It's now become a fairly common practice in states across the country to incentivize residents to vaccinate themselves against coronavirus with a variety of incentives: locally themed gifts, free drinks, and the classic go-to when you want someone to do something — cold hard cash.
In West Virginia, where less than half the eligible population has been fully vaccinated, the state is trying a different route to encourage people to save their own lives, and the lives of their neighbors: the ability to take life with just the squeeze of a finger.
During a press conference announcing a new round of COVID vaccine incentives, Republican Gov. Jim Justice unveiled details of his state's upcoming giveaway package, which for 10 lucky residents means brand new guns.
"We're gonna give five custom hunting rifles and five custom hunting shotguns away on Father's Day," Justice announced. Other giveaways include hunting and fishing licenses, scholarships to state colleges and universities, and a million dollar giveaway on June 20.
Last month, polling showed West Virginia among the states with the highest resistance to vaccination, with more than a quarter of eligible residents saying they'd forego inoculation entirely. An additional 16% said they were unsure. That same month, Illinois announced its own gun-themed vaccination incentive.
"If you come and get vaccinated at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex vax site — which is already completely free — you'll get 100 FREE targets of trap, skeet, or sporting clays, to use any time before the end of October," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) said in a statement.
But shooting accessories and actual guns are very different things — particularly in West Virginia, with that state's notably high rate of gun deaths. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, West Virginia ranks 13th nationwide in highest rate of gun deaths, and is number eight in unintentional gun deaths.
Last week, Justice named his bulldog "Babydog" as West Virigina's vaccination mascot, urging residents that "if you won't do it for your family, you've got to get vaccinated for Babydog."
Given this week's addition of guns and money to the vaccine incentive pot, it seems like Babydog alone simply wasn't enough.
