Cattle for raffle gets town in moood for vaccines

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Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. inoculate / ɪˈnɒk yəˌleɪt / (v.) – to give someone a weak form of a disease so that his/her body can build protection against it
    Example:

    The government is aiming to inoculate all children against the disease by the end of the year.


  2. in a bid to (do something) / ɪn ə bɪd tʊ / (idiom) – to do something to achieve a certain result
    Example:

    The store is selling its items at up to 70% off in a bid to attract more customers.


  3. drive / draɪv / (n.) – a planned effort by a group of people in order to achieve a goal
    Example:

    The organization will host a donation drive for the victims of the fire.


  4. preexisting condition / ˌpri ɪgˈzɪs tɪŋ kənˈdɪʃ ən / (n.) – an illness that someone has been known to have
    Example:

    In some countries, people with preexisting conditions have to pay more for their health insurance.


  5. in line with (something/someone) / ɪn laɪn wɪθ / (idiom) – similar to or in agreement with something
    Example:

    The applicant’s work experiences are in line with the department’s needs.


Article

Read the text below.

A district of northern Thailand has launched a raffle campaign for inoculated residents to win a live cow per week for the rest of the year, in a bid to boost the local COVID-19 vaccination drive.


From June 7, one lucky vaccinated villager in the Mae Chaem district of Chiang Mai province will be randomly chosen every week to win a young cow worth around 10,000 baht (¥35,000).


The campaign, set to run for 24 weeks, has been met with enthusiasm in the town of 43,000 since it was announced in mid-May.


“Our vaccine registration numbers have gone from hundreds to thousands in a couple of days,” district chief Boonlue Thamtharanurak said.


“The villagers love cows. Cows can be sold for cash.”


More than 4,000 people in priority groups, including those over 60 years old and those with preexisting conditions, have already registered for their shots, Boonlue said.


The town’s vaccination drive is in line with the government’s mass vaccination rollout. Thailand began vaccinating high-priority people in March. (Reuters)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The Mae Chaem district launched a raffle campaign for inoculated residents to win a live cow in a bid to boost the local COVID-19 vaccination drive. If a similar campaign were to be launched in your country, what do you think would be the best raffle prize (ex. cash, electronics)? Why? Discuss.
  • How’s the vaccination drive currently going in your country? Do you approve of the government’s progress and methods? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The cow campaign is set to run for 24 weeks. Do you think it should be extended until most residents have been inoculated? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • According to the article, the villagers love cows, which can be sold for cash. If you won a cow, what would you do with it (ex. sell it, take care of it)? Why? Discuss.