After all the talk and worry, hope and urge, Bill Gates arrived at a critical point in his journey this week as an outspoken proponent of the science needed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic: the co-founder of Microsoft received his first dose of vaccine against the deadly virus.
In a photo he shared on Twitter on Friday morning, he was masked with his sleeve up and said he got the shot this week and that he is feeling well.
One of the benefits of 65 is that I am eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. I got my first dose this week, and I feel great. Thank you to all the scientists, trial participants, regulators and health professionals in the front line who have reached us so far. pic.twitter.com/67SIfrG1Yd
– Bill Gates (@BillGates) 22 January 2021
At age 65, Gates was eligible for the Phase 1B Phase 1B vaccine in Washington State.
In his tweet, Gates thanks those who have reached us so far – without thanking himself. The billionaire philanthropist has been a proponent of 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 to funds for COVID-19 initiatives, including the development and distribution of vaccines.
Gates, who warned years ago about the possibility of such an outbreak, spent much of 2020 with everyone who would listen to the precautions people had to take to stop the spread of the disease.
As vaccine development progressed at an unprecedented rate, disinformation surrounding Gates’ treatments and involvement also spread, fueled by conspiracy theorists on social media who exploited 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 who wanted to point to someone or something or an institution. The Trump administration has not helped politicize the development of vaccines, she said.
Some of the bizarre theories circulating online said Gates would develop a hand in developing microchip vaccines in anyone who was injected.
Earlier this week, both Gateses tweeted that they were willing to work with President Joe Biden’s government to tackle America’s toughest challenges – including COVID-19.
As Americans across the country work together, more people are getting a COVID-19 vaccine every day, bringing us closer to a time when life will look much more like normal. Until then, we can slow down the spread of the virus and save lives by constantly distancing ourselves and wearing masks.
– Bill Gates (@BillGates) 20 January 2021