Below are a selection of comments supporting and criticizing the idea from Facebook and Twitter.
Supporting:
Lish Marie: “Some states were talking about giving all those who got the vaccine a stipend. Unfortunately money is incentive for some where science may not be. I got my vaccine and would love a million, however I wish he could help more than just 5 people out of a ton that have been affected and chose to get the vaccine.”
Pat Quinn: “Absolutely genius. The Venn Diagram of frequent lottery players and people already vaccinated has got to be just two circles side by side. Tons of opportunity to get Ohio effectively fully vaccinated here!”
I tried to gently encourage my barber to get vaccinated today by talking about how great it was for me and how I had no side effects and brother told me he was drinking a lot of water and eating elderberries so you know, if a lottery is what it takes, a lottery is what it takes.
— Saeed Jones (@theferocity) May 12, 2021
Brilliant idea! If people will vax for a beer they will vax for a chance to win a lottery.
— Teri A. (@bondou_emma) May 13, 2021
I like this better than the end of the mask mandate. The lottery should encourage people to be responsible and get vaccinated. Ending mask mandate before reaching sufficient number vaccinated encourages irresponsibility.
— Madam Marsh. Right matters.🌎 (@madammarsh) May 12, 2021
You are 100% right. While it’s a shame so many Ohioans don’t care about society or even their own health, there are many who will only get the vaccine if there’s something in it for them.
— cindy j (@newyearforme315) May 13, 2021
Criticizing:
Jeff Bonsteel: “What an irresponsible way to spend tax payer dollars.”
Meg Morgan Jones: “School funding was cut across the State and other state agencies were closed down, to save money, yet tax payer’s money is being used for this.”
Rhian Castle: “Why can’t he use this money to help small businesses suffering?”
Sam Mcconnell: “Facts:
• Over 1,100 business closed over the past year in the Col/Cin/Clev area due to COVID difficulties that could have benefited from $5,000,000.
• That $5m could have covered the entire 7-year tax increase that the Bellbrook School levy entailed
• $5m could pay for an entire year of the Preschool Promise program in Montgomery County
• For $5,000,000 you could fill every pothole in Dayton using nickels and still have enough money to buy a Dewine is Watching sign from Heart Mercantile.”
We should not be rewarded for getting our covid vaccines. It's our health choice. I did it to protect myself not play a lottery. Use those 5 million dollars on our kids or mental health or small businesses who've been devastated by this pandemic!
— Sarah Nithiyanandarajah (@SarahNrajah) May 13, 2021
I can't help but wonder if those funds could be better spent on an information campaign, or door to door vaccines, or local Q and A sessions followed by vaccinations. A for ingenuity though.
— Dr. PearlyGirl 🗽🐈👑🦕🦈 (@PearlyGirl50) May 13, 2021
I don't think it is crazy, I know it is stupid. Seems like a total waste of $5 million dollars, a better use would be to donate it to Ohio's food banks since many people are struggling to feed their families.
— your_name (@t0ky0girl) May 13, 2021
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