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

NEARLY 3 1/2 MILLION PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAVE AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

THAT NUMBER WILL CLIMB AS YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE ADDED TO THE LIST OF THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMANN SHOWS US THE ROLLOUT FOR TEENS.

>>> IF YOU DON'T GET VACCINATED, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN AS FULLY.

>> Reporter: AT THE HOSPITAL, THE VACCINATION CLINIC IS OPEN FOR 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS.

GETTING SHOTS IN MINORS IS SLOW GOING.

>> WE HAVE TO DO A TARGETED CAMPAIGN TO PARENTS AND TEENS TO TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO GET VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: THROUGH MAY 1, 29% OF 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLD COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE.

THAT IS 22,000 TEENS.

>> WE KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING HAVE TO GO OUT AND BE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

WITH A POPULATION OF KIDS THAT NEED TO BE VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: IT WAS HELD AT SWEETWATER HIGH-END NATIONAL CITY FOR ,16 AND 17-YEAR-OLD, ONLY THE PFIZER VACCINE IS APPROVED AND THEY HAVE PLENTY OF SUPPLY.

WHILE THE APPOINTMENTS ARE ENCOURAGED, THE HOSPITAL IS TAKING WALK-INS.

PARENTAL OPPOSITE PERMISSION IS STILL REQUIRED FOR MINORS TO GET A SHOT AND THE MAIN QUESTION THAT DOCTORS ARE HEARING IS IT SAFE FOR MY KID?

>> IT IS GOOD TO SAY TO THEM ABSOLUTELY.

16+.

WE HAVE DATA AND INFORMATION.

>> Reporter: EVEN THE YOUNG PEOPLE INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS HAVE MINOR SYMPTOMS, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CORONAVIRUS RELATED DEATHS.

>> WE DO NOT HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION LONG-TERM RELATED TO WHAT HAPPENS WITH KIDS WITH COVID.

WE DO NOT WANT TO TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THAT THE KIDS WILL BE OKAY.

WE DO KNOW THAT KIDS GET SICK.

>> Reporter: DR. KNIGHT SAID IN THE COMING WEEKS THEY COULD SEE VACCINATION REGULATORS APPROVING VACCINES.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO PROTECT THOSE MOST AT RISK.

>> RELATIVES, TEACHERS, ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU THINK ABOUT WHO ARE OLDER.

THEY DON'T NEED TO BE ETSY.

>> Reporter: IN MOST CASES, PARENTS WILL EAT ME WITH A KID DURING THE VACCINATION.

THEY WILL NEED TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER SHOTS TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO REACTION.

>>> THIS IS ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES TO GET THE VACCINE LOCALLY.

NOW IT HAS SURPASSED 100,000 DOSES.

BALLOONS DECORATED THE VACCINATION CLINIC TO CELEBRATE THE MILESTONE.

>>> IN MANY CASES, AN APPOINTMENT IS NO LONGER NEEDED FOR THOSE WHO WANT THE VACCINE.

ALL 23 COUNTY ROAD VACCINE SIDES ARE ACCEPTING WALK-IN VISITS.

THE ONLY EXCEPTION OF THOSE STATIONS LIKE AT THE DELMAR FAIRGROUNDS AND THE BALBOA MUNICIPAL JIM HAS OPEN CLINICS.

IS OPEN TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

>>> BACK TO NORMAL COMES DOWN TO HOW QUICKLY THE COUNTRY IS VACCINATED.

THERE ARE NEW SIGNS THAT THE GOAL IS IN REACH.

WE HAVE THE REPORT ON THE NATIONAL COVID-19 OUTLOOK AS WE HEAD TOWARD SUMMER.

>> Reporter: BROADWAY TICKETS BACK ON SALE.

TODAY.

CRUISES ALMOST BACK.

TRIAL VOYAGES WITH VOLUNTEERED VACCINATED PASSENGERS.

KIDS UP FROM JERSEY ARE PLAYING BASKETBALL OUT OF STATE.

>> IT WILL GET BETTER OVER THE SUMMER.

I'M EXTREMELY OPTIMISTIC.

>> Reporter: THE DAILY INFECTION RATE ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS THE LOWEST IT HAS BEEN IN SEVEN MONTHS.

>> AND THEY PREDICTED A SHARP LINE IN CASES BY JULY 2021.

