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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

223 replies

bagpuss90 · 10/02/2021 09:40

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.

OP posts:
TheFuckingDogs · 10/02/2021 14:07

Oh god I totally agree OP and you sound measured about things. Had someone scream at my child on a canal towpath in lockdown 1, clearly expected my child to jump into the canal to allow them to “safely” pass. Always seems to be the type who have little understanding that they’re not the centre of the universe

lljkk · 10/02/2021 14:10

A lot of people are clinging to their paranoia as perceived moral high ground. Don't think it was useful to anyone that OP started a thread about this single incident, though.

IrmaFayLear · 10/02/2021 14:13

Heartily agree that it’s the precious “me first” types who really embrace this. It’s always me walking in the road, whilst a smug couple continues to walk two abreast down the pavement.

I remember early in lockdown a pair saying. “Thank you for protecting us! ” as I gave them a very decently-wide berth. No, you self-absorbed plonkers, I was protecting me, actually !

Fembot123 · 10/02/2021 14:21

Yes if she’s that worried she shouldn’t be out.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 10/02/2021 14:25

I need to start shopping where mumsnetter are shopping. Looks pike your shops get lots of action and drama unlike my local shops where no one seems to just randomly shout at others

TheMandalorian · 10/02/2021 14:34

I think actually I have much sympathy with the couple. The woman clearly had some anxiety and was probably not coping very well. But she is as entitled to fresh air and exercise as anyone else. I would just ignore and carry on with my day, with a feeling of empathy. She may not have a garden to get out in.
Also most people don't seem to be practising social distancing anymore. She may have just been reacting to your presence.

SignsofSpring · 10/02/2021 14:41

The stupid thing is that shouting expels air/droplets and is far more risky than quickly walking past someone with your mouth shut.

They are happy to expose you to greater risk, just to express their anxiety.

No sympathy for shouty people in public at all, whatsoever, if you can't go out without shouting (and putting people at greater risk), yes, you do have to stay home.

Fembot123 · 10/02/2021 14:42

@TheMandalorian

I think actually I have much sympathy with the couple. The woman clearly had some anxiety and was probably not coping very well. But she is as entitled to fresh air and exercise as anyone else. I would just ignore and carry on with my day, with a feeling of empathy. She may not have a garden to get out in. Also most people don't seem to be practising social distancing anymore. She may have just been reacting to your presence.
As much as others are entitled not to be shouted at.
Tiktokersmiracle · 10/02/2021 14:50

Yeah I agree OP, there is caution and then there is "don't be so bloody ridiculous and get a grip" isn't there?

I was in CoOp earlier, fully compliant with mask and distance. Some guy stood at the top of the aisle, when I was at the other end. I asked him "sorry, are you thinking I'm in the queue, it's on the other side".
He went wild eyed at me and shouted "NO! ITS CALLED SOCIAL DISTANCING WHICH YOU AREN'T FOLLOWING BY COMING NEAR ME!!!!"
I said "calm down dear, noone is near you, there is a whole aisle between us, get a bloody grip".
He complained to one of the shop staff. Actually complained. She said he does it every time he comes in and she is sick of him. He got the arse about her colleague and complained to head office because he came in when they were stacking shelves. They made space for him, but he told them they needed to move out the aisle while he used it.
She said they would like to ban him but their boss reckons he's the type to do a sad face Daily Mail article

Nanny0gg · 10/02/2021 14:53

@ElephantsNest

You’re probably right in this case but you don’t sound very empathic
You know, I expect nurses and HCPs to be empathetic and sympathetic when they're at work.

Not when they're dealing with Numpties outside it.

airbags · 10/02/2021 14:57

Judgmental. I hope you never have to look after anyone I know. Her age has nothing to do with her mobility etc and it's her choice the speed she walks at. Just walk away - wouldn't kill you to do so, I think there's lots of interaction like this every day, just move on, ignore get on with your life.

Iamnotminterested · 10/02/2021 15:02

Distance, paranoia, mental health issues etc or not, no-one has the right to shout at other people in public, it's just bloody rude and displays a shocking lack of manners.

Squirrelblanket · 10/02/2021 15:15

I have absolutely no sympathy with the people who are over anxious about this. They should stay at home if they are that worried.

The worst part will be when the government eventually announce that we can drop the whole social distancing farce. These will be the people still insisting on doing it and and continuing to shout at other people in the street.

