|
"Let's put an end to this intimidation and fear mongering. Hate
and intolerance have no place in our Austria," President
Alexander Van der Bellen said, hailing Lisa-Maria Kellermayr as
a doctor who stood for healing people, protecting them from
disease and taking a cautious approach to the pandemic.
"But some people have been enraged by this. And these people
scared her, threatened her, first on the internet and then also
in person, directly in her practice."
The body of the doctor -- who had often given media interviews
about fighting the coronavirus pandemic and promoting
vaccinations -- was found in her office in Upper Austria on
Friday.
Media cited prosecutors as saying they had found a suicide note
and were not planning an autopsy.
Austria last month dropped plans to introduce compulsory
COVID-19 vaccination for adults, saying it was unlikely that the
measure would raise one of western Europe's lowest vaccination
rates.
Tens of thousands of people had marched in regular protests
against lockdowns last year and plans to make vaccinations
mandatory, highlighting a social divide over public health
measures that many countries have experienced.
But the doctor's death -- which the Austrian physicians'
association said reflected a broader trend of threats against
medical staff -- shocked the country.
"Hatred against people is inexcusable. This hatred must finally
stop," Health Minister Johannes Rauch said.
(Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by Toby Chopra)
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
