Ohio Governor Mike DeWine made national news when he announced a promotion to increase the vaccination rate in the state: Vax-a-Million. Beginning Wednesday, May 26, five lucky Ohioans will win one million dollars in weekly lottery drawings for adults vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition, five teens will win a full ride at one of the state universities if their name is chosen. And to think, I was happy to get a free Krispy Kreme donut by showing my vaccine card.
As expected, lots of people have an opinion on DeWine’s scheme. Couldn’t he have given something to everyone? Well, doing the math, at the current rate of vaccination, we each would have ended up with a buck or so, not worth the stamp to send it out. But he could have offered $100,000 each for fifty people – instead of two inches of jam on the toast, spread it a little thinner. Writing in the Washington Post, James Hohmann expressed a concern I share: “Think about how entitled and spoiled this must look to the developing world, desperate for access to vaccines. As states and cities sweeten the pot, India is recording more than 4,500 covid deaths per day.” American privilege in full view.
It's no surprise the late night hosts picked up on the news. Jimmy Fallon is afraid “some idiot out there is saying, you know, after taxes, it only comes out to $800,000, so it’s not really worth it.” Yeah, if it’s not the full million, I’m done with that. Fallon also gave us an unforgettable image. “Instead of drawing from a basket, they will pull numbered cotton swabs from someone’s nose.” Trevor Noah put in his two cents: “By the way, the best part of the lottery is that you don’t have to worry about holding on to a ticket. If you win they will just find you by the microchip in your bloodstream.” Just kidding, I think.
How is DeWine’s gamble playing out? After the vaccination numbers had been going down for weeks, there was a 6% increase in vaccinations for people between the ages of thirty to seventy-four post-announcement. State Health Director Stephanie McCloud is encouraged. “Not only have we achieved our goal of increasing public awareness and interest, but we have slowed what was a consistent decline, and in certain age groups we’re seeing an increase again . . . This is doing exactly what we intended it to do.”
Since my husband, sons, and daughters-in-law have already joined me in baring their arms to the shot, we’ve brainstormed about what we’d do with the money if we won. Drew mentioned fulfilling a life-long dream of traveling to the Big Easy, drawn there by the food and the music. Greg would pay off his house, while Dan suggested moving to a place with a warmer winter; I’ll compromise and install heated seats in his truck if I win.
Larry thought about buying a cottage in Maine, but I suggested renting instead, getting a big house where all eleven of us could spend a couple of weeks near the ocean. I wonder how long we’d last? He wants to remodel our kitchen, and find a way to install a larger shower in his bathroom – a nice touch. My list was simple: a new phone, paying off our kids’ college loans, sending unexpected cash to a few friends who are struggling, making charitable donations, and setting up college funds for our grandchildren. To prove I’m not totally altruistic, I’d also rent a bright red convertible for the summer.
Dreaming of what could be is fun for a bit, but the odds of winning this money are probably about one in a million, quite a bit steeper than the risk of dying from COVID-19. But it doesn’t hurt a girl to dream.
The moral of the story is: get vaccinated. When you do, go to ohiovaxamillion.com and sign up to win the money. Good luck! On second thought, as long as you get vaccinated, forget the vax-a-million lottery. The fewer people who enter, the better my chances. Instead, you can wave when I drive past in my convertible. Can’t wait!
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