

TRUCK IN NEW JERSEY IN A RACE SO CLOSE TO CALL, PHIL MURPHY SEEKING TO BECOME THE FIRST DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT GOVERNOR TO ENACT REELECTION IN THAT STATE IN MORE THAN 40 YEARS.

THERE WERE SOME BRIGHT SPOTS FOR THE DEMOCRATS WITH MICHELLE WU BEING THE FIRST WOMAN AND PERSON OF COLOR TO BE ELECTED AS MAYOR OF BOSTON.

BETWEEN TACKLING BIG PROBLEMS WITH BOTH SOLUTIONS AND FILLING POTHOLES, TO MAKE CHANGE AT SCALE AND AT STREET LEVEL.

WE NEED, WE DESERVE BOTH.

>> Reporter: WITH MANY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND THE PANDEMIC, NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE NOT TRYING TO NAVIGATE A PATH FORWARD.

>> YOU HAVE TO GET STUFF DONE IN THE REALITY IS, TO CONTINUE TO DEBATE AFTER ELECTIONS, IT IS JUST A FEELING SOLUTION FOR THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUNDS.

>>> A CHECKERED PROFESSIONAL HISTORY THE SUBJECT OF AN INVESTIGATION EARLIER THIS YEAR.

HE APPEARS TO HAVE LOST A BID TO REJOIN THE SCHOOL BOARD.

THE OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS SHOW THE ONETIME TRUSTEE WAS DEFEATED BY AN OPPONENT TO TOOK NEARLY 60% OF THE VOTES.

1000 VOTES STILL REMAIN TO BE TALLIED OUT OF MORE THAN 6000 THAT WERE COUNTED.

>>> MEANWHILE, VOTERS IN LA MESA PICKED A NEW CITY COUNCILMEMBER AFTER WEBER WAS ELECTED TO FILL HER MOTHERS DISTRICT SEATS.

LEADING WITH 39% OF THE VOTES THE NEXT CLOSEST CANDIDATE WITH 20%.

AROUND 2000 BALLOTS OUT OF MORE THAN 7000 STILL NEED TO BE PROCESS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY CONTACT TRACING PROGRAM WAS ENVISIONED AS A PILLAR IN THE FIGHT TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

THE IDEA WAS TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID- 19 AND NOTIFY THEM SO THEY COULD QUARANTINE.

WE LOOK INTO HOW THE COUNTY PROGRAM ACTUALLY WORKS.

TRUCK WITH THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

JESSICA WANTED TO DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING, TO HELP.

SHE JUMPED AT THE CHANCE TO BE A CASE INVESTIGATOR FOR THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY CONTACT TRACING PROGRAM.

>> IT WAS A STEEP LEARNING CURVE.

WE WERE THROWN INTO THE MIX WITH IN JUST A FEW DAYS OF TRAINING.

BUT, AFTER A FEW DAYS OF TRAINING, I WOULD SAY I CAUGHT ON QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: AMAZING WE ARE NOT USING HER REAL NAME AND DISTORTED HER VOICE TO PROTECT HER LIVELIHOOD.

SHE IS PART OF A CONTACT TRACING PROGRAM THAT AT ONE POINT EMPLOYED NEARLY 1000 PEOPLE.

SO FAR, COST THE COUNTY MILLIONS.

DESPITE THE COMMITMENTS, IT'S BECAME CLEAR WITHIN MONTHS IT WAS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO STOP THE SPREAD.

DURING THE SUMMER SURGE OF 2020.

JUST 11% OF PEOPLE WITH COVID- 19 WERE BEING CONTACTED BY A CASE INVESTIGATOR WITHIN A DAY.

FAR SHORT OF THE COUNTY GOAL OF 70%.

NOW, MORE THAN 18 MONTHS INTO THE PANDEMIC, EXPERTS ARE LOOKING BACK ON THE PROGRAM TO EXAMINE HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO BE MORE AFFECTED.