EVEN FASTER DECLINE IF MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED SOONER.

>> Reporter: VACCINATIONS IS THE ONLY NUMBER GOING THE WRONG WAY RIGHT NOW.

AVERAGE DAILY DOSES ARE DOWN 20% IN ONE WEEK.

THE GOAL OF THE PRESIDENT IS AT LEAST ONE DOSE IN 70% OF ADULTS BY FOURTH OF JULY.

SOME STATES ARE THERE AND SOME ARE GETTING CLOSE.

SOME HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

REPUBLICANS ARE MOST HESITANT.

BUT LOOK AT THIS POLL.

THE PERCENTAGE OF REPUBLICANS WHO SAY NEVER IS FALLING.

>> WE HAVE ENCOURAGED, PARTICULARLY PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS TO PERSONALLY REACH OUT TO PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH AND TRY TO MAKE A CASE FOR GETTING THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: HE WAS HESITANT, BUT NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

>> I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD TO TRY TO FORCE PEOPLE TO GET THE VACCINE.

I THINK THEY SHOULD THINK ABOUT THEIR FAMILY.

THE COMMUNITY.

AND, HERD IMMUNITY.

>> IMMUNIZE ANOTHER 80 MILLION TO 100 MILLION PEOPLE, AND THEN WHEN NEXT WINTER COMES, IT WILL JUST BE SOMETHING LIKE A BUMP.

WE CAN DO THAT.

>> Reporter: WE COULD PROBABLY GATHER TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE FROM THE PANDEMIC, BUT NOT QUITE INDEPENDENT FROM THIS VIRUS.

>> THAT WAS NICK WATT REPORTING.

CALIFORNIA SAW 31 MILLION VACCINE DOSES AND COUNTING.

KPBS IS TRACKING OUR LOCAL PROGRESS WITH A SPECIAL DASHBOARD AT KPBS.ORG WHICH INCLUDES A MAP OF LOCAL VACCINATION SITES.

JUST CLICK ON THE VACCINES LINK ON OUR HOME PAGE.

>>> VACCINES ARE THE DOMINANT STORY BUT TESTING IS STILL AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COUNTY RESPONSE.

THAT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR MIGRANTS WHO ARE BEING RELEASED LOCALLY.

WE HAVE MORE IN THE COUNTY'S PUSH TO HAVE THEM TESTED.

>> MY CONCERN IS THAT THEY ARE NOT COVID TESTING THE MIGRANTS THE CROSS WITHOUT INSPECTION.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS BOARD MEMBER SAYS THAT SOME MIGRANTS HEADING RELEASE FROM IMMIGRATION CUSTODY ARE NOT PROPERLY TESTED OR TREATED FOR COVID-19.

HE MADE A MOTION ON TUESDAY' BOARD MEETING TO SEND A LETTER TO THE WHITE HOUSE REQUESTING ANY MIGRANTS RELEASED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHOULD BE TESTED FOR COVID-19.

THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY WITH A SECOND FROM THE CHAIR, PATIENT NATHAN FLETCHER.

>> WE WANT THEM TO DO THEIR JOB WHICH IS TESTING, AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO DO THAT, I THINK IS AN APPROPRIATE THING FOR US TO DO AS A BOARD.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY HAS MADE GREAT EFFORTS, THEY SAY THAT HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE MIGRANTS WHO ARE REALLY STRAIGHT FROM BORDER CUSTODY.

>> SOME COME THROUGH SERVICES AND IF THEY CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THEM, THEY ARE LET GO IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND TRANSIT STATIONS.

>> NONPROFIT IN SAN DIEGO THAT HELPS MIGRANT FAMILIES CONFIRMED TO KPBS THAT MIGRANTS RELEASED BY THE U.S.

CUSTOM BORDER PATROL WERE NOT BEEN TESTED FOR COVID-19.

THE NONPROFIT SAYS THAT THEY ARE DROPPED OFF DAILY AT LOCAL TRANSIT STATIONS.

>>> SUPERVISORS ARE ALSO TAKING STEPS TO EXTEND PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS WHO FACE HARDSHIP DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

A 3-2 VOTE FREEZES CERTAIN RATE RENTS THROUGH AUGUST.

