Published 19:15 IST, July 11th 2020
Bill Gates says COVID-19 vaccine should reach those who need, warns of 'deadlier pandemic'
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has called for ‘equity in global distribution’ of drugs and vaccines for COVID-19 that has rocked the world since last 6 months.
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Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has called for ‘equity in global distribution’ of drugs and vaccines for COVID-19 that has rocked world since last six months after originating from China. In a video conference organised by International AIDS Society, Gates said that drugs and vaccines should be prevented to be gone to “highest bidder”. If cure of deadly disease which has taken over 559,000 lives globally do t reach needy, coronavirus outbreak would be more ‘long, unjust and deadlier’ according to Microsoft co-founder. Meanwhile, coronavirus infections have w surpassed 12.4 million across globe as per Johns Hopkins University tally.
Bill Gates, “If we just let drugs and vaccines go to highest bidder, instead of to people and places where y are most needed, we'll have a longer, more unjust, deadlier pandemic."
“We need leaders to make se hard decisions about distributing based on equity, t just on market-driven factors," he added.
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While re are hundreds of vaccine trials in place by several countries that can contribute to containing drastic spread of vel coronavirus, American business magnate ackwledged underlying concern of richer countries to acquire most promising medicines. According to international media reports, European and American governments have invested billions of dollars in research into COVID-19 and its medicines or vaccines. This has furr prompted concerns that when suitable vaccine is developed by medical professionals, biggest scoop would be acquired by wealthy nations resulting in Developing countries to remain without cure of COVID-19.
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Bill Gates on coronavirus outbreak in US
Just weeks ago, Bill gates had ted that situation of coronavirus outbreak in United States is “more bleak” than he would have predicted. With over 3.1 million total COVID-19 cases in country and 134,000 deaths, Gates had previously said in an interview with an international media outlet that US is “t even close” to doing eugh in battle against global health crisis. He also compared progress in US with that of or countries and ted it is “possible” to vigorously ramp up coronavirus testing. However, according to American business magnate, US lacked ‘leadership messs and coordination’ that an individual would have expected.
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19:15 IST, July 11th 2020