Microsoft founder Bill Gates received his first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine after putting millions into development and distribution, but most took the time to bring up several man-centered conspiracy theories.
“I feel great,” Gates announced it to the world on Friday, adding a photo of himself getting a Covid-19 vaccine.
“Thank you to all the scientists, trial participants, regulators and frontline health professionals who took us to this point,” he added.
One of the benefits of being 65 is that I am eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. I took my first dose this week and I feel great. Thanks to all the scientists, test takers, regulators and frontline healthcare professionals who got us to this point. pic.twitter.com/67SIfrG1Yd
– Bill Gates (@BillGates) January 22, 2021
At age 65, Gates is eligible to receive the vaccine under Washington’s level one distribution plan.
Gates has become a common name in discussions about Covid-19, not only thanks to the millions that his foundations have invested in vaccine development and distribution, especially in third world countries, but also because of a now viral TED lecture in 2015, where technology mogul warned that the world was not prepared for a global pandemic.
This conversation was partly what fueled several conspiracy theories about the billionaire and his intense interest in seeing people vaccinated.
Gates recognized conspiracy theories, one of which includes putting microchips in vaccines to track people, calling them “weird.”
“It’s weird. They take the fact that I’m involved with vaccines and just reverse it, so instead of giving money to save lives, I’m making money to get rid of lives. If it prevents people from getting a vaccine or to look at the latest data on the use of masks, then it’s a big problem ”. he said.
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This did not stop social network users from turning their vaccination photo into the subject of countless jokes.
He better watch out or the Bill Gates vaccine will implant a Bill Gates chip inside Bill Gates that will allow Bill Gates to track Bill Gates! pic.twitter.com/VP9LSxgcQI
– Russ Burgos (@Russ_Burgos) January 22, 2021
Gates was also a controversial figure during the Covid-19 pandemic for his support for extending blocking restrictions – he believes there should be no “Returns” normal until 2022 – and his stance against vaccine skeptics, receiving criticism mainly from conservative experts like Candace Owens.
He suggested that health officials fight “Vaccination hesitation” recruiting influential voices to promote them “So that we can get a level of vaccination that really has a chance to stop” Covid-19.
Gates’ role in the fight against the pandemic, however, seems to be here to stay. He recently tweeted that he is “Looking forward to work” with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris “To tackle some of our most difficult challenges, like COVID-19 and climate change.”
He was not as receptive to the Trump administration, even questioning whether the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could be trusted to launch a safe Covid-19 vaccine under the president.
“Historically, just like the [Centers for Disease Control] was considered the best in the world, the FDA had the same reputation as a first-rate regulator ”, he said.
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