Bill Gates has become something of a prophet of the coronavirus pandemic. Most of his predictions about the development of Covid have come true. In 2015 he already warned that a virus could be the next great global catastrophe: “If something is to kill more than 10 million people in the coming decades, it will probably be a highly infectious virus rather than a war. Not missiles, but microbes, “Gates warned in 2015.
The Microsoft co-founder also talked about the arrival of the first vaccine, predicted that it would arrive in November or December and that the first to be approved would be Pzifer. In an interview with CNBC, Gates said: “I think once we get into December or January it is likely that at least two or three will seek approval, if they are effective. We have phase 3 trials in progress. The only vaccine that, if all goes well, could apply for an emergency use license at the end of October would be Pfizer. And this has happened, although it has not been the only one that is already being used against the coronavirus.
On work outside the office, Gates predicts that compulsory teleworking will continue in many sectors once the coronavirus pandemic passes: “My prediction is that more than 50% of work trips and more than 30 % of work in the office will disappear ».
And for the new year?
Gates emphasizes that the next few months will be the worst of the pandemic and that the new variant of the virus that emerged in the United Kingdom must also be studied in depth: “Computer models suggest that the pandemic could get worse more or less during the next month. We also need to learn more about a new variant of the virus that has emerged, which appears to spread faster but not more deadly, “says Bill Gates on his personal blog.
To avoid further confinements and hospital collapses, he says: ‘What people can do right now to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and end the pandemic is to follow what we have been told to do from the beginning. Reduce the meetings and wear the mask, “he said on a program on NBC.
However, is optimistic about the evolution of the pandemic as of spring, when he thinks the effects of vaccines and treatments will be felt: «There will still need to be some restrictions, such as avoiding large public events. What is clear is that the number of cases and deaths will begin to decrease a lot, at least in rich countries, and life will be much closer to normality, which is to comply with the health prevention rules: wear a mask and keep distances » .
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