Shot outta luck?

“I am not throwin’ away my shot
I am not throwin’ away my shot
Hey yo, I’m just like my country
I’m young, scrappy and hungry
And I’m not throwin’ away my shot”

From the song “My Shot” in “Hamilton,” the 2015 American musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Shot to Win. Vax a Million. All in for the Win.

Sounds like a trio of quarter slot machines in a Sin City casino.

But no, they’re all names of lottery-style raffles to make more Americans get vaccinated against COVID-19. As vaccination rates continue to fall, several states have spent millions on lottery prizes to encourage holdouts to get their shot.

Just when you think you’ve heard it all, now we’re going to pay you to protect yourself and others from a virus that caused a once-in-a-hundred-years global pandemic.

“So, listen, Einstein, there’s this deadly disease caused by a coronavirus that since last year has already taken the lives of over 4 million people globally, not to mention 606,000 Americans, and barely half of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated, while the rest don’t want to get the shot because they think it contains a microchip, alters their DNA or makes them magnetic. Oh, and it’s mutating.”

Because this is America, land of the free doughnut, instead of just trusting science, some folks believe they can win a million bucks and will get vaxxed to take that chance.

Several states, including Colorado, Ohio, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, New York state and Oregon, are trying to encourage residents to get vaccinated by offering cash money.

Remember cigar-chomping auto exec Lee Iacocca back in the 1970s when he did that Chrysler ad barking this promise: “Buy a car, get a check.” And we did.

Now, it’s get a shot, get a check – if you’re lucky enough to win.

The million-dollar question: Do these lotteries work? That remains to be seen.

The small chance of winning a big windfall likely won’t be enough to sway the majority of unvaccinated Americans who strongly oppose the vaccine. But some states, such as California, already have declared their vaccination lotteries a success. Their Department of Public Health said the state saw a 33% increase in vaccinations after announcing Vax for the Win.

These are trying times to be a public health expert.

In Michigan, more than a million folks have entered the state’s Shot to Win sweepstakes for a chance to win more than $5 million in cash and a combined total of nearly $500,000 in college scholarships. About 45,000 younger people have signed up for the scholarships. 

As of July 4, nearly 62% (more than 5 million Michiganders) age 16 and older have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, according to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services data.  

In Illinois, the first winner of the All in for the Win vaccine lottery’s $1 million prize was announced July 8, as well as three winners of $150,000 scholarships. Three young people from DeKalb, suburban Cook County and Chicago won the scholarship money.

Good for them. And thanks to all of you for getting the vaccine.

Rebecca and I were vaccinated back in March. We’re confident the benefits far outweighed the risks. Plus, I got tired of handwashing her lipstick-stained masks.

Naturally, we entered Michigan’s Shot to Win sweepstakes. The first round of winners, including the $1 million drawing, is tomorrow, July 11, which just happens to be our anniversary. What a thrill winning would be!

We’re not holding our breath, but at least we gave it a shot.