Assault charge for man accused of coughing on store worker

A Florida man was charged with aggravated assault after allegedly coughing on a cashier and claiming that social distancing precautions for the coronavirus pandemic are “getting out of hand,” according to a police report.

Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Christopher Canfora, 49, of DeBary, on Tuesday.

The cashier at Harbor Freight Tools in Orange City told investigators that Canfora approached her at the cash register and criticized the store’s social distancing measures, which include floor tape marking where customers should stay six feet (two meters) apart.

The employee said Canfora intentionally coughed on her and her register, saying he does the same thing when he sees people wearing masks, and would go later go to a grocery store to cough there.

Canfora told deputies that he works in emergency medical services, though the arrest report didn’t say where. He also denied coughing on anyone and said he does not have any symptoms related to the virus. He said he didn’t expect anyone to understand his sense of humor.

Jail records didn’t list an attorney for him.