STATE AND LOCAL ACTION IS NEEDED TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT ALLOW LANDLORDS TO KICK RENTERS OUT TO MAKE RENOVATIONS.

>>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS PUTTING TOGETHER THE BUDGET FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.

IT IS A MUCH EASIER TASK NOW.

NOW THAT THERE IS FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN.

BUT AS ANDREW BOWEN TELLS US, AND MIGHT ONLY BE A TEMPORARY FIX.

>> FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF DOLLARS ARE SPARING SAN DIEGO FROM DRACONIAN BUDGET CUTS THIS YEAR BUT THE CITY'S INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST TOLD COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT THERE IS STILL A LONG-TERM DEFICIT PROBLEM.

SERVICES LIKE POLICE, PARKS, LIBRARIES, AND TRASH PICKUP, SIMPLY COST MORE THAN WHAT THE CITY TAKES IN FROM TAXES AND FEES.

THE COUNCILMEMBER SAYS THAT THE CITY SHOULD BE HONEST ABOUT THAT.

>> THE BUDGET SITUATION THAT WE ARE IN, WE WILL NOT GET OUT OF WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING THAT WE SIMPLY NEED MORE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THE CITY AND ITS RESIDENTS WHAT THEY WANT AND DESERVE.

SELECT FIXING THE LONG-TERM DEFICITS WILL NOT BE EASY BECAUSE IT ALMOST ALWAYS REQUIRES VOTER APPROVAL.

AS THE COUNCIL WAS COUNSEL WAS MEETING TODAY, ACTAVIS HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE CALLING FOR CUTS TO THE POLICE BUDGET.

AND ADDING TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> WHILE THE POLICE BUDGET PERPETUALLY INCREASES ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENT IS FAR DOWN ON THE LIST OF PRIORITIES.

WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR MORE PARKS BUT THERE'S ENOUGH MONEY FOR THE THE POLICE OF THE PARKS.

>> THERE EXPECTED TO REVIEW THE BUDGET FOR EVERY CITY DEPARTMENT OVER THE NEXT WEEK.

THE BEAR WILL PRESENT HIS REVISED BUDGET PUZZLE.

>>> THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IS A FEW WEEKS AWAY AND SOME LOCAL EDUCATORS ARE BEING RECOGNIZED FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND DURING A YEAR IN WHICH SO MUCH WAS ASKED OF THEM.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER SPOKE WITH TWO OF THE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR.

>> IT HAS BEEN THAT TOUGHEST YEAR AND THE MOST INVIGORATING YEAR AT THE SAME TIMES.

>> Reporter: IS A TEACHING DURING THE PANDEMIC MEANT TO READJUSTING EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS AND FOR HIMSELF.

>> THERE WERE SOME MOMENTS WHERE I JUST HAD TO STEP ASIDE AND SAY, THIS IS MY TYPICAL STANDARD AND NOW MY STANDARD FOR RIGHT NOW IS GOING TO BE HERE AND I'M GOING TO BE OKAY WITH THAT.

THAT WAS TOUGH TO DO.

ROD MACKEY SAID THE HARDEST PART OF THE YEAR WAS WATCHING STUDENTS STRUGGLE THROUGH A COMPUTER SCREEN.

ONE STUDENT'S FAMILY LOST THEIR HOME DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> YOU ARE SEEING THEM ON THE SCREEN PACKING.

STRUGGLING THROUGH THAT.

THEN THERE IS THE UNCERTAINTY.

THEY WERE NOT SURE IF THEY WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO STAY.

>> Reporter: IT WAS NOT JUST THE PANDEMIC THAT DEFINED THE SCHOOL YEAR, AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD LAST YEAR, CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE IN THE CLASSROOM CHANGE.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THE SOURCE OF RACISM WE TALKED ABOUT SYSTEMIC RACISM AND HOW IT INFLUENCES THEIR LIVES AND IF NOT, HOW IT INFLUENCES OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES.

>>> SHE IS THE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE ENERGY TEACHES ETHNIC STUDIES AND NINTH GRADE ENGLISH.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HER 20 YEAR CAREER, SHE WAS ABLE TO ADDRESS HER EXPENSES AS A BLACK EDUCATOR.

>> THEY GAVE ME THE PERMISSION TO TALK ABOUT THE FEAR I'VE LIVED WITH FOR MOST OF MY LIFE.

