California fully reopened its economy on June 15, with most coronavirus-related restrictions lifted and residents allowed to go without masks in most situations.

Since last spring, more than 3.77 million Californians have tested positive for the COVID-19, and nearly 63,000 people have lost their lives.

"In Focus SoCal" host Tanya McRae sits down with Gov. Gavin Newsom for an exclusive interview 15 months after he issued the nation's first statewide shutdown.

"It's been a hell of a year, stress, anxiety, fear, the loneliness many people have felt over the course [of] last year," Newsom said. "So look, we're at this point. But it wasn't without a lot of pain, a lot of suffering. And so I'm mindful of that."

​Newsom also discusses the state's vaccination efforts, with more than 40.5 million doses administered. He credits those who got vaccinated with making the June 15 reopening possible.

"It should give you confidence, if you've been vaccinated, that you can breathe again, that you can hug again, that you can love again, meaning you can you can see someone you haven't seen in a while, give them a big hug and express how much you miss them," he said.

The governor also looks ahead at the future of California and discusses the state's priorities, including tackling homelessness, housing affordability and education.

"The best days of California are ahead of us."

Send us your thoughts to InFocusSocal@charter.com and watch at 9 a.m. and noon Sundays.