After all the talk and worry, hope and encouragement, Bill Gates arrived this week at a critical point in his journey as a outspoken advocate of the science needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic: the Microsoft co-founder received his first dose of vaccine against the deadly virus.
Masked up with his sleeve up in a photo he shared on Twitter Friday morning, Gates said he received the photo this week and that he feels great.
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 was eligible for the vaccine under Washington State’s Phase 1B level 1 vaccine distribution.
In his tweet, Gates thanked those who took us to this point – without thanking himself. The billionaire philanthropist has been a leading advocate for a globally coordinated response to the pandemic since the early days of the crisis, a year ago. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has committed hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for COVID-19 initiatives, including vaccine development and distribution.
Gates, who warned of the possibility of such an outbreak years ago, spent much of 2020 talking to anyone who wanted to hear about the care people should take to stem the spread of the disease.
As vaccine development progressed at an unprecedented pace, the misinformation surrounding Gates’ treatments and involvement has also spread, fueled by social media conspiracy theorists who have clung to increasing political polarization in the United States. Melinda Gates told The New York Times that the fact that she and her husband were targeted pointed to fear and people looking to point at someone or something or some institution. The Trump administration has not helped politicize vaccine development, she said.
Among the bizarre theories spread online, some said that Gates helped develop vaccines with a microchip that would be implanted in anyone who was injected.
Earlier this week, both Gates tweeted their willingness to work with President Joe Biden’s administration to tackle America’s toughest challenges – including COVID-19.
With Americans working together across the country, more people get the COVID-19 vaccine every day, bringing us closer to a time when life will seem much more normal. Until then, we can slow the spread of the virus and save lives by continuing to distance ourselves and use masks.
– Bill Gates (@BillGates) January 20, 2021