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????

I could possibly understand their concern about your dh, but not the rest of you.

Ignore! You’re doing nothing wrong. There’s nothing you can say to people who think the Covid that you might not even have is going to waft over the fence and up their noses. Your MIL should keep out of it too.

They are bonkers, I'd ignore them.

@ittakes2

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

Sorry, quote went wrong should have been this one. We couldn’t easily isolate a single family member in our house so wouldn’t bother.

I would respond saying that it is clear from the government guidance that you ARE allowed to be in your garden. She can take it up with the government if she doesn't agree with that.

NHS guidance says you cannot leave home to exercise, it tells you to exercise at home or in your garden.

Therefore NHS guidance says you can be in your garden!

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

This from a PP is perfect.

I would sit right next to the fence and cough very loudly every 5 minutes

If they are older surely they are vaccinated so not at high risk anymore. Just text back "we are within our rights to use our garden as per the government guidelines" and say no more. And ignore any further messages. Also tell your mil to keep her trap shut in future.

They can go out somewhere else if they don’t like it, you can’t. YANBU

Just text back a link to the Gov guidelines and don't engage any further than that. I have just been looking at them due to DC's year being sent home to self isolate, and it clearly states you must be in your house OR garden. so, they are BVU, and so is your MIL, who should have simply replied to them that it was nothing to do with her.

YANBU - Do they not get that there's rather a lot of air outside?!

@Mum233

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

Wasn't that before it became airborne though?

OP tell them to go inside if they're not happy. That's what gardens are for.

You are allowed in your own garden even if you have covid. Its not as if your coughing at them over the fence ffs. Tell them to mind their own business

@ittakes2

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

not that easy in some homes. we have two kids under 4 and if dh was isolating in our room, i'd have to sleep on the couch or the floor in DD's room and would have solo childcare of two toddlers plus work to deal with.

as it is, dh is actually isolating currently as he was named as a direct contact of a positive case at his work. he has to isolate. we don't (confirmed by track and trace people). DH checked whether we were allowed out and about (me and the kids) and they said yes. so me and the kids are temporarily staying with parents, and dh is home alone. this means he's not confined to our room, and can use the garden.

dh has had two negative tests so far. so hopefully things will be back to normal soon

Good responses suggested upthread, I would say:

'Thanks for your kind wishes for our health. The rules allow us to be in our own garden, but you are welcome to stay inside your house if that's where you feel safer. Our self-isolation period ends on 25 June '

So during a (maximum) ten day period, your neighbours are annoyed at you being in the back garden when they have the choice of being anywhere else in the country?

I'd be sending them a new roll of tinfoil. They're going to need bigger hats.

YANBU! They are mental.

This stuff is just beyond stupid. I cannot believe people like this, just ridiculous

It does irritate me to see family in isolation out and about because "outside is safe" and the children "get bored"

but YOUR OWN GARDEN?! You are supposed to stay home, if you are in your garden, you are home.

They are nuts (at least in the UK, the garden has always been an acceptable part of your home).

@BarefootHippieChick

I would sit right next to the fence and cough very loudly every 5 minutes

And yes to this 😂

i'd have to have some fun texting them back....dont know what i'd say but i would make it entertaining

they are batshit

No doubt they were foiled in trespassing in your garden to sneakily use your children's play equipment!

@WouldBeGood

YANBU! They are mental.

This stuff is just beyond stupid. I cannot believe people like this, just ridiculous

Absolutely, reminds me of all the posts on here over the last 18 months from people making up their own version of the rules and lambasting people for not sticking to them.

I'm sympathetic to their fears but you can only go in your garden!!! They can go everywhere! If they felt scared go to the bleeding park.