Was it Karl Nehammer’s most recent scientifically critical statements or the black-blue labor agreement in Lower Austria that made the camel’s last straw? It was clear on Monday that members of the expert panel Gecko (National Covid Crisis Coordination) wanted to resign in protest. According to the daily newspaper “Kurier”, the simulation researcher Niki Popper and the virologist Andreas Bergthaler should be among them. However, it was expected that significantly more scientists and, as a result, Thomas Starlinger, a close adviser to Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and also a member of the Gecko, would leave. Before the meeting in the Federal Chancellery, which lasted from 5 p.m. to 7:20 p.m., none of the experts might be reached for a statement.
