The COVID-19 pandemic prompted numerous companies and organisations to extend support to healthcare workers through free products, services, and discounts. This article compiles information on available offers, focusing on categories relevant to UK consumers, such as health, food, apparel, and digital services. The information is based solely on provided source material, which details initiatives primarily from US-based companies and organisations. Eligibility, availability, and terms are subject to the specific programmes outlined below.
Digital Entertainment and Internet Access
Several providers offered free or discounted digital services to assist healthcare workers with communication and access to information during the pandemic.
Comcast provided a range of free access through its Xfinity, NBCUniversal, and Sky platforms. This included free access to NBCUniversal News Networks, such as MSNBC and CNBC, for all video customers. Xfinity X1 and Flex customers received free On Demand content, with over 63,000 hours of movies and television shows available for four months. Additionally, through June 2021, eligible new customers could sign up for 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is a low-income internet adoption programme. Comcast Business also offered virtual tools for businesses.
For telecommunications, Kerusso offered a 10% discount on all items in their store to first responders as a token of gratitude for their work.
Food and Beverages
Several food and beverage companies provided free meals and treats for frontline workers.
UberEats announced it would provide free meals and rides to first responders and healthcare workers in the U.S. and Canada, coordinating with local, state, and provincial governments. Officials and organisations interested in partnership could contact [email protected].
Krispy Kreme offered a free dozen Original Glazed doughnuts to all healthcare workers every Monday from March 30 through National Nurses Week (May 6-12).
Starbucks offered a tall brewed or iced coffee to police officers, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and researchers until May 3.
Apparel and Footwear
Several brands offered free or discounted apparel and footwear for healthcare workers.
Crocs donated a free pair of shoes, including free shipping, to healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19.
Barco Uniforms, a medical apparel leader, donated scrubs to medical professionals on the frontlines for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
Clove included free compression socks with every Clove purchase. To receive the socks, shoppers were to add a pair to a cart containing shoes and use the code WITHLOVE at checkout for the discount to apply.
Ably Apparel offered a free item from their website to first responders who tagged themselves on the company's Instagram page starting April 8.
Tieks by Gavrieli launched a #SewTOGETHER Challenge, offering a $50 Tieks gift card to anyone who sewed 25 masks and a $100 gift card for 50 or more masks.
Jim Coleman's store created shirts and water bottles for sale specifically for healthcare heroes.
Health, Wellness, and Mental Health Support
A variety of free and discounted services aimed at supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of healthcare workers were available.
Training and Education
IntelyCare, a workforce management solution for post-acute facilities, launched a free COVID-19 training certification programme.
The American Nurses Association offered free COVID-19 training for nurses titled "Be Confident Protecting Yourself and Providing the Best Care to Your Patients during this COVID-19 Pandemic."
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses provided a free online course, "Pulmonary, ARDS, and Ventilator Resources," available 24/7 with the latest information for nurses caring for COVID-19 patients.
Osmosis developed several free resources for COVID-19, including: - A free COVID-19 course for health professionals, eligible for 2 CME credits. - Free clinical skill videos on related topics such as imaging features and body temperature assessment. - Free events including meditation and yoga sessions, and AMA sessions hosted by their Chief Medical Officer.
Teletherapy and Counselling
Talkspace, a digital behaviour health leader, donated 1,000 months of free online therapy to healthcare workers. Medical professionals received one free month of Talkspace's Unlimited Messaging Plus plan, which includes online therapy via text, audio, and video calls with a licensed therapist. If a healthcare worker had recently purchased a membership or had an upcoming renewal, they were also eligible for a free month.
Neurocore Brain Performance offered free telehealth counselling to all first responders and medical professionals in the U.S. through May 1, 2020.
Warrior Teletherapy Network offered free teletherapy to healthcare workers in the Kansas City metro area.
Support Groups and Wellness
Support groups for nurses offered no-cost, confidential emotional support for those on the frontlines of COVID-19. These groups met for an hour and were led by trained facilitators (coaches, counselors, social workers, and support group leaders). They provided a space for nurses to connect, share experiences, and learn mindfulness and emotional skills.
DiveThru is a guided journaling app designed to help with mental wellbeing, created with input from mental health professionals. It offers exercises for everyday stressors and specific difficult moments.
PPE and Manufacturing Support
The American Hospital Association (AHA) initiated the "100 Million Mask Challenge," connecting manufacturers with hospitals in need of personal protective equipment (PPE). The AHA encouraged manufacturers to contact local hospitals to understand immediate needs and provided a design specification guide to assist businesses not typically producing PPE.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) provided a tool to easily contact Congress to request an increase in PPE supply.
Eligibility and Important Considerations
The offers detailed in the source material are primarily available to healthcare workers and first responders in the United States. The source material does not provide specific information on availability for UK-based professionals. Furthermore, many of the listed offers have explicit expiration dates or were for a limited time during the pandemic (e.g., through May 2020, June 2021). The source material notes that deals are subject to change.
For offers requiring a sign-up or claim process (e.g., Crocs, Barco Uniforms, Ably Apparel), specific links or instructions were provided in the original source material. Users are advised to check the current status of any programme directly with the provider, as the information in the source material may be outdated.
Conclusion
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a wide range of companies and organisations offered freebies, discounts, and support services to healthcare workers. These initiatives spanned categories including digital entertainment, food and beverage, apparel, health education, mental health support, and PPE manufacturing. The information compiled here is based on specific programmes and offers detailed in the provided source material. It is important to note that these offers were primarily directed at the US market and many were time-sensitive. Consumers and professionals seeking similar support should verify the current availability and terms directly with the organisations involved, as the landscape of such offers changes frequently.