COVID-19 Related Freebies and Promotional Offers for U.S. Consumers

During the Coronavirus pandemic, numerous companies and organizations offered free products, services, and discounts to assist individuals and businesses facing economic challenges. These initiatives ranged from digital resources and food delivery to health-related incentives and protective equipment. The availability of these offers was dynamic, with many curated lists updated regularly to reflect the changing landscape of the crisis.

Digital Resources and Business Tools

Several platforms aggregated free resources designed to assist with projects and business operations during the pandemic. These collections included digital assets for creative professionals. For example, one source listed "Coronavirus freebies" consisting of Sketch resources, PSD freebies, and Adobe XD templates created by talented creatives to help with user projects.

Businesses and organizations also had access to curated lists of free resources and deals. One such list, updated as of September 22, 2020, featured 318 deals. It included products, services, subscriptions, and memberships that were either free or heavily discounted (defined as 50% or more) during the Coronavirus pandemic. These resources were intended to help businesses, organizations, and individuals dealing with the effects of COVID-19.

Food and Beverage Offers

The food industry responded to the pandemic by offering various delivery fee waivers and free delivery promotions to encourage ordering from home. These offers were available through specific apps and websites, often with minimum purchase requirements.

UberEats: This food delivery service waived delivery fees from independent restaurants and offered contactless deliveries to limit exposure.
Chipotle: The Mexican-style restaurant chain offered free delivery on orders over $10 until March 31. Orders were processed through their website or app.
Pollo Tropical: This Miami-based chain provided free delivery for all orders made through its app or website until April 3, with no minimum purchase required.
Red Lobster: The casual dining chain offered free delivery for website orders until March 29. Orders required a $30 minimum and could not be combined with other offers.
KFC: The fast-food chain offered free delivery until April 26. Customers could order via the KFC website or through delivery apps like Grubhub or Seamless.
Moe’s Southwest Grill: This chain offered free delivery on orders over $10 via its app and website until April (specific end date not fully specified in source).
Burger King: The fast-food chain offered two free kids meals with any purchase made via the Burger King app, starting the week following the report.

Health and Vaccine Incentives

As COVID-19 vaccines became available, businesses and organizations introduced various incentives to encourage vaccination. These promotions included free products, prizes, and financial rewards.

Vaccine Rewards: A wide range of incentives were offered to individuals who received their COVID-19 shot. These included free beer, college scholarships, and chances to win a $5 million lottery. The goal of these programs was to reward those who were vaccinated and to encourage others to get the shot, aligning with the White House's goal to reach 70% vaccination by July 4.

Tobacco and Vaping Industry Promotions

The tobacco and vaping industries utilized the pandemic to offer promotional items, some of which included protective gear. These offers generated controversy due to the health risks associated with tobacco and vaping products.

Protective Gear Offers: Some companies offered free surgical masks and other protective equipment with the purchase of vaping products. For instance, Moti Piin offered two free surgical masks with the order of a battery-powered vaping pen. Smok offered chances to win disposable gloves and up to 10,000 masks with the purchase of cartridges. Other promotions included "COVID-19 Relief Effort" offers, such as two-for-one e-liquid vials, and discount codes like "COVID-19" for 19% off nicotine e-juices.
Criticism: These marketing tactics were criticized by anti-smoking advocates, such as the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, who noted that individuals with lung damage from smoking are at elevated risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes. Critics argued that these promotions were hypocritical and potentially dangerous.

General Freebies and Discounts

Various other freebies and discounts were available to help consumers during the shutdown. These included offers from retail and service companies aiming to provide comfort and savings. While specific details for all categories like beauty, baby care, pet products, and household goods were not fully detailed in the provided sources, the general trend involved companies stepping up to provide support. Lists of these offers were frequently updated on deal aggregation sites to help consumers navigate the available options.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a diverse array of freebies and promotional offers across different sectors, including digital tools, food delivery, health incentives, and protective equipment. These initiatives were designed to support consumers and businesses during a period of significant disruption. While many offers provided genuine assistance, consumers were advised to consider the source and context of promotions, particularly those from industries with known health risks. The dynamic nature of the pandemic meant that offer availability and details changed frequently, requiring consumers to consult updated sources for the most current information.