To go on long coach journey with a cough?

[Ribrabrob]

I have a cough. It’s not corona virus, however it is a strong, persistent and annoying cough which has lasted a few weeks (I will go to the doctors next week).

I need to make a coach journey next week however I am worried about any nasty remarks or people being concerned I may have the virus! I’m in a country where masks are mandatory everywhere and my temperature would be checked before hand. But it’s also a country where I am noticeably ‘a foreigner’ which may bring more attention to me!

So aibu to take a coach journey with a cough at this time? Would it concern you? I can post pone the journey for a little longer however would rather not do so as it’s basically an ‘essential’ journey.,

How do you know it isn't covid?

Sorry, I forgot to say - it’s a 12 hour journey.

I have been tested for Covid.

How do you know it's not? Have you been tested? I wouldn't personally. Everyone else on the coach will be understandably extremely anxious if you're coughing and spluttering the whole time.

Don’t do it

Don't do it. There's quite a high rate of false negatives on Coronavirus tests, especially the home tests.

Unless it's for a family funeral don't do it. Not because of the risk of spreading Covid (even if it was Covid a cough with no symptoms would not be contagious after 3 weeks) but because it isn't fair on the other passengers who don't know that it isn't Covid.

Really unfair on everyone else to go. Please don't.

I can see you've said you've been tested so know its not Covid, however if you do catch covid between now and the coach trip you'll be spreading the germs so much more by coughing. This is why people with hayfever need to get it under control a lot more this year, as if they are asymptomatic then their hayfever sneezes will unwittingly spread the virus.

Is there another way you can make this journey? Eg drive or ask a friend?

Also, the other people on the coach wont know you've been tested, I think its unfair to everyone to put them in that position.

Delay the trip and see how you are in a couple of weeks.

I wouldn't personally. People are on edge....

I wouldn’t for several reasons. Firstly the tests aren’t 100% accurate. Secondly whatever else is is could well be contagious anyway. Thirdly the other passengers will be understandably concerned if you’re coughing the whole way there - you may get looks / comments and even if you don’t they will probably feel quite uncomfortable.

Put it off.

How selfish!

DH has had a cough for the last 12 years, is he not allowed to go anywhere?

I think you'd be reasonable to go OP, but you will have to deal with people who think you're not.

I have a permanent cough during hay fever season from April to August. Should I never travel during this time?

@WindFlower92

How selfish!

Selfish why?

I don't see the problem. Thousands of people ha e a cough that is not covid. They are allowed to contribute with their lives. It's comments like that which OP was worried about experiencing in real life. What exactly is wrong with people?

OP I would totally go. Fuck staying at home because other people are judgemental twats.

*continue with their lives

My husband has a persistent cough, he's had it for at least the last 20 years. Does that mean he's never allowed to go anywhere?
You've been tested, it was negative. Wear a mask and go.

It’s not selfish, she is merely asking the question. I do wonder how people who have a persistent cough that they KNOW is not Covid are managing at the moment, with the constant presumption that they are walking round spreading some sort of pestilence.

I don't really think you should.

@cuntryclub you have hit the nail on the head, I am so fed up with this stupid judgemental behaviour.

This isn’t a cough you’ve had for years, it’s a relatively new cough, it could be a false negative

I wouldn’t do the trip unless absolutely essential (like for a funeral of an immediate family member) and couldn’t possibly be done any other way that wouldn’t involve possibly putting others at risk.

And I say that as someone with a permanent asthma cough. But I’ve had that for years and it’s not changed. If it suddenly worsened or changed I would follow the guidelines for a new cough.

Oh dear lord, the insane responses in here!

I cough because I have hayfever and asthma, I've had a covid test twice now and both negative. Yet I feel paranoid every time I am about because of the twits the likes of on this thread. Actually joke about getting myself a shirt that says "I have asthma, not covid" FFS.

Go on the trio OP, ignore those who want anyone with historic chest issues which means coughing to hide away in their homes.

Unbelievable

@SunInTheSkyYouKnowHowIFeel genuine question- how are people with hay fever getting it under control this year? Nothing I do controls mine.

OP, you're probably likely to have an uncomfortable journey trying to stop yourself coughing and I think people will be concerned but if you need to go you need to go!

@movingonbackwards I am literally over dosing on antihistamines to stop me coughing and sneezing from awful hay fever. Feel like a leper this year.

Between now and then you could catch Covid and be spreading it through your persistent coughing.

You will make people extremely uncomfortable and I do think it’s selfish. I’d not do it.

Maybe go for another test and if negative go for it! I know a few people who got a false negative.