Omicron, a new mutation of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), is making waves around the world.
Microsoft (MS) co-founder Bill Gates said in a Twitter question-and-answer session with Professor Devi Sridha of the University of Edinburgh on the 11th (local time), “If Omicron goes through a country, there are far fewer confirmed cases of COVID-19 for the rest of this year. “So it can be treated like a seasonal flu.”
Bill Gates’ remarks were in response to questions regarding when and how the COVID-19 will end.
Some experts have also diagnosed that omicrons are dangerous, but because of their rapid spread, enough people will develop natural immunity. This means it can transition to a much less severe endemic stage. It also means that it can be like the flu that Bill Gates mentioned.
“Omicron will build a lot of immunity,” he said. “At least for the year ahead.” It is interpreted to mean that the formation of herd immunity will contribute as Omicron spreads rapidly for one year.
However, Gates warned, “Until the formation of herd immunity, Omicron will train confirmed patients with strong transmission power,” and warned that “especially unvaccinated people will experience the most severe symptoms.”
He believed that the possibility of a mutation with more powerful propagation power than the omicron mutation was slim. However, he did not conclude that “a lot of amazing things are happening during the pandemic.”
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