Free beer? Cash? State and local governments are offering incentives for COVID-19 vaccines
By Amanda Kaufman Globe Staff,Updated May 13, 2021, 11:25 a.m.
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A free beer in New Jersey. Cash in Detroit. A free fishing or hunting license in Maine.
In an effort to encourage residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19, cities and states across the country are turning to a range of incentives to get people to line up for shots.
The push comes as all Americans 16 and older are now eligible to be vaccinated, a shift from earlier phases of the vaccination rollout when states prioritized higher-risk populations. Now that more people are vaccinated, many states, including Massachusetts, are adjusting their strategies to reach those who arenât as eager to line up for doses, or those who encounter barriers to access.
To the editor:
A substantial portion of the Declaration of Independence of July 1776 supports the assertion that “the history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.” For example: “He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.” “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.” The colonies chose independence.
Then came the writing and adoption of the Constitution (1787-1790). “In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the constitution.” (Thomas Jefferson) Our Constitution was a lockdown mechanism, designed to prevent concentration of power.
(AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy loves him some gun control. In fact, he’s not exactly one to say no to a gun control law, no matter how stupid it may seem.
Recently, he trotted out a series of new gun control proposals, bills he’s quite sure his state needs for whatever reason.
To be sure, this is New Jersey. Those bills are probably going to pass. However, he’s now getting some pushback from the left of all places. Of course, when you see why there’s pushback, the fact that it’s coming from the left is no surprise.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced on May 4, 2021, that (almost) all the COVID-19 mitigation orders will be lifted beginning 12:01 a.m. on Memorial Day. However, one of the COVID restrictions in Pennsylvania will remain in place: wearing a mask while in public.