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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Covid

I can hear next door coughing

101 replies

Likeacatoutofhell · 05/09/2020 07:58

My neighbours (a young couple) seem to have a developed a cough over the last few days.
Obviously in recent times I wouldn’t have cared, but they’ve been going out in the car most days. They have a small child who I think they struggle with as I’ve seen the mother crying on more than one occasion.

What can I do? They should be isolating if they have coughs and they definitely sound continuous.

OP posts:

Report

JemIsMyNameNooneElseIsTheSame · 05/09/2020 07:59

Well, there's nothing you can do.

AuntieStella · 05/09/2020 08:02

Yes, with a new and frequent cough people should be staying in until they test negative.

You don't know their medical circumstances, but I agree it could be Covid (though there are other possibilities)

If you're seeing her crying frequently, then do you think she'd appreciate some neighbourliness? You might want to socially distance until you know whether any of them might be contagious, but that doesn't mean zero contact

LovelyWeekAway · 05/09/2020 08:02

How do you know they haven’t had a postal test delivered and had negative results ?

Or have you been watching out for the postal courier too ?

This is bonkers , that neighbours are now thinking about this through the wall

MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 05/09/2020 08:02

Get a grip? Are you the cough police? Wind your neck in. They might have a bad cold. Probably more likely.

Multipack5678 · 05/09/2020 08:03

Do you have any red paint? If so, you could paint a cross on their door to warn the community. If you have time you could also ring a bell when they leave the house.

KitKatastrophe · 05/09/2020 08:03

How do you know they havent already tested negative?

Gurtcha · 05/09/2020 08:03

How to you know they haven’t just got a cold and have tested negative?

I’d hitch up my big girl pants if I were you OP, cold and ‘flu season it’s on its way and you don’t want to be clutching at those pearls every 5 minutes.

tempnamechange98765 · 05/09/2020 08:04

Mind your business!

You don't know if they've had a test? My toddler had a temperature so he got tested - negative. My neighbours could still have seen him looking hot and flushed.

YellowandGreenToBeSeen · 05/09/2020 08:05

I genuinely think - and there’s been some strong competition - that this is the most batshit crazy thing I’ve read about coronavirus. Ever.

OP, you do not need to do anything. At all.

Mummyto3gorgeousgirlies · 05/09/2020 08:06

Maybe one of the trips out was to get tested and they since got a negative result so free to go out and about - we have to put our faith in people - (which yes is a somewhat scary thought) - that they do the right thing...

babblingbumblingbandofbaboons · 05/09/2020 08:07

Er. You could be my neighbour. I have a cough, developed over the past few days, along with other symptoms like a runny nose, stuffy head, sneezing and generally feeling a bit under the weather. Otherwise known as the cold. If you were my neighbour I’d bet you would really only hear me coughing, none of the other symptoms would be visible/audible to you and I can assure you I do not have Corona (weekly testing). Best thing you can do is keep your nose out!

FelicityPike · 05/09/2020 08:08

Maybe it’s just a cough and they’ve had a negative Covid test?
You could be describing me.

tearinyourhand · 05/09/2020 08:08

@Multipack5678

Do you have any red paint? If so, you could paint a cross on their door to warn the community. If you have time you could also ring a bell when they leave the house.

And maybe some planks to nail over their doors, front and back, to stop them leaving the house.

HelloMissus · 05/09/2020 08:09

FFS.

Alexandernevermind · 05/09/2020 08:10

Do you have any red paint? If so, you could paint a cross on their door to warn the community. If you have time you could also ring a bell when they leave the house.
^^ my favourite comment.
They might be asthmatic - seasonal asthmatics have their symptoms starting up again this time of year.
Leave them alone re the cough, but try to reach out to the lady who could be suffering from depression.

yarncakes · 05/09/2020 08:10

My DH also keeps coughing. It's a cold though, not COVID. Why are you bothered so much?

MRex · 05/09/2020 08:11

Trips out could be to be tested and could also be to go to the hospital or GP. They might also have tested negative, other bugs still exist or perhaps one is coughing from lung cancer.

Deep breath, keep on with your own day. If you're concerned for their welfare then you could ring the bell, step well back and ask if they need any help.

WhateverThePace · 05/09/2020 08:11

Unlikely to be Covid. This is the season for coughs and colds!

You could pop a note through their door asking if they’re ok and do they need any shopping etc.

If it reassures you, our family have had multiple nasty coughs (and always tested negative including the antigen test!) DD and I have asthma so when we get a cold it usually goes to our chests.

I’ve also heard our neighbours coughing. One had a hacking cough at the height of the pandemic but I assume he’d been tested as he was still out and about and in his garden etc.

Yellowbutterfly1 · 05/09/2020 08:12

Words fail me

GreyishDays · 05/09/2020 08:16

My daughter had a cough. You’d have seen us on Tuesday going out in the car at 8am. Back at 9.30am. (Going for a test.)
Everyone coming and going the next day as usual (test was back 6am.).

Many people are not getting tested for a cough though. You don’t know whether they have or not.

FizzyPink · 05/09/2020 08:16

Maybe she’s been doing lots of cleaning and the dust has given her a tickle.

I think you need to find something else to worry about

loulouljh · 05/09/2020 08:18

Flippin eck. Just mind your own business! People are allowed to cough in their own house without fear of some neighbour taking that and inferring all sorts!!!! Please.

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mummmy2017 · 05/09/2020 08:20

Do you think the virus can crawl through your wall?

Bol87 · 05/09/2020 08:31

Well here’s what you could do OP. You’ve seen a mother with a young child repeatedly crying. You could be a nice neighbour & when you see her, ask if all is OK? Or just strike up a nice conversation about their child & how things are going during Covid etc..

You can also stick your nose right out their business in regards to their coughs. You’ve no idea if they’ve been tested & it was negative. You’ve no idea where they are going in their car.

And finally, you’d best get used to people coughing as we head into winter. Cos people do cough all the time. It isn’t going to change this winter.

BringMeThatHorizon · 05/09/2020 08:31

My toddler and I both had an awful cough a few weeks ago. We must have sounded horrendous when we were out playing in the garden. We got tested straight away though and it was negative. How do you know they haven't also had a negative test? It's not up to you to decide they shouldn't be leaving their house.

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