>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THE SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.
SAN DIEGO PASSED A MILESTONE IN ITS VACCINE ROLLOUT.
1 MILLION LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.
KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SAYS THAT VACCINATING THE NEXT MILLION MIGHT BE MORE CHALLENGING.
>> THE FACT THAT WE HAVE REACHED OVER 1 MILLION VACCINATIONS IS A HERCULEAN FEAT.
>> Reporter: PROGRESS ON THE VACCINATION FRONT BUT DR. WILMA WOOTEN SAYS THAT THE FIRST TIME DEMAND FOR VACCINATIONS HAS FALLEN BRINGING US TO A CROSSROADS.
>> HAS THE TEMPERAMENT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC CHANGES, OUR STRATEGIES MUST CHANGE.
>> Reporter: HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE STEPPING UP OUTREACH EFFORTS.
>> WE ARE RAMPING UP ALL OF OUR ENGAGEMENT WITH VARIOUS SEGMENTS.
>> Reporter: SOME SITES ARE WORKING TO EXTEND HOURS TO 8 P.M. AT THE POSSIBILITY OF A 24-HOUR SITE FOR THOSE THAT CANNOT GET VACCINATED DURING THE DAY.
>> WE ALWAYS KNEW THAT SOME WOULD GET PLENTY OF SANDY HIGGINS WHO ARE OPEN AND WILLING TO GET A VACCINE.
WE JUST HAVE TO WORK A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO ACCESS.
>> Reporter: OVERALL, SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS HALFWAY TOWARDS HIS GOAL OF HAVING 75% OF RESIDENTS 16 AND OVER THAT SEND MY JULY EMPRESS >> THAT GOAL IS JUST FOR 16 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER.
WE WILL HAVE TO READJUST WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE FOR THE POPULATION OF 12: -- >> Reporter: THOSE VACCINATED DO NOT NEED TO WEAR MASKS OUTSIDE EXCEPT IN LARGE CROWDS.
WE SAW MANY PEOPLE WITH MASKS, AND SOME WITHOUT THEM.
>> THE MAJORITY OF FOLKS WILL FOLLOW IT.
I GET THERE IS A LITTLE FRUSTRATION.
I GOT VACCINATED, WHY DO WE NEED TO WEAR MY MASK.
>> Reporter: OUTREACH EFFORTS ARE BEING USED FOR YOUTH.
PILOT PROGRAMS THAT HELP TO VACCINATE HARD-HIT COMMITTEES ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED IN THE NORTH COUNTY.
>> WE WILL ASK YOU TO SHARE WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, ASKED THEM TO TAKE THE VACCINES.
>> Reporter: THERE ARE NOW A LIMITED NUMBER OF DOSES SET ASIDE EACH DAY FOR WALK UPS.
OTHER SITES LIKE SUPER STATIONS AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ARE WEARING APPOINTMENTS.
MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.
>> ONE OF THOSE SUPER SITES THAT WAS MENTIONED IS THAT THE DELMAR FAIRGROUNDS THIS WEEK, IT'S OPERATOR ANNOUNCED TO EXPAND CAPACITY UP TO 10,000 PEOPLE.
AS LONG AS SUPPLY KEEPS UP.
THE SUPER SITE HAS SEEN SEVERAL CLOSURES IN RECENT WEEKS DUE TO SLOWDOWNS IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN.
WE ARE CLOSING IN ON 100 MILLION AMERICANS FULLY VACCINATED, EVEN THOUGH VACCINES HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR MONTHS, THERE STILL A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL HESITANT.
ALEXANDRA FIELD REPORTS ON SOME PROMINENT VOICES AMONG THEM.
>> IT IS EVEN BETTER THAN WHAT YOU WOULD'VE EXPECTED.
>> Reporter: IN THE REAL WORLD, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COVID VACCINES IS SURPASSING ALREADY HIGH EXPECTATIONS SET BY CLINICAL TRIALS.
>> THAT IS THE REASON WHY YOU'RE HERE ALL OF US IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR ESSENTIALLY PLEADING WITH PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.
>> Reporter: THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF NEW INFECTIONS THE LOWEST IT HAS BEEN IN FIVE WEEKS.
THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF DEATHS, THE LOWEST IT HAS BEEN SINCE LAST SUMMER.
>> THE NUMBERS ARE COMING DOWN AND I BELIEVE AS THEY COME DOWN YOU WILL SEE MORE LIBERAL GUIDELINES.
