The COVID vaccine is being released in stages to people throughout the world and millions of people have signed up to receive their doses. As if getting a normal life wasn't enough motivation to sign up, companies are offering perks to anyone who is getting their shot.
Krispy Kreme is one of those companies and the criticism for the promotion has already ramped up. The national donut chain is offering vaccinated people one free glazed donut per day for the rest of the year. No purchase is necessary for the donut. It is a genuinely free donut.
The offer from the chain has prompted backlash from health professionals and celebrities alike. Late night host Stephen Colbert tweeted his opinion, stating the offer is, "great news for anyone who got the shot but still has a death wish."
Another discerning opinion, coming from a physician and lecturer at George Washington University, took to Twitter to remind people that, "donuts are a treat that's not good for health if not eaten every day."
In other words, if a company is offering free donuts, there are people who think everyone is going to eat them all the time. I highly doubt this. Krispy Kreme is offering people, especially those undecided about the vaccination, an incentive to get the vaccination. They are not saying you have to get the donut and they're not saying you have to get the donut every day. They are offering a donut to anyone who would like one.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan has a routine about McDonald's. In it, he reminds people that anyone who walks into a McDonald's knows what they are going in there for. McDonald's doesn't claim to be a health food store. They sell burgers and french fries and he reminds people of that when they want to shame people for eating there or judge the franchise for selling fast food.
Krispy Kreme is offering an incentive to receive the COVID vaccine. The marketing is a good idea for attracting new customers. Any one who eats a donut every day for the rest of the year has no one to blame but themselves. Neither they, nor health experts, nor the critics, can blame a donut chain.
