Currently, many countries have relaxed in handling the Corona pandemic because it is no longer as violent as before. But Bill Gates warned that people should not let their guard down.
The Microsoft founder is apparently still keen to observe the developments of the Corona pandemic. He considered that the current pandemic had not really ended and the worst situation still had the potential to occur in the future.
"We're still at risk that this pandemic will create a variant that's even more contagious and even more fatal," he said.
He said the possibility was small but not non-existent. "It's unlikely, I don't want to be the voice of doom and gloom, but the risk is above 5% that we haven't seen the worst."
On the other hand, previously, when speaking at the TED 2022 conference, Bill Gates stated that it is actually possible that the Corona pandemic will be the last pandemic if we take the right steps.
One of them, Bill Gates plans to spend USD 1 billion per year to form a group called the GERM team, which stands for global epidemic response and mobilization. More investment is also needed in the global health system and in research and development.
The GERM team will consist of approximately 3,000 people. Its members are related experts such as infectious disease experts, data scientists, logistics experts to communication and diplomacy experts.
"Like a firefighter, the GERM team will do the exercises. If we want a fast response, we want to make sure everything is in place and can move very quickly. Practice is key," said the Microsoft founder.
The training will be useful to prevent a pandemic if it is detected that it will occur. "If there is no pandemic, the GERM team can focus on treating other infectious diseases as a second priority," added Bill Gates.