中英對照讀新聞》Las Vegas is ready to roll the dice on pre-pandemic normalcy 拉斯維加斯準備好為疫情前的常態冒險一搏

◎張沛元

With vaccinations driving down new COVID-19 infections, Las Vegas is betting big that people will play by the rules and wear masks and keep their distance if they are not vaccinated.

隨著接種疫苗降低武漢肺炎的新感染病例數，（美國賭城）拉斯維加斯正不惜血本押寶民眾會遵守（防疫）規定，以及未接種疫苗者會戴口罩並保持社交距離。

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After Monday night’s opening celebration, casinos around town began taking down plexiglass dividers that kept patrons separated at slot machines and other gambling stations.

在週一晚間的解封慶祝過後，該市各地的賭場開始撤下原本用來隔開在拉霸機與其他博弈檯子的客人的壓克力隔板。

The vaccines, in any case, are providing a much-needed economic shot in the arm for the city that largely depends on tourism. The jobless rate in Las Vegas surged to 34% in April 2020, one of the worst rates in the country, according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

無論如何，疫苗提供這個大幅仰賴觀光的城市一劑急需的經濟強心針。根據美國勞工統計局，拉斯維加斯的失業率在2020年4月增至34%，是美國失業率最高的地方之一。

新聞辭典

roll the dice：慣用語，字面意義為擲骰子，引申冒險求富貴，冒險一搏。例句：It’s less risky to choose something you are familiar with rather than rolling the dice with something totally new to you.（與其在對你而言全新的事物上冒險一搏，選你熟悉的事物的風險比較小。）

bet big：慣用語，字面意義為下重注，引申為不惜砸重本力挺某事或某人。

a shot in the arm：慣用語，字面意義為打在手臂上的一針，引申為能對某事物帶來突然且正面影響的行為，一劑強心針；另可意指喝酒。例句：TGIF! I need a shot in the arm—anyone wanna join me?（感謝老天終於週五了！我需要喝一杯，有人要一起嗎？）