Bill Gates warns that we may be entering the worst phase of the pandemic and hopes that COVID-19 will be eradicated by 2022
New Delhi: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has issued a warning against the Omicron variant of COVID-19, claiming that the world is about to enter the worst phase of the pandemic.
In a series of tweets on Tuesday (December
The big unknown is how sick omicron makes you. We need to take it seriously until we know more about it. Even if it’s only half as severe as delta, it will be the worst surge we have seen so far because it’s so infectious.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 21, 2021
21, 2021), the billionaire philanthropist stated that Omicron will ‘hit home for all of us’ and that he has cancelled most of his holiday plans after several of his close friends were infected with the new coronavirus variant.
The big unknown, he warned, is how sick Omicron makes you.
“We must take it seriously until we have more information. Even if it is only half as severe as Delta, it will be the worst surge we have seen thus far due to its infectious nature “Gates elaborated.
He advised people to get COVID-19 vaccine booster shots because they provide the best protection.
“Meanwhile, we must all watch out for one another, especially the most vulnerable, whether they live down the street or in another country. Wearing masks, avoiding large indoor gatherings, and getting vaccinated are all part of the plan. Investing in a booster provides the best protection “He tweeted about it.
The 66-year-old predicted that the Omicron pandemic would last less than three months.
“If there is any good news here, it is that omicron moves so quickly that once it becomes dominant in a country, the wave should last no more than three months. Those few months could be disastrous, but I remain optimistic that if we take the right steps, the pandemic will be over by 2022 “He went on to say
If there’s good news here, it’s that omicron moves so quickly that once it becomes dominant in a country, the wave there should last less than 3 months. Those few months could be bad, but I still believe if we take the right steps, the pandemic can be over in 2022.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 21, 2021
“I understand how frustrating it is to enter another holiday season with COVID looming over us. But things won’t stay this way indefinitely. Someday, the pandemic will end, and the better we care for one another, the sooner that day will arrive “Bill Gates added his voice.
It is worth noting that Omicron, which was discovered in late November in South Africa, has been designated as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Earlier on Monday, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that there is now consistent evidence that the Omicron variant is spreading significantly faster than the Delta variant.
“And it is more likely that people who have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 will be infected or re-infected,” Tedros added.
Tedros also warned that holiday celebrations would lead to “increased cases, overburdened health systems, and more deaths” in many areas, and urged people to postpone gatherings.
“A cancelled event is preferable to a cancelled life,” he said.