>> Reporter: IT IS HAPPENING ALREADY BUT NOT FAST ENOUGH FOR THOSE THAT GOT THERE VACCINES AND WANT TO GET BACK TO NORMAL MUCH FASTER.
>> THEY HAVEN'T REALLY GONE FAR ENOUGH.
THEY NEED TO TELL AMERICANS THAT IF YOU'RE VACCINATED, YOU ARE IMMUNE.
>> WHY PUT ANY RESTRAINTS ON THE VACCINATED?
>> LET ME ROLL IT UP THIS WAY, EVERYTHING YOU DO IS SAFER IF YOU'RE VACCINATED.
EVERYTHING.
GOING TO A WEDDING, GOING TO A RESTAURANT, HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS, GOING TO A BARBECUE, GOING TO WORK.
EVERYTHING YOU DO IS MUCH MUCH SAFER IF YOU HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.
IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED, THOSE THINGS ARE STILL DANGEROUS.
>> Reporter: EVEN SO, MANY STATES LIFTING MASK MANDATES.
ALMOST HALF THE U.S.
WITHOUT, EVEN BEFORE THE NEW GUIDANCE SAYING THAT MASKS ARE NOT NECESSARY.
FOR OUTSIDE AND EXCEPT FOR LARGE CROWDS.
THE GOVERNOR OF TENNESSEE DECLARING THE END OF THE COVID- 19 HEALTH EMERGENCY WITH THOUSANDS OF NEW CASES THERE DAILY AND JUST 25% OF THE STATES POPULATION FULLY VACCINATED.
IN CALIFORNIA, DISNEYLAND OPENING ITS GATES TO CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS ONLY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A YEAR.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY IS MOVING TO ITS LOWEST LEVEL FOR RESTRICTIONS.
NEW YORK CITY NOW PLANNING TO LIFT CURFEWS FOR RESTAURANTS AND BARS NEXT MONTH.
ALL OF THIS WHILE THE WHITE HOUSE TAKES ITS CAMPAIGN INTO OVERDRIVE, ENCOURAGING MORE PEOPLE TO GET THEIR SHOTS.
BUT AS SOME POPULAR VOICES SHARE OPINIONS AT ODDS WITH THE MEDICAL EXPERTS ADVICE.
>> IF YOU ARE HEALTHY PERSON, EXERCISING ALL OF THE TIME, YOU'RE YOUNG, YOU'RE EATING WELL, I DON'T THINK YOU NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THIS.
>> AND THEN YOU WILL PASS THE INFECTION ON TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO MIGHT PASS IT ON TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO MIGHT REALLY GET SERIOUSLY ILL AND MIGHT DIE.
YOU HAVE TO PUT A LITTLE BIT OF SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITY IN YOUR CHOICES.
THAT IS WHY I DISAGREE WITH MR. ROGAN.
>> Reporter: YOU CAN FOLLOW THE LOCAL PROGRESS IN VACCINATING SANDY HIGGINS PART OF OUR VACCINE DASHBOARD AT KPBS .ORG.
WE HAVE A MAP WHERE YOU CAN FIND A VACCINE LOCATION IN YOUR AREA.
YOU CAN GET TO THE VACCINE DASHBOARD BY CLICKING THE VACCINES LINK THAT YOU CAN FIND ON OUR HOMEPAGE.
HALF OF SAN DIEGO'S POPULATION IS NOT FULLY VACCINATED BUT THERE ARE MANY WHO HAVEN'T FOLLOWED THROUGH IN GETTING A SECOND DOSE.
WE LOOK AT HOW RECEIVING A PARTIAL OR EVEN A FULL VACCINATION CHANGES COVID-19 RISKS AND THE INFECTION RATES.
>> Reporter: NOW THAT OVER HALF SAN DIEGO ADULTS HAVE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST COVID VACCINE SHOT, OUT OF THE QUESTION ARISES, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS?
DR. RODNEY HOOD HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE COUNTIES EFFORT TO VACCINATE SAN DIEGO IN SPIRIT HE SAYS RISKS EXIST BUT THEY WILL GO DOWN AS MORE PEOPLE GET THEIR SHOTS.
>> IT IS POSSIBLE THAT YOU CAN GET EXPOSED AND GET THE COVID INFECTION BUT IT IS USUALLY VERY MILD.
