Covid Social Distancing at the DC DMV

[Anonymous]

Is non-existent. Had to hit the Georgetown DMV, where the small, crowded rows of chairs are bolted to the floor. There are no provisions for social distancing like blocked off seats so many folks are sitting shoulder to shoulder for 1-2 hours in this basement space with no visible air zappers, air flow or windows. Just a packed crowd trying to beat the various expiring DMV deadlines. When we asked if we could stand off to the side by a wall, we were told "No Standing is Allowed". Is Covid also banned in the DMV? Weird mitigation strategies.

[Anonymous]

should have made an appointment over the summer when they had it regulated and relatively empty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:should have made an appointment over the summer when they had it regulated and relatively empty.

The appointment debacle during COVID was its own special h3ll. DC Council members had to assign their paid staff to make people appointments and to call the DMV head when appointment receipts would not be emailed to the customer.

But go ahead. You blame the victim mentality will be welcome on DCUM.

Here is a thought. How about a hybrid system where you can make an appointment or if six months from now is too far out you can go and wain in line... In an indoor space with ventilation, spacing and air quality measures of the moment in place

[Anonymous]

That’s what it feels like to be in a HS classroom right now! Sorry OP the DMV sucks in normal times but I feel you on an enclosed room with tons of people being uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:should have made an appointment over the summer when they had it regulated and relatively empty.

Are you always such a So + So?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s what it feels like to be in a HS classroom right now! Sorry OP the DMV sucks in normal times but I feel you on an enclosed room with tons of people being uncomfortable.

My husband's theory was the employees were mad to be back in person and were transferring their in person rage to the clientele by forcing them to "feel the pain". My theory was DC government doesn't give a * about Covid spread and had made no provisions/provided no instructions. There are a 1,000 things they could do, from booking appointments in buckets with crowd limitations, to blocking off chairs and allowing people tostand instead of being all scoldy and fearing a riot (though this is somewhat rational considering the mood down there), to air flow measures, to outdoor kiosks (why is this not a thing anywhere?)...the whole thing was sort of insane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s what it feels like to be in a HS classroom right now! Sorry OP the DMV sucks in normal times but I feel you on an enclosed room with tons of people being uncomfortable.

My husband's theory was the employees were mad to be back in person and were transferring their in person rage to the clientele by forcing them to "feel the pain". My theory was DC government doesn't give a * about Covid spread and had made no provisions/provided no instructions. There are a 1,000 things they could do, from booking appointments in buckets with crowd limitations, to blocking off chairs and allowing people tostand instead of being all scoldy and fearing a riot (though this is somewhat rational considering the mood down there), to air flow measures, to outdoor kiosks (why is this not a thing anywhere?)...the whole thing was sort of insane.

Your husband might be onto something. I was at the DMV a week ago trying to beat their 9 September deadline. The entire thing appeared arbitrary especially when taken as a whole.

Not allowed to bring coffee into the DMV. I guess so that you can't just leave your mask off while you sip.

You can't sit on the marble benches. You can't stand to the side. You can't lean on a wall.

You CAN sag your mask under your nose. Probably because all of the employees are doing that.

I did not see any air filtration and when I asked about it I was told that I could leave if I did not think it was safe.

My husband says that they like reminding you that they have all of the power.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s what it feels like to be in a HS classroom right now! Sorry OP the DMV sucks in normal times but I feel you on an enclosed room with tons of people being uncomfortable.

My husband's theory was the employees were mad to be back in person and were transferring their in person rage to the clientele by forcing them to "feel the pain". My theory was DC government doesn't give a * about Covid spread and had made no provisions/provided no instructions. There are a 1,000 things they could do, from booking appointments in buckets with crowd limitations, to blocking off chairs and allowing people tostand instead of being all scoldy and fearing a riot (though this is somewhat rational considering the mood down there), to air flow measures, to outdoor kiosks (why is this not a thing anywhere?)...the whole thing was sort of insane.

Your husband might be onto something. I was at the DMV a week ago trying to beat their 9 September deadline. The entire thing appeared arbitrary especially when taken as a whole.

Not allowed to bring coffee into the DMV. I guess so that you can't just leave your mask off while you sip.

You can't sit on the marble benches. You can't stand to the side. You can't lean on a wall.

You CAN sag your mask under your nose. Probably because all of the employees are doing that.

I did not see any air filtration and when I asked about it I was told that I could leave if I did not think it was safe.

My husband says that they like reminding you that they have all of the power.

