Quietly, the mayor of New York gobbles up fries for breakfast, facing the camera, in the middle of a press conference, then bites into a hamburger, slightly overplaying his pleasure.
With his mouth half full, Bill de Blasio explains that "if you like this food, think about it when considering vaccination".
This scene, the Americans could see it early in the morning on May 13th.
It was used to announce that all New Yorkers who get vaccinated against Covid-19 will be entitled to a free burger and fries in one of the fast food restaurants of the Shake Shack chain, on presentation of proof.
. @ NYCMayor Bill de Blasio eats Shake Shack during today's press conference to announce free fries with vaccination promotion.
pic.twitter.com/ivMFjbvZyk
- The Recount (@therecount) May 13, 2021
This is just one of the countless initiatives that have sprouted up across America in recent days.
Also for foodies, the Krispy Kreme donut chain is committed to offering each vaccinated person one donut per day, until the end of the year.
Immediate success of this communication campaign, launched on March 22: the first week, Krispy Kreme distributed nearly 125,000 donuts!
In New Jersey, Democratic Governor Phil Murphy launched the “Shot and a Beer” program in early May, consisting, as the name suggests, of offering a beer to all adults over the age of. 21 years after their injection, thanks to several partner establishments.
NEW: We're launching our “Shot and a Beer” program to encourage eligible New Jerseyans ages 21+ to get vaccinated.
Any New Jerseyan who gets their first vaccine dose in the month of May and takes their vaccination card to a participating brewery will receive a free beer.
🍻 pic.twitter.com/REiHTEa6mi
- Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 3, 2021
Other states do not rely on the appeal of the belly, but on that of the wallet: in West Virginia, where vaccination is open from the age of 16, the governor offers 100 dollars (82 euros) in vouchers. savings for 16-35 year olds, young people being more reluctant to be vaccinated.
“We are trying to do something new.
It's a new marketing approach and it works!
», Assumes the governor, Jim Justice.
The mayor of Detroit promises, meanwhile, a gift card of 50 dollars (41 euros) to all those who accompany a person to a vaccination center.
In Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine is throwing a million dollar lottery outright.
On FoxNews, he proudly explains that “it works” and that people walk through the doors of vaccination centers saying “I'm here to get the money”.
Gov.
Mike DeWine (R-OH) says the lottery is working and that people are walking in to vaccination sites and saying "Hey, I'm here to win the money."
pic.twitter.com/fWLYQESxSK
- The Recount (@therecount) May 14, 2021
And then there are the free baseball games, the free pre-rolled joints, a hospital group in Alaska that dangles plane tickets in exchange for an injection… all in the United States alone.
However, they are not the only ones looking for original ideas to encourage populations to be vaccinated.
In India, where the situation turns to tragedy, another culture, another offering: the community of goldsmiths in the region of Rajkot, in the state of Gujarat (in the west of the country), gives a gold piercing to vaccinated women.
Men are offered a blender, as reported by the Hindustan Times.
A district in northern New Delhi even offers a 5% tax cut.
Ice cream, fresh eggs, freedom
Elsewhere, in Asia and the Middle East, the injection is rewarded with a treat: an ice cream in Moscow, Russia, two boxes of eggs for over 60s in a district of Beijing, China, beers and pizzas in Israel, or a discount in some restaurants in Dubai (10% reduction after the first dose, 20% after the two doses).
Closer to home, in Serbia, the pace of vaccination had advanced well, with nearly 20% of Serbs vaccinated.
But he has slackened off in recent weeks.
To speed up the campaign, President Aleksandar Vučić therefore announced on television, on May 5, a donation of 3000 dinars (25 euros) to all those who were vaccinated with one or two doses, and to those who will receive at least one injection by May 31.
The government thus wishes to “reward people who have shown responsibility”.
Another type of reward across the Rhine.
Vaccinated Germans enjoy greater freedom: since Sunday, they have been exempt from curfews, quarantine on their return from abroad, gauge to assemble in closed places, and negative test at the entrance some stores.
