Companies, Oklahomans Donate Rooms to First Responders

Help is on the way for medical staff who need to isolate themselves away from their loved ones, or who have traveled to Oklahoma to help during the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis.

Airbnb, Hilton and American Express have either waived their fees, or donated rooms as we near the anticipated height of COVID-19.

Each company emphasized they are providing a safe place for the weary to rest their heads and slow the spread.

“We launched the open homes program last week trying to help frontline workers who need a place to stay to help out during this pandemic. We have two paths. We are working with institutions, whether it is hospitals or cities that know they have a need. We are working with them directly to house medical workers,” said Laura Spanjian, Airbnb Senior Policy Director. “Then, we also have a program, where a medical worker who is coming in can literally go on our site immediately, sign-up and get a free or discounted place to stay.”

Airbnb reports that so far 100 Oklahomans have signed up to host others for the free or discounted program.

Hilton will begin offering some locations in Oklahoma City next week.

The following responders qualify:

American Association of Critical Care Nurses

American College of Emergency Physicians

American Hospital Association

American Nurses Association

Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association

Emergency Nurses Association

National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians

Society of Critical Care Medicine

Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants

Society of Hospital Medicine

Efforts like this will help people like the Hix family.

Stephen is a nurse at a local ICU, and Lindsay is also listed as essential staff. They are worried about exposing their two little girls because of Stephen’s job.

“I have nowhere to go. I would hate to pay for a hotel room, or Airbnb for so many days because who knows how long this is going to last,” said Stephen. “Kind of like a nightmare to me would be to bring corona home to my kids, my family. If I could stay away, I would.”

The Airbnb program is indefinite. The company is also taking a number of precautions to keep hosts and medical staff safe including:

-An extensive cleaning checklist for you and your guests to follow.

-COVID-19 responders need entire listings with no people present.

More information from Hilton and Airbnb can be found here.