AND EPIDEMIOLOGIST AT YOU SEE SAN DIEGO.

>> CONTACT TRACING IS THE MOST USEFUL WHEN YOU THINK OF IT AS PUTTING OUT FLAREUPS RATHER THAN DEALING WITH A WILDFIRE.

SO, IN THE VERY BEGINNING, FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, YEAH.

IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO CATCH THOSE FLAREUPS AS QUICK AS WE COULD.

OF COURSE IT WAS HARD WITH HOW HARD IT WAS TO GET A TEST AND HOW LONG THE TURNAROUND WAS.

I THINK WHEN WE GOT INTO THE REAL PEAK OF IT, YOU COULD NOT TAMP DOWN THE WILDFIRE WITH CASE INVESTIGATION AND CONTACT TRACING.

>> Reporter: COUNTY OFFICIALS WOULD NOT AGREE TO BE INTERVIEWED FOR THIS STORY.

BUT THEY INSISTED IN AN EMAIL RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS THAT THE PROGRAM IS WORTHWHILE.

STILL.

HE ACKNOWLEDGED EVEN NOW THE COUNTY IS ONLY ABLE TO REACH AND INTERVIEW ABOUT 50% OF PEOPLE EXPOSED.

JESSICA FEELS HER WORK HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE.

BUT THE JOB HAS TAKEN A SIGNIFICANT TOLL ON HER MENTAL HEALTH.

ESPECIALLY SINCE THE COVID VACCINE BECAME AVAILABLE AND THE VIRUS BECAME EVEN MORE POLITICIZED.

PEOPLE WILL SCREAM AT HER AND TELL HER SHE CANNOT CONTROL THEM.

AND THAT COVID IS A MYTH.

>> A CAN FEEL LIKE A SISYPHEAN TASK AT TIMES WHEN THERE ARE FOLKS WHO JUST DON'T WANT THAT INFORMATION OR, POTENTIALLY ARE GOING OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AFTER PERHAPS THEY HAVE TESTED POSITIVE OR HAVE BEEN EXPOSED KNOWING THAT THEY ARE POTENTIALLY PROBABLY EXPOSING OTHER PEOPLE TO THIS VIRUS AND KNOWING THAT THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO DON'T STOP TO THINK ABOUT HOW THAT CAN BE AFFECTING OTHER PEOPLE.

AND IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES.

IT IS A HEARTBREAKER.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER SETBACK.

IS VACCINATION RATES INCREASE AND CASE COUNTS DECREASED IN THE SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER, THE COUNTY CUT BACK CONTACT TRACING STAFFED BY NEARLY HALF.

THEN, AS THE DELTA VARIANT SURGED, THE COUNTY TRIED TO HIRE BACK THE CONTACT TRACERS WHO HAD BEEN LAID OFF.

CASES LIKELY WILL SURGE AGAIN OVER THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

IN 2022 AND BEYOND, AS COVID BECOMES END, NOT A PANDEMIC, CONTACT TRACING WILL PROVE ESPECIALLY USEFUL.

SO SAYS THIS EPIDEMIOLOGIST.

>> A WILDFIRE ANALOGY, WE WILL BE MORE IN A PLACE WHERE WE ARE KEEPING HER EYE OUT FOR HOTSPOTS.

THE QUICKER THAT YOU CAN STOP A HOTSPOT FROM SPREADING, THE BETTER OFF EVERYBODY IS GOING TO BE.

>> Reporter: WHEN MEANWHILE, FOR JESSICA, THE HARPER CONTINUES.

>> I JUST HAD SOMEONE CALL ME YESTERDAY, ASKING ME IF THE COUNTY COULD HELP IN ANY WAY BECAUSE SHE WAS GOING TO MISS 10 DAYS OF WORK AND HER EMPLOYER WAS NOT PROVIDING ANY KIND OF SICK PAY FOR HER.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE STRESS, SHE WILL KEEP WORKING AS LONG AS SHE IS NEEDED.