SO FAR, THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO HAVE NO SIGNIFICANT HOSPITALIZATIONS AND NO DEATH.
>> Reporter: IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THOSE THAT HAVE GOTTEN THE VACCINE ARE FAR MORE LESS LIKELY TO SPREAD COVID-19 TO OTHERS.
>> IT MARKEDLY DECREASES THE RISK OF TRANSMITTING ASYMPTOMATIC DISEASE BECAUSE THE VIRAL LOAD IS SO LOW.
EVEN IF YOU DID GET INFECTED TRANSMITTING IT BECOMES MUCH LESS.
>> Reporter: THERE IS CONCERN THAT AS TIME GOES ON, SOME COVID VARIANTS COULD EVADE THE VACCINE.
BOOSTER SHOTS COULD BE COMING IN THE FALL WHICH WILL PROVIDE FURTHER PROTECTION.
>> WE NOW KNOW THAT THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU GET IS VERY GOOD UP TO SIX MONTHS AND PROBABLY LONGER.
HOW MUCH LONGER, WE DON'T KNOW.
THE ESTIMATION IS 9 TO 12 MONTHS.
SOME ARE SPECULATING AT THAT PERIOD OF TIME, A BOOSTER SHOT MIGHT BE NECESSARY.
>> Reporter: THE CURRENT GOAL IS TO VACCINATE 75% OF THE POPULATION TO REACH HERD IMMUNITY.
THEY EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN BY LATE FALL.
IF THE VARIANCE BECOME A PROBLEM, IT MIGHT TAKE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE.
>> THE U.S. WOULD RESTRICT TRAVEL FROM INDIA STARTING TUESDAY, MAY 4th.
THE COUNTRY IS DEALING WITH A MAJOR SURGEON COVID-19 CASES WITH THOUSANDS OF DEATHS PER DAY.
THIS PICTURE SHOWS SOME OF THE MEDICAL SUPPLIES BEEN SENT TO INDIA FROM THE UNITED STATES.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAYS THAT THEY WILL DO WHAT THEY CAN TO HELP SUCH AS SENDING MORE VACCINES.
HEALTH GROUPS ARE CALLING FOR THE U.S. TO DO MUCH MORE BY WAVING VACCINE PATENTS.
A LOCAL CONGRESSMAN IS BEING CRITICIZED FOR HIS RESISTANCE >> Reporter: SCOTT PETERS HAS OPPOSED A PUSH TO WAIVE THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS FOR THE VACCINES MADE BY COMPANIES LIKE MODERNA AND PFIZER.
>> APPOINT A WAIVER.
>> Reporter: THIS COULD SAVE MILLIONS OF LIVES AROUND THE WORLD ACCORDING TO THE PROTESTERS OUTSIDE OF HIS OFFICE.
WILL IS AN ORGANIZER WITH THE TRADE JUSTICE COALITION.
HE SAYS THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN SHOULD ISSUE A TRIPS WAIVER.
>> IF COUNTRIES ARE NOT ABLE TO PRODUCE THE VACCINE, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE MORE AND MORE DEATHS AND MORE AND MORE ZUMA FUNERALS SPIRIT >> Reporter: OVER 400 ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS AND HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH HAVE CALLED ON THE U.S. TO ISSUE THE WAIVER.
THE ISSUE ISN'T TRADE SECRETS, IT IS PRODUCTION CAPACITY.
>> IT IS A MATTER OF PRODUCING AND DISTRIBUTING AND ADMINISTERING VACCINES.
CONSTRUCT FACILITIES, ESTABLISH SUPPLY CHAINS.
THAT IS WHAT TAKES TIME.
>> Reporter: BY LIFTING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTIONS, THE U.S. COULD BE GIVEN OUT SECRETS BEHIND M NRA TECHNOLOGY.
>> THAT COULD BE THE BASIS FOR OTHER INNOVATIONS THAT WE WANT TO BE AMERICAN.
THAT IS NOT THE IMPEDIMENT TO GETTING VACCINES OUT, INCLUDING RUSSIA AND CHINA AND WE WANT AMERICA TO BE ANY LEAD.
THERE IS NO REASON TO SACRIFICE THAT IN THE INTEREST OF GETTING VACCINES BECAUSE IS NOT AN OBSTACLE.
>> Reporter: THE REQUEST FOR THE WAIVER ORIGINALLY CAME FROM INDIA WHICH HAS SEEN A DEADLY EXPLOSION OF CASES IN RECENT WEEKS.
