Insight and opinion from The National’s editorial leadership
November 05, 2021
In 2015, Bill Gates, the billionaire philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft, released a video that foresaw much of today's struggle against Covid-19. "If anything kills more than 10 million people in the next few decades, it's likely to be a highly infectious virus, not warfare", Mr Gates said to a TED talk audience. Just four years later, the pandemic began. So far, it has killed 5 million people.
He was not the only person to hold this view before this pandemic began. But those who shared his foresight were not given the attention they deserved. Going forward, it is clear that they should be listened to more.
This week, Mr Gates issued another warning: terrorism could be the cause of the next pandemic, and the world is not ready.
Mr Gates now calls for the creation of a new $1 billion WHO Pandemic Task Force to run what he called "germ games": exercises to hone a response to a new pandemic, whether it is caused naturally or artificially by "bioterrorists", much like how militaries prepare for fighting by conducting so-called war games. Mr Gates gave an example scenario of a terrorist bringing smallpox to 10 airports.
India administered its billionth Covid-19 vaccine dose on October 21, according to the health ministry, half a year after a devastating surge in cases brought the health system close to collapse. Prakash Singh / AFP
A health worker prepares to administer a Covishield vaccine in Chennai. Arun Sankar / AFP
A health worker inoculates a woman with a dose of the Covaxin vaccine in New Delhi. Prakash Singh / AFP
A health worker, left, registers a man for a dose of the Covaxin vaccine in New Delhi. Prakash Singh / AFP
A health worker inoculates a man with a dose of the Covaxin vaccine in New Delhi. Prakash Singh/ AFP
Volunteers decorate a vaccination centre to celebrate India administering its billionth Covid-19 vaccine. Prakash Singh / AFP
The level of investment Mr Gates wants is justifiable, and a figurativedrop in the ocean compared to the damage a pandemic can cause. Covid-19 is estimated to have shrunk the world economy by 4.4 per cent in 2020. A new study has shown that a total of 28m years of life expectancy were taken last year by the virus in 31 countries. In terms of the virus's reach, only 12 countries have reported no Covid-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic – most of them small, isolated island nations in the middle of large oceans.
Even the most vicious "traditional" terrorist tactics could not come close to inflicting such damage and having such wide-reaching impact.
On a wider security level, even if the next pandemic is not caused directly by a bioweapon, more lockdowns, time spent online and economic hardship would create the conditions that push people into terrorist ideologies. A September study by the Global Network on Extremism and Technology, for example, found that today's pandemic led to a particularly large spike in people searching and posting far-right material.
A central part of Mr Gates's call was that the bioterrorist threat can be mitigated much the same way a natural pandemic would be: by minimising the risk of global illnesses such as the flu and common cold, making vaccine technology more versatile and accessible, in addition to learning from the countries that have performed the best during the past year and a half. Most of all, the world needs to foster global readiness to stop the emergence and spread of future pandemics.
As Covid-19 demonstrates, it is all too easy for humans to fail to prepare for threats, even predicted, potentially catastrophic ones. Six years ago, Mr Gates's warning video was released. Six years from now, we do not want this week's intervention to mark yet another occasion the world refused to listen.
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
