In bill gates speech, he tries to demystify the fact that epidemic risks have far-reaching ramifications to the entre glob, and so far, not much effort has been channeled to preventing these outbreaks. A significant outbreak that was experienced was of Ebola in 2014, Ebola caught global attention when it broke at western Africa, and the entire world was in a panic over its probable spread. Gates’s speech comes after the outbreak has been contained to champion preparedness for more epidemics yet to come. There is an entire shift of weaponry from the nuclear bombs to viruses. Anciently the greater fear and threat to humankind were on atomic bombs, but this narrative has taken a new shape with infections take the epicenter of the deadliest weapons. Bill gates acknowledge that it is quite fortunate that Ebola didn’t have the dreaded impacts it could have and further warns of a bleak future as the impending dangers are still lurking around. In his view, there was no proper system or organization or no system at all in dealing with the Ebola outbreak.
According to bill gates, humans are lucky to have not been seriously hurt by Ebola, as humanity was not well equipped in dealing with such crises astutely and promptly. In Bill Gates’s view, there was neither timely response nor preparedness in combating the outbreak, and this put humanity at high risks in the future should an outbreak reemerges. In Gates’s view, most of the investments are channeled on nuclear deterrents and little in the system of stopping epidemics. A highly infectious virus is capable of killing millions of people within a short time compared to war. In Bill Gate’s view, it’s time to shift all to the advantage position we have in terms of technology, research, and money to combat the outbreaks.
Coronavirus comes in time Just as Bill Gates had predicted, and as usual, we are caught barefoot, with neither systems in place nor organization in combating the nightmare. Coronavirus can have far-reaching effects more than that of Ebola as it is already being witnessed, as it is spreading globally with each continent with at least a victim. Why are we still ill-prepared? The answer is straightforward, lacks emphasis on the prevention of bioweapon. Microbes are more dangerous than missiles in contrast to the number they both claim. Most countries still believe in the superiority of their arsenal and invest heavily in them, and this leaves a loophole in the research on bioweapon as there are little investments in them. With this state of affairs, vulnerability becomes inevitable; hence a soft attacking position.
Actions in combating pandemic outbreaks
In addressing the epidemic, we need a team of epidemiologists, and they have a role in the assessment in case of an epidemic. In their assessment, they deduce what the diseases or the virus look like, some of the common symptoms, how fast it spreads, and how long it lasts with a victim. The team of epidemiologist gathers report that should be made publicly available to ease in the spread of accurate information this brings better understating of the epidemic. The information plays a more significant role in controlling the spread and reducing the death tolls from the infectious virus. Technology plays a vital role here, the information can be spread fast enough within the shortest time, sending warnings, and the best action plans to be incorporated in case of an outbreak.
Preparations for a possible pandemic in the future
In combating epidemics a shift in investment from