Bill Gates: Omicron Spreads Faster Than Any Virus In History, Stay Home For Christmas

Microsoft founder and former CEO Bill Gates believes that with Omicron, the world is entering the most dangerous phase of Covid-19 pandemic.

"Just when it seemed like life would return to normal, we could be entering the worst part of the pandemic. Omicron will hit home for all of us," Bill Gates wrote on Twitter.

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Gates message to us? Stay home!

Serving as an extension of his yearly reflections posted on his blog earlier in the month, Gates added that he he has now cancelled most of his holiday plans as people in his circle begin to test positive for Covid-19.

Predicting that Omicron would soon be "in every country in the world," Gates said that "Omicron is spreading faster than any virus in history."

Also read: Pandemic Preparedness To Digitisation: Seven Key Predictions From Bill Gates

Highlighting how little we still know about the mutation, Gates claimed we still don't fully know how sick Omicron makes you.

Omicron is spreading faster than any virus in history. It will soon be in every country in the world.

¡ª Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 21, 2021

A recent study from South Africa (where the Omicron variant was first spotted) suggested that hospitalisation rates for this variant is comparatively lower than Delta. "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," Gates wrote.

Reuters

Booster shots and end of pandemic

Urging everyone to keep following Covid-19 protocols like wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings, Gates asked readers to get vaccinated. "Getting a booster gives the best protection."

Many countries are giving a booster shot to their population to improve antibody response to Omicron. In India, booster shots are not available yet.

Reiterating his optimism, Gates believes that the pandemic can be over in 2022 because of how quickly Omicron moves and infects people in its way. "The wave should last less than 3 months" once it becomes dominant in any country.

Reuters

Also read: Bill Gates Predicts All Office Spaces Will Exist On The Metaverse In 3 Years

"Someday the pandemic will end, and the better we look after each other, the sooner that time will come," Gates wrote.

I know it¡¯s frustrating to go into another holiday season with COVID looming over us. But it won¡¯t be like this forever. Someday the pandemic will end, and the better we look after each other, the sooner that time will come.

¡ª Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 21, 2021

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