So the first drawing was held for the state's vax-a-million. Abbey, a 22 year old became the first winner of a million dollars. She was going to look for a used car when she got the call informing her of her win. She said that she might still look at used cars. Sounds pretty grounded to me. However, with a million dollars, she would be wiser to get a new car and save on repairs. She also mentioned giving some to charity - which would be nice. Abbey, then said, "What better incentive is there to get vaccinated?!" Really?
Like one's life, staying out of the hospital and off a respirator is not incentive enough? We in the great state of OH, now have to bribe people to get their vaccine. That is a terrible state of affairs. Are we so shallow, so low of morals and ethics and doing the right thing, that we have to be bribed? I, for one, am not participating, even though I am eligible. Why? Because I'm against being bribed, and using bribery to get people to the right thing. I believe that the money being used for this Vax-A-Million could've been given to small businesses who have taken such a hit during the COVID pandemic, who are struggling to survive, come back and hire employees. That would be money well-spent rather than bribing the populace to get their vaccination. I refuse to stoop to being bribed. I fear for our nation's morals and ethics. It saddens me greatly. Yes, the chance of winning a million dollars is enticing, tempting - who wouldn't want or could use a million dollars. But I will not sell out for a million dollars. I believe my life, staying well and off a respirator is incentive enough for me to get vaccinated as it should be for all who are medically able to get vaccinated. There was no such measures taken when the polio vaccine became a available. People just went and got the vaccine.
I have been appalled by people's selfish attitudes with this whole pandemic. My faith tells me not be a stumbling block to others. That though all things may be legal not all are beneficial. I will wear a mask for the sake of another. Yes, it's an inconvenience, yes, it's uncomfortable at times, yes, it can be a pain, but it is a small sacrifice for me not to infect someone with this deadly virus. Yes, I will honor physically distancing and not intrude on your 6 ft. because I believe it is important to both of us to stay healthy. Maybe a little less I have the right, which we all do, and show some concern for others. It isn't a huge sacrifice to make and it is temporary. How can you call yourself a Christian and so assert your own self over another? Christ our Lord didn't do that - he emptied himself for our sakes, he gave his life for ours. He sacrificed himself. Believe it or not, the Christian life is one that entails sacrifice, that gives of oneself for the sake of another. How deep is your faith if you can't understand and try to live a cruciform life? A cross-shaped life? A life to which Christ calls us to live? It isn't just feel good music, I am loved - which we so profoundly are - it's about living a cross-shaped life, and sacrificing our will, our selves at times and at varying degrees for another.
So, I wish Abbey, blessings with her new found wealth and to stay grounded. A million dollars won't last as long as people think. But I would've hoped she got vaccinated because it was the good and right thing to do and not for a chance to win some big bucks. I would like to see the people in our state get vaccinated because they see the need to and not because they may become a millionaire. I pray that humanity in general will be touch with integrity, morals and ethics and that to live by them is the right, good and Christian way to live. If we take our faith seriously, we will live ethically and morally as well.
