Maryland is giving away 2 million dollars in a "vaccinated lottery"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I already got both shots, and think this is stupid. Mostly because I looked to see if the winnings are taxed the same as Maryland Lotto games. They are, and they really shouldn't because the "entrants" aren't buying in. Pretty sleazy, if you ask me.

People who play or like lotteries are not known for being good at math. Not that many scientists play lotteries, unless it's for amusement.

The people who don't plan to get vaccinated to help themselves or to help others are the prime group that the lotteries appeal to anyhow, so win-win.

[Anonymous]

$2M is not that much money in a state budget. This is a great idea.

DD13 got her first shot yesterday. I was surprised that there were so many adults getting shots. I would have thought almost all adults had by now (although maybe some were #2)

- Virginia who hopes we do it too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well this is interesting. Not a MD resident, but I don't know how this would work for those of us who got fully vaccinated outside of the state registry.

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Those who receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Maryland have a chance to win some serious cash thanks to a new incentive program from the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland Lottery, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Thursday.

Drawings will begin May 25 and continue for 40 days, through July 4. Those who win will receive $40,000, except the July 4 drawing, which will be offering a grand prize of $400,000.

“Entry is very simple — all you have to do is get vaccinated here in Maryland, be a Maryland resident and be 18 or older,” Hogan said.

https://wtop.com/maryland/2021/05/maryland-establishes-covid-19-vaccine-lottery-offering-2m-in-prize-money/

your tax money working hard

I probably pay a lot more tax money to Maryland than you do, and I’m fine with this. Ohio announced a similar program and vaccination appointments went up 28% in a week.

Or, maybe it went up as appointments were more readily available.

From one weekend to the next weekend? Really? Appointments had already been readily available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absurd. Wasteful spending.

You really don't see the obvious payback?

[Anonymous]

Today’s winner is from Baltimore county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Today’s winner is from Baltimore county.

Totally awesome. I’m so happy for them.

I got my vaccinations in VA. I wish I only waited a week and I could’ve been eligible too.

[Anonymous]

Great. Also nice that everyone who was vaccinated before the announcement is also qualified. If dh or I win, we will donate the whole amount to a local charity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I already got both shots, and think this is stupid. Mostly because I looked to see if the winnings are taxed the same as Maryland Lotto games. They are, and they really shouldn't because the "entrants" aren't buying in. Pretty sleazy, if you ask me.

If you win, you can avoid paying the taxes by not collecting your prize. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I already got both shots, and think this is stupid. Mostly because I looked to see if the winnings are taxed the same as Maryland Lotto games. They are, and they really shouldn't because the "entrants" aren't buying in. Pretty sleazy, if you ask me.

If you win, you can avoid paying the taxes by not collecting your prize. Problem solved.

LOL. I cannot believe that there are people mad at free money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I already got both shots, and think this is stupid. Mostly because I looked to see if the winnings are taxed the same as Maryland Lotto games. They are, and they really shouldn't because the "entrants" aren't buying in. Pretty sleazy, if you ask me.

You can pick the option to reject the prize....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Today’s winner is from Baltimore county.

Totally awesome. I’m so happy for them.

I got my vaccinations in VA. I wish I only waited a week and I could’ve been eligible too.

Getting it when you did may very well have saved your life. No amount of money is worth that risk, I would think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's probably actually cheaper to give away 2 million and then be able to close vaccination sites earlier, than keep them open longer. And hey, if it encourages the knuckleheads in rural areas to go get their shot, I'm all for it!

2 million is a pittance compared to the cost to the healthcare system and to the economy of having this pandemic drag on and on and on because some obstinate percentage of people keep refusing to do the right thing.

Every state should do this.

+1

[Anonymous]

If this lottery convinces a couple hundred thousand people to either get it when they weren't going to or move their vaccination forward then it's a huge success. That translates directly to lives saved. A couple million is easily what it costs one person in the ICU with COVID.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If this lottery convinces a couple hundred thousand people to either get it when they weren't going to or move their vaccination forward then it's a huge success. That translates directly to lives saved. A couple million is easily what it costs one person in the ICU with COVID.

+1 here’s one Ohio winner:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I already got both shots, and think this is stupid. Mostly because I looked to see if the winnings are taxed the same as Maryland Lotto games. They are, and they really shouldn't because the "entrants" aren't buying in. Pretty sleazy, if you ask me.

If you win, you can avoid paying the taxes by not collecting your prize. Problem solved.

LOL. I cannot believe that there are people mad at free money.

+1000

Only on DCUM.