Gov. Evers dismisses the idea of Ohio's $1 million lottery vaccine incentive in Wisconsin

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MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Governor Tony Evers is urging Wisconsinites to get vaccinated, but dismissed the idea of incentives similar to a $1 million lottery Ohio is planning to offer to get more shots in arms. 

On Friday, Gov. Evers shot down the idea of implementing what Ohio’s Governor Mike DeWine is doing -- for every adult who received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine -- a chance to win a $1 million prize. 

“I just question the use of that money for that purpose,” said Evers. 

The governor said he would much rather use federal relief aid to support industries hardest hit by the pandemic. 

“I think there’s a lot of businesses and others across the state that have suffered dramatically, and a million dollars would go a long way to help small businesses,” Evers said. 

The move to entice people to get the vaccine is growing across the nation as a way to get back to the way things were before the pandemic. Some business owners were glad to hear Evers wants to keep federal stimulus aid for those most impacted by Covid-19.

“I think he’s entirely correct,” said Tim Eichinger, co-owner of Black Husky Brewing in Milwaukee. “I think you really should be helping people out and incentivizing people in your neighborhoods.”

Black Husky Brewing is doing just that. This weekend, May 15-16, the brewery will host their own vaccine clinic from 12-6 p.m., and those who bring a friend to get the shot will get a free beer. 

“If you bring an unvaccinated friend, you get a beer, and then your friend, as soon as they’re vaccinated, they can get a beer too,” said Eichinger.

Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson shots will be available for anyone 12 years old and up at the vaccine clinic. 

While the governor wasn’t supportive of offering vaccine incentives on the state level, he’s still encouraging people to get the shot and praised the latest CDC guidance that allows fully vaccinated individuals to ditch masks indoors and outdoors. 

“This is a really important day for the United States of America,” Evers said. “We’ve been through a lot and we want to make sure we continue to be safe. If you haven’t been vaccinated, your chances of getting Covid-19 are much higher than mine, and in addition, if you become ill, you can die.”

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