AND ONCE I COULD TALK ABOUT IT AND ACKNOWLEDGE IT, I COULD START TO DISSIPATE IT AND HEAL FROM IT.

>> Reporter: WINNING TEACHER OF THE YEAR THIS YEAR IS AN OVERWHELMING EXPENSE.

>> I STILL DON'T KNOW HOW TO TAKE IT.

TO BE THAT I HAVE BEEN SEEN, BECAUSE FOR GOOD MAJORITY OF MY CAREER, I FELT INVISIBLE AND THE FACT THAT I AM BEING SEEN IS AMAZING AND IT IS STILL SURREAL.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS FROM THE CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>>> MORE PEOPLE FINDING WORK, BUT NOT AS FAST AS WE HAVE SEEN IN RECENT MONTHS.

THE LABOR DEPARTMENT LATEST QUARTERLY JOBS REPORT SHOWS 2 TO 66,000 JOBS WERE FILLED IN APRIL.

THAT IS THE LOWEST NUMBER SINCE JANUARY.

THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT TICKED UP SLIGHTLY TO 6.1%.

LOWER PAYING JOBS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER SERVICE INDUSTRIES ARE REPORTING TROUBLE FULFILLING OPEN POSITIONS AS CUSTOMER DEMAND PICKS UP.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER.

>>> FIRST, A CENTERPIECE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC WAS A MASSIVE CASH INFUSION FOR BUSINESS IS CALLED THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM.

THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS VAST DISPARITY IN HOW THAT MONEY WAS GIVEN OUT IN SAN DIEGO AND ELSEWHERE, FAVORING WEALTHY AND WHITE AREAS.

>> THE CROWN OF FAMILY HAD A LONG DREAMED OF OPENING A MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN THEIR HOMETOWN.

IN EARLY 2020, THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY.

THEN CAME THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE'RE GETTING READY TO OPEN AND EVERYTHING WAS CLOSED.

IT WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FOR US.

>> Reporter: THEY OPEN FOR TAKEOUT ORDERS IN APRIL BUT STILL STRUGGLED TO MAKE WRENCH.

SO WITH A FEDERAL PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM WAS ANNOUNCED, KRONE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE BANK TO TRY TO GET FUNDING.

>> THEY SAID I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE WHEN THEY WERE OFFERING BECAUSE THE BUSINESS WAS SO NEW.

>> Reporter: THEIR STORY IS WHEN IT BECAME ALL TOO COMMON IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY DURING 2020.

HALF $1 TRILLION IN FEDERAL DOLLARS WERE SLASHING THROUGH THE ECONOMY THROUGH THE PROGRAM BUT RELATIVELY FEW WERE ENDING UP IN THE POCKETS OF BUSINESS OWNERS IN UNDERSERVED PLACES LIKE IMPERIAL BEACH.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SHARE OF BUSINESSES RECEIVING LOANS, THERE IS A STARK DIVIDE BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH COUNTY.

SUCCESS RATE FOR APPLICANTS FROM CENSUS TRACTS IN IMPERIAL BE, NESTOR, AND PARADISE HILL'S MAINLY LOW INCOME AREAS WITH LARGE MINORITY POPULATIONS, WAS 5% OR LESS.

TRAVEL NORTH TO AFFLUENT MOSTLY WHITE CENSUS TRACTS IN PLACES LIKE CARLSBAD AND ENCINITAS AND THE SUCCESS RATES ARE 96% OR ABOVE.

DATA ANALYZED BY THE JOURNALISM NONPROFIT REVIEW SHOW THESE DISPARITIES EXIST THE VAST MAJORITY OF LARGE METRO AREAS IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE PRIMARY REASON FOR THIS INEQUITY IS THAT PPP LOANS WERE DISTRIBUTED BY BANKS.

MANY SMALL MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES LACK EXISTING BANKING RELATIONSHIPS.

>> WHEN YOU BUILD A PROGRAM AND THEN JUST BOLTED ON TOP OF THE EXISTING COMMERCIAL FINANCING SYSTEM, IT IS GOING TO EXACERBATE THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXISTED EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: DATA SHOWS THAT FAST INEQUITY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

HE GAVE A 61% OF LOANS TO BUSINESSES AND MAJORITY WHITE CENSUS TRACTS AND 12% TO BUSINESSES AND MAJORITY LATINX CENSUS TRACTS.

