As Americans try to slow the spread of COVID-19 by keeping their distance from the respiratory droplets of strangers, two women were charged Monday in Kitsap County Superior Court for spitting on others.

In one incident on Friday, a woman in a Bremerton brewery and restaurant started kicking and spitting on employees, a traumatic event for employees who had to restrain her while using pizza boxes to protect themselves.

In the other, a Kitsap County sheriff's deputy responding to a domestic violence call was spat upon by a woman. Deputies fitted her with a mesh hood to keep her spit from flying, but she was able to free herself from it while in the back of the deputy's car.

Though it is not uncommon for people to be prosecuted for spitting on others — spitting on an officer can be prosecuted as felony assault — it is more alarming as Americans take extra precautions to not come into close contact with each other.

Timothy Johnson, general manager and brewer for Der Blokken Brewery, said before opening, the 35-year-old woman walked inside the kitchen at 1100 Perry Avenue without permission and refused to leave. She appeared normal at first but then turned on employees, spitting on three and kicking one, according to court documents.

“This was the wrong time for this to be going on,” said Johnson, who noted employees were left shaken. He said the employees were evaluated and are in good health and the brewpub remains open for carry-out orders.

The woman, who also assaulted the Bremerton police officer trying to arrest her, was charged with second-degree burglary, third-degree assault and fourth-degree assault.

In the second case, deputies were called Sunday afternoon to the 14000 block of Sandy Hook Road outside Poulsbo after receiving reports that a 33-year-old woman had threatened to stab her boyfriend. Investigators later determined no one felt threatened by the woman’s statement. Before that, however, when trying to question the woman, she walked away and refused to stop, according to court documents.

As deputies handcuffed the woman and took her to a patrol car, the woman tried to kick the deputy. As the deputy tried to read the woman her rights, she spat in his face.

While in the back of the car the woman was able to twice slip out of handcuffs and the mesh hood deputies placed on her to keep her from spitting on them again.

The woman was charged with third-degree assault.