A Florida woman who went viral for coughing on a cancer patient during the coronavirus pandemic has been sentenced to 30 days in jail.
Debra was sentenced Thursday in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to jail time, she was ordered to pay a $500 fine, complete a mental health evaluation and anger management, and serve six months of probation. She must also cover the cost of the victim’s COVID 19 test. She received credit for one day already served.
Debra was arrested last June after she was recorded inside a Pier 1 store coughing on another customer, Heather, during a verbal argument. According to news reports, the dispute began when Debra was arguing with store staff. Heather started recording on her phone, which reportedly angered Debra, who allegedly threatened to cough on her and then did.
Heather is a cancer patient, which put her at higher risk for complications from COVID 19. She told the judge she searched for days to find a testing location. She tested negative.
Debra’s husband told the court the behavior came from pressure after a house fire left the couple without their belongings. Duval County Court Judge James Ruth was not swayed. According to reports, the judge said Debra did not express regret about the impact on the victim.
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