CORONA WAS FAIRLY BARELY HOLDING ON IN THE AREA.

BUT SHE WAS FACING HER OWN CRISIS.

MARCH 2020, SHE, LIKE HAIRSTYLISTS EVERYWHERE, HAD TO CLOSE HER SALON.

HER CLIENTS DID NOT TAKE IT WELL.

>> EVERYBODY STARTED PANICKING.

NOT JUST HEALTHWISE, BUT I HAVE TO LOOK GOOD.

WE ARE IN CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: SHE APPLIED FOR A PPP LOAN FROM HER USUAL BANKER WAS PUT ON A WAITING LIST.

FRIENDS TOLD HER ABOUT A BANK THAT HAD NO WAITING LIST AND SHE QUICKLY GOT FUNDING.

THE BANK ISSUED 84% OF THE LOANS TO BUSINESSES IN WHITE MAJORITY CENSUS TRACTS.

BUT BOYD DOES NOT SEE INEQUITY IN THE PROCESS.

>> IF YOU PUT IN THE TIME OF THE WORK OF THE EXTRA THAT YOU NEEDED TO IN ORDER TO STAY AFLOAT, THEN AGAIN, YOU ARE JUST COMPLAINING.

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE INTERNET.

IT IS 2021.

EVERYBODY HAS INTERNET.

THEY DON'T HAVE IT, YOU BETTER GET A NEW PHONE.

>> A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS DON'T HAVE WI-FI.

THAT HAVE A COMPUTER OR A TABLET, SO WE ULTIMATELY STARTED MAKING NOTIFICATIONS BY MAKING FLYERS.

>> Reporter: THE IMPERIAL BEACH COUNCILMAN REPRESENTS THE AREA THE GOT THE LOWEST RATE OF LOANS.

HE SAYS THE CHALLENGES GO BEYOND INTERNET CONNECTIONS AND PHONES.

MANY HAVE FEW, IF ANY, EMPLOYEES AND THE PRIOR EXPERIENCE IS WITH BANKS AND OTHER LENDERS HAS BEEN MORE NEGATIVE THAN POSITIVE.

>> I FEEL THAT SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS MAY HAVE FELT A LITTLE INFERIOR AS FAR AS APPLYING.

>> Reporter: IN RECENT MONTHS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS TRIED TO GIVE OUT MONEY MORE EQUITABLY, INCLUDING SETTING ASIDE A TWO-WEEK PERIOD WERE ONLY SMALL BUSINESSES IN LOCAL INCOME AREAS CAN APPLY.

IN THE MEANTIME, BUSINESS OWNERS ARE LOOKING TO THE FUTURE AND HOPING FOR A RECOVERY THAT WILL KEEP THEM AFLOAT.

RIGHT NOW, SHE WORKS ANOTHER FULL-TIME JOB WHILE RUNNING THE RESTAURANT AND TAKING CARE OF HER KIDS.

>> WE HAVE GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS.

I THINK WERE BAD AND GOOD RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: SHE'S GETTING READY TO OPEN FOR IN PERSON DINING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND HOPE THAT MORE CUSTOMERS WILL COME TO SAMPLE HER DAD'S SPECIALTY, SALMON SOUP.

>>> IMMIGRANT OWNED RESTAURANTS OF THE BACKBONE OF CITY HEIGHTS.

NOURISHING THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF HELPING THEM RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC.

WE ARE CHECKING WITH SOME OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS' LONGTIME ESTABLISHMENTS AS PART OF THE SERIES WE CALL CITY HEIGHTS BITES.

>> WE HAVE A WAR OF SURVIVAL.

A NEW WAR OF SURVIVAL.

>> Reporter: HE NEVER THOUGHT HE WOULD BE FETING A SHORTAGE OF RESTAURANT WORKERS.

>> WE HAVE NO STAFF TO OPEN FOR LUNCH AT ALL.

>> Reporter: DINING IN THE U.S. IS AT 90% OF PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS, ACCORDING TO OPEN TABLE.

A .5 MILLION AMERICANS ARE STILL OUT OF WORK.

BUT HE CANNOT FIND ANYONE TO FILL HIS 15 OPEN POSITIONS FROM MANAGER TO DISHWASHER.

