Caring for Yourself During COVID-19
Check out the collection of resources available to medical staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Take advantage of these offers and take care of yourself. A special thank you to the many businesses who are supporting MSES + MDSA and other healthcare professionals during this challenging time.
While MSES has compiled this list of discounts and offers, it is not an endorsement of the products or experiences. The information has come from a variety of sources, including the PHSA’s Employee Perks, so please check with the businesses directly to validate the offers or for the most up-to-date information.
If you know of a special offer in your region, please share it using the form under “Ideas & Links” below.
Food & Beverage
Freshslice is offering a free meal to doctors, nurses and paramedics. Meal includes slice of pizza, can of pop and brownie. Valid until May 1.
Starbucks: Free hot or cold coffee with each visit until May 3. Present ID to redeem.
A&W is offering healthcare professionals in BC's Lower Mainland free drinks in any size. This offer can only be redeemed for in-person take-out purchases, you will need to present your ID to redeem.
McDonalds: Free Coffee or tea available in drive-thru at participating restaurants. Present ID to redeem.
Afghan Kitchen South Surrey is offering 30% discount on pick up orders. Present ID at pickup.
Body Energy Club is offering free smoothies to paramedics, doctors and nurses working against the spread of COVID-19 on the front line. Show ID or be in uniform.
Cactus Club is featuring a Healthcare Hero Combo special for $12.75. Check their site for details and have your employee ID.
Triple O's restaurants is now offering 15% off your entire order. Discount available for drive thru or walk-up ordering. Must be in uniform or present valid ID to redeem.
Tractor Foods: will be offering frontline healthcare workers who come in with their ID or badge one free meal, while supplies last (Broadway, Vancouver)
Earls is offering 30% off food for healthcare workers. Pick up orders only. Bring your ID.
Fedfedfed: Fed is offering meals at cost for healthcare workers. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options delivered to your door, with below cost delivery (Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Richmond).
Railtown Café (Granville Street) is offering 30% off for frontline workers. For pickup or delivery
Bombay Kitchen & Bar is offering 50% off orders when delivered to medical facility or doctor’s office, as well as one free meal per week for people in quarantine. (Commercial Drive, Vancouver)
If you are organizing any activities to promote well-being in your region, or are aware of any special offers,
please share with your MSES+MDSA colleagues by filling out the comment form below. We will check submissions regularly.
Ideas & Links
Accommodation
Holiday-Inn Vancouver, 711 West Broadway, is offering a "Heroes Rate" of $75 per night and $70 day rate for VCH/PHSA medical staff (ID required).
Accent Inns is offering an Essential Service Worker Offer of $59 per night. Call 1-800-663-0298.
GEC Granville, 718 Drake Street is offering $40 per night. Some rooms come with kitchenettes. Free parking.
Hotel Blu, 177 Robson Street, is offering rate of $65 per night. Email guestservices@hotelbluvancouver.com
Hampton Inn Suites, 111 Robson Street, offers rate of $64 on a first come, first served basis. Email frontdesk@hamptonvancouver.com
Georgian Court Hotel, 773 Beatty Street, is offering $65 per night. Email frontdesk@georgiancourt.com
Wellness & Fitness
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MindwellU: MSES+MDSA has extended MindwellU for all allied health staff. Join the free 30-day, 5-minute challenge to reduces stress.
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The Science of Well-Being: Offered through Yale University, the course is designed to increase happiness and build more productive habits.
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Fountain of Health is a non-profit Canadian initiative. The FOH tool provides a framework for goal setting to support wellness.
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Healthy Minds is available for free during COVID-19. The program focuses on awareness, connection, insight and purpose.
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The Calm: Curation of medications, sleep stories, music and more.
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Ten Percent Happier is offering a “Coronavirus Sanity Guide” for free that includes meditations, blog posts, podcasts and more.
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Dr. Jud presents “Coronavirus Anxiety: Daily Updates” video series.
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Fitness Blender free workout videos for every fitness level.
Child Care for Medical Staff
Childcare BC: Review the Government of BC information to assist Essential Service Workers seeking temporary emergency child care. For children 0-5 years, the form is [here]. For school aged children (K-6), contact you school principal.
Other Offers
Aviva: Free roadside assistance is available for healthcare workers and first responders through Aviva.
SHELL Canada is offering a free sandwich and bottle of water for healthcare professionals in BC.
Filld is offering a $10 discount on every fill-up and no delivery fee, for 45 days from sign up.
Costco is offering healthcare workers and first responders priority access. Please show your ID and move to the front of the line to enter the warehouse.