>> experts to answer your questions in real time. today's the release of the latest disney marble movie. it brings the first asian american superhero into the marvel universe. we talked to a group working to ensure the film's success while lifting up nonprofits battling aapi page at the same time. also, headed to governor newsom's desk, build the could make your visits to doors a more gender-neutral experience. but first, with the virus surge choosing more families to choose

independent study in san francisco unified in the school district considering additional pandemic protocols, a ucsf dr. offers a view that conflicts with her colleagues. running is now is dr. jeanne noble -- joining us now is dr. jeanne noble, director of emergency response at ucsf. the school board is considering adding additional protocols and you tweeted in response that any steps to mitigate transmission in san francisco schools are not "medically warranted." that was followed by # openschool. why #open already open? dr. noble: some of the proposals put forth in this board of education hosel are reminiscent

of what happened last year. the policies that led most directly to keeping our schools closed for 18 months were cohorts in social distancing. when the california department of public health issued guidelines for this school year, they explicitly said all students would be masked indoors because schools cannot equitably distance or cohort across the state. so to avoid cohorting or distancing and avoid school closures, they would be masked instead. the new covid plan put forth by the board of educators brings back cohorting and distancing which feels like a slippery slope back to distance-learning and hybrid schedules. kristen: some say doing that prevents slippery slope, prevents cases transmitted in schools and prevents having to go back to remote learning. do you not agree with that? dr. noble:

i disagree. our numbers have been declining the past two weeks and we did not have a pediatric surge in the bay area. our kids benefited from very high vaccination rates. we did not have a surge of sick kids. so, that is great and out that our numbers are declining and now that we are on the people of students open -- all our students eligible for covid vaccinations, our 5-11-year-olds will be eligible in october, it is not warranted to be layering on new restrictions now and it is not recommended by public health officials. kristen: let's say you don't see the need for it. what is the downside to that? i read the plant. some of these things seem to make sense and there is money for it, better ventilation, for example, air filtration, testing and contact phrasing. the legislature made money available for that and some would say, when you look at reports that nearly a quarter of san francisco unified teachers and district staff have not

reported their vaccination status, why not take these extra steps that there is money for, to ensure the kids are protected, many of whom can't get the vaccine yet? dr. noble: great question. the ventilation and air purification systems is perfectly reasonable. in fact, san francisco unified ordered 2700 hepa filters to be placed in every classroom and those are arriving next week. there is no issue there. i don't think there will be a gap. in terms of regular asymptomatic testing, there is a problem with stigma, and kids being labeled, now they have covid, they are taken out of the classroom. lots of other people are close contacts and they are quarantined for 10-14 days. if we want to keep school going full force in the same way possible, we could really focus on the tools we already have, and plans put forth by the health department, and really

work on implementing those. so, modified quarantine was put forth by the state and the local health department, modified quarantine, which is not being implement it across many schools. it means that if you are vaccinated and exposed to me don't have to quarantine coming go to school with a mask and monitor your symptoms. if you are unvaccinated but masked, you still get to stay in school as along as you do twice weekly testing. and if you are unmasked and not vaccinated, you have to quarantine at home for a minimum of seven days. but with testing, you could come back on that eight day -- on that eighth. -- on that bi - not followed universally by our district. those are well-rounded in science. point number two, aside or beyond modified quarantines is vaccination. vaccination is the most powerful

thing we can do to block transmission in our schools, hands down. way more powerful than these other mitigation measures. so if san francisco unified would template required vaccination without a testing opt out option, and then verify vaccination status of all adults on campus, that would do more to reduce rands mission in schools than any of these other major proposals. kristen: you made a point at the end that a lot of scientists, doctors agree with. i agree and i will put my own opinion out there. but what is the downside to pursuing that, while also pursuing more advanced mitigation measures? it sounds like those are think you have a problem with. i don't know if you're coming at it from a mental health ankle, if you see whether that could be hurting the kids, because i am a mom and i have a kid that went off to college and it makes me happy that her school has

masking in doors, mandatory vaccines, testing, all those things make me more reassured. dr. noble: yakima mental health is a big part of it. there is the first concern that these measures that are nots necessary will slide into foreclosures and quarantines. but also, our kids are suffering from a lot of anxiety. they have had reduced social interaction and social/emotional development over the past 18 months. i am getting a lot of reports about how anxious younger kids are particularly in school. ed the teachers, if they ask to back up and are focused on physical distancing, and are worried about being exposed covid, it takes a toll. so it is not without its downside. it really needs to be carefully analyzed, and if it is not necessary, it shouldn't be done. the mental health of our kids

was put most at risk during our school closures and that is where our efforts should be, to really help kids recover. and on necessary -- and unnecessary covid restrictions move in the opposite direction. kristen: the mental health impact of one and half years of zoom learning israel. do you see that being reversed? dr. noble: yeah, it will be a slow come a long road to recovery. there is a lot of anxiety. there is new health problems that have cropped up from activity over the past 18 months but yes, kids are doing certainly, interacting with their peers, with other adults, it has really been wonderful to see. but for kids who face the greatest mental health challenges, it is also just getting them into the services and support they need that schools have always done and are doing again. kristen: dr. jeanne noble of ucsf, thank you for your insight and for spending time with us.

