Proposal: Take COVID vaccine to get $1,500 stimulus checks

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• While the administration is working to get Covid-19 vaccines to the country, Americans are still waiting for another round of stimulus checks.
• A former Democratic congressman has a proposal — give Americans who are willing to get vaccinated a $1,500 stimulus check.
• John Delaney said the result could save lives and the economy.

Are you willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine in exchange for money — in the form of a stimulus check? Millions of Americans are still waiting for the second round of stimulus checks to help them survive amid the pandemic.

Former Maryland Congressman John Delaney thinks that if the government pays Americans, then they will get vaccinated. That’s why the Democratic congressman is proposing to entice the population to take the vaccine by giving them a $1,500 stimulus check, according to CNBC,

“The faster we get 75 percent of this country vaccinated, the faster we end Covid and the sooner everything returns to normal,” the former presidential candidate said in an interview with CNBC.

But, first things first. The proposal could face some major hurdles because Congress has yet to approve a new stimulus package due to disagreements between Republicans and Democrats lawmakers. The last stimulus check Americans receive was back in March.

Last week, the CDC decided that the coronavirus vaccine will be available for high-risk groups first. These are workers with any job related to healthcare operations, law enforcement, first responders, educators, food manufacturers, the agriculture industry, the energy sector, water management, transportation, public works, housing services, and the list continues. 

“We have to create, in my judgment, an incentive for people to really accelerate their thinking about taking the vaccine,” Delaney said.

“If you’re still afraid of the vaccine and don’t want to take it, that’s your right,” he added. “You won’t participate in this program.

“But guess what?” Delaney continued. “You’re going to benefit anyhow, because we’ll get the country to herd immunity faster, which benefits you. So I think everyone wins.”

Pfizer will seek approval from the FDA in less than a week. The vaccines will be shipped across the US in a matter of hours after it has been approved.

Source: CNBC