Zurich: Austrian leaders appealed for national unity after a doctor who faced death threats from anti-vaccination activists and those plotting the coronavirus pandemic took his own life.
“Let us put an end to this intimidation and fear. There is no place for hatred and intolerance in our country.” Austria,” President alexander van der belen Said, hailed Lisa-Maria Kellermeier as a doctor who stood out for healing people, protecting them from disease and taking a cautious approach to the pandemic.
“But some people have become offended by it. And these people intimidated, bullied, first on the Internet and then in person, directly into his practice.”
The body of the doctor – who has frequently interviewed the media about fighting the coronavirus pandemic and promoting vaccination – was found in his office in Upper Austria on Friday.
The media, citing prosecutors, said they found a suicide note and were not planning an autopsy.
Austria last month abandoned plans to introduce mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for adults, saying it was unlikely the measure would lead to one of Western Europe’s lowest vaccination rates.
Thousands marched last year in routine protests against the lockdown and plans to make vaccinations mandatory, highlighting a social divide over the public. Health Measures that many countries have experienced.
But the doctor’s death – which the Austrian physicians’ union said reflects a widespread trend of threats against medical workers – shook the country.
“Hate against people is unforgivable. This hatred must finally stop,” Health Minister johannes rauchu Told.
“Let us put an end to this intimidation and fear. There is no place for hatred and intolerance in our country.” Austria,” President alexander van der belen Said, hailed Lisa-Maria Kellermeier as a doctor who stood out for healing people, protecting them from disease and taking a cautious approach to the pandemic.
“But some people have become offended by it. And these people intimidated, bullied, first on the Internet and then in person, directly into his practice.”
The body of the doctor – who has frequently interviewed the media about fighting the coronavirus pandemic and promoting vaccination – was found in his office in Upper Austria on Friday.
The media, citing prosecutors, said they found a suicide note and were not planning an autopsy.
Austria last month abandoned plans to introduce mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for adults, saying it was unlikely the measure would lead to one of Western Europe’s lowest vaccination rates.
Thousands marched last year in routine protests against the lockdown and plans to make vaccinations mandatory, highlighting a social divide over the public. Health Measures that many countries have experienced.
But the doctor’s death – which the Austrian physicians’ union said reflects a widespread trend of threats against medical workers – shook the country.
“Hate against people is unforgivable. This hatred must finally stop,” Health Minister johannes rauchu Told.