Airbnb Inc., arguably one of the hardest-hit tech startups during the coronavirus pandemic, today launched a new initiative to provide accommodations for healthcare workers through these troubled times.

The global initiative is offering to provide housing to up to 100,000 COVID-19 responders on either a free or  lower-price basis. The offer is open to healthcare professionals, relief workers and first responders close to where they’re working.

“Medical workers and first responders are providing lifesaving support during the coronavirus outbreak and we want to help,” Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia said in a statement. “We’ve heard from countless hosts around the world who want to provide a comforting home to heroic first responders. We are connecting our nonprofit partners, government agencies and others with our incredible host community to work together in these extraordinary times.”

Unprecedented times call for new measures, and now Airbnb hosts can opt in to provide homes that follow new cleanliness protocols based on recommendations from medical experts. The initiative is also being supported by the Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Rescue Committee, International Medical Corps and other nonprofit organizations.

There is a catch, however. Although the program is a good idea in these dark times, Airbnb itself is seemingly not contributing anything to the mix other than waiving fees despite taking credit for the initiative. Airbnb hosts can opt in to provide free or lower-priced accommodation and Airbnb doesn’t take a slice.

To quote Airbnb directly, “Hosts can opt into the program and have the option of opening their homes for free through Airbnb’s Open Homes platform, created in 2012 to meet the needs of people requiring emergency housing. If hosts are not able to host for free, Airbnb will still waive all fees on the stay.”

Generosity is seemingly only a media release with marketing spin away. Although it’s fair to note that Airbnb does have a responsibility to its investors not to bleed more money than it already has, virtue signaling only goes so far.

Airbnb was reported to have delayed its initial public offering plans March 3 and was also sued by International Business Machines Corp. March 12 for alleged patent infringement.

Photo: Pixabay