Fembot123 · 10/02/2021 15:16

@airbags

Judgmental. I hope you never have to look after anyone I know. Her age has nothing to do with her mobility etc and it's her choice the speed she walks at. Just walk away - wouldn't kill you to do so, I think there's lots of interaction like this every day, just move on, ignore get on with your life.
It wouldn’t kill you not to reply but here we are anyway 😂
BooFuckingHoo2 · 10/02/2021 15:28

I’m with you OP. I’m a runner and the LOOKS I get for daring to run in the local park Grin. I always move a safe distance for people where possible but often it’s a lot easier for a Walker to stop and allow me to pass safely or move out of the way than it is for me to try and run around them.

Blueeyedgirl21 · 10/02/2021 15:33

@airbags In what world is it judgmental to be irritated or mildly annoyed at being essentially verbally abused loudly by a stranger in public ? What do you think the op should do, get on her knees in front of this lady saying ‘peace my child I am a nurse and the font of all patience’ ? What about the woman who was shouting at her’s compassion and understanding ? OP could have issues which make it difficult for her to understand social situations or have MH problems or SEN herself which make this a frightening encounter. In fact where’s her compassion for a nurse who probably has a stressful job at the moment and is getting some air/alone time and doing absolutely nothing wrong. You’re probably someone who is either related to or are yourself a covid Karen who thinks anyone who dares come near their precious self if deliberately trying to give them the dreaded rona.

ifitpleasesandsparkles · 10/02/2021 15:35

I don't understand how anyone has the energy to even be bothered by this point. Those who are so stressed out that they're looking askance at people for getting too close to them, or even shouting at them... how have you coped this long?

God the energy they must be expending on being so stressed out. I wouldn't have it in me.

Blueeyedgirl21 · 10/02/2021 15:36

@TheMandalorian I know we are in a pandemic and social distancing etc etc but anyone who literally reacts this out of control to the mere presence of a human near them outside is really really not coping and we shouldn’t just accept that it’s ok or just covid anxiety- it’s not normal and I think people having these extreme reactions need real help

PatchworkElmer · 10/02/2021 15:49

Someone did this to DH the other day. He had DS with him- we wondered at the time if the presence of a child made him a (relatively) ‘safe bet’ to take a barrage of abuse and say little to nothing back. I was walking behind them but on the phone to my Mum so didn’t clock what was happening until the woman had cleared off. I’m still cross about it.

airbags · 10/02/2021 15:51

[quote Blueeyedgirl21]@airbags In what world is it judgmental to be irritated or mildly annoyed at being essentially verbally abused loudly by a stranger in public ? What do you think the op should do, get on her knees in front of this lady saying ‘peace my child I am a nurse and the font of all patience’ ? What about the woman who was shouting at her’s compassion and understanding ? OP could have issues which make it difficult for her to understand social situations or have MH problems or SEN herself which make this a frightening encounter. In fact where’s her compassion for a nurse who probably has a stressful job at the moment and is getting some air/alone time and doing absolutely nothing wrong. You’re probably someone who is either related to or are yourself a covid Karen who thinks anyone who dares come near their precious self if deliberately trying to give them the dreaded rona.[/quote]
Judgemental about the speed she’s walking at as a “not old” person. As a fellow HCP I’d say she should know better. as for your many (and wildly incorrect) assumptions about me, the state of the nurse’s mental health and ludicrous suggest that she should drop to her knees and the other drivel you wrote.... jog on love, your opinion and chastisement has given me a giggle and your opinion means nothing to me. I’ve been labelled a ‘COVID Karen’ - hilarious. Thanks for brightening my afternoon .

airbags · 10/02/2021 15:53

@Fembot123

Ditto

Fembot123 · 10/02/2021 15:58

‘Ditto’ only applies if I was complaining, I just thinks it’s silly but you knock yourself out

loobylou10 · 10/02/2021 15:59

I couldn't agree more OP. I am also very mindful of the 2m rule but am sick to death of the people I see outside who look at me like I'm trying to kill them because I want pass them whilst out walking.

If they are that concerned about COVID they shouldn't be outside IMO.

Fembot123 · 10/02/2021 15:59

People who say ‘Karen’ ‘Snowflake’ ‘Covidiot’ to name a few come across as thick.

freddiesmoustache · 10/02/2021 16:12

Have some empathy. Some people are, rightly or wrongly, terrified of covid. Absolutely terrified. They're still entitled to go for a walk. Also suspect that a lot of people recounting tales of when they were 2m away from others were closer than they think.

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