Bill Gates tests positive for Covid-19
- The Microsoft co-founder says he is experiencing mild symptoms and will isolate until he is healthy again
- Gates has been a vocal proponent for pandemic mitigation measures, specifically access to vaccines and medication for poorer countries
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said on Tuesday he has tested positive for Covid-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms.
Via Twitter, the billionaire philanthropist said he will isolate until he is healthy again.
“I’m fortunate to be vaccinated and boosted and have access to testing and great medical care,” Gates wrote.
The Seattle-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the most influential private foundation in the world, with an endowment of about US$65 billion.
Bill Gates has been a vocal proponent for pandemic mitigation measures, specifically access to vaccines and medication for poorer countries.
The Gates Foundation in October said it will spend US$120 million to boost access to generic versions of drug maker Merck’s antiviral Covid-19 pill for lower-income countries.
But since the pandemic began more than two years year ago, millions of conspiracies have spread over the internet, fuelling misinformation about the coronavirus, its origins and the motives of those working to fight it.
They include claims that Gates created the pandemic to try and control people, that they want to profit from the virus’ spread, and that they want to use vaccines to insert traceable microchips into people.
Early last year, Gates said he was taken aback by the volume of “crazy” and “evil” conspiracy theories about him spreading on social media.
Additional reporting by Reuters
