Bill Gates, Who Predicted "Infectious Diseases as Humanity's Greatest Threat," Says "COVID-19 Is the Worst-Case Scenario"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft (MS) and philanthropist, said that the increase in COVID-19 cases in the United States is heading toward the worst-case scenario.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 4th (local time), Gates appeared on Fox News and stated this, adding, "However, if American citizens properly practice social distancing, the number of deaths could be lower than the U.S. government's projection (100,000 to 240,000)."

He said, "Currently, we are heading toward the worst-case scenario," explaining, "Because the virus spreads exponentially through human-to-human transmission via respiratory droplets." Gates added, "If people continue to work and travel as before, the outbreak will not subside until more than half the population is infected," and "In that case, many people will require hospital treatment and could lose their lives."

Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump predicted that even with infection control measures such as social distancing, 100,000 to 240,000 people in the U.S. would die from COVID-19. However, Gates believed that it is important for Americans to know these figures to raise awareness.

He predicted that if Americans comply well with social distancing and quarantine measures, the increase in cases would slow down by the end of this month.

However, he said that the world can only truly return to normal life once a vaccine is developed.

Meanwhile, Gates stepped down from the MS board last month to focus more on philanthropic activities. Previously, Gates expressed the view that infectious diseases pose a greater threat to humanity than war.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.