Margarita M. Phillips 
Our Take: Coronavirus cases are on the decline, but variants and the unvaccinated continue to threaten public health. If money changes its mind, it’s worth saving lives.
There is good news about COVID-19 vaccines almost daily. New research shows immunity to shots could last for years, possibly a lifetime.
And all major vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson versions in the United States – appear to be effective against the most feared emerging variants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The only shadow cast over this American success story is that tens of millions of people still resist inoculation.
And their individual risk is that despite a national drop in COVID-19 cases and the joy for millions of people who received injections are now immune, infection rates among the unvaccinated in several states. are as severe as they were in the darkest days of winter, according to a Washington Post analysis.
How about free Krispy Kremes, Lyft or Uber rides, cruises, a trip to the Super Bowl?
So how can a free Krispy Kreme donut tell the difference? If that prompts a person to roll up their sleeve and get vaccinated, that’s a very good thing.
Americans have been served with free pastries, free Uber or Lyft rides to vaccination sites, free beer, free concerts, free trips to the Bronx Zoo, a free crayfish pound, and even free joints. (yes, the funny kind) if they just want to get stung.
And the incentives don’t end there.
CVS Health, which has administered more than 17 million doses in its pharmacies, announced last week that it will be holding a raffle for anyone who has been vaccinated at any of its outlets or who are considering do it.
First prize: a VIP trip for two to the next Super Bowl. Other freebies include hundreds or thousands of dollars in cash, cruises, or trips to Bermuda.
$ 100 in savings bonds or win the lottery
State governments have joined in this tsunami of bribery, starting with West Virginia in late April by promising $ 100 savings bonds to residents between the ages of 16 and 35 who get vaccinated.
Since then, state giveaways have exploded, with millions of dollars in winnings pledged to Colorado, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Oregon and, most recently, California, which will distribute $ 116.5 million. of dollars in prizes including $ 1.5 million each. of 10 vaccinated residents selected at random.
Does all of this work?
Americans pushed by pollsters admitted that, well, yes, Mary Poppins was right, a spoonful of sugar helps the drug go down.
About a third of the unvaccinated said a cash payment could make all the difference. (The incentive was stronger among Democrats than Republicans, regardless of what it’s worth.)
“How many people will die if we don’t do this?” “
Being the first of the governors to push for a million dollar promotional raffle, Mike DeWine of Ohio wrote in an opinion piece that his target is this group of people who do not commit to shoot it.
He said he was guided by one question: “How many people will die if we don’t do this?” “
This potential loss of life, combined with the cost of healthcare and decreased productivity when people contract COVID-19, far exceeds the cost of the promotional giveaway, DeWine wrote.
And ultimately, according to an Associated Press review, the number of Ohioans aged 16 and over who were vaccinated in the week after the governor announced his lottery increased by 33%.
Last week Abbigail Bugenske, 22, of Silverton, Ohio, became the first of what will be $ 5 million to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. “It was a crazy night,” she told reporters.
Critics may say that it is improper to pay people to do what makes sense, or that the money could be better spent.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis is funding his state’s giveaway with federal coronavirus relief funds. But DeWine is right. What is most important are lives saved.
So go ahead and shoot. There can be more than a Krispy Kreme donut for you.
USA TODAY’s editorial opinions are decided by its editorial board, which is separate from the press staff and the USA TODAY Network. Most editorials are associated with an opposing view, a unique feature of USA TODAY.
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