YESTERDAY, IT RECORDED OVER 300,000 NEW CASES.
NOBODY IS MORE THAN 20 HOURS A WORLD, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
>> WE ARE ALL NEIGHBORS, WHETHER WE WANT TO BE OR NOT.
>> Reporter: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS RESISTED THE REQUEST TO ISSUE THE WAIVER.
>> PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT IS DOWN ACROSS THE STATE AND THAT IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE FOR ENGLISH LEARNING STUDENTS.
IN SAN DIEGO AND THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA, KPBS SPOKE WITH EXPERTS ABOUT THIS THE CLIENT AND HOW IT COULD HARM SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
>> Reporter: THE NUMBER OF ENGLISH LEARNERS ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS STATEWIDE DROPPED BY 8%, WHICH IS THE LARGEST DROP IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
THE DROP WAS EVEN MORE DRAMATIC AT 12% IN SAN DIEGO.
THE DECLINE CAN BE EXPLAINED BY ECONOMIC CONDITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN WORSENED BY THE PANDEMIC.
STUDENTS WHOSE FIRST LANGUAGE ISN'T ENGLISH ARE MORE LIKELY TO COME FROM LOW INCOME FAMILIES WHO WERE HIT HARD DURING THE PANDEMIC.
THIS IS THE DISTRICT ADVISOR FOR CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION AT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE BEING PRICED OUT.
RENTS ARE STILL NOT AFFORDABLE OR CONTROLLABLE.
I KNOW THAT THERE ARE RESEARCH PIECES OUT THERE SHOWING THAT OUR REGION OF THE STATE IS ONE OF THE MOST UNAFFORDABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING CLASS AND THE WORKING POOR.
>> THE CHULA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE THE GREATEST DROPPED IN ENGLISH LEARNING ENROLLMENT.
OVERALL ENROLLMENT DROPPED BY 3% WHILE ENGLISH LEARNER ENROLLMENT DROPPED BY 19%.
ONE REASON COULD BE THAT MORE STUDENTS HAVE MASTERED THE LANGUAGE AND NO LONGER QUALIFY AS ENGLISH LEARNERS.
OTHERS MAY HAVE FALLEN THROUGH THE CRACKS.
THE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS.
>> THIS YEAR, NOT ONLY IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ACROSS THE NATION REGISTRATION PROCESS OCCURRED ONLINE.
SO THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT CHALLENGES THAT COULD IMPEDE HOW WE ACCURATELY CAN IDENTIFY THOSE ENGLISH LEARNERS.
>> Reporter: EDUCATORS AGREE THAT WHILE THE NUMBER IS SMALLER, THEY WILL NEED EXTRA ATTENTION TO RECOVER ACADEMICALLY AFTER A YEAR OF DISTANCE LEARNING.
>> ENROLLMENT IS ALSO TAKING A HIT AT AMERICA'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
THE CURRENT SEMESTER IS THE WORST YET DURING THE PANDEMIC.
THE NATIONAL STUDENT CLEARINGHOUSE RESEARCH CENTER FOUND UNDERGROUND ENROLLMENT UNDERGRAD ENROLLMENT DOWN 16%.
COMMUNITY COLLEGES, WHICH ARE USUALLY MORE AFFORDABLE, SAW AN 11% DROP.
GRAD SCHOOL IS A DIFFERENT STORY WHERE ENROLLMENT IS SLIGHTLY UP.
THE PANDEMIC WILL IMPACT OUR MENTAL HEALTH LONG AFTER IT'S FINALLY OVER, ESPECIALLY FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS VIRTUALLY.
WE LOOK AT ONE GROUP OF TEENS LOOKING TO REACH OUT AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER IN A TIME OF DISTANCE.
>> Reporter: KEPT APART DURING THE PANDEMIC, TEENAGER CAR ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE FELT ISOLATED, MISSING VITAL LIFE EVENTS LIKE THEIR SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL OR FIRST YEAR IN COLLEGE.
ADVOCATES FOR CHANGE TODAY, A GROUP OF YOUTH ORGANIZERS COMMITTED TO CHANGING SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN THE CITY HEIGHTS COMMUNITY IS TRYING TO BRIDGE THE GAPS THAT HAVE SPRUNG UP.
AND WHERE DESPAIR MIGHT HAVE SAID IN.
>> OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RUN A CAMPAIGNS THAT JUST REACH TO PEOPLE ABOUT USE AND DRUG USE BECAUSE THAT SEEMS TO BE OVERLOOKED AND AS A MEMBER OF MY COMMUNITY, I AM TIRED THAT.
>> Reporter: SPEAKERS FROM THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE SAN DIEGO BOYZ II MEN MENTORING NETWORK.
>> ISN'T IT NICE TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT ALONE.
I KNOW THAT WE'LL HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEM IN OUR OWN LIVES AND WE HAVE TO GET THROUGH IT.
WE ALSO HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE NOT BY OURSELVES.
WE ARE NOT ALL SUFFERING ALONE.
WE ALL HAVE EACH OTHER.
>> Reporter: THE YOUTH ORGANIZERS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE PROGRAMMING FOUR MONTHS, HELPING TO GENERATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMMUNITY LEADERS.
THIS IS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE GROUP OVER A DECADE AGO.
SHE WORKS AT AN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON THE WELL-BEING OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
>> WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU TO TAKE OVER THE GROUP AND KEEP THE LEGACY GOING AS IT HAS BEEN DONE WITH ME.
WE ENCOURAGE THEM ALL OF THE TIME THAT YOU CAN BE IN THIS IN THE FUTURE.
>> Reporter: NEXT YEAR, THE HOPE IS THAT THERE CAN BE A SIMILAR TOWN HALL IN PERSON AS THE WORLD AND THE COMMUNITY COMES CLOSER TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN.
>> FOR MANY, RENT IS DUE THIS WEEKEND AND MONEY IS AVAILABLE FOR SAN DIEGO IS STRUGGLING TO PLAY BUT SOME OF THOSE THAT NEED HELP THE MOST ARE NOT APPLYING FOR IT.
KPBS JOHN CARROLL TELLS US ABOUT THE EFFORT TO KEEP FAMILIES FROM BEING EVICTED.
>> Reporter: THANKS TO FEDERAL ESTATE RELIEF PROGRAMS, THE SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMISSION HAS A LOT OF MONEY AVAILABLE TO HELP PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO PAY RENT.
ABOUT $83 MILLION.
>> TO PROVIDE PAST DUE RENT, PAST DUE UTILITIES AND UPCOMING RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
>> Reporter: THIS IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMISSION.
SHE IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF STATS LIKE THIS.
LET NEXT PEOPLE MAKE UP 57% OF ALL RENTERS BUT ONLY 35% HAVE APPLIED FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
>> WE ARE LOOKING TO APPROVE THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS WE ARE RECEIVING, SPECIFICALLY FROM THE LATINO COMMUNITY.
>> Reporter: THE HOUSING COMMISSION IS LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED WITH TARGETED OUTREACH.
>> ADVERTISEMENTS WITH ENGLISH AND SPANISH ON THE TV AND RADIO.
ADVERTISEMENTS IN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS, SPANISH POSTCARDS TO FAMILIES IN SAN DIEGO, INSERTS IN THE CITY PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT AND UTILITY BILLS.
POSTED ADVERTISEMENTS ON THE MTS SYSTEM.
WE HAVE EVEN CONTRACTED WITH SEVERAL COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
>> Reporter: ONE IS THE CHICANO FEDERATION.
I ASKED THE PRESIDENT AND CEO WHAT IS THE HESITANCY TO ASK FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
>> FEAR AND MISTRUST IS ONE CONCERN BUT I THINK THAT THERE IS A VARIETY OF FACTORS AT PLAY.
>> Reporter: PLENTY OF RENTERS IN THE COMMUNITY OWE MONEY BUT MANY DO NOT OWE IT TO THEIR LANDLORD.
>> THEY EITHER BORROWED SOME FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY, TOOK OUT A LOAN, OR FIGURED OUT A DIFFERENT WAY TO PAY THEIR RENT.
>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE CHICANO FEDERATION STILL WANTS TO HELP IN ANY WAY THEY CAN.
>>[SPEAKING SPANISH] AMAZON IS AMONG THE COMPANIES CASHING IN ON PEOPLE STAYING IN FOR WORK AND SCHOOL.
THEY JUST ANNOUNCE ITS PROFITS FOR JANUARY THROUGH MARCH COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD IN 2020, IT NEARLY TRIPLED TO $8.1 BILLION.
SOME OF THAT MONEY COMES FROM AMAZON CLOUD AND ADD BUSINESS.
