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Free Doughnut Promo For Those Vaccinated Sparks Twitter Debate

KERI BROWN/WFDD

A Winston-Salem-based company's promotion to sweeten the deal for getting a COVID-19 vaccination is getting some backlash on social media.

No good deed goes unpunished. Days after Krispy Kreme announced one free original doughnut to anyone who shows a valid vaccination card, some health experts took to Twitter to criticize the company's offer. It can be redeemed every day through 2021. 

Critics say obesity and diabetes are an issue across the country and eating a doughnut every day, regardless if it's free or not just isn't a healthy thing to do.

But others showed support for the company's gesture, saying anything that provides an incentive to get people vaccinated or encourage a smile during a difficult time is something that should be applauded.

Krispy Kreme says it's not asking people to get a free Original Glazed doughnut every day, and like many sweet treats, they should be enjoyed in moderation. The company says it's making the offer available through the end of the year because not everyone is eligible to get the shot right now.

"From the onset of COVID-19, Krispy Kreme has rolled out several Acts of Joy acknowledging and aiding healthcare workers, students, teachers, coaches, neighbors and others with more than 30 million free doughnuts for themselves and to share safely with others. ... Providing free Original Glazed doughnuts to those who get vaccinated is another gesture that we hope sweetens people's lives as the country accelerates to put this virus behind us," the company said in a statement.

Krispy Kreme was founded in Winston-Salem in 1937. Today, it has nearly 1,400 retail shops in 33 countries.

For the most up-to-date information on coronavirus in North Carolina, visit our Live Updates blog here. WFDD wants to hear your stories — connect with us and let us know what you're experiencing.

*Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news

Keri Brown is a multi-award winning reporter and host at 88.5 WFDD. She has been honored with two regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her stories about coal ash, and was named the 2015 radio reporter of the year by the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas (RTDNAC).Although she covers a variety of topics, her beats are environmental and education reporting.Keri comes to the Triad from West Virginia Public Broadcasting, where she served as the Chief Bureau Reporter for the Northern Panhandle. She produced stories for the state's Public Television and Radio programs and was honored by the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association for her feature and enterprise reporting.She also served as an adjunct instructor at Wheeling Jesuit University and Bethany College in West Virginia. She worked with the Center for Educational Technologies in Wheeling, WV, and other NASA centers across the country to develop several stories about the use of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts in the classroom.Keri's journalism career began at WTRF-TV 7 in Wheeling. She worked in several roles at the station, including the head assignment editor. She also was a field producer and assignment manager at WPGH-TV Fox 53 in Pittsburgh.Keri is a graduate of Ohio University. When she's not in the studio or working on a story, she enjoys watching college football with her family, cooking, and traveling.Keri is always looking for another great story idea, so please share them with her. You can follow her on Twitter @kerib_news.

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