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????

@blakeway45

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

I know what I would want to say, but you don't want to get into a long drawn out argument with your neighbours.

I would text back - "the guidelines say garden use is fine with COVID and you will be perfectly safe" and leave it at that. Don't reply to any more texts, and continue to enjoy your garden.

Perhaps have your DH tell his Mum not to tell everyone your business in future.

So what exactly do you want to happen when you say OP has posted this on a public website. Millions of people reading and subscribing. It won't be long before they're recognised. @Doodlebug71?

Why would it matter if OP is recognised?

@Doodlebug71. You have essentially threatened this family on a public forum. Unacceptable.

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

So what exactly do you want to happen when you say OP has posted this on a public website. Millions of people reading and subscribing. It won't be long before they're recognised. *@Doodlebug71*?

Why would it matter if OP is recognised?

It matters because we're living through an airborne respiratory pandemic. Millions not caring how that affects other people.

Every decision each one of us makes affects other people.

G'night.

Yes, I do. Anyone who reads and heeds science does

Then I genuinely would like to know for my own safety, and my neighbours'.

Assuming it is possible to stay more than 2m away from the neighbours if you are both in your own gardens, which is way more than likely, how could it spread? Please share details / links to info so I can educate myself .

[quote Jellybabiesforbreakfast]@Doodlebug71. You have essentially threatened this family on a public forum. Unacceptable.[/quote]
No, I haven't. I've done nothign of the sort. I've noted that the post is on a public forum, with the visibility that comes with. Sometimes, people need a reminder. This isn't just your friends.. it's whoever looks at MN.

If they are that paranoid they can avoid their garden. They could go for a walk out the front or drive somewhere lovely. You guys are the ones stuck isolating.

sounds like members of tinfoil brigade.

your NDNs are nutbags

I'd tell them to fuck off and from now on everytime your outside cough insanely loud. Maybe even set up camp out there...

@Doodlebug71
I’m genuinely baffled by your posts.
The OP and her family are confined to their home (and garden - quite legally according to the guidelines.)
Are you seriously suggesting they shouldn’t go outside - at all?
Yesterday in my area the temperature reached 29c. Thankfully it’s cooler today but how on earth can you justify keeping them imprisoned on what was the hottest day of the year?

@Doodlebug71

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.

I know.

The delta variant is more transmissible outdoors than previous ones so I certainly wouldn’t be going outside if tested positive.

@BarefootHippieChick

Plot twist, Doodlebug is OPs neighbour

Yep!

@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.

There are several EU countries where they don't wear masks outside. I know for a fact because I've been to them on holiday in the last year and also in Sweden they don't wear them at all...

@helpfulperson there's a difference between having to wear masks outside when you are passing right next to people in streets or on a beach. Private gardens are usually at least as wide as the houses so not clear where the danger lies.

But still waiting for @Doodlebug71 to relieve me of my ignorance by linking me to something to educate me (i did listen at school we didn't cover COVID in my 1970s O'level biology)

Reply and say dear bat shit neighbour we can go in our garden while isolating and the chance of catching Covid from your garden to mine are more chance of being struck by lightning but if your worried stay home .
Also To other posts to say isolate from your dh it really isn’t possible to isolate from your own household unless you have a big house but if you have a fairly ordinary semi with the 1 bathroom , 1 living area like I did then it was impossible and actually pointless because chances of catching it while in close proximity are high hence why you all isolate .

Presumably Doodlebug’s threats are suggesting they’re planning on shopping the OP if they can identify them. Not that shopping them for doing something wholly within both the guidance and the law will be particularly successful but hey ho.

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

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

For many that's just not possible though.

There are 4 of us in a two bedroom house, one bathroom and no separate dining room. Zero point staying in one room all day if sharing a room at night.

Doodlebug is winding you up nobody is this stupid.

@blakeway45 They’re just fearful. Best to assuage their anxiety - acknowledge it and reassure, if you can. Are you able to have a decent distance between neighbours?

@blakeway45

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

Dear neighbours, you can’t catch Covid through the fence, but just in case, feel free to stay indoors. We will be self isolating until xxx. Love the Covid Clan x

Start coughing and they can stay inside....

Ask the neighbours how come they haven't got vaccinated, given that they're this bothered about the virus leaping several yards through the air and over the fence.

Can't believe some people still think it's going to fly over the garden fence and infect them after all this time 🙄

Oh I’d have fun with this op at least you don’t have any annoying neighbours in the garden while your trying to relax as every time you go out they’ll have to go in .