As a way to support the government’s efforts to vaccinate the U.S. population against the COVID-19 virus, Ohio governor Mike DeWine came up with a very unusual and daring plan. He suggested launching a statewide lottery for all vaccinated Ohioans that would feature 5 weekly draws with a $1 million main prize in each.

The total $5 million pool of the lottery, whose legitimacy is somewhat questionable, would come from the federal Coronavirus Relief Funds. Governor DeWine announced the unusual incentive in his TV address held on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

When Will the Lottery Start?

According to Gov. Mike DeWine, the first in the series of 5 weekly drawings will take place on Wednesday, May 26, and will be conducted by the Ohio Lottery office.

In the Twitter message that followed the televised event, Mr. DeWine wrote that he realized the initiative might raise a few eyebrows among his voters and political opponents. He expects that some people will criticize the plan and call the whole thing a huge waste of money.

However, the governor firmly believes that people in his position should do everything they can to prevent another “life lost to COVID-19” at a time where effective and safe vaccines are quickly available to anyone who wants to take them.

Ohio COVID-19 Situation

During the same TV appearance, Mr. DeWine promised that on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, the state of Ohio would be ending all of its health orders put in place to contain the pandemic. Such a long-awaited relaxation of the rules will not touch upon health orders affecting the work of nursing homes and housing facilities for people with disabilities, otherwise known as assisted-living facilities (ALF).

As at the end of spring 2021, 36% of the population of Ohio have completed a full cycle of vaccination, which is slightly above the national average of 35%. The Covid-19 death toll around the state is now at nearly 20,000 lives, according to the statistics provided by public health institutions.

How Did People Respond to the Governor’s Initiative?

The reaction that followed the announcement made by the governor on Wednesday was a mixed one. Some people cheered for the plan, saying it trumped the offerings other states made to heighten the public’s interest in the Covid-19 vaccines, such as gift cards, free beer, and sandwiches.

Some others criticized the incentive and urged the authorities to find a more appropriate and legally compliant way to spend the taxpayer’s money to help relieve the disastrous effects of the pandemic. Even some Republicans – Mike DeWine’s fellow party members – disapproved of the suggested giveaway.

Mike DeWine’s office says the state did not ask or require the federal government to provide guidance on the lottery program. The requests to comment on the subject have not yet been answered by either the White House or the U.S. Treasury Department.

Who Can Try Their Luck in the Lottery?

Governor DeWine promises that any Ohio resident of 18 and over will be allowed to take part in the lottery drawings provided they have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. He also says there will be a similar lottery program, under which five teenagers will receive full scholarships to study at one of the state’s public universities.

Other Incentives Used to Drive the Demand for Covid-19 Vaccines

As the demand for Covid-19 vaccines in the USA slowly declines, several other states and large cities have resorted to some rather straightforward incentives, trying to persuade more people to get the shots. For example, Jim Justice, West Virginia governor, announced last month that the state would give $100 savings bonds to anyone aged 16 to 35 if they got vaccinated.

New Jersey is giving away a free beer to residents who get their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in May and then come to one of the breweries the state is collaborating with under this incentive. A $50 prepaid card will be given to anyone in Detroit for giving a resident a lift to a vaccine site. Maryland is willing to pay its state employees $100 to get the life-saving vaccine.

Despite all of these efforts and incentives, some public health experts claim they do not feel confident that the so-called herd immunity can be achieved any time soon. 

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