'We Could Be Entering Worst Part Of Pandemic': Bill Gates On Omicron Scare

In a series of tweets, business tycoon Bill Gates raised concern over the rapid spread of Omicron.

Updated on: 22 December 2021 8:22 am

With Omicron cases rising rapidly across the world, billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has now alerted the public against the high transmissible nature of the virus through a series of tweets. He believed that the world is entering the worst part of the pandemic.

In the tweet, he mentioned how close friends of his have contracted the virus leading him to cancel most of his holiday plans.

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. Close friends of mine now have it, and I’ve canceled most of my holiday plans.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 21, 2021

“Omicron is spreading faster than any virus in history. It will soon be in every country in the world,” he continued.

Omicron is spreading faster than any virus in history. It will soon be in every country in the world.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 21, 2021

In a subsequent tweet, he said that the big unknown was how sick the variant can make you. “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,” he added.

The big unknown is how sick omicron makes you. 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.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 21, 2021

Meanwhile, Gates implored people to look out for each other, especially the most vulnerable, whether they live down the street or in another country. He also urged that the masses around follow the Covid-19 norms and guidelines strictly.

“That means wearing masks, avoiding big indoor gatherings, and getting vaccinated. Getting a booster gives the best protection,” he said.

In the meantime, we all have to look out for each other, especially the most vulnerable, whether they live down the street or in another country. That means wearing masks, avoiding big indoor gatherings, and getting vaccinated. Getting a booster gives the best protection.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 21, 2021

There will be more breakthrough cases in people who are vx’d, which sounds concerning but is purely a factor of how many people are vx’d and how fast this variant is spreading. Vaccines are designed to prevent people from getting seriously ill or dying & are doing that well.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 21, 2021

He further added that the Omicron wave should last less than three months, but warned that those few months could be bad. However, he said, “But I still believe if we take the right steps, the pandemic can be over in 2022.”

“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.”

If there’s good news here, it’s that omicron moves so quickly that once it becomes dominant in a country, the wave there should last less than 3 months. Those few months could be bad, but I still believe if we take the right steps, the pandemic can be over in 2022.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 21, 2021

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.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 21, 2021

Omicron infections are multiplying rapidly across Europe, the United States and Asia.

Omicron has raced ahead of other variants and is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S., accounting for 73% of new infections last week, federal health officials said Monday, reports AP.