Bill Gates: US 'not even close' to doing enough to fight pandemic
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Microsoft founder Bill Gates said Thursday that the current coronavirus picture, both globally and in the US, is "more bleak" than he would have expected.
Speaking to CNN's Anderson Cooper and Dr. Sanjay Gupta in a Coronavirus Town Hall, Gates said the fact that people are still dying in the US today shows that the country is "not even close" to doing enough to fight the pandemic.
"It's possible to ramp up testing for a new pathogen very, very fast," he said.
"In fact a number of countries did that extremely well in this case and the technology keeps getting better there. The US in particular hasn't had the leadership messages or coordination that you would have expected."
Eight weeks ago, when Gates was last a guest on CNN's Town Hall, the death toll in America stood at 63,000 with more than one million cases recorded. Today, those figures have doubled -- there are at least 2.4 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the US, and more than 122,000 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
Gates attributed the rise in numbers to a lack of testing and contact tracing, as well as a lack of mask wearing. He said other countries that had done those things effectively had seen numbers drop.
Coronavirus cases surge in several states
"The range of behaviors in the US right now, some people being very conservative in what they do, and some people ignoring the epidemic, is huge," Gates said.
"Some people almost feel like it's a political thing which is unfortunate," he added, something he says he didn't expect in America.
"The governor of North Dakota, a friend of mine, had to say 'please don't be mean to people wearing a mask' which kind of blows the mind."
Gates dismissed the White House's claim that an increase in case numbers is a direct result of an increase in testing, calling it "completely false."
He also expressed disappointment with what he called a lack of US leadership to tackle this virus globally, which has led to developing countries -- such as Brazil and India -- bearing the brunt of this disease.
However, he said he remains hopeful that the US will "step up" and help get the tools, particularly the vaccine, out to everyone in the world.
The search for a vaccine
In terms of a timeline, Gates said he's aligned with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, on his prediction that there will be a viable vaccine by the end of the year, or early 2021. He said he and Fauci are in constant contact.
In February, Gates, who along with his wife Melinda, run the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, pledged up to $100 million to help contain the coronavirus outbreak around the world. They said the funds would be used to help find a vaccine for the virus, limit its spread and improve the detection and treatment of patients.
During the Town Hall, Gates explained that there are two characteristics being evaluated in developing a vaccine. Firstly, that the vaccine prevents you from getting sick and secondly, that it prevents you spreading it to others.
On the latter, he warned that "it's not guaranteed that the vaccine will be a perfect transmission blocker."
Despite that, Gates said recent evidence points to the antibody response being "very strong," which suggests about a year of immunity to anyone who gets the disease.
For every American diagnosed with coronavirus, 10 more were missed, CDC says
The biggest hurdle, in his view, won't be developing or distributing a vaccine -- it will be ensuring people take it.
Due to the urgent need for this vaccine, the time for scientists to trial it on different age groups and pregnant women will be reduced, he explained.
"It's a challenge to get that safety database to build up the confidence," he said.
Ultimately Gates said he thinks most people will take it.
"If it's a great vaccine, including the transmission blocking, everyone will benefit from the fact that 70 to 80% of the people will take the vaccine," he said. "We should be able to get herd immunity if you get up to that level, so it really could then -- really exponentially -- drop the numbers."
However, he cautioned that the entire world would need to get to that level before people could go back to taking vacations overseas as well as safely welcoming international students and sporting events.
The new normal?
Asked whether society would accept this virus as a way of life -- like it has accepted mass shootings -- Gates said he hopes not.
"It's pretty severe. I hope the media continues to remind people of the tragedy that is represented here," he said, emphasizing the inequity of the disease against the elderly, minorities and health care workers.
"Right now if you're in a nursing home, because they're so worried, you're actually living almost in prison-like conditions," he said.
He said older people were right to be worried about getting this and possibly dying.
"This is more than the kids that died in Vietnam and that was a great national tragedy," he said. "We didn't ignore that...this is greater than that."
What makes me really want to have KFC now more than ever is to try their french fries. I was never crazy about their potato wedges. Not sure how many are aware, but back in the 1990s, KFC used to have french fries and they were DELICIOUS!!! But for some odd reason, they did away with them and replaced them with potato wedges, which I was never crazy about. After decades of waiting and putting up with their horrendous potato wedges, KFC finally turned the tables and ditched the wedges and brought back their fries. I'm so curious to know if they are the same delicious fries they had back in the 1990s. Unfortunately, I wasn't aware of all this change in side dishes until this pandemic started and now it's too late to try it. So I will probably have to wait a long time until it's safe to buy take out food again.
KFC sucks ass so bad. They used to be good but then at some point in the past decade? switched to genetically manipulated chickens or some shit - they literally have zero flavour - it's just the breading that now gives any sense of taste.
Much prefer Mary Brown's Chicken, Nando's, Barcelo's....shit, even Popeyes.
That’s the thing, I don’t know. I don’t know if the employees working these places are sick. I don’t know how strict their protocols are. I just don’t know and I’ll be taking a risk. Since take out food is not a necessity, then why risk it?
KFC sucks ass so bad. They used to be good but then at some point in the past decade? switched to genetically manipulated chickens or some shit - they literally have zero flavour - it's just the breading that now gives any sense of taste.
Much prefer Mary Brown's Chicken, Nando's, Barcelo's....shit, even Popeyes.
Popeye’s??? That stuff is terrible. KFC is way better, no question about it!
Last week they arrested seven Americans who illegally entered Banff.
Right now we are in not so bad shape here in Canada; we need to keep it up, be cool, be safe, not to panic, have a cold bath during hot days (Quebec), or a swim in the ocean if living nearby (I do, Pacific), use common sense, respect, protect and accept.
