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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

404 replies

blakeway45 · 17/06/2021 15:07

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????

OP posts:
Jenny70 · 17/06/2021 15:56

I would go similar to the above response, but also suggest they can go to other outdoor areas if they want;
Thanks for your kind wishes for our health. The only outdoor space we are allowed to use under the NHS rules is our own garden, but you are welcome to stay inside your house or walk to a local park if that's where you feel safer. Our self-isolation period ends on XX June

memberofthewedding · 17/06/2021 16:04

I would cut my throat with a rusty saw blade before i gave my vile neighbours my phone number, I would delete and block!

During the first lockdown I was having essential work done on my security system by 2 nephews who installed it. All within the rules of essential maintenance by workprople. NDN was breaking the lockdown by having family including young children visiting and they were sitting out in the garden. Despite my warning them politely that there was going to be a bit of noise one of them was a bit CF with my nephews asking them who they were and what they were doing. Nephew told him to "suck it up" and we tested the alarm 10 times within an hour just for fun.

diddl · 17/06/2021 16:05

Tempting as it is I'm not ure that I'd bother to respond.

That might suggest that they have a point or that they have written something worty of a response.

If you tell them that they are welcome to go inside they'l probably argue that they shouldn't have to as they aren't putting anyone/the whole street at risk.

Don't give them the satisfaction of a chance to argue.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 17/06/2021 16:06

I completely ignore people like this. I wouldn't answer at all. They can go and swivel. If I got a text like that about my son or daughter, however, from their neighbour, I'd tell them to get to fuck.

As for isolating one member of the family in one room, that's just another degree of batshittery that's beyond believable. I've had seasonal influenza twice since having a family, we had norovirus, chickenpox, scarlet fever, slapped cheek, impetigo, foot and mouth and yet it's only since bloody Covid that this insane idea to lock up a person in one room like a fucking leper has come into people's warped minds.

lastcall · 17/06/2021 16:12

Tell them what you're doing is perfectly legal and reasonable and they need to calm down.

Stickyjamhands · 17/06/2021 16:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

prettyvisitor · 17/06/2021 16:18

Tell them to bog off (via your MIL if necessary) and mind their own business.

JeanClaudeVanDammit · 17/06/2021 16:18

They are idiots. Don’t give it a second more headspace and enjoy the garden.

Catflapkitkat · 17/06/2021 16:20

I can't get over them texting your MIL. Unless your MIL is Angela Merkel - what is she going to do?

looptheloopinahulahoop · 17/06/2021 16:21

@Faranth

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!
Why sit on your hands? I think I'd say exactly that Grin

OP have they been vaccinated? If so, it begs the question even more: why are they worried about the non-existent chance of you passing it on outside?

EBearhug · 17/06/2021 16:22

foot and mouth

I assume you mean hand, foot and mouth, osbertthesyrianhamster, else the neighbours probably would have heard about it. Quarantine isn't a new idea to people involved in livestock farming.

Blossomtoes · 17/06/2021 16:22

@Faranth

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!
This. I swear lockdown has addled people’s brains.
Whyhello · 17/06/2021 16:24

If they’re vulnerable they’ll have had both vaccines by now so I’m unsure why they’re still acting like it’s March 2020. They need to get a grip. Vaccinations are supposedly the answer so we all need to move on now and get on with things.

kerryleigh · 17/06/2021 16:26

I swear this virus drove people mental. My NDN fell out with the whole estate because of covid, but this one takes the gold medal Grin.
And telling on you to MIL ...hahahaha

khakiandcoral · 17/06/2021 16:27

@Whyhello

If they’re vulnerable they’ll have had both vaccines by now so I’m unsure why they’re still acting like it’s March 2020. They need to get a grip. Vaccinations are supposedly the answer so we all need to move on now and get on with things.
it's completely irrelevant and not the point.

But as an aside, some people are putting a bit too much faith in "vaccines". They are not a magic potion giving you immunity and the ability to pretend everything is back to normal, especially if you are vulnerable.

(neighbours are bonkers though)

chaosrabbitland · 17/06/2021 16:29

@blakeway45

I haven't replied yet as I don't know what to say!
i think id be inclined to just put piss off and stay in your house if your that worried lol
Peachee · 17/06/2021 16:31

People have gone absolutely mad!!!! Ignore them.. tell your MIL to stop spreading your business around.
What a nightmare. I would be fuming with my pregnancy hormones!
I can’t actually believe how ridiculous this situation is.

pictish · 17/06/2021 16:32

Hi…thanks for your text. We are socially distanced in the appropriate way in the garden but you are welcome to stay inside if it helps you to feel less anxious. Blake.

Sylvan92 · 17/06/2021 16:35

@Bluntness100

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”.

Omg I remember that. You give some people a little bit of power ….
Twoforthree · 17/06/2021 16:38

@osbertthesyrianhamster

I completely ignore people like this. I wouldn't answer at all. They can go and swivel. If I got a text like that about my son or daughter, however, from their neighbour, I'd tell them to get to fuck.

As for isolating one member of the family in one room, that's just another degree of batshittery that's beyond believable. I've had seasonal influenza twice since having a family, we had norovirus, chickenpox, scarlet fever, slapped cheek, impetigo, foot and mouth and yet it's only since bloody Covid that this insane idea to lock up a person in one room like a fucking leper has come into people's warped minds.

I’d have thought it was common sense to avoid your family for some of those conditions - even pre covid.
tttigress · 17/06/2021 16:38

I think there has been so much fear mongering over Covid that some people have gone crazy, the mental effects will stay with them for years.

It is no secret that z lot of the sage group are phycologists.

ClawedButler · 17/06/2021 16:44

Only one way to deal with this. Out-crazy the crazies. It's tempting to reply with something like, "We would go inside but that's where the bat people live."

Hawkins001 · 17/06/2021 16:45

What's the transmission rates for outdoors ?

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 17/06/2021 16:45

Well the fact that it is going to rain non-stop for the foreseeable will probably sort this for you!

Ourlady · 17/06/2021 16:47

I would just text back
Don't be ridiculous and leave it at that
They're crackers!

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