CLAIRE TRAGESER , KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGANS WAITING ON RENT SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO A STUDY FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RENTAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION.

IT'S IS A TYPICAL LANDLORD IS OUT FIVE MONTHS RENT AT $5000 PER UNIT.

AN ATTORNEY WITH THE AID SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO BELIEVES THE STUDIES ESTIMATE IT IS TOO HIGH.

>> I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT MANY TENANTS WOULD NOT APPLY FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND RISK THEIR HOUSING.

NOT JUST RISK THEIR HOUSING BUT BE CARRYING TENS OF THOUSAND DOLLARS OF DEBTS THEY WILL CARRY FOR YEARS.

>> FOR MARCH, CALIFORNIA RESIDENCE CANNOT BE EVICTED FOR NOT PAYING RENT AS LONG AS THEY HAVE APPLIED OR HAVE A PENDING APPLICATION FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

STRIKE IT HAS TAKEN ALMOST 10 YEARS TO PLAN AND NOW WORK IS FINALLY BEGUN AT THE AIRPORT.

THE PROJECT ON THE SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL REPLACE THE TERMINAL ONE BUILDING BUILT IN THE 60s AND CREATE A NEW ACCESS ROAD TO THE AIRPORT.

THE SAN DIEGO UNION REPORTS THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION APPROVED THE FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY.

THE NEW TERMINAL IS SAID TO HAVE 30 GATES AS WELL AS IMPROVE FOOD AND RETAIL BUSINESSES.

>>> LIGHTS, CAMERA AND ACTION IN SAN DIEGO AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE CREATION OF THE REGIONAL FILM OFFICE SERVING SAN DIEGO.

THE NEW FILM COMMISSION WILL SUPPORT THE ARTS COMMUNITY HERE AS WELL IS BOOST THE AREA ECONOMY.

THE COMMISSION WENT DARK IN 2013 BUT GENERATED ROUGHLY $64 MILLION IN THE COUNTY EACH YEAR.

>>> WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE TEMPERATURES NEAR THE COAST THAT ARE SIMILAR BUT A TEMPERATURE DROP IS POSSIBLE FURTHER INLAND.

AND THE MOUNTAIN AND THE DESERTS TOO LIKELY AS WE HEAD TOWARDS PART OF THE WEEKEND INTO NEXT WEEK, WE WILL BE WATCHING THE STORM SYSTEM IN THE NORTHWEST.

THAT WILL ALLOW FOR COOLER AIR TO PUSH FURTHER SOUTH.

AT LEAST WE HAVE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE.

THERE IS NO RAIN HERE IN THE FORECAST AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

TEMPERATURES LATER TONIGHT, 50s TOWARDS OCEANSIDE.

40s IN ESCONDIDO AND RAMONA.

MAINLY DRY ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST ON THURSDAY.

DRY AND PLEASANT.

HERE'S THE TYPICAL THE JET STREAM WITH WIDE STORM SYSTEM TRYING TO PUSH FURTHER SOUTH.

THERE WILL BE SEVERAL LINED UP OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

TEMPERATURES FOR YOU THURSDAY.

GETTING UP INTO THE UPPER 70s FOR YOU IN ESCONDIDO.

91 TOWARDS PRINGLE SPRINGS.

71 TOWARDS CHULA VISTA.

FRIDAY AGAIN YOU WILL NOTICE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIP IN THE JET STREAM ACROSS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BUT, ELSEWHERE IT IS LIKELY STILL GOING TO REMAIN PRETTY WARM HERE FOR YOUR FRIDAY.

