Earlier, The Political Insider reported that Microsoft founder Bill Gates expressed support for shutting down bars and restaurants for up to six months, and indicated lockdowns may continue all the way into 2022.
The billionaire Microsoft founder made his sobering warning during an interview with CNN over the weekend.
“Well, sadly, the next four to six months could be the worst of the epidemic,” he told anchor Jake Tapper in discussing lockdowns and his support for extreme restrictions such as stay-at-home orders issued by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
“Bars and restaurants in most of the country will be closed as we go into this wave, and I think sadly that’s appropriate,” Gates continued. “You don’t want somebody you love to be the last to die of coronavirus.”
.@BillGates on Covid: “Even through 2022” we should be prepared for life to not return to “normal”
Says “sadly” it’s “appropriate” for bars and restaurants to close over the next “four to six months” pic.twitter.com/cmDD8pv3XR
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 13, 2020
But while one of the world’s richest men may not have any problems shutting down, Americans across the country are rejecting shutdowns and lockdowns.
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Americans Not Willing To Roll Over on Lockdowns
While Gates is predicting lockdowns for years to come, many Americans aren’t willing to accept them as the new norm.
This past weekend, hundreds gathered for a “freedom rally” in Lewis County in Washington to support small businesses bearing the brunt of harsh lockdown orders.
Freedom rally drums up support for businesses in small Lewis County town https://t.co/hpp87GWwlz
— KING 5 News (@KING5Seattle) December 13, 2020
Some restaurants in Pennsylvania have simply begun defying lockdown orders.
“Some Susquehanna Valley restaurants are planning to remain open in violation of Gov. Wolf’s shut down order that took effect Saturday,” WGAL 8 reported.
“They need this income now. They’re going to need it all winter. And there is no relief set up for them,” one restaurant explained.
Atilis Gym in New Jersey has seen its owners arrested and over $1.2 million in fines levied upon their business as they continue to defy lockdown orders from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
Atilis Gym is continuing to defy New Jersey’s #Covid restrictions, and they’re now facing over a million dollars in fines. Co-Owner Ian Smith says he has no plans on paying those fines, and explains how he continues to keep his business afloat! #VarneyCo pic.twitter.com/Jxv4mc1ghz
— Varney & Co. (@Varneyco) December 9, 2020
And restaurants in California are also defying regional lockdown orders as a means of “survival,” Fox News reports.
“Businesses throughout the county have invested thousands of dollars to ensure safety for their employees and customers only to be punished for the recent surge they have done everything in their power to prevent,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger explained.
Bill Gates may want to see lockdowns continue into 2022, but if America is to survive as a free nation more and more people like the above business owners are going to have to resist.
“Restaurants have been linked to less than 4% of coronavirus outbreaks in non-residential settings, according to data from L.A. County,” ABC 7 reported.
How much are restaurants contributing to the spread of COVID-19 in LA County? https://t.co/jCE3aPRVNv via @abc7
— Rusty Weiss ?? (@rustyweiss74) December 14, 2020
Gates Expresses Hope For A Biden Administration
In the interview with Tapper, Gates expressed optimism about the prospects of a Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration.
“I’m pleased with the people and the priority that President-elect Biden and his team are bringing to bear on this problem,” he said.
Of those people, the billionaire believes Dr. Anthony Fauci, who some argue has been wrong in dealing with the pandemic on several occasions, is a positive move.
“Biden is doing his best to retain Francis Collins and Tony Fauci and add them to that strong group of people,” Gates said.
“These are people who are willing to admit when things aren’t going well and deliver top messages, particularly about the next four to six months.”
Remarkably, Gates took a shot at President Trump for prioritizing the vaccine for American citizens, calling it a “selfish” move, and downplayed the administration’s role in getting it approved in record time.
On Monday morning, President Trump celebrated the first administration of the COVID vaccine.
First Vaccine Administered. Congratulations USA! Congratulations WORLD!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2020