OVERALL, AMAZON DID MORE THAN 108 BILLION IN SALES IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN ENTERTAINMENT AND ONE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S BIGGEST TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IS OFFICIALLY BACK OPEN.
DISNEYLAND AND DISNEY CALIFORNIA WELCOMED GUESTS BACK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A YEAR.
THE THEME PARKS WERE SHUT DOWN EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC.
SEAWORLD, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, AND OTHER THEME PARKS HAVE OPENED UP IN RECENT WEEKS BUT DISNEYLAND IS THE BIG ONE.
NICOLE COMSTOCK GOT UP WITH NEIGHBORING BUSINESSES IN ANAHEIM THAT RELY ON THE DISNEY CROWDS.
>> Reporter: THE CACHES FINALLY FLOWING AT THE BUSINESS IS STRUGGLING TO STAY OPEN.
ON THE EVE OF THE THEME PARKS GRAND REOPENING GIVES >> I AM DOING CARTWHEELS.
YOU JUST DON'T SEE IT.
>> Reporter: HE CANNOT WAIT TO FEED THE HUNGRY CROWDS.
HE EXPECTS FAR FEWER CUSTOMERS SINCE THE RESORT IS ONLY OPEN AT 25% CAPACITY.
>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE AT HUNDRED PERCENT OF ZERO.
ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN ZERO.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT WILL TAKE HIM TWO YEARS TO RECOUP HIS LOSSES AND THAT IS NOT SO BAD.
THREE OF THE EIGHT SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE STRIP MALL HAVE ALREADY SOLD BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SURVIVE.
>> I THINK HOTELS ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION.
SOME OF THEM MIGHT BE BANK OWNED NOW.
THE OWNER MIGHT BE GONE.
>> WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HOLD ON.
>> Reporter: THIS IS A 200 ROOM HOTEL BUILT IN 1989.
ABOUT A QUARTER OF HIS ROOMS ARE BOOKED ON HIS FIRST DAY BACK OPEN.
>> WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE, SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO BETTER TIMES.
>> Reporter: PROFITS WILL NOT PICK UP DRAMATICALLY UNTIL OUT- OF-STATE VISITORS ARE ALLOWED BACK IN.
>> I'M GOING TO CRY.
I AM OVEREXCITED.
>> Reporter: SABRINA JUST CHECKED IN.
HER FAMILY HAS TICKETS.
SHE SAYS DISNEYLAND TRULY FEELS LIKE THEIR SECOND HOME AND LOSING ACCESS TO IT BROUGHT HER TO TEARS.
>> WE WERE ANNUAL PASS HOLDERS AND WE LOST IT ALL.
>> Reporter: SHE IS EXCITED TO GET BACK TO IT.
THESE BUSINESS OWNERS ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.
>> Reporter: IT WILL TAKE A LONG TIME TO GET BACK TO NORMAL .
>> NOW I AM IN A POSITION TO SAY THAT I NEED TO HIRE.
THAT IS A GOOD FEELING.
>> Reporter: THAT WAS NICOLE COMSTOCK REPORTING.
THE SAN DIEGO OPERA IS STAGING A SECOND OPERA EVENT.
IT WRAPS UP ITS SECOND EVENT.
WE HAVE THIS PREVIEW OF THE DELIGHTFUL COMIC OPERA.
>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO OPERA IS BUILDING AN OUTDOOR STAGE FOR A DRIVE IN PRODUCTION.
LAST OCTOBER, STAGED LA BOHHME.
IT IS TURNING TO THE BARBER OF SEVILLE.
>> THE GREAT COMEDY, IT TRULY IS, IT SORT OF DEFINES WHAT COMIC ITALIAN OPERA IS IN THE EARLY TO MIDDLE 19th CENTURY.
>> Reporter: ITS ROOTS MIGHT BE IN THE 19th CENTURY BUT THE GROOVY COSTUMES FOR THIS REDUCTION INSPIRED THE DIRECTOR TO DO AN UPDATE.
>> HE JUST TOLD THE CAST IN A MEETING TO SORT OF THINK OF TELEVISION DURING THAT AREA AND IF WE THINK BACK, THE STRONGEST TELEVISION MOMENT WE TALKED ABOUT WAS LAUGHING.
PARTICULARLY THE COCKTAIL HOUR.
ZANY, LOTS OF DANCING, LOTS OF COLOR.
