After threats from opponents of corona vaccination, a doctor from Seewalchen in Upper Austria committed suicide at the end of July. As it turns out, she wasn’t the only one to be the victim of massive hatred on the internet. Dozens of health facilities have recently sought help from the Bureau for the Protection of the Constitution over hostilities.
The tragic death of the Upper Austrian doctor Lisa-Maria Kellermayr shocked the whole country a few weeks ago. As reported, the doctor from Seewalchen committed suicide after a series of death threats from opponents of corona vaccination. Although there was massive criticism of possible failures of the Upper Austria police, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) always defended the actions of the executive branch.
Dozens of facilities affected
The SPÖ got to the bottom of the matter politically with a parliamentary question to Karner. His response, published Wednesday, shows, among other things, that the Kellermayr case was probably just the iceberg when it came to agitation by corona deniers towards health professionals. Because the State Security and Intelligence Directorate (DSN) has been approached dozens of times by institutions from the healthcare sector in recent months. According to Karner, 38 hospitals, 31 pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmaceutical logistics companies, four hygiene companies, five social health insurers and a medical technology company were advised.
plans for fall
“Hospitals are the most basic part of critical infrastructure in a pandemic. The fact that, in addition to the burden of the health crisis, there was also a threat to safety is an unbearable additional burden, especially for hospitals,” said SPÖ MP Sabine Schütz. She calls on Karner to present plans for the autumn “how healthcare institutions with an increase in corona numbers and possible corona measures can be effectively protected against the hatred of corona deniers”.
Increased Police Presence
In the specific case of Lisa-Maria Kellermayr, Karner first outlines the supervisor’s approach after the 36-year-old doctor reported a threatening letter on November 22, 2021. According to this information, Kellermayr was questioned in writing the same day and informed about her rights as a victim. In addition to the police’s advice, “police security measures agreed to intensify patrolling in the practice during opening hours and to contact the affected individual or surgery personnel directly at least once a day,” explains Karner.
Consecration and apartment checked
In June, the director of the DSN had personal conversations with Kellermayr before evaluating the safety measures of the doctor’s office and the apartment on July 1. The safety standard can be described as “high due to structural measures”. Finally, Kellermayr was offered individual training to protect himself against attacks in public spaces.
“Full Enlightenment”
The threatening writers have been investigated – so far in vain – since the end of 2021: “Until the time of the investigation, however, no perpetrators could be traced.” In any case, Sabine Schatz has insufficient information: “Doctor Kellermayr’s tragic case must be completely and ruthlessly cleared up. In any case, the necessary consequences must contribute to ensure that such persistent and unbearable threats can no longer occur without being punished accordingly.”
If you or a loved one is in a special psychological situation or has suicidal thoughts, please contact the pastoral care by telephone on telephone number 142. Other crisis telephones and emergency numbers can be found HERE.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
