Neighbours pis*ed off we're in our garden when isolating

[blakeway45]

Me, DH and 2x DC (age 4 and 2) are isolating due to DH testing positive (the issues that come with this could be a whole other post in itself!).

Neighbours know we are isolating as they know my MIL well.

Yesterday we spent most of the day in and out of the garden. We're all feeling fine, kids have been playing in their paddling pool and on their slide and I've been pottering about and sunbathing. We also had lunch in the garden as a family.

Neighbours are livid we're in the garden when isolating because we could pass it to them over the fence?! I appreciate COVID is making everyone worry in lots of ways, but we are not breaking ANY rules in doing and it's OUR garden?! I'd be going insane if we had no outside space! Although the gardens run alongside each other all the way down, the gardens are pretty wide, it's not like we're sharing a space or are massively on top of each other?! There's a fence and a great big bush between us for goodness sake!!!

They have text me and called my MIL saying they're not pleased we're outside while we have COVID and they'd appreciate it if we'd be more careful and not pass it along the street?!

AIBU????

YANBU!
Stupid neighbours. Honestly I don't know what I'd do in your position but I certainly wouldn't stay out of my own garden.
What did your MIL say to them?

YANBU They are mental

I think if they are so worried they should go inside. YANBU to use your own garden.

YANBU although I guess I could imagine a set up where the fence was very low and the gardens very narrow meaning your could in fact be very close without anywhere for them to move to. Even as I type that it sounds ridiculous. YANBU.

I haven't replied yet as I don't know what to say!

Had they ever given any clues before that they were complete lunatics?!

You could have a brilliant conversation with them about it .

In the early days (March 2020) there was a few myths about it being passed over distance. I was shielding and I remember being terrified of going into the garden. However I think that was found to be incorrect and that it would need closer contact x

You have a MIL problem.

They would have been none the wiser, why did your MIL feel that your news and information was hers to share ?

Tell them to bugger off. You are doing nothing wrong and you haven’t left your property.

They have made up their own version of "the roolz" here and are trying to dictate that you follow them. Don’t!

Tell your MIL to stop telling people your business

I would reply with this 😂🤣

God, I'd have to sit on my hands not to reply that they're free to go anywhere they like on the bloody planet that isn't within 2m of you, but as you're currently only allowed in your garden and house you're not able to move away if they insist on being in your back pocket!

Oh, and I would be making sure I spent as much time as possible in the garden now. Just to piss the twats off as much as possible. I’d enjoy their reactions. It would form part of my daily entertainment.

Tell them to Fuck Off.

Or, if you're feeling polite, send them this link:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-55680305

I’m guessing the mil didn’t realise they’d react like that.

Just text back and say it’s not transmitted like that but understand if they would prefer to stay inside.

Remember the police woman who hit the media who told a family they weren’t allowed in their garden during lock down and uttered the infamous words “the virus doesn’t stop at your garden”.

Mental.
Ignore

I thought your husband is meant to be isolating from the rest of the family?

Just reply saying you are not breaking any of the rules, you are allowed to go in your garden whilst self isolating but if they feel that worried about it then maybe they should stay in their house.

And the tell MIL to stop stirring the shit with people you live next door to.

Height of ridiculousness

Ignore them!

This link : www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/

Or this link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Both say it is appropriate to be in your private garden when isolating with COVID.
Eg “ Take exercise within your home, garden or private outdoor space. Follow the general advice to reduce the spread of the infection within your household.”

They are ridiculous! They expect children to stay inside? They can stay in if they’re that bothered.

“Dear idiots, I’m sure you didn’t mean to suggest that children should be kept inside while at home isolating - can you imagine? (Laughter emoji) Of course you realise we are quite entitled to use our back garden - and all the evidence shows there is no covid risk - but we completely understand your decision to stay inside yourselves to ease your anxiety. Must be so hard for you to manage this condition!”

@ittakes2

I thought your husband is meant to be isolating from the rest of the family?

He may not be able to, not everyone can. We wouldn't be able to so would carry on as normal in our home.

@partyatthepalace

Mental. Ignore

Not that easy in many homes. It wouldn’t be in ours and we wouldn’t bother with it.

Would be helpful if husband kept to one room to avoid infecting the rest of you though!

2 of my neighbours have covid atm.
They were asked by track and trace if the back garden was in closed. As it is its fine . Just not allowed to fraternise in the front garden.
Our gardens are attached. Doesn't bother me
Hope hubby feels better soon