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????

You're doing nothiing wrong by being on what is your property when isolating.

@Alternista

“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!”

Love this actually. It’s polite, factual, reasonable and pleasant. There’s nothing they can say to that. They’ll be furious.

I don't think they are being ridiculous. They are wrong and in the UK you can use your garden when self isolating but given that we are about the only EU country not to wear masks outside there is obviously a concern even if much less than inside.

id reply "are you kidding me. The garden is the only place we ARE allowed, to go. We are not even ill. "

@helpfulperson

I don't think they are being ridiculous. They are wrong and in the UK you can use your garden when self isolating but given that we are about the only EU country not to wear masks outside there is obviously a concern even if much less than inside.

You’re allowed in your garden without masks in all eu counties.

YANBU. They are being ridiculous. These are the kind of people that would have us locked up forever

Insane. Only retired people think like this.

Yanbu

That is insane!!

A family in our street had covid and told neighbour when you come out to your garden we will go back in. The neighbour said "don't bother, you stay in your garden as much as you like we can go to the park if we want" that is how it should be. Not trying to stop people isolating as a precaution using their own garden!!

'Hi bonkers neighbour/overly invested MIL, I'm sorry you're feeling so anxious about this. We're following all the rules and guidance very carefully so as not to put others at risk. The guidance says to stay in our house and garden. There's more information here: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/. blakeway45"

Woman up!

Text your MIL back and say to her that you hope you told them not to be so ridiculous and to leave you and your family alone as you’re doing NOTHING WRONG!

And I’d make sure to text the neighbours myself and tell them the same.

Your neighbours are paranoid af.

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

Going against the grain slightly, in that I do not find the above amusing. Of course the OP and family can be in their own garden BUT with a CEV husband who although vaccinated (it does not work as well because of his auto-immune condition) I admit I would be nervous should the gardens be very close together, especially is someone with positive coughed at the dividing fence. I would never say anything and we would of course stay inside ourselves...but I would probably be upset and extra careful, hence not going outside when they do. I know everybody will disagree with me, and that's fine, I understand, but I am just trying to be honest at what this pandemic has turned me into.

Did MIL tell them your confidential info? It’s up to you who you tell. If you haven’t tested positive just say no I’ve not tested positive for Covid. If they are usually ok and reasonable neighbours is just say only DH positive you are following all guidance and it’s fine to use garden see link.

When I got Covid I bought a giant marquee and stretched it across the whole garden so that the ropes were hooked round tree trunks. That way when the 'old bill' came round to check I explained to them it was a garden mask and they were fine with that.

For Gods sake!

Tell them to stop licking the fence then.

Tell them to stop licking the fence then.

OMG dying here rofl best response yet

This is so unreasonable of them. Asides from the ridiculousness, lack of scientific basis and what you're going being entirely legal (obviously)... Just imagining for a second that covid does spread over fences.... They think you should be the ones to stay inside so they have the pleasure of using their garden as well as everywhere else?! Just no. I wouldn't even reply.

Given they are your direct neighbour, and it’s not ideal (putting it mildly) to fall out, I’d send a polite text pointing them to the research re proximity for transmission and that you’re following all the rules, staying in your own space and obviously do not wish to spread it anywhere. The below is a good reference source (see the bit under ‘environment’.

But yes, bonkers and really unreasonable of them.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/945978/S0921_Factors_contributing_to_risk_of_SARS_18122020.pdf

Your DH has tested positive with a respiratory airborne virus. You are all outside, and can't work out why your neighbours are livid that you're all outside. OKaaay. Glad you're not our neighbours.

They have the whole wide world at their disposal. They can walk out of their front door and go anywhere they like.

The only outside space you are legally allowed to be in is your back garden.

Why is it you who should staying out of the garden and not them?

@supersonicsue

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

Going against the grain slightly, in that I do not find the above amusing. Of course the OP and family can be in their own garden BUT with a CEV husband who although vaccinated (it does not work as well because of his auto-immune condition) I admit I would be nervous should the gardens be very close together, especially is someone with positive coughed at the dividing fence. I would never say anything and we would of course stay inside ourselves...but I would probably be upset and extra careful, hence not going outside when they do. I know everybody will disagree with me, and that's fine, I understand, but I am just trying to be honest at what this pandemic has turned me into.

It's not what this pandemic has turned you into. It's what it's turned other people into. This thread has so many examples of such people.

Except, the pandemic hasn't turned people into anything. They were like this all along. How horrible does a person have to be to think it's acceptable to risk infecting neighbours with this?

"Don't be ridiculous!" is the defence cry from people who don't give a shit about anyone else.

@Jellybabiesforbreakfast

They have the whole wide world at their disposal. They can walk out of their front door and go anywhere they like.

The only outside space you are legally allowed to be in is your back garden.

Why is it you who should staying out of the garden and not them?

Because *they have a person who tested positive to an airborne respiratory virus.

The Delta variant spreads faster and easier.. perhaps they're concerned about that.

@Doodlebug71. Well, if the neighbours are worried, they can stay inside, can't they?

They can't be that concerned if they're out in the garden.