As COVID-19 (coronavirus) spreads across the globe, one dangerous teen trend also started to spread – Twitter is full of stories about teenage jerks laughing and coughing at people.

„We were in Telford shopping centre yesterday, followed in by four people in their late teens early twenties, fake coughing. Really loudly and annoyingly. They start chatting after getting funny looks. The one who was coughing says “well I’ve been tested at least, not had my results back yet” then starts loudly fake coughing again. Such idiots trying to get attention and scare people“, wrote a woman named Nikita on Twitter.

„School group of teens just got on the subway. “It’s corona time,” one yelled and a few others started fake coughing“, wrote Kira Goldenberg.

„These stupid teens coming in my store fake coughing and hacking screaming that they’re “infected lol” touching everything and causing scenes„ wrote another Twitter user.

It seems that this trend is found across the world.

News media in Bosnia reported that a group of teens is fake coughing at people just for fun, and a Twitter user from Australia had a similar experience.

„It’s so weird; I’m a white Aussie, and just getting over a cold. When I go on public transport/to shopping centres I wear a face mask. I had teens following me around fake coughing, thinking I was scared of getting sick“, wrote one Australian Twitter user.

Some people are not taking this new teen trend well.

„So this asshole at the store was getting impatient that I was taking extra time to sanitize my basket before picking it up and started coughing on me ON PURPOSE to mock me and I had a panic attack that brought three other people over to help me because I started crying“, wrote one man who claims to suffer from anxiety.

„To the teenage jerks laughing and coughing at people in grocery stores for wearing masks, you’re an embarrassment bro“, it is a simple message from Twitter user Winnie.

It seems that coughing at people has now became popular among douchebags.

BPT NEWS posted a video on Twitter saying that the fighting started on a plane leaving Saudi Arabia for Lebanon after some drunken passengers refused to wear masks and started coughing on people.

Even professional athletes who should act as role models for kids engage in this kind of behaviour.

In a video circulating on social media, footballer Diego Costa can be seen laughing and aiming coughs in the direction of reporters gathered in Anfield’s mixed zone.

The prank has drawn a mixed reaction but many have criticized the Spanish forward, including his club Atletico.

“Obviously Diego’s actions were unfortunate and the club condemns his action,” Atletico told CNN in a statement.