Bill Gates. “Next four to six months could be the...

In 2015, Bill Gates already predicted that new viral outbreaks would emerge in the following years. Now, and after also hitting on the prediction that the Pfizer vaccine would be the first to be ready, the technology tycoon and Microsoft co-founder says that “the next four to six months could be the worst of the pandemic.” The question remains as to whether it is correct, but Bill Gates has arguments for this projection.

It is based on data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), which predict an additional 200,000 deaths in this period. “Unfortunately, that’s how it is, but if we follow protective measures, such as wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance, we can prevent a good part of these deaths,” he advised in an interview with CNN journalist Jake Tapper, but he does not rule out that “in the short term news is bad “.

According to the tycoon, in the United States, where more than three thousand deaths by COVID-19 are registered daily, it is necessary to “do better”, but at the same time, the country must not forget that this is a global struggle. “It is a humanitarian issue,” he says, recognizing that although the United States has contributed a lot to the vaccine, it cannot demand priority access.

“We want the world economy to continue. We want to minimize deaths. The basic technology of the vaccine is from a German company (BioNTech) and blocking international cooperation will be a mistake in managing the pandemic,” he added.

However, when it comes time to be vaccinated, Bill Gates recognizes: “When my turn comes – I will not give in – I will get the vaccine publicly, because I think it has benefits for everyone. We will be protected and we will not be transmitting the disease”, said.

Vaccine with equal distribution criteria

After admitting that he will not hesitate when he can get the vaccine, Bill Gates said that the criteria for access should be defined by medical needs and not by wealth, in the case of the USA, where this Monday begins a long vaccination campaign against COVID-19.

Despite having financially supported the development of vaccines, through the foundation created by him and his wife, Belinda Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft says that the solution to the end of the pandemic is not in vaccines. “We know that the situation will one day end, but no one wants those he loves to be the last to die by covid.”

Therefore, it suggests the most basic solution: “Avoid the transmission of the disease”. The only way to achieve this is to follow the rules and wear the mask, which “has no disadvantage,” says Gates.

As for the US, which is in transition from president after Joe Biden won the election to Donald Trump, Bill Gates sees this change as positive.

“I am satisfied with the people and the priorities that President-elect Biden and his team are setting to tackle the problem”, he defended, arguing that the new team is willing to recognize when “things are not going well and to send difficult messages, mainly about whether the next four to six months are coming up like the worst of the pandemic”, he ends.