Not one person can deny our lives have drastically changed. May it be in Warwick, the State of New York, the United States or the world.
This seems to be our “new normal.” Everyday there are updates with new positive cases of COVID-19, more deaths, changes in protocol and social distancing and the newest, the possibility of all persons wearing a mask or facial covering responsibly.
This brings me to a disturbing incident that happened to me on April 1st at a local grocery store in Warwick. My daughter and I were in the produce section when we were singled out by a young woman and man who appeared to be in their mid 20's.
I would say 50 percent of the patrons were wearing masks/facial coverings and about 75 percent were wearing gloves. My daughter and I were wearing both.
This woman proceeded to make fun of, laugh and point at us.
I was shocked at the immature behavior. As I walked closer to them, I overheard the woman say to the man “watch, I am going to cough on her,” as she swung around and intentionally coughed on me and my cart.
I was stunned and she was laughing. I started yelling at her and conveyed my disbelief. A few employees scattered very quickly as I believe they were alarmed and unsure as to what to do.
This very demented person thinks this very serious and infectious situation is a joke. How sad and disheartening that an individual can be so ignorant, unlearned and outright barbaric. I should have called the manager to disperse the police, but honestly I felt so traumatized I could not think clearly.
This is a warning to all the innocent who are doing essential errands - be on your guard, be aware and be careful of deranged individuals who are not taking this lethal virus seriously. There are psychotics who think this is a joke or a political ploy and want to threaten the lives of others for their extremist beliefs.
Or maybe just plain stupidity.
I am counting the days from April 1, 2020, and if I happen to become ill with this virus, I hope this crazed and unbalanced individual will somehow feel the enormity of her malicious and possible deadly actions.
Lynn Wottring
Warwick