up next, we talked of the executive director from a nonprofit that helped bring major success to "crazy rich asians." a new marble film is out and they are

>> it is time for you to pick your place beside me. ten rings." opens today.

shang-chi as the first asian marble super hero. joining us is jeremy trant, from a nonprofit of movers and shakers in business and the arts with the goal of elevating the aapi committee. jeremy, thanks for joining us. jeremy: thanks for having me. good to see you. kristen: golden houses taking an interesting approach to packed theaters this weekend with "shang-chi." jeremy: we have a movement called the gold open movement that we have co-led. it started with "crazy rich asians." the idea is for people to buy tickets and donate those back to the tickets to nonprofits and community groups and schools to show that these films can be big box office hits. kristen: why's it important to

ensure a gold open opening weekend? like a big smashing success out of the gate? jeremy: that is the northstar in hollywood. when he film opens, the first weekend matters. it creates momentum for the following weekend, so it is critically important for everyone to go out and support it this weekend. kristen: if this film is successful, we expect to see more asian-american project greenlighted -- project greenlighted, like "crazy rich asians," significant because asian americans got to see themselves as romantic leads and multidimensional people. what stereotypes you think "shang-chi" will break? jeremy: same thing. we have had a difficult year, particularly for the aapi community. it presents an opportunity for us to present ourselves as

strong, multidimensional, strong people who are not one-dimensional stereotypes we so often see portrayed in films and tv. this is an opportunity for us to get behind something that is really important and authentic, and an awesome portrayal of our community. kristen: you mentioned recent aapi hate. i think understanding on an authentic level, different cultures, takes that away. you get to see, you are not so different for me, same values, not just a caricature. but in addition to the outside groups looking at the aapi differently, do you think it was important seeing yourself differently? my teenage son caught a screening with me 10 days ago i.t. came out emotional saying, we saw this strong guy like me on screen kicking butt. jeremy: [laughter] you can say kicking butt. there is a lot aboutt -- there

is a lot of butt kicking in this film. i wish i had a film like this to watch and look up to euros when i was growing up. it is important for this generation to these themselves -- to see themselves on screen not only as multidimensional characters, but to see so many cultural nuances we did not think we would see in a mainstream marvel film. seeing characters go in and out from chinese to english as they speak with family members, as we do in our homes. it really reflects an authentic portrayal of our culture. kristen: really authentic, as an american-raised chinese and growing up in the bay area, i really related. i was impressed with the way the cultural aspect was handled. you could tell there were asian americans at the table making those editorial decisions.

at that is unusual. that is what schoolhouse is trying to promote. jeremy: yeah, it is not just in front of the camera. it is important to be champions behind the camera. we are full of asian-american directors, cast and crew. so it is incredible to see the committed to come together and build something that speaks to our narrative. kristen: here is a viewer response saying -- stephanie is watching on facebook and she says representation is important, just like "black panther." do you think "sheng-chi" will have that effect? jeremy: i hope so. it started with "crazy rich asians" a few years ago and other films that elevate our community. and now that this giant marvel film is coming out, i have high hopes for the future. kristen: who is donating to the

"shen-chi" contribute into the golden opening fund. jeremy: it is people who care about representation, in the tech space, the finance space come in different corporations putting money behind this to encourage committed to members to see the film. those who benefit are nonprofits, community groups and schools across the country. we just released our list of sponsors on our instagram page @golhouseco, and it is opening on screens around the country, austin, boston, philly, san diego, even toronto, people are sharing #golden to support the film. kristen: i saw one challenge that was meant to send 125 kids from the boys and girls club's to the theater in southern california, which is good. your efforts also support asian-american restaurants,

another angle because many have suffered disproportionately. jeremy: exactly. to think about representation, you have to be thinking about supporting asian businesses. it is all interconnected. so, we encourage people to not only go see the film, but go back to chinatown, asian-american communities, support those restaurants and those small businesses that need your help right now. kristen: how are restaurants related to this? jeremy: we had some the cast, director, some of the soundtrack artists at some of our favorite restaurants in san francisco, los angeles and new york. we worked with different foodies and food service leaders in the community to amplify those restaurants. just to give an example of the types of restaurants out there that we should all patronize and support. kristen: which movies and projects are you putting your efforts find not? jeremy -- efforts behind next?

jeremy: another marvel film is coming out and we are excited about that. a film coming out this month talks a lot about immigration. there is a ton of great content out there. on our website, we have a list of all the api films coming out. kristen: jeremy tran, executive director of gold house, congratulations. jeremy: thank you. kristen: coming up, state lawmakers just passed a bill regarding gender-neutral sections in stores. we talk to the author, assembly member evan lowe. we take a short break on the air but the conversation continues on facebook live right. abc 7 is also owned i

