The last day or so, there have been posts on Facebook in the West Georgia area about punks coming up to people, randomly in parking lots, while they are getting gas, or in stores, and intentionally coughing on them. In at least one occurrence, one of them supposedly said something to the effect of, "you may want to get checked out" and indicted they had the virus. It has apparently been happening in more than one city out here by more than one person or group of people. Sounds silly, to be talking about something here that wasn't even an issue two months ago, but I can see why now such behavior would be unnerving, especially to the elderly or someone not in the best of health to begin with; more than unnerving, it may possibly even enter the realm of being criminal behavior, a type of terroristic behavior. It goes without question, that such behavior should be reported to authorities and prosecuted, but it got me wondering, what level of defense would be appropriate, for an individual to take to prevent this action from happening to them? I realize we are walking a fine line these days and are in "new territory" with all this. And all all costs should overreacting be avoided. I can see this going the other way if unchecked and someone responding inappropriately to someone just innocently approaching to ask a question. Don't want that to happen at all. But it has gotten me thinking, if I'm out getting gas or in a parking lot, and approached like this, what to do? What if they just won't back off and keep approaching after verbally being told to? I don't run so fast anymore, and don't plan to leave my family anyway if one of them happens to be with me. What level of response, if any, would be appropriate, without getting oneself in a ton of legal problems? A tricky situation that could bring on a lot of trouble.

Figured if getting quick and easy way to stop them would be to just pull the nozzle out and hose them down. Who knows might even be cure for the virus.

I will go to jail if such happens to me...not cuz I'm scared of a virus but on principle alone...i can look the other way for most thing as trivial as this but not this

This and the day I’ve had I’m tempted to go sit as gas pump and wait. Would that be considered baiting?

Whether it’s a prank or not, someone walks up on me like that they are going to get what they would as if they were threatening my life. Basically, they are threatening my life as far as I know.

I can see a bad situation on the horizon with this prank.

Could be true, but you lost me at Facebook, that place is full of MADE UP BULLCHIT THAT GETS PASSED AROUND.....

Rule #1- Never let anyone within arms reach or close enough to do physical harm. But, if that can’t be avoided, someone would tote a butt whipping if they cough on me.

KHASB

Castle Doctrine will fix that

They wouldn't forget it if done to me

I’m going with the 7 yard rule unless I know you for the forseeable future. That’s what the doctrine used to be at sub-gun school.

Sorry, do not know what that means.

“Kick his ass Seabass” from the movie “Dumb and Dumber”.

It would be a really bad situation for both of us. I can pretty much guarantee one would be going to the hospital and the other to jail.

If this is indeed happening the perps will cross the wrong person and pay the ultimate price or a pay a price that will be with them for life

I'd think a draw and STOP! Would end this prank quickly.

If they ever wondered what aluminum t ball bats taste like they might find out. Stupid bastards.

Unfortunatly the punks doing this probably aren't going to walk up to someone who they remotely think will whip their ass. They will prey on old and weaker individuals.

Lady at the Cooks office said I talk ugly after one of their peeps walked up to my truck window and started talking. If I gotta stay home and not see my grandkids then you’re gonna piss me off approaching me to try to upsell me on my pest control service.