This week, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates publicly criticized the current state of COVID-19 testing in the United States, calling it "a truly sad thing." But at the same time Gates also brought a glimmer of hope. He said that the antibody-based drugs used by US President Trump in treatment, once approved by regulatory agencies and made available to the public, may significantly reduce the mortality rate of people infected with the new coronavirus.
This is not the first time Gates has complained about virus testing in the United States. Throughout the epidemic, the turnaround time for testing in the United States was slower than expected.
"Most of our tests are useless and completely wasteful," Gates said in August. In the interview, Gates pointed out that the government-established reimbursement system pays the same cost for all tests, which means that companies that provide virus tests are only carrying out as many tests as possible. But the government can completely solve this problem and change the billing method of the reimbursement system, such as paying additional fees for test results issued within 24 hours, paying normal fees for test results issued within 48 hours, and no fees if the time is extended. .
"They can fix it overnight," Gates said.
Gates also said that virus testing does not necessarily require deep penetration into the nasal cavity to take a nasal swab. He said that the self-test of touching the top of the nasal cavity with a cotton swab is also effective.
Gates also expressed optimism about the drugs developed by some companies. He said: "The mortality rate may be greatly reduced, at least the number of deaths in rich countries will be greatly reduced by the end of this year."