WASHINGTON DC, May 11 (IPS) – Sri Lanka is in the throes of an unprecedented economic crisis. Faced with a shortage of foreign exchange and defaulting on its foreign debt repayment, the country is unable to pay for its food, fuel, medicine, and other basic necessities. Notwithstanding the austerities that would be entailed, a bail out by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been accepted as the only way out of the dire economic situation.
Software mogul and top WHO donor says he tested positive for Covid-19
Retired Microsoft co-founder and WHO mega-donor Bill Gates said Tuesday that he has tested positive for Covid-19, and will be isolating until he recovers. The announcement came as Gates geared up his foundation to advocate for more pandemic prevention measures, and published a book on the subject.
“I’ve tested positive for COVID. I’m experiencing mild symptoms and am following the experts’ advice by isolating until I’m healthy again,” Gates tweeted on Tuesday, adding, “I’m fortunate to be vaccinated and boosted and have access to testing and great medical care.”
He pointed out that the Gates Foundation was meeting today “for the first time in two years” but that he will use a Microsoft-owned video chat platform to “see everyone and thank them for their hard work.”
“We will continue working with partners and do all we can to ensure none of us have to deal with a pandemic again,” Gates added.
I’ve tested positive for COVID. I’m experiencing mild symptoms and am following the experts’ advice by isolating until I’m healthy again.
Gates has been a vocal champion of coronavirus restrictions since the start of the pandemic – from lockdowns and social distancing to masking and even vaccine mandates. Though not a doctor, his opinions have gained traction because the Gates Foundation is a major donor to the World Health Organization (WHO). It also invests billions in development and distributions of vaccines.
The college dropout turned software mogul also attracted scrutiny over his 2015 TED Talk in which he had warned of an “inevitable” coming global pandemic, and the fact that his foundation sponsored the Event 201 exercise in 2019, which closely resembled what became the global response to Covid-19.
Gates has dismissed his critics as “crazy” conspiracy theorists. Earlier this month, he published a book titled ‘How to Prevent the Next Pandemic,’ which was praised by WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He is also pushing for the creation of GERM (Global Epidemic Response and Mobilization), an outfit with an annual budget of at least $1 billion that would plan for future pandemics.
May 10 (IPS) – At a healthcare clinic in Thodathara, a village in the Thavanampalle mandal near Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, Dr Vijay Kumar calls in his next patient. “He is the most disciplined man I know,” Dr Kumar says with a hint of pride.
