Thread by @NC_Governor

Updates from Gov. Cooper's COVID-19 briefing:

https://twitter.com/NC_Governor/status/1403063920227717132

As of today, we have had 1,007,273 cases; 464 new cases reported since yesterday; 548 people in the hospital; and, sadly, 13,246 people who have died.

Just this morning I was in Salisbury and learned about the death of Sergeant Shane Karriker, a 20-year veteran with the Salisbury Police Department. For anyone who has lost a loved one to COVID-19, including Sergeant Karriker’s family, we hold you in our prayers as you mourn.

As we continue to emerge from this pandemic one day at a time, we know vaccines are the key to beating the virus. The proof is overwhelming and irrefutable. Vaccines are safe and effective. They protect you & those around you. If you don’t believe Dr. Cohen & me, ask your doctor.

Since the beginning of our vaccine effort, our goal has been to get shots in arms as fast and fair as possible. We’ve made tremendous progress, and now the vaccines are widely available.

But in North Carolina, we still have around 2 and a half million adults who are not vaccinated. Getting this life-saving vaccine to those people is critical for the health of our state and the health of our economy.

We’re pulling out all the stops. Last month, @ncdhhs launched a Summer Cash Card program in 4 counties. If you get a first dose or drive someone to get a shot, you get a $25 cash card. The response is promising.

More counties will be added in coming weeks. We are pleased that businesses across our state are offering cash, food, drinks, vacation and other incentives to get their employees and customers vaccinated. But we know that more must be done to encourage people to take their shot.

After studying how similar efforts have boosted vaccine rates in other states, today we are announcing that North Carolina will launch cash drawings for North Carolina residents who have gotten their COVID-19 vaccine here.

It’s your shot at a million – summer cash drawing. Here’s how it will work. Over the next three months of summer, four people will win a million dollars each simply for being North Carolinians who have gotten at least one vaccine in our state.

North Carolinians 18+ who get vaccinated or have already been vaccinated will be automatically entered. North Carolinians from 12-17 who have gotten at least one shot are automatically entered into four drawings to pay $125,000 for a college education at a school of their choice.

Regardless of who wins, there’s no way to lose. A chance at a million dollars or a college scholarship is pretty good motivation. But even if your name isn’t drawn, the worst you’ll do is get strong protection from a deadly virus.

The first drawing will be on June 23rd and they will occur every other week until the last one on August 4th. The drawings will take place every other Wednesday. For extra incentive anyone getting their first shot from today going forward will be entered twice for each drawing.

Getting that first shot now will double your chances each time a name is picked. Of course, the best reason to get vaccinated is to protect yourself and your family. Now that most people aren’t wearing masks in most places, unvaccinated people can be a real danger to each other.

We are making progress but still need more people vaccinated to keep this virus from rising up again. That’s why North Carolina is using federal coronavirus relief funds for this program.

After seeing the benefit in other states, we believe this program will help get more North Carolinians vaccinated, making our state a safer place for everyone.

Already we are seeing these vaccines are helping us do the things we love safely. Gathering with friends and family. Eating indoors at a restaurant. Going to a game. Hugging a grandchild. All of that is a testament to just how safe and effective these vaccines are.

The more North Carolinians who get vaccinated, the sooner we can put this pandemic fully behind us.