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 - I think that at first people tended to overestimate the risk of the virus outdoors and underestimate the risk indoors. The latter seems to be a much greater risk than the former. I obviously wouldn't recommend chatting over the fence with your neighbours, but I don't think just being in your garden is a big risk to them. And if they are worried, they can go elsewhere.You can't.

Like others, however, I would recommend that your dh, who actually has it, should isolate himself from the rest of you as much as possible. I would also recommend it for chickenpox, flu, and many of the other conditions mentioned.

YANBU but your DH should be isolating himself from you and your children, shouldn't he?

Blimey. They can keep away from the fence if they need to. Tell your MIL to keep her big gob shut.

Your neighbours are bat shit. I hope at least one of them is on Mumsnet and they read & recognise this.

Can you your mil to telling everyone your personal business

and tell the neighbours to f off (or just ignore)

Absolutely bonkers. Just smile, nod and go about your business.

I think your neighbours hide out on MN, muttering about you on every other thread...

@tttigress

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.

It was the governments own messaging in the early days to people who were shielding....telling them that they shouldn't open their windows, so I guess I can see where the level of fear has come from. Hopefully they'll back off if you send them the guidelines.

Ah thats given me flashbacks to mners who claimed no one was allowed in their own back garden during the first lock down. Along with other random made up rules that make no sense.

Good Times!

Yanbu.

I’d have thought it was common sense to avoid your family for some of those conditions - even pre covid.

Sadly common sense doesn't get you the space to isolate away from family. Two adults, one bedroom flat = no option but to get on with it.

“Thanks Sue. We checked the government guidance at the start and being in our own garden is permitted, as outdoor transmission is so unlikely. Here’s the link if you’d like to read it
Hope you and Ron are keeping well. What beautiful weather we’re having, aren’t we- long may that continue!”

@Trevsadick

Ah thats given me flashbacks to mners who claimed no one was allowed in their own back garden during the first lock down. Along with other random made up rules that make no sense.

Good Times!

Yanbu.

Yes, @Trevsadick and there was a poster who wouldn’t go in her garden in case the germs floated over

@drinkingwineoutofamug

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

Even then, that's actually an overstatement. The law doesn't distinguish between front and back gardens. They're entitled to be in the latter too. There's also nothing to prevent them from speaking to anyone who might be in adjoining gardens or on the road, even it it means being within two metres. People can still be in their gardens as they wish.

I think I might be tempted to respond with "who this?"

@Trevsadick

Ah thats given me flashbacks to mners who claimed no one was allowed in their own back garden during the first lock down. Along with other random made up rules that make no sense.

Good Times!

Yanbu.

The Covid infected park benches! Bread and milk are not essential. You're only allowed out for one hour a day.

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

I’d have thought it was common sense to avoid your family for some of those conditions - even pre covid.

Sadly common sense doesn't get you the space to isolate away from family. Two adults, one bedroom flat = no option but to get on with it.

And one bathroom. But you know, this is MN land.

I would just tell them the fact. That you are not breaking rules, it's unlikely to spread the virus to them, etc.

A fair amount of people have become very unhinged about the virus pandemic, and are best ignored. No words can make them normal now.

Don’t even entertain your neighbours. Some people really need a head wobble.

Yes covid IS airborne.
But that doesn’t mean that when you are OUTDOORS, then you will infect anyone. It’s still a very low of transmission.
However, it means that when you are INDOORS, then being 2 metres apart isn’t enough. (Which also probably renders self isolating in your bedroom for 2 weeks useless too)

I think if you've had a positive test you should be extra cautious but you have every right to be in your own garden. There is no risk to them. If it causes them anxiety they need to be the one to move inside not you.

Don't add any text to it just screen shot NHS guidance and send them that .

Oh ignore. If they contact your MIL again make sure she knows to tell them to talk to the hand as well.

You are entitled to be in your garden. Obviously don't go looking over the fence breathing into your neighbour's garden but considerate and sensible enjoyment of your own garden is fine.

When we were in isolation it showed. My kids had fun playing in the garden making snowmen. They felt well and it helped pass the time for them in a fun way. It also helped their mental wellbeing as having a Covid positive parents is scary for children who know full well everyone is trying to avoid catching it.

When I was feeling very rough with my own symptoms sitting in the garden and getting fresh air helped me too.

I would politely explain to your neighbours that access to fresh air is important for all of your healths. That you won't be close to their fence and they are not at risk. They can of course avoid going in their garden if they prefer because they can leave their house and get fresh air elsewhere. You can't.

I hope your DH recovers soon and that the rest of you are ok.

• showed = snowed!