Aggressive behavior in these times of covid-19 is not limited to shoving or the act of hitting someone on a security guard team’s patrolling of premises. Assertive or aggressive behavior can now include being without a covid mask in the public stores or venues, or coughing or shouting in which air is strongly expelled from the lungs – possibly with covid-19 virus in the droplets.
All of this more attack-type behavior can be spotted in building up by a number of steps or a combination of steps that build. This includes clenched fists, tightening of the face, narrowing of the eyes, flaring of the nostrils, restlessness, subtle or more overt hostility. Verbal threats, of course, are an obvious tell of possible escalating aggression.
For security guards in covid-19 times, there are signs of upcoming aggression which include refusal to wear a mask, lowering the mask off of the nose, agitation on the part of the individual wearing the mask, challenging people on wearing masks. This can also include not being careful with coughing, or sneezing or even talking too loudly. This can also apply to social distancing measures while shopping or being in line for the checkout.
Security guards need to be prepared for these circumstances. Ours are.