Letter to the Editor: An incident of unsafe and disresepectful behavior

I’m writing about an incident that happened to me this past Saturday. I called in a takeout order from an Asian restaurant on South Main Street. I knew that they would be busy, so I waited at home for approximately 20 minutes or so. I then got in my vehicle and drove to the restaurant.

There was a group of about eight people waiting outside for their orders. All were wearing masks including myself. Everyone there was practicing safe distancing. A new male customer in his late 30s or early 40s joined the group. He was not wearing a mask and he positioned himself directly in back of me. I moved to another spot and he followed me. I looked back and moved again to another location. I got the feeling that he knew he was bothering me. He didn't follow this time. Instead he twice discharged some spit onto the sidewalk. I looked at him but just stepped further away without saying anything.

Sunday afternoon was a beautiful day but the only thing I dwelled on was the ignorance of this individual and that I didn't have the courage to say something to him. If the same opportunity were to occur again, I would definitely react differently.

I’m in my 70s and I don't ask for respect, but don't disrespect me or disrespect people who are trying to best deal with the current coronavirus pandemic.

Joe Soares

Fall River