Officials will draw the next $1 million winner from the pool of eligible North Carolinians who've received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose as of Sunday, July 4. However, the incentive of a lump sum payout is not swaying people to line up for their shots.
Cooper noted that similar lottery drawings in other states have propped up their vaccination efforts over the past three weeks. He hopes the same will happen in North Carolina considering the state is near the bottom half for doses administered in the nation. The first drawing is on June 23 with the finale on August 4.
“This pandemic has brought us a once-in-a-generation challenge. These funds have brought us a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Let’s use them to make transformational change for our state,” Cooper said at a news conference. ”We’re building a bridge from response to recovery.”
“While I will ask legislators to revisit some areas of this legislation, including changes necessary to quickly deliver rental assistance, these funds will bring needed relief for people who are struggling, schools and small businesses as we strive to emerge from this pandemic,” Cooper said.
