by Rick Cole

It’s been eleven days since Governor Newsom’s “stay at home” order went into effect – and we are all adjusting to the new normal. No one knows how long this will last, but it seems like it will be at least a month under these – or even harsher – restrictions. 

I can’t emphasize enough the gratitude I have for everyone who is doing their part by staying home. 

Life has changed dramatically for Santa Monica, as it has across Southern California.  

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/our-new-normal-at-home

What you need to know if you’re a renter in California during the coronavirus pandemic .

The pandemic and the economic devastation it has caused have led many renters to wonder how they’re going to pay rent on April 1 — after weeks of being asked to stay home and, in some cases, not work to slow the spread of the virus.

From eviction bans to mortgage relief, here’s a guide to protections for renters and homeowners in California.

Read More: https://www.latimes.com/homeless-housing/story/2020-03-30/

With millions of people suddenly out of work and rent due at the first of the month, some tenants are vowing to go on a rent strike until the coronavirus pandemic subsides.

New York, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and St. Louis are among many cities that have temporarily banned evictions, but advocates for the strike are demanding that rent payments be waived, not delayed, for those in need during the crisis. The rent strike idea has taken root in parts of North America and as far away as London.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/rent-strike-idea-gaining-steam-during-coronavirus-crisis/188592

By Seema Verma

Administrator, U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Since older Americans are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19), I wanted to let you know the steps we’re taking to help our Medicare beneficiaries cope with the pandemic.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/your-column-here-letter-to-the-editor-medicare-and-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/188606

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

From many corners, California politicians and tax officials are under increasing pressure to extend the current April 10 deadline for paying property tax bills.

The request is not unreasonable and there are many ways that government can assist homeowners who are under threat of hefty penalties or tax foreclosures.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California’s leading protector of homeowners, has received numerous inquiries in the last three weeks of this crisis.

Read More: https://www.dailynews.com/2020/03/28/pressure-mounts-for-tax-relief/

California Gov. Gavin Newsom gave cash-strapped California renters 60 days to figure out how to pay three months rent.

Newsom signed an executive order Friday, March 27, banning all evictions through May 31 if a tenant is unable to pay his or her rent due to the the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/newsom-orders-moratorium-on-rental-evictions-due-yo-coronavirus-through-may-31/ar-BB11OiFl?ocid=hplocalnews

by Gary Rhoades, Deputy City Attorney in the Public Rights Division of the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office

After our review of guidelines from the Center on Disease Control, public health orders limiting work to what is essential, and recently published best practices from the service industries and the apartment owners associations, here are some general guidelines and best practices:

• COVID-19 is highly contagious and the virus can last for days on several types of surfaces. Therefore, do not enter homes, especially the homes of those with COVID-19 risk factors, unless it is critical repair or emergency involving a condition that makes the apartment uninhabitable.

By Gary Rhoades

Deputy City Attorney in the Public Rights Division of the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office.

On March 19, 2020, the Santa Monica City Council ratified the City’s emergency moratorium on certain types of notices, terminations of tenancy, and evictions. The City passed the temporary moratorium as a part of its emergency order in response to the pandemic emergency related to the spread of COVID-19, and as a part of the necessary measures taken in order to protect the public health and safety of its residents, workers, and visitors.

Under the statewide and countywide shelter-in-place orders and guidance, tenants should be staying at home rather than being subject to evictions or forced to look for another place to live. Also, along with the Governor of the State of California’s statewide shelter-in-place order, he has since expressly authorized cities to suspend evictions during the crisis.

Santa Monica’s emergency order is now in effect through April 30, 2020, and the City Council may extend it.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/consumer-corner-santa-monicas-temporary-moratorium-of-tenancy-terminations-and-evictions/188296

The director of public health for Los Angeles County is advising every resident to prepare for the possibility of isolation or quarantine.

“We are asking every single resident in LA County to be prepared to isolate and or to quarantine. And that means have your plans in place because when you are quarantined or isolated you cannot go to the grocery store, you cannot go the pharmacy,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) Director at a daily briefing Wednesday announcing three new deaths and an additional 138 cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases in the county to 799.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2020/03/county-tells-all-residents-to-prepare-for-isolation-quarantine/

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the most vulnerable, new grocery delivery options are rapidly becoming available.

One community-based delivery service was just created last week by Santa Monica resident, Lorena Camarena.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/santa-monica-volunteers-protect-seniors-with-new-grocery-delivery-service/ar-BB11DQfQ?ocid=hplocalnews