THIS WILL BE A FUNNY, ZANY, COLOR FOR BARBARA.
>> Reporter: THIS IS THE EXACTLY THE TYPE OF COMEDY TO RACE OUR SPIRITS AS QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS LIFT.
>> THIS IS THE CHAMPAGNE OF OPERA.
EVERYBODY FEELS GOOD AFTER THEY HAVE A GLASS.
I THINK IT WILL BE A BALM FOR ALL OF OUR SOULS TO EXPERIENCE SO FUN.
THIS ROLE IS VERY TECHNICALLY DEMANDING.
>> Reporter: HE CONDUCTS RELIES ON THE CONDUCTOR TO HELP THEM OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.
>> HE IS VERY INTUITIVE WITH THE TIMING, THE STAGING.
HE IS VERY HELPFUL.
FOR THOSE THAT ARE NOT AWARE, THE CONDUCTOR JOB IS TO GET TO THE GROUP OF MUSICIANS THAT ARE PLAYING IN THE PIT AS ACCOMPANIMENT AND OF THE SINGERS ALTOGETHER PLAYING THE RIGHT PITCHES AT THE RIGHT TIME .
THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR HAS TO BE TIMED WELL NOT JUST WITH THE VOICE BUT ALSO WITH THE ACTING.
IT TAKES A SERIOUS VOICE BUT A LIGHTHEARTED ATTITUDE.
THAT IS KIND OF WHAT MAKES THIS PIECE SO DIFFICULT.
>> I THINK IT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH KEEPING YOURSELF IN THE MOMENT.
AN OUTDOOR VENUE, IF A FIRE ENGINE SUDDENLY SCREAMS BY, HOW IS THAT GOING TO INTERFACE WITH THE CHARACTERS ON STAGE?
ARE THEY GOING TO MAKE ALLOWANCE FOR THAT MOMENT OR WILL THEY NOT?
WILL THEY PRESS FORWARD?
WHICHEVER WAY THEY GO, I HAVE TO BE POISED AND READY TO ADAPT.
>> Reporter: THAT OUTDOOR SETTING COUPLED WITH PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS PRESENTS CHALLENGES.
>> THE ORCHESTRA AREA BECAME DENOTED BY A PLATFORM THAT WAS GOING TO BE INSTALLED THAT WAS 42 FEET WIDE BY 60 FEET LONG.
ONCE YOU HAVE THAT DEFINED AREA , THEN BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, WE HAD TO LOOK AT THE PARTICLES IN PLACE.
SO WE ARE LOOKING AT SPACING THE INSTRUMENTALISTS ACCORDING TO WHETHER THEY ARE MASKED PLAYERS, VIOLINISTS, OR UNMASKED, BRASS PLAYERS AND WOODWIND PLAYERS.
THE MASKED PLAYERS, THEY HAVE TO HAVE SIX FEET OF SEPARATION BETWEEN EACH OF THE INSTRUMENTS.
THE WOODWIND AND BRASS PLAYERS, THAT IS 12 FEET.
THEN YOU HAVE TO TAKE OUT YOUR MEASURING TAPE, HOW MANY PLAYERS CAN YOU ACTUALLY FIT ON A 42 BY 60 FOOT ORCHESTRA PLATFORM.
IT IS AN ENORMOUS CHALLENGE.
THE ANSWER IS, 24.
>> Reporter: THE DRIVE AND SETTING MIGHT NOT PROVIDE THE PRISTINE ACOUSTICS OF AN INDOOR VENUE BUT IT PROVIDES A VITAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY AROUND LIFE PERFORMANCE.
>> AT THE END OF HOPEFULLY A GREAT NUMBER, THE HORNS GO A BLAZING AND THE LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF TO BE THE APPLAUSE MOMENT AND THEN WE MOVE FORWARD.
THERE IS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY WHICH IS AN ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF HOW THE ARTS WORKS.
>> Reporter: OPERA AS AN ART FORM HAS WEATHERED PANDEMICS BEFORE.
SAN DIEGO OPERA IS WEATHERING THE CHALLENGES OF THIS PANDEMIC WITH SOME INNOVATION.
>> THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE IN- DEPTH CONTENT PROVIDED BY KPBS NEWS.
YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.
YOU CAN STREAM KPBS PODCASTS.
THAT IS ALL FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.
FOR ALL OF US HERE AT KPBS, THANKS FOR JOINING US.