Gov. Jim Justice (R-W. Va.) says the only thing that will get unvaccinated Americans to get a shot is if “an awful lot of people die.”
ABC’s Martha Raddatz asked Justice during “This Week” what would push those who have not been vaccinated “over the edge.”
He replied, “I hate to say this, but what would put them over the edge is if an awful lot of people die.”
Justice explained, “The red states probably have a lot of people that are very, very conservative in their thinking and they think, ‘Well I don’t have to do that.’ But they’re not thinking right.”
He continued, “When it really boils right down to it, they’re in a lottery to themselves. We have a lottery that basically says, ‘If you’re vaccinated, we’re going to give you stuff.’ You’ve got another lottery going on, and it’s the death lottery.”
Watch his comments below:
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice on Covid vaccinations: "We have a lottery that basically says, 'if you're vaccinated, we're going to give you stuff.' You've got another lottery going on, and it's the death lottery." pic.twitter.com/q2INrH4MwX
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 4, 2021
The Biden administration did not reach its goal of having at least 70% of adult Americans at least partially vaccinated by July 4, as Fox News reports.
Still, the administration came close. Sixty-seven percent of American adults have received at least one shot.
The president still recognized those who have “stepped up to get vaccinated” in his Fourth of July Message, as IJR reported.
“This Fourth of July, America is back. We’re headed into a summer of joy – of freedom – thanks to the millions of Americans who stepped up to get vaccinated. To the frontline and essential workers who have made this day possible: thank you,” Biden tweeted on Sunday.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 182 million have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Over 157 million are fully vaccinated.