>> NORMALLY, YOU GET AT LEAST 30 OR 40 OR 50 PEOPLE, 60 PEOPLE.

WE ONLY HAD A FEW PEOPLE RESPOND TO OUR ADS, AND NONE OF THEM SHOWED UP.

>> Reporter: A NAMED RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION IS THE TOP CHALLENGE.

EVENT NUMBER, IT WAS 57%.

ONE ISSUE IS THAT SOME OF PLACE OF LEFT THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY FOR GOOD.

HE QUIT IN JANUARY AFTER 16 YEARS AS A SERVER AND BARTENDER.

>> I INTENDED ON BEING A WAITER .

>> Reporter: WITH UNSTABLE PAY AND AFTER CONTRACTING COVID-19, HE KNEW IT WAS TIME FOR A CAREER CHANGE.

>> COVID WAS VERY STRESSFUL, YELLING AT PEOPLE TO PUT ON THEIR MASKS IS NOT WHAT I WANT TO DO EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: YOU NOW WORKS IN MAINTENANCE FOR SEVERAL HIGH- RISES IN DOWNTOWN DENVER.

>> IT IS A DIFFERENT WORLD.

WORKING 9-TO-5, AS OPPOSED TO 5:00 UNTIL 2:00.

>> Reporter: RESTAURANT IN MIAMI HAVE BEEN AT 100% INDOOR CAPACITY SINCE OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR.

BUT HE SAYS HE DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH STAFF TO OPEN HIS DINING ROOM.

>> FLORIDA IS A BELLWETHER STATE.

HAS BEEN OPEN A LOT LONGER THAN MANY STATES IN THE UNITED STATES.

SO, THIS IS COMING TO THE THEATER NEAR YOU.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT IS ONLY GETTING WORSE.

THEY CANNOT FILL MORE THAN 30% OF HIS POSITIONS, EVEN AFTER RAISING WAGES.

HE SAYS THE $300 WEEKLY EXPANDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT IS STOPPING PEOPLE FROM COMING BACK TO WORK.

>> PEOPLE SHOULD KEEP THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS OF THE GO TO WORK NOW AND THEY COMMIT TO WORKING UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE EXPANDED EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DO NOT EXPIRE UNTIL EARLY SEPTEMBER.

>> WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HIRE PEOPLE AND RETAIN THEM, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU'RE PAYING UNEMPLOYMENT AND IT CREATES A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, SO TO SPEAK.

>> Reporter: FOR FOUR MONTHS, WHAT IS THE PLAN?

>> LOSE MORE MONEY AND DO WHAT WE CAN TO STAY OPEN.

>> Reporter: HE CAME TO AMERICA MORE THAN 45 YEARS AGO, LEAVING ETHIOPIA AMID POLITICAL PERSECUTION.

HE DID NOT SPEAK ENGLISH OR HAVE A DEGREE, BUT IN TWO YEARS, HE HAD SAVED ENOUGH MONEY TO BE PART OF A GROUP OF ETHIOPIAN IMMIGRANTS THAT OPENED ONE OF THE FIRST ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANTS IN THE REGION.

HE TOOK OVER AS OWNER FEW YEARS AFTER THAT.

>> WHENEVER I MEET A CUSTOMER, I URGE THEM TO COME HERE.

>> Reporter: HE RUNS THE RESTAURANT WITH HIS WIFE.

HE HAS SEEN GENERATIONS OF SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS PASS THROUGH THE DOORS.

SHE CREDITS THE FRESH INGREDIENTS FOR GIVING THEIR FOOD THE EDGE.

IT HAS BECOME A MUCH MORE CROWDED ETHIOPIA RESTAURANT SEEN IN SAN DIEGO.

>> MOST OF THE TIME, PEOPLE ARE EATING OUR VEGETABLES.

OUR VEGGIES ARE VERY HEALTHY AND IT IS THE WAY THAT WE ARE MAKING IT.

MOST OF IT, MOST OF THE FOOD IS ORGANIC.

>> Reporter: THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN HARD DURING THE PANDEMIC.

HE HAD TO CLOSE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING DURING THE PUBLIC HEALTH SHUTDOWNS AND HE LEFT SOME STAFF MEMBERS GO.

MOST OF THE TIME IT WAS HIM AND HIS WIFE.