NEAR THE COAST, TEMPERATURES GENERALLY SITTING IN THE LOW 70s FOR YOU.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, OF A DIP IN THE UPPER CITIES ON SATURDAY, BUT NOTICEABLE HERE GENERALLY PRETTY SEASONABLE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

FURTHER INLAND, TEMPERATURES FROM THE LOW 80s TO THE UPPER 70s AND DOWN INTO THE LOW 70s ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

AND YOU NOTICE AGAIN MORE NOTICEABLE DROPS IN TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF THOSE HIKES.

MOUNTAIN TEMPERATURES MOST 60s, UPPER 50s.

NOT MUCH IN THE WAY OF CHANGE HERE.

A LITTLE BIT OF A TEMPERATURE DROP POSSIBLE HERE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS AND IN THE DESERT, TEMPERATURES GO FROM THE 90s THURSDAY AND FRIDAY INTO THE UPPER 80s ON SATURDAY AND BY THE START OF THE NEW WORK WEEK, WE WILL ONLY BE IN THE LOW 80s.

>>> TONIGHT IN THE NEWSHOUR.

THE TOP TAKEAWAYS FOR BOTH PARTIES AFTER LAST NIGHTS ELECTION, COMING UP AT SEVEN AFTER THE EVENING EDITION OF KPBS.

>>> THE BREEDERS' CUP RETURNS TO SAN DIEGO THIS WEEKEND.

TODAY RACE OFFICIALS GAVE A BRIEFING HOW THEY PLAN TO PROTECT THE HORSES.

MELISSA MAE HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: LAST SUMMER SEVERAL HORSES DIED AT THE DELMAR.

THIS WEEKEND THE BREEDERS' CUP APPROACHES AND RACE OFFICIALS ARE FOCUSED ON THE SAFETY OF THE ANIMALS.

>> A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF HARD WORK AND PLANNING WAS INTO PRESENTING THE BREEDERS' CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

THE TOP OF THE LIST IS EVERYONE SAFETY AND CONCERN.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT JOSH RUBENSTEIN OPENED THE CUP SAFETY AND SECURITY BRIEFING.

>> THE INJURY DATABASE LISTS DELMAR IS A SAFEST MAJOR RACETRACK ILLUSTRIOUS.

>> Reporter: THE CALIFORNIA HORSERACING BOARD SAYS RACING IN THE STATE HAS BECOME SAFER IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.

>> CALIFORNIA REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF FATAL INJURIES BY 50% OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

>> TUESDAY MORNING THE HORSES WENT THROUGH A MANDATORY SECURITY CHECK GIVEN THE EQUINE SURVEILLANCE TEAMS AND VETERINARIANS TIME TO OBSERVE THE HORSES.

THEY ARE THEN MONITORED BY SECURITY WHO PROVIDE VISITS TO THE HORSE STALLS.

THE APPROXIMATELY 20 INVESTIGATORS WITH PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR INVESTIGATIVE BACKGROUNDS MANAGING THE SECURITY TEAM.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE BREEDERS' CUP HAD A PRECOMPETITION TESTING PERIOD AND THE DOCTOR CHURCHILL DOWNS EQUINE MEDICAL DIRECTOR MANAGED THE NEW TEST TO MULTIPLE TEAMS VETERINARIANS OUT AND SAMPLES WERE COLLECTED OUT OF ALL 166 ENTERED HORSES YESTERDAY.

>> Reporter: THE SAMPLES WERE OVERNIGHTED TO UC DAVIS AND RESULTS WILL BE DELIVERED BEFORE SCRATCH TIME FRIDAY.

ON TRACK EXAMS ARE ALSO PERFORMED.

>> AS WE DID LEDGER, TWO EXAMS ARE REQUIRED.

WE ARE KEEPING TRACK OF THE HORSES.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO EXAMINE THE SOURCES WITH WEIGHTS UP TO HELP REPLICATE WHAT WE ANTICIPATE TO SEE ON RACE DAY AS THE HORSES ARE WARMING UP IN THE POST PARADE.

>> Reporter: THE FIRST RACES WILL BE ON FRIDAY.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI , GOOD NIGHT.