APRIL 7, 2020 MONTHY MEETING REPORT - OUR FIRST ZOOM!

Because of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic, and the fact that Santa Monica is on complete lockdown, (everyone staying inside their homes and only going out for absolute essentials) Wilmont moved online to hold our meeting on April 7.
Our featured guest was Mayor Kevin McKeown, who gave  the most recent updates, such as, it is now MANDATORY for everyone to wear a mask or face-covering outside their homes, and that the Governor has extended the 'Safer at Home' order until May 15th..
The Mayor also updated the efforts being made by the Council and city staff and especially our first responders, the SMPD AND SMFD, to keep the City safe during this unprecedented experience. McKeown says we are “flattening the curve” because we have, as a City, been proactive about taking protective measures. There are now at least 100 in Santa Monica who tested positive for Covid-19.
We also had the pleasure of welcoming Ben Allen, our State Senator, who was in the middle of giving his baby an evening bath. (Ironic isn’t it, that the online experience is affording us greater intimacies than we would ever have without it?) Ben was very helpful in giving us the perspective from Sacramento.
​We had a lively interactive discussion, with many questions: How long will it last? How will we cope with the economic downturn? but the answers to most of the questions were: “We just don’t know.” Ben Allen reminded us that all the cities throughout the state are facing the same challenges, and all will be getting as much assistance from the state as possible.
One question was raised about the extension of unemployment benefits, and Ben Allen was able to promise help to one of our Wilmont residents who had been forced to go on unemployment before the crisis hit.
​We will undoubtedly be holding our next meeting on Zoom again on May 5th. Beyond that, we'll let you know as events change.Stay tuned!