Coronavirus Kindness: Bay Area business offers free car service to front line health care workers
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (KGO) -- An at-home car repair service aims to help health care workers for free, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Like so many others, YourMechanic found a special way to say thank you to the thousands of people working to keep our communities safe and cared for.
This ABC7 News Project Thanks story comes from the Bay Area-based company, keeping up reliable transportation for front line workers at a time when they're needed most.
RELATED: Sausalito Marin City Schools, volunteers gather thousands of masks for community amid pandemic
On Thursday, YourMechanic completed an oil change, a change of wiper blades, and a quick buff. This list of "to-do's" was done in Steven Levitte's driveway.
"My cars were actually both due for oil changes back in March," Levitte said. "And of course, by the time I got around to scheduling them, my local mechanic was closed until further notice."
"It was an easy one today," mechanic, Robert Mostipak told ABC7 News. "There's not too many jobs out there right now that are big, and it's unfortunate, but you know it'll come back around."
Mostipak has been a mechanic with YourMechanic for about seven years. In the last few weeks, his work has been free for front line healthcare workers like Levitte.
"Everything's a challenge now. I mean, everyone's handling it differently. I've got a few people who are right there with me, wanting to look over my shoulder while I'm working on their car," Mostipak explained. "And other people who are standing at their window, looking out the window."
But this no cost service, paired with a new, no-contact business approach was launched recently by YourMechanic.com.
RELATED: Hula-hooping for hope during COVID-19
"In this case, I didn't have to touch anything, or come into contact with anything," Levitte said. "It protects me, it protects the mechanic, and I think that that's really important."
"Our view is, if we can help them get to work, the world will be a safer and better place," company president and CEO, Anthony Rodio said. "And we can all hopefully return to normal sooner."
Rodio's Mountain View-based business launched in 2012, and has expanded across the U.S.
"Most people get everything delivered to them now. They want to get their food delivered, their groceries delivered. I can get my dog groomed in my driveway," he said. "I should be able to get my car repaired in my driveway too."
The pandemic has put YourMechanic in a position to help medical professionals with important car maintenance, without interrupting the workday.
"I rely on my car. My car has to work. It can't break down. I can't have a flat tire, or something like that," Levitte said. "I have to be there. My patients depend on me."
Levitte is a pediatrics resident at a local hospital. He works 80-hour weeks, and sometimes 14-days in a row.
"If they don't get to where they're going, we're not going to be able to get to where we're going," Mostipak told ABC7 News. "And everyone's got to work together for it."
"They need to get to work to help keep people safe. The way you get to work is drive your car. No one wants to take public transportation or ridesharing services these days," Rodio added. "So we thought the most important thing we can do for them, for what we do, is offer free service for healthcare workers."
No car shop waiting room, no need to pull out his wallet. This is just one way YourMechanic is echoing the community's gratitude for Levitte and others on the front line.
"It's really humbling to see people who, even in really difficult times, are able to really step back and recognize the sacrifice that a lot of healthcare providers are putting in," Levitte said. "In order to do their jobs."
A show of gratitude all the way around.
Health workers interested in the program can email amy@yourmechanic.com to set up their car repair.
For a list of services offered by YourMechanic, click here.
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US,around the world
- Coronavirus data: See how the curve of COVID-19 cases is bending in each Bay Area county
- Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
- Stimulus calculator: How much money should you expect from coronavirus relief bill
- WATCH: ABC7's interactive town hall 'Race and Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation'
- What Bay Area tenants need to know about rent payments, eviction amid COVID-19 outbreak
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area/
- Coronavirus and the new normal of livingin the San Francisco-Bay Area -- COVID-19 Diaries
- Happy hour goes virtual as people try to be sociable while social distancing during COVID-19 crisis
- Coronavirus Outbreak: Here's why you should practice 'social distancing'
- DRONEVIEW7: What the Bay Area looks like during the coronavirus shelter-in-place
- ABC7's drive around San Francisco shows empty streets, businesses shuttered
- Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
- List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
- Canceled late fees, free services available amid COVID-19 crisis
- Here's how you can help during COVID-19 pandemic
- How to maintain learning during school closures
- No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
- Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions
- Asian community fighting racism, xenophobia, bigotry as world fights COVID-19