That’s the thing, I don’t know. I don’t know if the employees working these places are sick. I don’t know how strict their protocols are. I just don’t know and I’ll be taking a risk. Since take out food is not a necessity, then why risk it?
Can you cook, like fried chicken and french fries @ home?
They have good recipes on Google.
* I inspired myself to revisit 'Green Book' on 4K BR.
Exactly. People aren't understanding what I'm getting at. No, we shouldn't cower in fear and lock ourselves in our homes for years. But we should do so temporarily and if EVERYONE did their part, this virus would have been gone by now. But it's lingering forever because everyone has this attitude where they have to live their lives NOW and can't wait any longer.
It's at the point now where I don't think we can just "stay inside" any longer. Our economy is collapsing. That doesn't mean corporations should be put above human life, like many are doing currently. But it means we have to be able to get some type of life back together. That will only happen if people follow guidelines and do their part. But the problem is many aren't doing that. I don't think people at the beach or in parks are the problem. It's the people indoors. My state is doing very well and has a very low amount of cases, but it's also a tiny state. But we have regulations that have been set and they're being followed. I went to the grocery store the other day and everybody still wears masks. Everybody. Arrows on the floors (which are pointless and annoying but it shows everyone is making efforts to do their part). Limiting the amount of people inside at once. All this is happening in my state/town.
If they removed all the restrictions tomorrow, I bet many would lose the masks real quick. Many would still wear them too, but many would stop. So we keep the orders in effect for now. It's that simple. Require masks and people will wear them. Don't require them, and many won't, ruining all the good that those who do wear them are trying to do.
Plus it opens up a whole new issues of "mask shaming" - whether you're for it or against it. I've read stories in here of people in areas where they get dirty looks for wearing one. I've seen pictures of stores online that say "no masks allowed". That's disgusting. And starting an argument with somebody who isn't wearing one opens up the chances for violence to increase. So mandate them and then everyone wears them. That simple. If you're indoors, in a public location, wear them.
Of course where do restaurants lie in all this? You can't wear a mask and eat at the same time. And those tiny self-enclosed spaces in some gyms are the worst thing - they trap you inside with poorly-ventilated air form the last person inside of it. Gyms and restaurants are going to be a real problem. We can't just let them all shut down, but that will be a common place to spread it once they all start opening back up.
I have to be frank, I'm a little disappointed how people are always contradicting my posts. I tend to witness a lot of stupidity out in the world today and I was hoping I can post here and share my frustration with like-minded people here, who I thought could relate to my frustration. But I guess not.
Hypothetically speaking, this is how I feel right now.... I could go outside and see a car run a red light and run over a pedestrian. Then I would post here upset about what I just witnessed and then people here will contradict me and say, "Well if someone is in a hurry and has an important place to get to, they should be allowed to run a red light. In that case, running over that pedestrian is justified. Get a grip, man!"
It sounds like you're new to the internet. Welcome.
Seriously, every other post I make seems to be challenged, here and every other place I post. That's the way people are on the internet. The people it tends to attract thrive on disagreements. You still complain every time somebody doesn't agree with you. Since when has this ever not been the case online? I admit it gets frustrating too, because I'm not like that in real life, and don't love that the internet is always so confrontational, but that's how it is. Some people will agree with you and some wont. I've given several of your posts likes in the past. The problem is at times you get overly paranoid about this. I'm very concerned too, but I realize that we can't all stay locked up inside for the rest of the year. We have to find a balance. There's that word again that I have been saying for months. Balance. People need to do their part. The problem is many aren't.
Restaurants are indeed a concern, because you can't socially distance or wear a mask in a restaurant. How do you take an order 6 feet away? How do you wear a mask when you are eating? Do they wipe down those seats after every person leaves? I've seen how restaurants wipe down their tables normally. A dirty wet cloth soaked in tap water usually, with maybe a tiny amount of soap added to the bucket.
the problem is that you find a problem here where there isnt one.. people dining at a restaurant when they are allowed to do so is NOT a problem jsut becuase you think it is...
if waiters arent wearing masks, then that would be a problem worth talking about..or something like that ...youre creating problems based on your own personal opinions
Eating in a restaurant is certainly something that is cause for some concern. I won't be eating in one any time soon. I do order delivery now and then but finances make that more difficult now anyways.
Are you ignoring the case in China where several tables across the room in a restaurant got infected from one table, because they were in the airflow of the ceiling fans and it carried the virus across the room? This is a known fact that this is a concern. It has been mentioned in many scientific articles. Somebody is sick, coughs, it's in the air for hours (aerosol), and can easily be carried across the room by air currents.
At least 34 COVID-19 cases linked to Harper's Restaurant; patrons asked to self-quarantine
Just because somebody in charge says it's safe to do so doesn't mean it is. I thought we had that figured out by now. People in charge have motives, and our well-being is rarely one of them.
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Originally Posted by Lacit170
or if we reach 60-70% herd imminuty
pick your poison
Herd immunity means tons of people dying to get us to that point. So who would like to be next to do their part and add to the herd immunity? Anyone?
Last week they arrested seven Americans who illegally entered Banff.
Right now we are in not so bad shape here in Canada; we need to keep it up, be cool, be safe, not to panic, have a cold bath during hot days (Quebec), or a swim in the ocean if living nearby (I do, Pacific), use common sense, respect, protect and accept.
A worried friend who lives in Houston send me this
Quote:
Zach Despart🖊️ (@zachdespart) Tweeted:
.@TXMedCenter has officially reached 100% base ICU capacity as COVID cases in #Houston continue to surge. Key numbers:
- 373 long-term surge ICU beds available
- 504 short-term " "
- Harris County has 4.7 million residents
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