ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Do you know someone who’s always sneezing or coughing without covering their face? A St. Louis alderman thinks there oughta be a law against that.
The St. Louis Board of Alderman is considering a bill on Tuesday that would prohibit anyone who spits, coughs or sneezes intentionally on an essential worker – punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines of $250-$500.
The bill defines essential workers as police officers, firefighters, EMTs, medical workers, restaurant employees, news reporters, mechanics and those who work in other essential services.
Ward 24 Alderman Bret Narayan will introduce Bill No. 11 on Tuesday, hoping for it to become effective with a signature by Mayor Lyda Krewson. It would remain in effect until July 1, 2021. He says you can’t expect everyone to have common sense.
"If common sense was as common as we would hope, we wouldn't have to have a lot of the laws we have," Narayan says. "But we're in an unprecedented moment right now and I think that legislation like this looks out for the well being of the citizens."
Opponents of the bill say it will too difficult to determine if a sneeze, cough or spit was intentionally or not.