Additional Coverage:
- Bill Gates says the odds of another pandemic in the next 4 years are 10%-15%, and we’re not prepared (newsbreak.com)
Billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has issued a stark warning: the world remains unprepared for another pandemic. He believes we’re likely to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Gates estimates there’s a 10-15% chance of a naturally occurring pandemic within the next four years. He expressed his concern that despite the tremendous losses suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, meaningful progress towards preparedness has been minimal.
In a recent interview, Gates stated that instead of focusing on necessary improvements, much of the discussion revolves around rehashing past errors. He believes the global response has fallen short of expectations, considering the trillions of dollars spent and the millions of lives lost.
The Gates Foundation has long focused on global issues like climate change, cybersecurity, and public health. Gates himself has been a vocal advocate for pandemic preparedness.
Last year, he published a book on the topic and has consistently urged governments worldwide to improve their pandemic response strategies. He has also called for stronger quarantine measures, better disease surveillance, and increased investment in vaccine research and development. His foundation has committed significant funding to combatting COVID-19 and preparing for future pandemics.