On February 11, IU told students via email that “Get $20 when you Get a COVID-19 vaccine booster”.

But a few days after that, the IU announced that masks would no longer be required in indoor areas starting Friday, March 4.

It seems like two very different decisions, and they happened in about the same week.

According to the latest data from the IU Bloomington COVID-19 Dashboard, the total number of cases for the week of 2/17-2/23 has dropped to 22.

Does this mean we’re safe?

“We don’t vaccinate just to prevent cases, we’re usually vaccinating to prevent bad outcomes,” IU Chief Health Officer Dr. Aaron Carroll. “We all just need to focus on the next 2 weeks ahead of us and make our decisions accordingly.”

So the decrease in case data does not mean that we are completely safe, you are still encouraged to get your booster shot.

Studies have shown that strengthening needles are better at preventing omicron, and better at protecting those around you in addition to yourself.

Besides, now you have “20 reasons” to do it.

IU COVID-19 booster incentive program has been launched, and students who get and report their COVID-19 booster shots will receive $20 as a reward to encourage more people to obtain protection from COVID-19. And the program hasn’t stopped yet.

If you’re at least five months away from the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or two months away from Johnson & Johnson, it’s time to get your COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.

The CDC recommends that everyone 12 and older get a booster shot as soon as they are eligible.

To report your booster dose, you need to upload a photo of your CDC vaccine card to prove that you received a booster. But the upload process is very convenient and only takes about two minutes of your time.

Once your information is verified, which takes about 5-7 days, you will receive the $20 Crimson cash incentive.

It’s been two weeks since IU sent out an email about the COVID-19 booster rewards policy. Is it working for students?

Although the correlation cannot be confirmed, the vaccination rates of students increased from 94.7% to 95% last week according to the recent 2-week data from the IU Bloomington COVID-19 Dashboard.

“Twenty extra would be great in my Crimson card,” said junior Katy Szpak, who signed up as soon as the offer came out.

“I think it’s really smart, and since they want to increase the number people get it in booster shot, I think it makes people will do that, “IU senior Casey Carroll said.

So, for now, students seem to be buying the incentive. Most students got the message, and $20 seemed attractive enough.

But we need to know that $20 is not the main point, the main thing is the safety and health of us and all IU students.

“I just kind of got the booster for my own safety, and to make me better about things,” Katy Said.

Yes, it is for our own safety.