On Wednesday, May 6 Nurses Day kicked off a week of celebrating the work that nurses do every day. But, this year, the occasion is especially poignant as many of us watch from the sidelines as nurses at hospitals all over Long Island care for patients with Covid-19 at great risk to themselves.

 

We can’t thank them enough.

 

Below are some ways that others have shown gratitude for nurses and some cool freebies to help nurses get through as they continue to battle during this pandemic.

 

Free Coffee

 

We know that long night shifts can be tough. So does Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts. Both companies are offering special deals for nurses this year. Starbucks says it has given more than 1 million free tall brewed (hot or iced) coffees to first responders and front-line health care workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. It plans to continue that through the end of May. Dunkin’ is offering a free medium hot or iced coffee and a free donut – no purchase necessary – to all healthcare workers who visit participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide, while supplies last.

 

Comfortable Shoes

 

According to its website, Crocs is donating 10,000 free pairs of shoes a day (with free shipping) to healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. Get more info on the deal here. Adidas is also giving verified medical professionals, first responders, nurses and military members an exclusive discount on adidas.com. Click here to sign up. Nike is also giving a discount.

 

Free Burrito. Maybe

 

Chipotle is giving away 100,000 burritos as part of their "buy one, give one" program. Nurses and other health care workers can sign up for the deal here.

 

Showing the Love

 

Stony Brook Hospital celebrated their nurses with words of encouragement and hope chalked on the outside of their building. “It made me feel like what I am doing matters,” said Kathleen DiBenedetto, RN, a nurse at Stony Brook. “And it's appreciated.” In other instances, EMS and police caravaned through the streets of Long Island blasting sirens in show of support for frontline workers.