Will coronavirus cause DMV to alter office visit policies?
QI’ll be 89 next month when I need to renew my driver’s license. I have an appointment at the DMV and I’m sure I can pass their tests.
But I’m not comfortable about going to a DMV office now. Can you suggest to the DMV that they allow seniors to make online renewals or at least one-year extensions?
— W. Herrmannsfeldt,
Los Altos
AOther senior citizens are asking, too, and rightly so.
QMy 83-year old mother was planning on going into the DMV before her birthday in a few weeks to take the written test. She is not excited about the current waiting room conditions in Santa Clara Valley at this time. What are the repercussions of her waiting until the coronavirus blows over? Is the DMV upping its cleaning game in the waiting rooms?
— Sheri Bryne, Cupertino
AYes, and the DMV is reviewing its options for elderly drivers who are at high risk of catching the coronavirus but need to visit a DMV office.
Giving them a renewal extension merits serious consideration. I would not want to take an elderly person into the DMV right now, with all we are reading about who is most at risk, and the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus.
The DMV has begun a more frequent and rigorous disinfectant regime focused on high-touch surfaces that are cleaned after each use.
DMV offices are cleaned daily and require that eye examination machines and thumbprint readers be cleaned after each use. They are also telling employees to stay home if they aren’t feeling well and asking customers to do the same.
Many DMV services are offered online, through kiosks and third-party partners like AAA. Go to dmv. ca.gov for more information. All customers age 70 or older must renew their driver’s license in person at a DMV office.
DMV says it is working with public health experts, and as new information becomes available, it will work with service providers to ensure that appropriate levels of cleaning are maintained.
QMany Bay Area companies have instituted WFH (Work From Home) policies, such as Apple, Google and Facebook, to name a few. My Monday commute from Fremont to Sunnyvale on the Nasty Nimitz and Highway 237 was a breeze, 30 minutes compared to 90 minutes normally.
Let’s implement mandatory year-round WFH policies for the “Big 5 Employers” in the region. Monday, Apple’s turn for WFH; Tuesday, Google; Wednesday, Amazon, and so on. The valley’s traffic problems would be solved! Think we can implement this?
— Upendra Brahme,
Fremont
ANo. I can’t wait for this terrible virus to be gone and Interstate 880 to once again be nasty and workers back in their cubicles. Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat at noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews. com/live-chats. Look for Gary at Facebook.com/ mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@ bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.