Freebies And Discounts For Consumers During The Coronavirus Pandemic

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has prompted numerous businesses and organizations to offer freebies, discounts, and promotional deals to support individuals and communities during these challenging times. From restaurants providing free delivery to health care workers receiving special benefits, these offers span a variety of categories and cater to different needs. This article explores the available free samples, no-cost product trials, and promotional offers based on verified sources, focusing on food, health care, and general consumer goods.

Food and Beverage Freebies

Several food and beverage companies have stepped up to support consumers by offering free delivery, discounted meals, and special promotions. These offers are designed to help individuals who are self-isolating or need to minimize their exposure to the virus by ordering food from home.

UberEats, for example, has waived its delivery fee for orders from independent restaurants. Additionally, the company is offering contactless deliveries to reduce the risk of transmission between individuals. This initiative is particularly helpful for those who are staying home to avoid public spaces.

Chipotle is providing free delivery on orders over $10 through March 31. Customers can place their orders via the Chipotle website or mobile app. Similarly, Pollo Tropical is offering free delivery for all app or website orders until April 3, with no minimum purchase required. This is a significant benefit for those who enjoy Caribbean and South American cuisine.

Red Lobster has also entered the mix with free delivery on website orders until March 29. However, customers must meet a $30 minimum order threshold, and the offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. KFC is providing free delivery until April 26, with customers able to order through the KFC website or via delivery apps such as Grubhub or Seamless.

Moe’s Southwest Grill is another chain offering free delivery on its app and website for orders over $10 until April. This promotion allows customers to enjoy Mexican-style meals without leaving their homes.

In addition to delivery services, fast food chains such as Burger King are offering special promotions. Burger King is giving away two kids' meals with any purchase made via the Burger King app starting in the following week. This offer is particularly appealing to families with children.

Other notable mentions include Krispy Kreme, which is providing free "Original Glazed" doughnuts to vaccinated individuals. This offer is valid once per day, every day, for the rest of 2021. The promotion is designed to encourage vaccination and is available at any Krispy Kreme location across the country.

Shake Shack is also participating in this initiative, offering free samples or meals to vaccinated individuals in Oregon. This promotion is a part of broader efforts to incentivize vaccination and support public health initiatives.

Health Care and Essential Worker Benefits

Health care workers have been at the forefront of the pandemic, and several companies have recognized their efforts by offering free goods and services. These benefits are aimed at supporting the well-being and comfort of those working in high-stress environments.

AAA is offering free Roadside Assistance to health care workers. This service is available by calling 1-800-400-4222 in case of an emergency. However, it is important to note that the service may not be available in every state.

chiliPAD is another company supporting health care workers by offering a temperature-controlled mattress pad. This offer is valid through May 31, while supplies last. The chiliPAD is designed to provide comfort and support for individuals who may be working long hours or experiencing sleep disturbances due to stress.

Crocs is donating 10,000 shoes daily to health care workers. Interested individuals can visit the Crocs website by 12 p.m. to claim their free shoes. This initiative is intended to provide practical footwear for those working in health care settings.

In addition to these offerings, several companies are providing free services to health care workers. For instance, Workhuman is offering free special editions of Life Events® and Conversations® products until March 2021. These tools are designed to help mitigate isolation and foster greater collaboration among employees during the pandemic.

FeedbackFruits is providing free student engagement and assessment tools for higher education teachers. These tools can be used to make videos, presentations, and documents interactive and assess student performance automatically within a learning management system.

Noisli is offering two months of free access to its Business plan, which provides background sounds to help individuals stay focused and productive. This is particularly useful for health care workers and others who may be working from home or in high-stress environments.

Anaplan is providing 90 days of free access to qualifying organizations, including nonprofits, government agencies, health care providers, and academic institutions. This software is designed to support planning and decision-making during the pandemic.

Wildix is offering six months of free access to its Collaboration tool, which enables secure communication between employees regardless of their location. This service is especially beneficial for health care workers who need to coordinate with colleagues remotely.

Business and Productivity Tools

The pandemic has also prompted several companies to offer free tools and services to support small businesses and remote workers. These tools are designed to enhance productivity, facilitate communication, and provide essential resources during these challenging times.

Hiver is offering free access to its Shared Inboxes on the highest plan for two months to eligible organizations. This service is particularly useful for businesses that need to manage customer communications efficiently.

Workhuman is providing free access to its Life Events® and Conversations® products until March 2021. These tools are designed to help employees establish and maintain relationships, which is especially important during periods of isolation.

FeedbackFruits is offering free tools for higher education teachers to engage students and assess their performance. These tools can be integrated into learning management systems and are useful for educators who are transitioning to online teaching.

Noisli is providing two months of free access to its Business plan, which includes unlimited access to background sounds that help reduce distractions and improve focus. This is a valuable resource for remote workers who need to maintain productivity while working from home.

Anaplan is offering 90 days of free access to qualifying organizations, including those in the health care, government, and nonprofit sectors. This software supports planning and decision-making, which is essential during the pandemic.

Wildix is providing six months of free access to its Collaboration tool, which enables secure communication between employees across different locations. This service is particularly beneficial for businesses that have adopted remote work models.

Criticisms and Concerns

While many of the freebies and promotions have been well-received, some initiatives have raised concerns among public health advocates. For example, the tobacco and vaping industries have taken advantage of the pandemic by offering free protective gear and other incentives. Critics argue that these efforts are hypocritical and potentially dangerous, as smoking and vaping can increase the risk of severe illness from the coronavirus.

Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, has criticized these promotions, stating that they undermine public health efforts. He points out that people with lung damage from smoking are at a higher risk if they contract the virus, and that vaping has been linked to an increase in tobacco use, particularly among teenagers.

Despite these concerns, some companies in the tobacco and vaping industries have donated ventilators and launched charity campaigns to support pandemic relief efforts. However, the provision of free surgical masks and other protective gear in exchange for purchases has been met with skepticism. Critics argue that these promotions could normalize smoking and vaping, especially among younger consumers.

Conclusion

The coronavirus pandemic has prompted a wide range of businesses and organizations to offer freebies, discounts, and promotions to support individuals and communities. From food delivery services to health care worker benefits and productivity tools for businesses, these initiatives aim to provide practical support during these challenging times. While many of these offers are commendable, it is important to remain vigilant about potential risks and ethical concerns, particularly when it comes to promotions by industries that contribute to public health issues.

Consumers are encouraged to take advantage of these free and discounted services while being mindful of any potential drawbacks. By staying informed and making thoughtful choices, individuals can benefit from these offers without compromising their health or well-being.

Sources

1. Coronavirus Deals
2. Vaccination Freebies
3. Freebies for Health Care Workers
4. Coronavirus Restaurant Discounts
5. Free Tools for Businesses
6. Tobacco and Vaping Promotions
7. Freebies During Coronavirus Shutdown