Marin County Resident Wins $1.5 Million In CA Vaccine Lottery

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Standing with Optimus Prime and yellow minions, a maskless Gov. Gavin Newsom didn't hesitate to pull out all the gimmicks to draw the winners of the state's $15 million "Vax for the Win" lottery on Tuesday.

One fortunate Marin County resident was drawn and will receive $1.5 million.

Four Angelenos and residents Riverside, Santa Barbara, Sacramento, Stanislaus, and Ventura counties also became millionaires on Tuesday, Newsom announced in front of the iconic spinning globe at Hollywood's Universal Studios.

Vaccinated winners, who were not named, will be notified throughout the day to claim their $1.5 million checks in a drawing that included more than 21 million residents who have received at least one vaccine shot.

"We are here to get on with the show," Newsom said as game show-adjacent music blared into the park, which was bustling with visitors. The theatrical news conference was, to say the least, a complete 180 from the grim coronavirus updates Newsom delivered during the darkest months of the pandemic.

Optimus Prime welcomed Newsom to the stage at Universal Studios on Tuesday, and giggling minions could be heard in the background as the governor highlighted the state's progress between it all.

"It's been...a tough 15 months for all of us — all of the fear and anxiety we've all had to work through," Newsom said. "I recognize the incredible burden that's been placed on you over the course of last year, but I want folks to know that the state has your back."

California was the first state to issue a stay-at-home order, heeding the looming threat of a largely unknown virus a year and a half ago. The state, which has consistently maintained a positivity rate below 1 percent over the last several months, was also one of the last to emerge from its stringent virus measures.

"This was a state that was guided by science, by data, by facts by observed evidence, not ideology," Newsom said.

The state also partnered with Taco Bell, Chipotle, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Golden State Warriors and the Team LA Store at STAPLES Center to shell out more vaccine incentives on California's reopening day.

"We're here because of your hard work," Newsom said.

The governor also warned that the pandemic was diminished but not defeated, as the Delta variant looms over the U.S.

"We are mindful and sober, that we need to continue to encourage people to get vaccinated," he said. An "nd we have people traveling from all around not only the country, but around the world coming to venues like this, we need to keep our guard up. We can't let our guard down."

The state's Vax for the Win initiative had already handed out $50,000 to 30 winners drawn at random earlier this month, including 17-year-old Nancy Gutierrez from San Diego. The teen said she will use her winnings to pay for college.

The state has been dangling carrots to entice hesitant Californians to get inoculated and to accelerate the state's vaccination progress ahead of the reopening date — and it appears to be working, the governor said.

Newsom said the state has seen a 13.8 percent increase in vaccine administrations since the state initiated the incentive program.

"We are confident these vaccine incentives have worked," Newsom said. "And that's why we want to continue in that spirit."

On Monday, Newsom unveiled yet another shiny object: "California Dream Vacations."

On July 1, yet another drawing will be held to select six expenses paid for vacation packages that will send winners to San Francisco, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Palm Springs or San Diego.

The Democratic governor even teased an opportunity to stay at one of the state's most prestigious resorts.

"I'm told the Ritz Carlton down in Palm Springs is spectacular," he said.

Vacation packages will include benefits such as floor seats to a Lakers game, Legoland tickets, SeaWorld tickets or tickets to Disneyland. Lodging will be covered by the state, and winners will receive an additional $2,000 to pad their travel budget.

The new incentive is meant to inject funding into the state's beleaguered tourism industry, which lost 55 percent of its revenue overnight, said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California.

READ MORE: CA To Award 6 'Dream Vacations' To Vaccinated Californians

About 72 percent of Californians 18 and older have received at least one shot, Newsom said on Monday. And more than 55 percent of Californians are fully vaccinated, according to state data recorded on Monday.

The state now has the third-lowest positivity rate in the nation.

California will undoubtedly celebrate this milestone, with some bars giving out free beer and Santa Monica's Pier lighting up red, white and blue to mark the day.

The state also threw out its stringent reopening blueprint and lift most masking requirements.

"Finally we are here, June 15, to turn the page to move beyond capacity limits to move beyond the color-coding, move beyond social distancing and physical distancing," Newsom said.
"And yes, as you saw me walk up the stage, move beyond face coverings and move beyond wearing these masks."

READ MORE: 5 Things To Know About California's Reopening Day