Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, said on Tuesday that the United States missed its opportunity to avoid a complete closure of i...
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, said on Tuesday that the United States missed its opportunity to avoid a complete closure of its institutions and companies and to enter into a ban because it did not act fast enough to confront the Coronavirus.
Microsoft and Facebook have also announced a Hackathon contract (an event that brings together developers to find technical solutions) to tackle the pandemic.
"The United States has missed the opportunity to control the Coronavirus (Covid-19) without having to shut down its institutions," Gates said - during the TED Connects program, which was broadcast over the Internet. "We didn't act fast enough to be able to avoid closing. "
Government officials across the country have advised residents to stay at home in the past days, in an effort to slow the spread of the Coruna virus that has infected at least 46,000 people in the United States.
All unnecessary companies were ordered to temporarily close. As a result, unemployment rates increased, and markets reached their lowest levels in several years.
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he wanted companies to open by Easter on April 12, to reduce the economic impact.
Government officials and health experts have criticized the calls widely, warning that returning people to work would strike the health care system and lead to more deaths.
Gates admitted on Tuesday that self-isolation would be "catastrophic" for the economy, but "in reality, there is no compromise," and suggested closure of six to ten weeks.
"It is very difficult to tell people: Welcome to restaurants, go to buy new homes, and ignore the body pile on the side of the road. We want you to continue spending because there are some politicians who think that GDP growth is the most important," he said.
"It is difficult to tell people during the epidemic … that they should carry out activities and we know that their activity is spreading this disease," he added.
Gates believes that the United States needs to enhance the capabilities of the Covid-19 disease test, and provide it to those who really need it.
The Microsoft founder has long focused on the health field at the non-profit Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Hackathon with Chinese participation
On the other hand, Microsoft and Facebook, in partnership with the World Health Organization, are launching Hackathon to promote software development to address the challenges related to the Coronavirus epidemic.
"Hackathon Build for Coved 19" (# BuildforCOVID19) was announced on Tuesday, and project applications will begin accepting Thursday. In addition to Facebook and Microsoft, Chinese technology companies, such as "WeChat" and "Tic Talk" are also participating. Technology companies will "provide participants with resources throughout the application period."
"Applications such as how to donate blood and respond to crises have been built during previous Hacketton events, and millions of people around the world are using them now," Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a leaflet promoting the event. "I hope some useful examples and ideas will emerge from this conference as well.
The hackers encourage software developers to build projects that focus on health and impoverished populations and encourage business, society, education and entertainment.
The deadline for submitting projects is Monday, and this conference will announce the best projects on April 3.
Source: websites
