The $46bn Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is pushing the US Congress for tougher action to stop the spread of coronavirus to counter what its founders see an anti-science stance by the Trump administration.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Melinda Gates, who leads the foundation with her husband, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, said she was “deeply” disappointed by the stance of President Donald Trump over Covid-19 and anticipated repercussions in the upcoming election.

“I think you'll see the American people speak in the fall,” she said, warning that “the populace needs to speak out against?.?.?.?any leader that's not using the tools and the data available”, to fight Covid-19. Her comments came as the Gates Foundation released a white paper highlighting the pernicious impact of Covid-19 on women as well as other areas of inequality.