Previous pandemics have been used/misused for (geo)political reasons, in wars/genocides and for terrorism. COVID-19 has been no exception with the former American president challenging the relations with China calling it the ‘Chinese virus’, and Russia and China setting up cyberterrorist actions against health care organizations in the United States and Europe. Aside from state-driven factors, both left and right-wing activists and anti-vaxxers adhering conspiracy theories are a threat for health care organizations and patients. Socioeconomic and religious/cultural factors also play a role in why health caregivers are a possible target. Fear of viral pathogens, fear of losing jobs by lockdown measures, anger because of quarantine and proper burials of the beloved being denied, are amongst the reasons people revolt against health care providers. We provide a review of the impact of violence against health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and earlier pandemics and suggest preventative strategies.