Midday Edition

With uncertainties of when the coronavirus pandemic might be over, California is taking steps to send mail-in ballots to every voter for the November presidential election. Also, health experts and residents are worried that the South Bay is not ready to open. The region has the most coronavirus cases in the county. Plus, the pandemic could change how Americans work. A recent survey suggests employees want to continue to work from home once the quarantine is over. And, Latin music has become as popular as American pop music. The latest episode of “Only Here” traces the story of the Latin music explosion.

An immigrant detainee died from COVID-19 while in custody at the Otay Mesa Detention Center. He is the first to die from the pandemic at an immigration detention center in the nation. Also, Doctors Without Borders are in Tijuana to help with the outbreak happening there. The city has the highest number of cases in Baja California. Plus, port officials are bracing for a lean year at the San Diego International Airport because the virus has decimated the airline industry. And, privacy concerns are complicating the need for robust contact tracing using mobile phones. In addition, a UC San Diego music professor, Anthony Davis, has won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for his 2016 opera “The Central Park Five.” Finally, Mother's Day is this weekend and we have some ideas to spend the day with mom while still under quarantine.

As California inches closer to reopening, San Diego County leaders have drawn up guidelines for how businesses can reopen. As with many businesses that are being negatively affected by the coronavirus, the legal pot industry is also seeing a drop after a slow and steady growth. Plus, contact tracing is a condition for full reopening of businesses in the state. We break down what it is and the privacy considerations. Also, because of the pandemic, many people are having trouble putting food on the table. Local food assistance groups are upping their games to help meet the need. And, with many people working from home, now is a good time to consider reducing the amount of clothes in your closet.

The Otay Mesa Detention Center has one of the highest coronavirus infection rates of immigration detention centers in the nation and ICE has been slow to release “medically vulnerable” detainees. Also, advances in digital technology has made telehealth accessible for years, but the pandemic is making health care providers see its benefits and it may become standard practice. Plus, the pandemic is putting a strain on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, some are seeking help virtually. And, the Navajo Nation in Arizona has been hit especially hard by COVID-19. Alcoholism among tribal members is partly to blame, local leaders said. Finally, theaters are struggling to mount productions during the pandemic quarantine but the annual La Jolla Playhouse’s Without Walls Festival actually lends itself to it.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer joined Midday Edition to discuss the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic including the partial reopening of local beaches and city budget woes. Also, this weekend a man was spotted wearing a Klan-style hood inside a Santee grocery store, raising concerns from public officials as well as residents. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident. Plus, email records show county officials knew about mental health lapses at a hotel the county is using to shelter homeless people experiencing coronavirus symptoms. And, too much time together could cause friction between couples in quarantine and there’s a nonprofit that’s trying to help.

All San Diego county residents are required to wear facial coverings when going out in public starting Friday. An expert breaks down which covering is best and how to properly wear one. Plus, two South Bay hospital groups are asking for federal help in curbing the spread of the coronavirus from the border region. Also, the rent and mortgage is due, but half of American households have someone who's lost their jobs because of the pandemic. We’ll tell you how and where to get help. And, the coronavirus not only upended life as usual, it also made the transition from prison to normal life harder. Finally, five songs you need to listen to for the month of May.

An estimated 25% of San Diegans are out of work because of the pandemic, according to a new SANDAG report. Plus, a handful of North County mayors want businesses in their towns to reopen sooner rather than later. Also, homelessness in San Diego is seeing a decline, according to the latest homeless count. Also, it’s not just young students who are having a hard time with distance learning, veteran students are also dealing with the challenges of virtual classrooms. And, SoCal singer-songwriter Mia Doi Todd shares what types of music she listens to and the healing powers of music. Finally, growing your own veggies? Some gardening tips from a master gardener.

San Diego businesses are making plans to reopen as governor says some sectors could resume within weeks. Plus, San Diego Unified is navigating the steep learning curve of distance learning. Also, Imperial County is one of the rural areas getting additional state-funded testing for coronavirus. And, the songs of the red-legged frog will soon be heard around San Diego County for the first time in 20 years but it was almost silenced because of the pandemic. Finally, La Jolla Playhouse’s WOW Festival moves to cyberspace.

With the county easing its restrictions on ocean activities, several cities in the county have reopened their beaches, with some restrictions. Also, Rep. Scott Peters (D-San Diego) joins us with details on the latest relief package for small business owners. Plus, it’s been a year since the deadly Poway synagogue shooting, Chabad of Poway hosted a memorial online to remember the victims. And, San Diego Zoo is starting to feel the pinch of the pandemic as the parks have been closed to visitors for more than a month. Finally, in the latest “Pandemic Pivot” podcast, the parental struggle is real, especially during the pandemic, but there’s help.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will train thousands of contact tracers as part of his plan to reopen the state. We break down what contact tracing is and how it works. Plus, how to grieve during the pandemic as safety restrictions make the feeling of loss all the more difficult to deal with. Also, with more people working from home, there are fewer cars on the road. Advocates are asking the city of San Diego to make the street safer for pedestrians and bicyclists to social distance. And, more from our pop-up podcast “Pandemic Pivot” on how local creatives are adjusting to a lack of work. Finally, pop culture and science fiction have been dealing with the notion of climate change since the Industrial Revolution. Beth Accomando looks at films that tackle the topic of fictional global catastrophes.