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Guv Mike DeWine slammed over Ohio's $1M lottery for vaccinated adults: 'If this is not illegal, it should be'

In a bid to get more people vaccinated, the governor announced 'Ohio Vax-a-Million' that will run for 5 weeks; scholarships for students are also up for grabs

As if not needing to wear a mask and visit stadiums and other public areas wasn't enough reason to get vaccinated, Ohio has just announced another stunning reason why. You could stand to win $1 million, or if you are a student, a scholarship to any state university. 

The announcements were part of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's slate of announcements on Covid-19 in the state. As vaccination rates have slowed down drastically in the US, DeWine is hoping that the lottery will incentivize adults to go get their shots. As DeWine made the announcement, late on Wednesday, May 12, Ohio has vaccinated about 41% of its adult population. 

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DeWine's announcement is just the latest in the long line of incentives announced by governments, to urge people to get their shots. On Wednesday, the CDC also cleared the Pfizer vaccine for kids 12 and older. DeWine also had a special incentive, just for them.

DeWine's spending spree to push vaccinations

In a statewide address, DeWine said that Ohio would lift all Covid-19 restrictions, including its mask mandate, in the next three weeks. "It’s been a year. You’ve followed the protocols. You’ve done what we’ve asked. And now, our cases are down, and we have a tested and proven weapon in the vaccine," he said. Starting June 2, all restrictions will be lifted barring those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 

He also urged Ohioans to use the next three weeks to get vaccinated, if they haven't already. In order to do that, the governor announced the unusual incentive - a lottery. The state will run the 'Ohio Vax-a-Million' lottery offering $1 million a week for 5 weeks. Each week, 1 vaccinated individual will be picked to receive the $1 million prize. Anyone who gets their shots can enter their name for the draw. As the CDC cleared shots for kids 12 and up, DeWine also announced an incentive targeted at them. There will be a similar weekly drawing (for five weeks) for people between 12-17 who get vaccinated. The prize - a fully-funded four-year scholarship to any Ohio public university.

According to DeWine, "The pool of names for the drawing will be derived from the Ohio Secretary of State’s publicly available voter registration database." The money for the lottery will come from federal Covid-19 relief funds, with The Ohio Department of Health sponsoring the lottery. More details will be announced in the coming days, DeWine said on Twitter. 

"I know that some of you now are shaking your head saying, 'That Mike DeWine, he's crazy! This million-dollar drawing idea of yours is a waste of money.' But truly, the real waste at this point in the pandemic, when the vaccine is readily available to anyone who want it, the real waste is a life that is lost to COVID-19," DeWine added. That hasn't stopped critics though, who have taken to social media to slam the governor for his spending spree. 

Twitter slams 'waste of taxpayer money'

One user tweeted, "The governor of Ohio using COVID relief funds to set up a million dollar weekly vaccine lottery is the peak form of degeneracy. In a sane country, that clown would be thrown out of office tomorrow." Another slammed anti-vaxxers, tweeting, "Ohio will give five random adults who get the COVID-19 vaccine $1 million each, because protecting your life, your family, and the world is not enough of an incentive for these morons. They need a one in seven million chance to win the lottery."

"$5 Million dollars is being spent on a lottery giveaway for vaccinated people in Ohio. What a complete waste of tax payer money. I'd be livid if DeWine was my governor" said one person. Another anti-vaxxer tweeted, "OMG. If this is not illegal, it should be. It’s certainly unethical, doubly so because the vaccines have not received full approval."

One user said, "Ohio lost over 300,000 jobs last year, and now Mike DeWine wants to give $1 MILLION of our hard earned tax dollars away in a vaccine drawing! This is what career politicians do, they offer wasteful gimmicks over common sense solutions." Another slammed DeWine and tweeted, "RINO governor Mike DeWine is now doing an INSANE $5 Million bribe to get more vaccines in Ohio. Here’s a better idea, Open up Ohio and let our people get back to work! Ohioans don’t want handouts, we want FREEDOM!"

Others though, have commended Ohio for taking the step to push vaccinations. One user tweeted, "This idea makes Americans look so fucking dumb. It's also a good idea."

Unfortunately for DeWine, it seems like more people hate the idea than love it. But with vaccination rates dropping quickly, and doses going to waste, maybe desperate times call for desperate measures?