'S EMERGENCY LOANS THAT GET THE BUSINESS AFLOAT.

AND THE KINDNESS OF CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE OFTEN PAID THE RESTAURANT FAR MORE THAN WHAT THEY WERE BEING CHARGE.

>> IF I CLOSE BECAUSE OF COVID- 19, IT IS GOING TO HURT MYSELF.

BECAUSE, THEY LOVE THIS PLACE.

LOVE IT.

AND THEY HAVE BECOME FAMILY.

THEY SAY TO ME, DON'T CLOSE.

PLEASE BE STRONG.

I KNOW YOU ARE STRONG.

AND I SAY, OKAY.

WHATEVER.

>> Reporter: NOW HE IS FEELING MORE CONFIDENT THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO STAY IN BUSINESS, WELCOMING IN CUSTOMERS.

TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO NOT NOT OFF ON YOUR VOYAGE HOME, HE HAS COFFEE.

>>> AS MUCH AS THINGS ARE RETURNING TO NORMAL, WE ARE STILL GETTING REMINDERS THAT WE ARE NOT THERE JUST YET.

AN EXAMPLE IS THE AIR SHOW .

IT IS CANCELED AGAIN THIS YEAR.

THE MILITARY SAYS THERE IS JUST TOO MUCH UNCERTAINTY OVER COVID RESTRICTIONS THEN WHAT A POTENTIAL SHOW WOULD EVEN LOOK LIKE.

THEY USUALLY DRAWS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EACH YEAR.

>>> PARTS OF THE VACCINE STORY INCLUDES A MILITARY.

WE HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE WORK END THE SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

FOR MAC ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE NAVY, 60% OF SAN DIEGO'S MILITARY POPULATION HAS GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE.

NEW NUMBERS SHOWING A COMBINED 66,000 MARINES AND SAILORS ROLLED UP THERE LISA FAR.

>> >> Reporter: THE CONGRESSMAN REPRESENTING SAN DIEGO GOT ACCESS TO THIS DATA AS THEY TRY TO GET THE MOST ACCURATE PICTURE OF VACCINATION IS HERE.

>> THAT A PROBLEM BECAUSE OF SO MANY MILITARY MEMBERS.

WE GOT A CALL FROM THE CHAIRMAN WHO SAID, WE NEED THAT.

>> Reporter: BETWEEN ACTIVE DUTY, DEPENDENCE, AND OTHER DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RETIREES, THEY ARE 320,000 SAN DIEGO AND YOU GET HEALTHCARE FROM A DOD PROVIDER.

HE GOT THE DATA AND OF THE 300,000 BENEFICIARIES AND SAN DIEGO, 29% OF GOT ONE DOSE WHILE 19% ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

THEY ARE LOWER WHEN COMPARED TO ACTIVE DUTY, BUT SOME MAY HAVE GOTTEN SHOT OUTSIDE OF FEDERAL FACILITIES.

>> THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT OF DEFENSE ACTIVE DUTY OR DEPENDENCY PROBABLY WENT TO A COUNTY SITE WHERE THEY MIGHT GET IT.

DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU GET UP.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS SPEARHEADED THE EFFORT TO GET THE DOD AND VETERANS AFFAIR VACCINATION DATA ADDED TO THE TOTALS.

>> THAT WAY WE COULD TRACK WHERE WE ARE THE PROGRESS TOWARD OUR GOALS.

>> Reporter: THE VACCINATED ABOUT 70,000 PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO.

IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO GET THE MILITARY NUMBERS ONTO THE COUNTY'S VACCINE DASHBOARD.

>> THE NUMBERS REFLECT ALL OF THOSE ADMINISTERED BY HEALTHCARE DIVIDERS IN SAN DIEGO.

PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE EXCEPT DOD.

>> Reporter: MILITARY OFFICIALS HAVE COMMITTED TO UPDATING ON VACCINATION PROCESS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>>> AND THAT STORY YOU JUST WATCHED IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF THE IN-DEPTH CONTENT THAT IS PROVIDED BY KPBS NEWS.

YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE AND YOU CAN ALSO STREAM KPBS PODCASTS AND WATCH FULL EPISODES OF KPBS EVENING EDITION.

>>> THAT IS ALL FOR THE SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.

FOR ALL OF US HERE, AT KPBS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.