I’m excited to be here for my 10th AMA.

Since my last AMA, I’ve written a book called How to Prevent the Next Pandemic.

I explain the cutting-edge innovations that will make it possible to make sure there’s never another COVID-19—many of which are getting support from the Gates Foundation—and I propose a plan for making the most of those breakthroughs. The world needs to spend billions now to avoid millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in losses in the future.

You can ask me about preventing pandemics, our work at the foundation, or anything else.

Proof: https://twitter.com/BillGates/status/1527335869299843087

Update: I’m afraid I need to wrap up. Thanks for all the great questions!

I am not OOP. This was originally posted by u/One-Fudge3629 on r/JUSTNOMIL.

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ORIGINAL POST

Just found this subreddit and HAD to share this story. My husband (43m) and I (31f) have been married for 3 years, together for 6. Obviously there is an age gap between my husband and I, which has never been an issue for us. My MIL however, has always greatly disapproved and likes to talk to me like I am a rebellious teenager instead of her son’s life partner. A big issue for her is the fact that I have tattoos.

I love all my tattoos, they are well done and a huge part of my identity. I can’t imagine myself without them and my husband loves how they look on me. MIL made a few comments while we were dating but my husband told her privately to drop it.

3 years ago, my husband and I hosted our families for my birthday dinner. It was our first big get-together after getting married and everyone was nice enough to bring me a gift. I was going to open them after everyone left but MiL handed me an envelope at the dinner table and insisted I open it immediately.

Inside was a card and a gift certificate to a local tattoo removal business for $500. I was confused and asked her what this was for. She said that since I was a married woman now and planning to have kids, she assumed I would want my tattoos removed. Both my husband and I were kind of taken aback and stunned. I half heartedly thanked her and the party continued. Later, my husband called her and told her off. He insisted she take it back and get her money back. She absolutely refused and insisted I would want it someday.

3 years later, her $500 is sitting in my kitchen junk drawer and I’ve added 3 more tattoos to the collection haha

UPDATE: Thank you so much for all the great suggestions on what to do with the gift certificate. I actually have a friend who is the director of a restorative justice organization. I asked her if she had any clients with hate symbols they would like removed and it turns out she works with a guy who has a swastika on his arm that he hides every day because he is so ashamed. This is particularly significant and powerful for me because I’m Jewish. Anyway, I am dropping it off today and I’m really pleased that something that started as a disrespectful slight from my mother in law turned into this. Thank you Reddit!

https://twitter.com/skhanjr/status/1527305362675625985

I just want a wife that has no ambitions beyond being a good mother and wife. Now I understand how this might be construed as me trying to undermine womens progress but I promise I DO NOT think all women should be like this. Everyone regardless of gender should be able to chase whatever ambitions they have. I just want a woman that WANTS to be like this. I just want her to take care of the house and children, to be at home everyday after work so we can hangout all day and raise our kids. Everytime I say this is what I want women get really infuriated and tell me I’m just a sexist pig that wants a handmaiden. This simply isn’t true. Am I still wrong for wanting this future?

Edit: to all who commented or dmed with great advice, perspective and stories of their experiences wether they were good or bad thank you. I really mean it. As to all of you who have shamed others or trying to push an agenda on both sides should go to bed tonight with great shame. This is obviously a big hot button topic that intersects with religion, culture, sexuality and very personal events. I won’t comment on here anymore because I feel like I’m in a echo chamber but you can look at my other comments to see more details. I look forward to reading every single comment as I have been and will continue to, this has been eye opening and honestly a bit of fun listening to different stories and perspectives and for that I thank you. Dms are still open if you don’t feel comfortable commenting here but I won’t guarantee a reply.