Michigan has become the latest state to implement a plan to bribe its residents into receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Following Ohio, which, led by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine encouraged people to get the vaccine and enter into a vaccine lottery, Michigan’s Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has done the same.
More than $5 million in prizes will be given away to vaccinated residents, including a $1 million cash drawing for anyone who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine between December 1, 2020, and July 10, 2021. The last day for entry to be considered in that drawing is July 10.
Another $2 million drawing will be held for Michiganders who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine between the same dates. The entry period for that drawing ends on August 3.
Like Ohio, Michigan will also offer scholarships to children who have taken at least one dose of the vaccine. Nine scholarships worth $55,0000 each will be awarded, according to WXYZ.
Residents can enter the lottery program by filling out an online form.
Michigan’s vaccination rate has reportedly dropped significantly since the vaccine’s rollout, prompting the incentive program.
Michigan had some of America’s strictest COVID-19 lockdown measures, but did not fare remarkably better or worse than any other state in terms of COVID-19 deaths. Whitmer has drawn the ire of conservatives, many of whom believe her lockdown orders were far too strict.
Similarly, DeWine aired on the side of caution during the pandemic, at least in comparison to other Republican-led states. There, COVID-19 restrictions were not fully lifted until the beginning of June. Other states led by Republican governors like Florida and Texas were completely open by the beginning of spring, causing grief for DeWine among conservatives.
Both Whitmer and DeWine are up for reelection in 2022, and their respective handling of the pandemic figures to be a major talking point for their opponents on the campaign trail.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Michigan Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to dabroscareports@gmail.com.