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\nBy Tal Axelrod
\nThe Hill<\/p>\n
\nBy Tal Axelrod
\nThe Hill<\/p>\n
Microsoft founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates<\/a> called for a nationwide shutdown on Tuesday, arguing it would be the most effective way to combat the spread of the coronavirus.<\/p>\n Gates\u00a0wrote in a\u00a0Washington Post op-ed<\/a>\u00a0that\u00a0he has spoken with experts through his work with his charity\u00a0who said a national policy would be more effective over having a hodgepodge of states issue stay-at-home orders while others remain more open. He argued that the country needs a “consistent\u00a0nationwide approach to shutting down.”<\/p>\n \u201cDespite urging from public health experts, some states and counties haven\u2019t shut down completely. In some states, beaches are still open; in others, restaurants still serve sit-down meals,\u201d Gates wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a recipe for disaster. Because people can travel freely across state lines, so can the virus. The country\u2019s leaders need to be clear: Shutdown anywhere means shutdown everywhere,\u201d he added. \u201cUntil the case numbers start to go down across America \u2014 which could take 10 weeks or more \u2014 no one can continue business as usual or relax the shutdown.\u201d<\/p>\n Gates also noted that while a potential vaccine for the coronavirus could come within 18 months, “creating a vaccine is only half the battle” and production of the vaccine would need to be ramped up dramatically to meet demand for those impacted around the world.<\/p>\n “We can start now by building the facilities where these vaccines will be made,”\u00a0Gates wrote. “Because many of the top candidates are made using unique equipment, we\u2019ll have to build facilities for each of them, knowing that some won\u2019t get used.”<\/p>\n “Private companies can\u2019t take that kind of risk, but the federal government can. It\u2019s a great sign that the administration made deals this week with at least two companies to prepare for vaccine manufacturing. I hope more deals will follow,” he added.<\/p>\n The remarks come as states like New York, New Jersey and Washington, which have been particularly hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, have issued stay-at-home orders, while other states with fewer cases impose more lax guidelines.<\/p>\n