Is the COVID-19 pandemic nearing its end? No, but at least we can find some solace in the fact people are beginning to get vaccinated (albeit at a less than stellar rate here in the Philippines). The jab is the best shot we’ve had at defeating the virus since, well, ever.
Again, it’s important to remember we’re far from being in the clear, though. Rolling out these vaccines comes with its own set of complications, including storing and transporting them, and getting people to line up for them.
To help entice its citizens to get jabbed, as well as to make it more convenient for them, the US government has struck a deal with Uber and Lyft which will see the two ride-hailing companies offer free rides to and from local vaccination sites.
The program is set to launch in the US within the next two weeks and will run until July 4, and under it, the Uber and Lyft smartphone apps will also promote tens of thousands of vaccination sites.
“People will be able to simply select a vaccination site near them, follow simple directions to redeem their ride, and then get a ride to take them to and from a nearby vaccination site free of charge,” the official White House press release reads.
The US government’s deal with the two ride-hailing players comes in a bid to help have 70% of the country’s adult population vaccinated with at least one shot by the fourth of July. With this, the White House says the Joe Biden administration is eliminating a potential barrier in its drive to get people jabbed.
God knows we could use something like this in our country, considering the current public transport situation. Think the Philippine government can cook up something similar with Grab once enough vaccines make it to our shores? Let us know in the comments.
