The Corona pandemic has become a very sensitive and conflict-ridden issue.
So much so that researchers, medical journalists and authorities are exposed to hateful attacks and harassment, and even pure death threats.
Several of the Public Health Agency's main representatives currently have police protection.
Some researchers have chosen to completely withdraw from working with covid.
Hatred can be a threat to our democracy, says Ole Petter Ottersen, rector of Karolinska Institutet.
- What we see is unfortunately that researchers who receive personal incursions withdraw from research.
What happens then is that the whole public debate becomes poorer.
"It's hard"
Several science journalists have also testified about increased hatred and pressure during the pandemic.
Amina Manzoor, medical reporter at Dagens Nyheter, has been affected herself.
- It's hard.
You get sad and depressed, you think about whether you have done something wrong and how to think next time.
The hatred has not only affected her well-being, but also her work.
- I wish it did not, but it does.
You carry this with you.
Sometimes it just leads to just reading another study, but you are very careful and a little nervous before each publication.
Ends at DN
Amina Manzoor will soon stop at Dagens Nyheter.
Hatred has not been the deciding factor, but a contributing factor.
- Sometimes you actually just need someone to pay attention and say "we see that you are exposed on social media, how does it feel?".
When asked if she herself has received that support at her workplace, it is a black card.
- No I do not think so.