OREANDA-NEWS. Microsoft founder and charity co-chairman Bill Gates urged to prepare for possible new pandemics and take them as seriously as a potential military conflict. This statement was included in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's annual message published by The Seattle Times.

Bill Gates suggested that the world must take serious steps to be prepared for the next pandemic. He considered it wise to invest billions in the development of science, testing, and the creation of a global warning system for new outbreaks of diseases. He also noted the importance of forming a special "response team". “Think of them as a kind of pandemic fire brigade. Like firefighters, these highly skilled professionals must be ready to respond to a potentially crisis situation as soon as it becomes known, ”he explained his plan to combat such phenomena.

The billionaire noted that in the absence of the risks of a new pandemic, members of such a team should focus on increasing their competencies. He also suggested holding regular exercises for them, similar to the military ones.

“To avoid the difficulties we faced last year, preparing for a pandemic must be taken as seriously as a potential military conflict,” the billionaire said.

To date, the charity foundation of Gates and his wife Melinda has allocated about $ 1.75 billion to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier it was reported that Bill Gates was vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. After that, he said that he was feeling great after the first dose of the vaccine and thanked the scientists for allowing people to receive such vaccines.