Uber has a new goal to provide 10 million free meals and rides for healthcare workers. Seniors and other people in need in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. The world seems to have turned upside down in just a matter of weeks. Noting that while Uber was regularly giving rides to people just weeks ago. Now it is urging riders to stay home and practice social distancing. The company has already begun providing some of the remove meals and rides. Giving free healthcare to workers to help them get to work and stay sustained while doing that work.
Uber is working to distribute these meals and rides at scale in the coming months and tailor the offering based on the most pressing local needs. And they are covering the costs associated with delivering food. Meals and rides including free Eats meals, the cost of the ride or delivery of food. From a food bank, payments to the drivers and couriers. Hospitals, clinics, senior centers, and others interested in signing up their workers. For free rides or food, deliveries would need to email Uber at “[email protected]”.
Stay home if you can. And with drivers, delivery people, and restaurants, we’ll help #MoveWhatMatters:
10 million free rides and deliveries of food for frontline healthcare workers, seniors, and people in need.
Learn more → https://t.co/zH3Yam5P7D
— Uber (@Uber) March 31, 2020
Uber Drivers
The announcement comes as Uber has seen a precipitous drop in ridership as a result of the pandemic. The company’s gross bookings in Seattle. A city hit hard by the novel coronavirus, is down by 60 to 70 percent. And Uber is assuming similar declines in other big cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City.
The company is providing financial help for drivers who have contracted COVID-19. Who had their accounts suspended or told to quarantine by public health officials? Though some drivers have run into problems applying for aid from the ride-hailing company. People told to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel, many Uber drivers are struggling to earn money. The $2 trillion stimulus package signed into law last week by President “Trump” offers jobless benefits. Like unemployment insurance, to previously ineligible groups, like gig workers.
