Written by Amanda Angulo
On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his most lucrative incentive to get people to get the COVID-19 vaccinations. His “Vax for the Win” program will offer up to $116.5 million in cash and gift card prizes to residents who get vaccinated by June 15th, the day the state officially reopens. This is the largest incentive out of the rest of the U.S. states.
According to a fact sheet on the new program, the next 2 million Californians to get newly vaccinated will be given a $50 card and a chance to win a cash prize. In addition, 30 people will each win $50,000, leaving just 10 people getting the chance to win up to $1.5 million each.
“Some Californians weren’t ready to get their COVID-19 vaccine on day one, and that’s OK,” said Dr. Tomas Aragon, director of the California Department of Public Health. “This program is designed to encourage those who need extra support to get vaccinated and help keep California safe.”
However, not only is this an incentive for Californians to get vaccinated but also a way for Newsom to be in the good graces of the voters and residents of the state. As a way to fight off the recall campaign against him, he is once again throwing money at the issue.
“Thousands of small businesses have closed. Thousands more are on the brink,” said gubernatorial candidate, John Cox. “Millions of Californians have lost their jobs. Kids are sitting at home instead of in the classroom. Instead of addressing those issues, Gavin Newsom is spending more than $100 million to buy votes before the recall. This is 100 million more reasons that Gavin Newsom must be recalled.”
This is also seen as a second attempt by Newsom to force people to get vaccinated. The first attempt was first seen when Newsom chose to let Healthy Future California hire 2,000 people to go door-to-door in order to persuade residents to get their vaccines. Although this company has little-to-no background on who founded the campaign, nor any names on the board of directors, Newsom gave them his full trust.
