Almost 800,000 people around the world have already died from COVID-19, according to the latest tally from Johns Hopkins University and Microsoft MSFT co-founder Bill Gates predicts that "the worst is still ahead" and the death toll will ultimately rise by millions.

Emerging markets, where health-care systems and economies are already struggling, is where the pain will be most pronounced, he explained in a recent interview in the Economist.

But the U.S. is dealing with its own unique set of issues, as politics and conspiracy theories have contributed to what he said has been a disappointing response. Why? In the name of freedom.

According to Gates, Trump supporters have wielded "freedom" to make a political statement that continues to complicate the U.S. response to the pandemic. Refusing to wear a mask, for instance, is one way for them to signal their anger and resistance.

Will that change if Joe Biden wins the presidency? Don't count on it.

"I don't think a change in administrations will get people to wear masks," Gates said. "It's hard to see how we build that trust network and improved behavior. It'll mostly be incremental."