U.S. officials are looking for unique solutions to overcome the coronavirus hesitation, and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has improved his bet.
In a series of posts on social media, DeWine announced Wednesday that the state of Ohio would randomly select five residents who have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine and that those residents will receive a prize of 1 million dollars.
The drawings will begin on May 26 and will be produced every successive Wednesday for five consecutive weeks, DeWine says:
Two weeks from tonight, May 26, we will announce the winner of a separate raffle for adults who have received at least the first dose of the vaccine. This announcement will take place every Wednesday for five weeks and the winner will receive one million dollars every Wednesday.
– Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) May 12, 2021
According to the governor, the names of the draw will be taken from the Ohio Secretary of State’s voter registration database. Residents will also be able to register through a website if their name is not in the voter database.
Residents must be over the age of 18 and must have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine prior to the draw to be eligible.
For residents under the age of 18, there is also another prize on the table. Beginning May 26, residents 17 years of age and younger who have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine will be able to win a full four-year scholarship to any Ohio state public university, including tuition. the room, the advice and the books:
On Wednesday, May 26, we will announce the winner of a raffle for all those 17 years of age or younger who have been vaccinated and the winner will receive a full four-year scholarship to our Ohio state universities. This will include tuition, room and board, and books.
– Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) May 12, 2021
A website will open on May 18 for residents to enter the draw, DeWine says.
Funding for lottery prizes and college tuition will come from federal coronavirus aid funds, according to the DeWine office.
The drawings are the latest effort by state and local officials and private companies to encourage residents to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
In Alabama, residents who receive the coronavirus vaccine on May 15 will be allowed to take a tour of the famous Talladega Superspeedway.
In New York City, residents who get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine before the Mets and Yankees games will receive free admission to a future game.
The NFL is also taking part in the action, giving away 50 free tickets to Super Bowl LVI, which will take place next February in Los Angeles.