Austria is Concerned, but Federal President Remains Silent
In Austria - as in the rest of the world - there is also the danger of a coronavirus pandemic, but Federal President Van der Bellen, who ran the election campaign with a ticket from the Green Party, and who comments on the climate crisis almost weekly, remains silent, instead of informing the population and calling on them to take preventive measures. (Updated on March 13, 2020. See below.)
Vindobona.org: "100% of the Austrian population should be concerned!" / Picture: © Vindobona.org
In view of the global situation and the fact that the disease reached Austria at least 14 days ago and new infections are now being reported every hour, it is astonishing that the Federal President has not yet spoken.
According to a survey published today by the magazine "profil", 15% of people living in Austria are very concerned about the situation surrounding the coronavirus, which means that "only" 15% of citizens are "very worried" about the situation, while a further 34% say that they are "rather worried".
Furthermore, the survey conducted by the opinion research institute Unique Research on behalf of the magazine states that "The coronavirus and the worldwide fight against its spread have so far not frightened the majority of Austrians. "About the same number of people are relatively unimpressed: 37% say they are less worried, only 13% are very worried."
However, based on the findings of the WHO and all those involved worldwide, we believe this is far too little.
"100% of the Austrian population should be concerned, because this is the only way to ensure that active measures are taken by the people, which can ultimately help to contain the spread of the virus in time to avoid an actual pandemic," recommends Vindobona.org.
Update as of March 13, 2020 at 4:04 p.m.
With a thirteen-day delay after we called for this to be done, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen finally wants to address the population today.
As the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) announced on the basis of information provided by APA, the Federal President intends to address the population this evening at 7.30 p.m. local time in a TV address on the coronavirus crisis.
The Federal President will appeal to "cohesion and urge people to comply with the measures announced by the government".
Update as of March 13, 2020, at 8:30 p.m.
Federal President finally addressed the population
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen addressed the population on Friday evening.
In his TV address on the Corona crisis, the Federal President appealed to cohesion and called on the population to take the recommendations of the government and experts seriously.
"Yes, we are in a serious situation. The Corona crisis affects us all. and it cuts deeply into our daily lives."
"Your consideration today can save the lives of your loved ones tomorrow!"
"We have to get through this situation together, he said.
The aim is to slow down the spread of the virus so that the health system can continue to function.