What a difference in just two weeks. What’s up with that?

The Missouri vaccine lottery.

Yesterday:

GOVERNOR PARSON LAUNCHES “MO VIP” CAMPAIGN GIVING VACCINATED MISSOURIANS A CHANCE AT $10,000
Press Release
JULY 21, 2021

JEFFERSON CITY Today, during a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Mike Parson announced the launch of a statewide COVID-19 vaccination incentive program, MO VIP, to encourage vaccination among all Missourians age 12 and up. Over the next three months, 900 Missourians who have or will choose to be vaccinated will win cash or education savings account prizes in the amount of $10,000.

[….]

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is partnering with Missouri Lottery to conduct a fair and secure program with a randomized selection process. DHSS is using federally funded Coronavirus Relief Funds to fund this campaign. This funding was approved under previous and current federal administrations for broad COVID-19 response purposes to include efforts to boost vaccine uptake.

[….]

To allow time for records and eligibility to be verified, confirmed winners will be announced two weeks following each drawing….

[….]

Additionally, local public health agencies that administer COVID-19 vaccines will now be eligible to provide a financial incentive of up to $25 for each vaccine recipient, up to a total of $11 million. This program would provide incentives for administrators to pass along to recipients for 440,000 vaccines administered across Missouri and would sunset on December 31, 2021. Local public health agencies are able to partner with enrolled COVID-19 vaccinators within the State of Missouri to be part of this program.”’

[….]

“…To allow time for records and eligibility to be verified, confirmed winners will be announced two weeks following each drawing…” Wait, is that verification in the form of something like a “vaccine passport”? Just asking.

Of Course, Mike Parson (r), couldn’t help himself. A year ago:

MISSOURI LAUNCHES THREE NEW RESOURCES TO AID COVID-19 ECONOMIC RECOVERY, INCLUDING $15 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR TOURISM
JULY 16, 2020

JEFFERSON CITY Today, Governor Mike Parson announced new resources as part of the Show Me Strong Recovery Plan, including the Show Me Strong Pledge, Business Recovery Lab, and $15 million in grant funding to help rebuild Missouri’s tourism industry.

[….]

….$15 million in CARES Act funding will be designated for destination marketing organizations (DMOs), entities that promote Missouri as a great place to visit. The funds will be administered by the Missouri Division of Tourism and will grant eligible DMOs funding for recovery efforts such as payroll relief, reimbursement for necessary safety equipment, and the initiation of marketing campaigns with messaging focused on safe travel.

[….]

How’s that one working out?

Get vaccinated.

Wear a damn mask.

Previously:

Cynical anti-science right wingnut sociopath attempts to distract everyone else from his gross incompetence (July 8, 2021)

Governor Mike Parson (r) [2018 file photo].

Aren’t we special (July 13, 2021)

Yeah, but Roy Blunt (r) can’t go door to door in Missouri to let people know because Mike Parson (r) wouldn’t like that very much (July 14, 2021)

The government is spying on us through our toasters… (July 15, 2021)

This is America – in two maps (July 21, 2021)