Yes, so much employee mask sag! There was definitely a DMV love it (or hate it) or leave it attitude. It was sad though...there's a part of me that hoped DC would come through Covid better, just have taken some time to improve and be DC 2.0. There were good ideas on efficiency that Covid gave rise to that could have been plucked etc. Instead it's same old same.old, and no regard for the still rampaging Covid virus

[Anonymous]

Ha... DC Govt and lessons learned...

This city Loves reinforcing mistakes.

Do you think they ever run post mortems on decisions made or actions taken?

[Anonymous]

Maybe just Georgetown? I had a good and quick experience at Rhode Island Avenue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s what it feels like to be in a HS classroom right now! Sorry OP the DMV sucks in normal times but I feel you on an enclosed room with tons of people being uncomfortable.

My husband's theory was the employees were mad to be back in person and were transferring their in person rage to the clientele by forcing them to "feel the pain". My theory was DC government doesn't give a * about Covid spread and had made no provisions/provided no instructions. There are a 1,000 things they could do, from booking appointments in buckets with crowd limitations, to blocking off chairs and allowing people tostand instead of being all scoldy and fearing a riot (though this is somewhat rational considering the mood down there), to air flow measures, to outdoor kiosks (why is this not a thing anywhere?)...the whole thing was sort of insane.

I am 100% certain this is what’s happening in MCPS with quarantining all students in a classroom if one has a headache. It’s straight up punitive behavior for being pissed at having to return to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:should have made an appointment over the summer when they had it regulated and relatively empty.

The appointment debacle during COVID was its own special h3ll. DC Council members had to assign their paid staff to make people appointments and to call the DMV head when appointment receipts would not be emailed to the customer.

But go ahead. You blame the victim mentality will be welcome on DCUM.

Here is a thought. How about a hybrid system where you can make an appointment or if six months from now is too far out you can go and wain in line... In an indoor space with ventilation, spacing and air quality measures of the moment in place

Funny, my father in law was able to register his car from out of state, change his residency and get a new license, my child was able to get a learner's permit and later their provisional license including road test, and my spouse and I were both able to get our Real ID's. No help from Councilmembers. Sorry it was so tough for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s what it feels like to be in a HS classroom right now! Sorry OP the DMV sucks in normal times but I feel you on an enclosed room with tons of people being uncomfortable.

My husband's theory was the employees were mad to be back in person and were transferring their in person rage to the clientele by forcing them to "feel the pain". My theory was DC government doesn't give a * about Covid spread and had made no provisions/provided no instructions. There are a 1,000 things they could do, from booking appointments in buckets with crowd limitations, to blocking off chairs and allowing people tostand instead of being all scoldy and fearing a riot (though this is somewhat rational considering the mood down there), to air flow measures, to outdoor kiosks (why is this not a thing anywhere?)...the whole thing was sort of insane.

The DMV was open and in-person the whole time, and the whole of the DC government has been working, this whole time. There isn't anyone being resentful about working.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:should have made an appointment over the summer when they had it regulated and relatively empty.

The appointment debacle during COVID was its own special h3ll. DC Council members had to assign their paid staff to make people appointments and to call the DMV head when appointment receipts would not be emailed to the customer.

But go ahead. You blame the victim mentality will be welcome on DCUM.

Here is a thought. How about a hybrid system where you can make an appointment or if six months from now is too far out you can go and wain in line... In an indoor space with ventilation, spacing and air quality measures of the moment in place

Funny, my father in law was able to register his car from out of state, change his residency and get a new license, my child was able to get a learner's permit and later their provisional license including road test, and my spouse and I were both able to get our Real ID's. No help from Councilmembers. Sorry it was so tough for you.

Not the PP, but I believe both of you. There was/is and likely will never be a "consistent" experience for anyone at the DC DMV!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s what it feels like to be in a HS classroom right now! Sorry OP the DMV sucks in normal times but I feel you on an enclosed room with tons of people being uncomfortable.

My husband's theory was the employees were mad to be back in person and were transferring their in person rage to the clientele by forcing them to "feel the pain". My theory was DC government doesn't give a * about Covid spread and had made no provisions/provided no instructions. There are a 1,000 things they could do, from booking appointments in buckets with crowd limitations, to blocking off chairs and allowing people tostand instead of being all scoldy and fearing a riot (though this is somewhat rational considering the mood down there), to air flow measures, to outdoor kiosks (why is this not a thing anywhere?)...the whole thing was sort of insane.

The DMV was open and in-person the whole time, and the whole of the DC government has been working, this whole time. There isn't anyone being resentful about working.

Well, there are no Covid procedures and the staff were bossy and half masked. So maybe not resentful. Unprofessional or lacking instructions?