As we all know, Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts for the rest of the year to anyone who’s been vaccinated, in an attempt to encourage people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you're anything like me, you love a free food giveaway, especially Krispy Kreme Donuts! Well, the company actually received a ton of backlash for the promotion, and now they are defending themselves.
Folks on the Internet came down hard on Krispy Kreme’s free doughnut giveaway. Some simply complained that it’s not fair to those who don’t want to get vaccinated, whole others suggest it’s less then healthy, especially considering obesity is a COVID comorbidity.
“Every incentive helps & free doughnuts may help move the needle,” Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and visiting professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health tweeted. “However, donuts are a treat that’s not good for health if eaten every day.”
But Krispy Kreme stands behind their offer, with CEO Mike Tattersfield telling Yahoo Finace, “We’re a sweet treat company…If folks don’t want to visit a doughnut shop, they don’t have to.” He adds, if “folks that want to get a vaccine, if they decide to combine a Krispy Kreme pickup (for) a doughnut, they can. That’s how we look at it… generosity.”
- For folks who don’t care about the health risks, they can get their free Krispy Kreme Original Glazed doughnut simply by showing their valid COVID-19 vaccination card. The freebies are available at all of their shops, “anytime, any day, every day for the rest of the year.”
Now I want a dozen of original glazed Krispy Kreme!