Using federal COVID-19 funds, Minnesota has become the latest state to bribe its residents with prizes in exchange for taking the vaccine.
Gov. Tim Walz (D) announced Thursday that residents who get at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination before the end of June will be able to select one of nine prizes.
Those prizes include:
- Great Lakes Aquarium pass
- Mall of America’s Nickelodeon Universe pass
- Minnesota fishing license
- Minnesota State Parks pass
- Minnesota Zoo admission
- Northwoods Summer Baseball League tickets
- State Fair tickets
- Valleyfair single-day admission
- A $25 Visa gift card
Walz says he hopes to get the state to a 70 percent vaccination rate before the end of June. Right now, about 64 percent of Minnesotans ages 16 and older have had at least one dose of the vaccine.
“Summer is here, vaccines are working, and we are still going full steam ahead finding ways to keep our communities safe,” Walz said in a statement. “We’ve had great success in our state so far with more than 2.5 million Minnesotans fully vaccinated, and we want to build on that success and get the broad community protection needed for everyone to have the fun, safe summer they want.”
“Whether it’s fishing, exploring our state parks, taking the family to a ball game or the Minnesota State Fair, we want to help get you there safely. So roll up your sleeves, make that vaccine appointment, and pick your reward, Minnesota — this is your shot to summer,” he continued.
Minnesota follows Ohio in providing incentives for its residents to take the vaccine.
The latter state designed a lottery system for vaccinated residents, entering them into a $1 million jackpot, or, for children between the ages of 12 and 17, a chance to win a full scholarship to any Ohio college.
The state announced the first jackpot winner and scholarship recipient Wednesday. It will choose four more million-dollar winners and scholarship recipients in the weeks ahead.
– – –
Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Minnesota Sun and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Governor Tim Walz” by Governor Tim Walz.
