'Plan for world domination': Netizens criticise Bill Gates over pandemic alert idea

Last week, the Microsoft co-founder warned the world is not ready for the next pandemic, which the software developer-turned philanthropist said could be ten times worse than the ongoing outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 that has already claimed the lives of 2.2 million people worldwide and triggered a huge economic crisis.

Bill Gates has caused a stir on social media after posting a video on his Twitter account in which he called for the creation of a pandemic alert. The Microsoft co-founder stressed the need to create a global organisation tasked with providing a first response to potential infectious disease outbreaks in order to nip them in the bud.

Gates also spoke about low-cost mega testing platforms capable of "testing 20 percent of the entire population every week" as well as effective treatments and vaccines.

His proposal, however, was met with scepticism and concern, with many users wondering why Gates, who has no medical expertise is "lecturing" the world.

​Others went as far as to say that the Microsoft co-founder had come up with an "evil" plan to control the world.

Netizens noted that Gates promotes vaccines, but didn't touch on the potential risks they may carry and said the proposed organisation will extend its power beyond its jurisdiction.

​Others, however, contended that Gates' proposal was good.

​Still other users said they want the software developer to concentrate on his area of expertise.

​This is not the first time Bill Gates has warned the international community about the need to prepare for disease outbreaks. Five years before the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, the Microsoft co-founder urged the world to prepare for a major health crisis. "NATO plays war games to check that people are well-trained and prepared. Now we need germ games. While Ebola seems to be being kept under control currently, next time we may not be so lucky", he said during a TED conference. 

Gates has been at the forefront of the global campaign to eradicate COVID-19. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donated $1.8 billion to research the infectious disease as well as for the development and distribution of vaccines around the world. Despite his philanthropic activity, Gates has become the scapegoat of the pandemic, with numerous conspiracy theories claiming he orchestrated it.

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