[music] 'my own garden is my own garden,' said the giant, so he built a high wall all around it. then one morning the giant heard some lovely music. through a little hole in the wall, the children had crept in. and the giant's heart melted... and they found the giant...all covered with blossoms.

kristen: welcome back. state lawmakers just passed a bill requiring gender-neutral sections for toys and childcare

items and major department stores. it will at the governor newsom for signing and if it becomes law as expected, it will make california the first state to have such a law. joining us is the author of the bill, assembly member evan low from the south bay. how are you? assmb. low: good to see you. happy friday. kristen: happy friday to you. congratulations, assemblyman, because third try is the charm. what are the stipulations? assmb. low: this exciting bill will help her in california law up to speed with what many retailers are already doing, which is to stop the stigma associated with what is acceptable for certain genders, especially when we just want to let kids be kids. the boys and girls section is just a toy section, or a kids section with respect to toys. kristen: ok, but even though they have to have gender-neutral sections, stores can still have

gender-specific sections, right? assmb. low: that is right. stores can still have a separate section as long as they have a gender-neutral section. the impetus was partly a staff member of mine who has a young daughter and went shopping and was interested in science and was looking for dinosaurs and a periodic table, but had to go to the boys section at the astor maacama why do i have to go to the boys section? don't we want more girls to become scientists and engineers? of course, kids have a unique way of saying things. kristen: and your constituents know you are a strong advocate for lgbtq rights. how did you feel growing up in those gender-specific sections? assmb. low: it was a different era. we didn't have the type of equality and inclusion and level of diversity we have today. i remember the dark days of the stigma, that sense of deep shame in which we were all trying to find our way of acceptance in a

difficult world, especially with all the societal pressures. kristen: why aren't clothes included? toys, childcare items but not clouds? assmb. low: it gets into difficulties on sizing and other nuances with spect marketing -- with respect to marketing. this is not landmark legislation. in 2015, target did this in their stores, back in 2015. we are simply crying to keep up where the consumer is. kristen: not everyone agrees with this. republican state senator melissa melendez says gender sections are convenient for parents and, quote, "i don't think parents need the government to step in and tell them how to shop with their children." that is what she tweeted. what do you say to that as somebody who is not a parent? assmb. low: the toys can still be found. the bill allows for displays accordingly, whatever the retailer decides, so long as

there is a gender-neutral section with respect to toys. toys are toys pete let' past toys are toys. let's let kids be kids. kristen: the fines seem to be structured as more of a message than major punishment. telus what you're looking at in terms of -- tell us what you are looking at in terms of fines? assmb. low: $250 fines for the first violation and $500 for the second violation. you are right, it is the spirit of the law. this applies to major retailers with 500 or more employees. again, companies are doing this that we have been in conversation with retailers since inception of the bill and they said, we are already doing this but we respect the peer to the law in california and want to join you. kristen: our other states talking to you, perhaps interested in copying what california has done as a blueprint? assmb. low: yeah, many companies and retailers are looking at this. they are looking at it a bistate

-- looking at it state-by-state. they would like a uniform approach, but frankly, the consumer has already chosen. abercrombie and fitch have already gone to unisex consumer lines, and others. the consumer has chosen. kristen: i have to bring up your tweet this week. you support the know on recall effort against governor newsom -- the no on recall effort against governor newsom, a different approach. assmb. low: in the lgbtq community, especially with politics, it is much more difficult to get individuals or they are, so why not have the conversation not on land lines or mail, but as individuals talk? i am excited to be able to talk to individuals. on the app if you wish to talk about the recall, or have any questions. kristen: right, go where the

people are. and to be clear, this isn't meeting people to date in the process, because you are in a relationship, right? assmb. low: that is right, thanks for asking. i did ask for permission first and i said it would only have this for 13 days leading up to the election. kristen: assembly member evan low, thank you so much. great talking to you and you have a great labor day weekend. kristen: thanks -- assmb. low: when a truck hit my car, the insurance company wasn't fair.

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kristen: thanks for joining us on this interactive show, "getting answers." today we covered covid in schools and lawmakers passing a bill for gender-neutral sections

in department stores, and the push to make "sheng-chi" a major hit. tonight, the northeast reeling from this week's devastating storms. ida becoming the deadliest tropical. in the last four years, with historic flooding and record-breaking rain. more than 60 dead in 8 states, including at least 49 in the northeast. new images of the fast-moving danger. home surveillance video showing a man getting out of the basement seconds before rushing water burst through the walls. three major fires burning out of control for hours in new jersey today. firefighters helpless, blocked by flooded roads. streets filled with water 24 hours ago, now packed with debris. rob marciano standing by. also tonight, president biden getting a first-hand look at the devastation caused by hurricane ida in louisiana. we're now learning about the investigation into several nursing home patient deaths.