Bill Gates made a shocking statement on *The View* this morning, issuing a grave warning about the possibility of another pandemic,
which he believes could be even more severe than the one caused by COVID-19.
During his conversation with the co-hosts, Gates emphasized the importance of preparation for future health crises, acknowledging
that while COVID-19 was a global catastrophe, it was somewhat predictable—and far from the last pandemic the world will face.
Gates’ comments came during a segment of *The View* where he discussed the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and looked ahead to future health threats.
Co-host Sunny Hostin pointed out that Gates had predicted the possibility of a pandemic long before COVID-19 emerged, referencing his past warnings about the risks of infectious diseases.
In response, Gates confirmed that the pandemic was, in fact, something that could be anticipated, stating, “The pandemic, sadly, was fairly predictable. And it won’t be the last pandemic. The next one could be far more severe.”
The Microsoft co-founder, who has long been an advocate for public health initiatives through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, described the COVID-19 pandemic as “awful.” Despite the devastation caused by the virus, Gates acknowledged the rapid response of President Donald Trump’s administration to distribute the vaccine during the early stages of the pandemic. He commended Trump for his efforts, which helped expedite the delivery of vaccines to the public.
When discussing his interactions with the Trump administration, Gates revealed that he had met with the then-president before he began his second term, offering guidance on medical innovations, including a potential cure for HIV that could be fast-tracked. Gates emphasized the importance of continuing to support advancements in medical research and being ready for the next public health emergency.
However, it was Gates’ discussion about future pandemics that truly dominated the conversation. He stressed the necessity for global preparedness, arguing that lessons learned from COVID-19 should be applied to prevent or mitigate the effects of future pandemics. “We should be more prepared than we were in 2020,” he said, adding, “I’d still say that’s [the] number one [issue]. You can worry about nuclear war, you can worry about AI. There’s plenty to worry about.”
Gates also pointed out that governments need to take a proactive role in anticipating and addressing potential threats to public health. “It’s up to the government to think ahead on behalf of the citizens,” he explained. He went on to note that there are still plenty of steps that need to be taken in terms of pandemic preparedness, urging that the world needs to “get our act together before the next one comes.”
Gates further elaborated on his predictions for when the next pandemic might occur. He made it clear that the world is not out of the woods when it comes to global health crises. “Oh, certainly we’ll have one in the next 25 years,” he said. Gates emphasized that there are pathogens already being monitored that could potentially trigger a new pandemic in the near future. In fact, he estimated a “10% chance” that another pandemic could emerge within the next four years.
These remarks from Gates serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of pandemics and the critical need for ongoing investment in global health infrastructure, disease surveillance, and rapid-response systems. While the world is still recovering from the effects of COVID-19, Gates’ statement serves as a call to action, urging governments, organizations, and individuals to remain vigilant and take the necessary steps to avoid, or at least minimize, the impact of the next health emergency.
As the world continues to deal with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gates’ warning should not be taken lightly. The threat of another, potentially more devastating pandemic remains a real concern, and the lessons learned from past global health crises must be used to inform future responses. With Gates’ prediction that the next pandemic could occur within the next 25 years—and with a 10% chance of it happening within just the next four years—preparing for the unexpected remains as urgent as ever.
The *View* airs weekdays at 11/10c on ABC, and Bill Gates’ appearance has certainly left viewers with much to think about as they consider the future of global health.
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