Founder of Microsoft Bill Gates called for a nationally mandated pause on "business as usual" to "save lives" during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Until the case numbers start to go down across America — which could take 10 weeks or more — no one can continue business as usual or relax the shutdown," Gates wrote in a Tuesday column in the Washington Post. "Any confusion about this point will only extend the economic pain, raise the odds that the virus will return, and cause more deaths."

Gates gave two other recommendations, which included more testing and a more "data-based approach to developing treatments and a vaccine."

"There’s no question the United States missed the opportunity to get ahead of the novel coronavirus. But the window for making important decisions hasn’t closed," he said. "The choices we and our leaders make now will have an enormous impact on how soon case numbers start to go down, how long the economy remains shut down and how many Americans will have to bury a loved one because of covid-19."

President Trump has resisted so far a nationwide shutdown but has extended federal guidelines on social distancing through the end of April.

The coronavirus task force said it would be introducing new self-swab coronavirus tests. "There was a breakthrough today for those of you waiting for 'self-swabbing' options. Those are going to be available some time later this week to be able for individuals to do their own test," Deborah Birx said during a White House press briefing.

Anthony Fauci has warned that it might take a year to 18 months before there is a vaccine for the coronavirus.