• @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    4
    edit-2
    6 months ago

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polio_eradication

    Polio eradication, the permanent global cessation of circulation of the poliovirus and hence elimination of the poliomyelitis (polio) it causes, is the aim of a multinational public health effort begun in 1988, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Rotary Foundation.[1] These organizations, along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Gates Foundation, have spearheaded the campaign through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Successful eradication of infectious diseases has been achieved twice before, with smallpox in humans[2] and rinderpest in ruminants.

    Hey look, and example of a rich guy buying credit for something that was already being done!

    He also spoke out against Trumps disproportionate tax cuts for the wealthy, and called for increased taxes for top earners.

    Oh, so he spoke out about the thing he abused to get wealthy, that doesn’t make him a hypocrite!

    • @disguy_ovahea
      link
      29
      edit-2
      6 months ago

      They paid for the GPEI initiative cited in your comment. It literally says “The Gates Foundation” in your quote.

      https://www.emro.who.int/press-releases/2005/gates-foundation-funds-new-polio-vaccine-to-accelerate-eradication-efforts.html

      They then spent another $1.2B to do what the WHO couldn’t accomplish.

      The first problem they tackled was getting the vaccine to remote and war-torn areas while maintaining efficacy. Once they accomplished that, all that was left were isolated tribes. They then paid anthropologists to spend years assimilating into remote villages around the world to earn their trust so they would accept the vaccine.

      https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/gates-foundation-pledges-1-2b-to-eradicate-polio-heres-why-its-been-a-struggle-for-decades

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        -76 months ago

        They then paid anthropologists to spend years assimilating into remote villages around the world to earn their trust so they would accept the vaccine.

        Could have been paid through taxes instead of being the whim of a billionaire looking for a positive legacy.

        • @disguy_ovahea
          link
          236 months ago

          Agreed. I’m not saying he should have that much money. I’m saying he does far more benevolent things with it than most billionaires.

          • ThrowawayOnLemmy
            link
            -66 months ago

            Frankly, I don’t think we should be relying on the benevolence of billionaires.

                • @disguy_ovahea
                  link
                  16
                  edit-2
                  6 months ago

                  Then why aren’t all the other billionaires saying it? We’re in agreement that they shouldn’t exist in the first place. All I’m saying is they’re trying to do the right thing with the money, which is incredibly rare in a world of Bezos, Waltons, Kochs, and Sacklers.

            • @ripcord
              link
              12
              edit-2
              6 months ago

              Why do people keep trying to argue points no one is arguing against. Especially continuing after people have pointed this out specifically.