Topical 22/6/21

The alert that a COVID-infected person recently passed through Moree is a reminder that the pandemic can emerge anywhere. Immunisation of as many people as possible is the key to beating it, health authorities emphasise. Various countries have incentives to get people to go along and get the COVID-shot. You can get a free beer in California and go into a raffle draw for a cow in Thailand. In Ohio people who get the shot can get a lottery ticket with a $US 1 million prize on offer. In Washington state you get a free marijuana joint. In China, over 60s can get two dozen eggs. Serbia offers direct $40 payments. However, they are getting serious in South Australia where it has been suggested that if you haven’t had the COVID shot you should not be allowed into a pub. That should get the ‘hesitaters’ over the line.