When I received both shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, I did it because I wanted to help protect myself and my family, friends and neighbors and the community in general.

I was not looking for anything in return. I didn’t need an incentive. No payback. No reward. I was doing my personal and civic duty. Millions of others did likewise.

It seems now, however, when we’re dealing with those who are hesitant to get the vaccine or perhaps even adamant that they will not take it, government and private employers are sweetening the pot.

The incentives involve things like free French fries in New York City to a chance to win $1 million in Ohio in a random drawing among those who are fully vaccinated.

Pennsylvania has not concocted any such gimmick for which I am really happy. I find it disingenuous to try to coerce someone into doing something they don’t want to do by dangling a tempting carrot on a stick in front of them. Of course, if you can be “bought” for a side of French fries, I feel for you.

You might remember in a previous column how incensed I was that Northampton County officials paid a $750 “bonus” to employees at Gracedale, the county home near Nazareth to get vaccinated. Even then there were a number of employees who declined.

Amazon is boosting the hourly salary of its fulfillment center workers across the country, including those in Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County, and Hazle Township, Luzerne County, and also giving a $100 bonus to fully vaccinated new employees.

Some employers in the five-county Times News area are giving stipends or “perks” to employees who consent to be vaccinated.

Dollar General, which has a number of stores locally, announced that it doesn’t want its employees to have to choose between coming to work and getting the vaccine, so it is paying its employees a one-time bonus equivalent to four hours of regular pay after they verify that they have been fully vaccinated.

Aldi, an off-brand grocery chain which has a store in Mahoning Township, is doing the same for its hourly workers while salaried workers are receiving flexible hours so they can be vaccinated.

Darden Restaurants, operator of local Olive Gardens and LongHorn Steakhouses, is offering employees two hours of pay for each dose of the vaccine they receive. It will use an employee’s earnings, including tips, over the most recent 13-week period to calculate the pay rate, with a maximum of $20 an hour.

Also offering employees up to four hours of pay to get vaccinated are local McDonald’s restaurants and Target stores.

Elsewhere, the New York Yankees and the Mets will offer free ticket vouchers for hundreds of fans who get their shots at the respective stadiums starting on Wednesday. The stadiums will be divided into vaccinated and unvaccinated sections, with the vaccinated section accommodating up to 100% capacity.

Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced last week that the state will conduct a lottery among fully vaccinated residents, with five of them winning a whopping $1 million.

“You’re probably shaking your head and saying, ‘That Mike DeWine is crazy,’?” the one-time 2016 presidential candidate said. Yeah, that’s exactly what I am saying.

DeWine defended this unprecedented action, saying it is not a waste of money, as some insist. “The true waste is the loss of life that could be prevented by getting vaccinated,” he said.

Republican West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is offering a $100 savings bond to those 16-35 who get the vaccine as a way to persuade those in this age group who he says think “they are invincible.”

In New Jersey, 13 breweries are offering a free beer for those 21 and older who show proof of being vaccinated. Gov. Phil Murphy said the breweries are picking up the cost of the incentive.

Connecticut will have its “Drinks on Us” campaign from Wednesday until May 31. Those who show they are fully vaccinated will score a free drink at certain restaurants in the state.

Other incentives include free fries from Shake Shack in New York City as announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio, free pizza from Ledo Pizza in Maryland, a free pound of crawfish in New Orleans, free hunting licenses in Maine, and Krispy Kreme is giving everyone who shows proof of COVID-19 vaccinations a free glazed doughnut.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.