10 Ways Companies are Doing the Right Thing During COVID-19
Times of the crisis has a way of shining a light on an organization’s true colors. Although fear, change, and health concerns have experienced all-time highs over the past few weeks, there have been moments where humanity comes together, and for a split second, it feels like things are going to be okay. So, let’s talk about one of the silver linings of the current global pandemic: companies that are doing the right thing.
The good (read: heart-warming) news is that lots of companies are stepping up to help during the world’s time of need. At CITADEL, this is particularly special to us, not only because it is our mission (empowering organizations to do the right thing) but also because this is truly the standard that organizations should be held to. Now more than ever, ethics matter. How your organization navigates COVID-19 matters.
It would be a long, potentially never-ending, task to mention every single company contributing to the greater good during the pandemic (again: silver lining) so we will focus on 10 inspiring ways that organizations are doing the right thing:
- Pivoting to Hand Sanitizer
The beauty industry also came to humanity’s aid: French luxury conglomerate LVMH joined the fight by turning its perfumes business into a hand sanitizer manufacturer. L’Oréal also offered up its factories to produce hand sanitizer and hydro alcoholic gel to distribute throughout Europe.
- Making Masks
Apple increased the number of face masks needed for healthcare workers both in the US and Europe to 20 million, doubling the amount they had previously committed to providing. Inditex, the owner of the retail store Zara, announced that it will donate masks to coronavirus patients and health officials in Spain. Prada is making 80,000 hospital gowns and 110,000 masks for healthcare professionals and menswear company Brooks Brothers announced it will produce 150,000 masks daily.
Honeywell is partnering with the US government to expand its manufacturing operations to produce N95 face masks that protect the wearer from breathing in airborne particles. Not only will this help with the supply of masks, but the expansion will create 500 more jobs in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
- Partnering to Build Resources
Google and Apple announced a rare joint project to create a Bluetooth-based contact-tracing program that can work across both iOS and Android phones. The app would track if the owner has met someone who later turns out to have been infected with COVID-19. Once alerted, that user can then self-isolate or get tested themselves. Be on the lookout for updates on this project over the coming weeks as it is set to launch mid-May.
Another large collaboration has been between IBM, Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and others, who have established the COVID-19 High-Performance Computing Consortium. The project aims to donate computing resources to empower researchers around the world to accelerate understanding of the COVID-19 virus and the development of treatments and vaccines to help address infections.
- Supporting Local Communities
Nevada Gold Mines, a Barrick Gold venture and the single largest gold-producing complex in the world, has committed $1.5 million to the Nevada COVID-19 Response, Relief, and Recovery Task Force, along with offering up their supply chain to help relief efforts.
The city of San Francisco started a coronavirus aid fund with a $1.5 million donation from Salesforce. Salesforce also gave $1 million to the UCSF COVID-19 response fund and are matching employees’ donations to all eligible organizations during this time.
Bank of America committed $100 million to support local communities in need as the world faces unprecedented challenges from the coronavirus. The bank also announced additional support for its 66 million Consumer and Small Business clients to provide access to the important financial services on which these clients rely.
- Taking Care of Employees
Major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Amazon have been able to invest in front-line workers during this time. Target made a $300 million investment in employees related to COVID-19 including paying $2 more per hour and giving bonuses for those working to support the country through essential services.
- Keeping Services On
On the consumer side of things, telecommunications companies are doing their part to help customers who may have fallen on hard financial times. All AT&T home internet customers can now use unlimited data and residential customers who are experiencing economic hardship will get additional relief for the next 60 days. AT&T has even given a 20% bonus for frontline employees.
Verizon gave all customers 15gb of free data, suspended data caps, have not shut off customers who couldn’t pay, offered free international calling so loved ones can stay connected, and even pledged $2.5 million to assist small businesses impacted by the virus.
- Designing Ventilators
Auto manufacturers General Motors, Tesla, and Ford have all pledged their support to offer resources in the US. In Britain, aerospace multinational Airbus has led the Ventilator Challenge UK Consortium, which brings together rival manufacturers from a range of industries in a unified effort to increase the number of ventilators. Engineering firm Rolls-Royce and aerospace company BAE Systems are among those offering their facilities to build more machines based on proven designs already used by medical device manufacturers.
- Making Massive Donations
Cisco committed to donating $225 million to the global response of COVID-19. Google offered $800 million to COVID-19 relief which includes ad credits. Facebook pledged to give $100 million for small businesses affected by the virus and The Tata Group, which includes Tata Trusts and Tata Sons, joined the fight against coronavirus and will together donate approximately $200 million towards the coronavirus relief fund.
- Keeping Classrooms Learning
Logitech has launched a program for k-12 teachers to receive free webcams and headsets as they transition to virtual teaching. Zoom is offering its products for free to schools and has lifted its 40-minute meeting limit to allow for longer lessons. Zoom has emerged as one of the leading tools to keep students learning (and businesses running as they transition to working from home).
- Working on a Solution
Gilead is working closely with global health authorities to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak through the appropriate experimental use of the investigational compound redeliver. This includes providing antiviral expertise and resources to help patients and communities fighting COVID-19.
Moderna received funding from CEPI in January to develop an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19. Clinical trials are currently taking place. Other big players include Sanofi and Johnson & Johnson.
How is Your Organization Doing the Right Thing?
Thank you to each and every company doing something to help through the crisis. While it is difficult to see the hardships, the world is going through due to COVID-19, it has been very uplifting to see organizations of all sizes leap to humanity’s aid.
Citadel is supporting the Kurdistan Region Government of Iraq in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the Kurdistan Region continues to expand its capabilities to treat COVID-19 patients, Citadel’s Team starts donating to the KRG Government to support Public Health and economic recovery during this situation.
CITADEL has also donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including 500 masks and 2,000 gloves to Front line employees during the lockdown.
Same after lockdown our team support their local community and donate food and supplies to the Local Bank Food in their towns.
We should Thanks all of your and those Companies keep doing the right ( Good ) Things