To think if you’re that paranoid about covid perhaps you should stay at home

[bagpuss90]

Apologies for yet another covid thread . Just for the record-I’m a trained nurse -I’ve also taught infection control . I’m very respectful of the two metre rule. I’ve stuck to the rules throughout. Yesterday I was out with my dog - there was a man and woman ahead of me . I wanted to overtake them as they were walking very slowly. They were not old people by the way. I walked well over two metres away from them to do this. Probably more like three metres. We were on a piece of open space .The woman began shouting at me about covid. Telling me there are rules. I pointed out I was nowhere near her. Her husband actually told her to calm down. I accept she may have underlying health issues. I also accept people are scared . But am I being unreasonable in thinking that you can’t go out and shout ( throwing lots of droplets out then anyway) at anyone remotely near you - you just can’t . If you really are that paranoid then perhaps stay at home. I’m sure I will get flamed here.

From a fellow nurse, you sound very judgmental OP.

I agree with you...i had a man dramatically jump out of my way in the supermarket just before Xmas...he was trying to wait until the aisle was empty before going down that one....completely ridiculous as the shop was heaving.

Just why did you post this pointless item?

I meant i agree with Op not the stupid comment above from the fellow nurse.

You’re probably right in this case but you don’t sound very empathic

YANBU.
There are always options that people can take if they are worried:
Wear a mask outside if someone gets closer than you'd like.
Move away from people that are too close.
Walk at a different time
Walk in a different place.

Im quite high risk, I'm also very worried.

Im doing all I can to reduce the risks that I encounter.
I wouldn't find myself shouting at people when there's still things I could do to lower that risk from my end.

I agree.

We are all doing our best to be sensible and safe but the reality is if you decide to go outside you are putting yourself at some degree of risk - so unless you are prepared to accept that then you need to really limit your excursions.

Of course this lady may well have a reason for the outburst - mental health etc. So I wouldn’t look into one occasion and necessarily make a judgement on that person, but I do agree with your general sentiment of having to accept risk outside of your house (even with people being as sensible as they can be)

Meant to add that I accept she may have mental health issues- but ...

I'm this instance I agree op. You can't go out and expect no one else to. It's like the people going to beaches last summer and complaining they were busy

What mental health issues make someone like this....heard so much about ‘mental health issues’ maybe being the cause of someone’s unreasonable behaviour but only here on mumsnet!!

I voted YABU - because I think you are wrong to generalise about the 'paranoid' and it's just plain wrong to expect those who might benefit considerably from outdoors exercise to be deprived of it.

For context - the shielded are no longer barred from daily outdoors exercise. So even for CEV the benefits outweigh the risks.

And MH conditions can be considerably exacerbated by remaining indoors.

People can be rude to others for all sorts of reasons when out and about, including unprovoked and ill-founded ranting.

I tend to feel sorry for people who do that, not seek to tidy them away out of sight and compound their issues

I agree OP, if people are really that concerned they should go back to their bunker

I do see that However whilst I don’t know if this was a one off incident, it may well be upsetting to a lot of other people if this woman regularly shouts at everyone anywhere near her. Also she may end up doing it to the wrong person. Sadly not everyone is a nice person and someone may well react very badly towards her .

I had a similar thing happen in my local shop. It's very small so only 3 people allowed in. I was standing further back from a woman than the 2m stickers on the floor but she said "move back!!" I was really pissed off as I rarely go out and always keep my distance.

Thinking about it later though I came to the conclusion that she was probably only there because she was desperate for something and was probably very scared.

Just let it go OP. This thing has got everyone on a knife-edge.

I agree.
I’ve not been shouted at, but the dagger looks and over exaggerated shrinking away is annoying.
Also, the people who stop on the path as your are coming towards each other. They stop and wait for you to pass them, when there is plenty of room for you both to continue walking and pass each other.

It’s like a weird unnecessary sort of way of saying ‘look at me - I’m being so careful and considerate and aware’ but it serves no purpose at all!

I think the whole country needs a proper good counselling session

The amount of anxiety this has all produced is incredibly unhealthy.

I agree.

In my experience, anyone who used the phrase 'I am trained nurse' , isn't.

YANBU. I don't agree you sound judgemental. It's a fair statement. If you can't leave your house without shouting at people who are acting well within the rules then you have the problem, not them. You can't just go round shouting at everyone who comes anywhere near you. People exist outside your house, if you don't want to come into contact with anyone at all, stay at home.

@echt

Just why did you post this pointless item?

Why did you open it to post this pointless reply?

Blame the media for constantly whipping up anxiety.

I saw a similar thing recently where a man was going on and on at a woman for passing him and his family (more than 2ms!).

His wife looked mortified. It was really embarrassing and honestly everyone was just rolling their eyes.

Yes that may not sound very empathetic. Yes he may have anxiety. Yes he may be vulnerable. But seriously there is only so long you can use that as an excuse to be an arse to other people acting well within the guidelines without them getting fed up imo. Your health issues don't give you the right to aggressively shout at people in the street for doing nothing wrong and go unchallenged.

ReggieCat- I’m not boasting about it -I’ve not practised for 20 years . I’m not claiming to be a covid expert. I’ve just got a grasp of infection control that’s all

I agree OP. If you had been barging past them with inches to spare tehn she would have reason to be annoyed wven in non covid times. You weren't though, you were being thoughtful and courteous.
People that are so frightened that they are shouting at others from a distance really need to have a think about whether they should be out in public. There is no need for being aggressive towards people.

I think YABU to think people should stay home. I’m also surprised you don’t know better than to recognise an anxious or unwell person, and clearly back off in a calm and sensible manner.