Just got shouted at in a coffee shop for coughing in public 🥴

[wildgreyocean]

I know I’m not being unreasonable here but I just need some reassurance! I was in a coffee shop after popping to the shops and got a tickle in my throat. I’ve had a cold all week but nothing too severe. I coughed and next thing I know an old man is shouting at me that I’m being selfish and should be self isolating at home, and “don’t I know the NHS is on its knees?!”

AIBU to think this is a total overreaction to a cough?!

Totally with you, I’m the same. The cough is at its loudest, most annoying, attention-grabbing, sending me into a fit of hacking, after I’ve finished being ill and I know I’m not infectious anymore. I’m perfectly well apart from a deep tickle which unexpectedly strikes. I get quite panicky with it if I’m indoors in public as I feel trapped and self conscious. People who judge it can get in the bin. They’ve no idea what germs they might be catching off the person who isn’t making any noise.

That is really bloody rude. I actually can’t be bothered to engage with you. Go right ahead with your self righteousness.

I’m coming up to week 5 of congestion and cough exacerbated by asthma following a cold. I had a similar episode earlier in the year - seems to be just how colds affect me now, frustratingly. I’m tired from the coughing but otherwise perfectly well.

The idea I might confine myself to barracks for months of the year, only going out for walks in the park or to get a takeaway coffee - never stopping, for fear of stressing others - is just absurd.

I hate that one of the lingering effects of covid seems to be that many view it as a moral duty to sequester yourself away for having even the most minor bugs.

It’s a genuine question because my dad is coughing probably 90% of the time due to COPD. It sounds awful, but it’s harmless.

It's hard to be annoyed at people like this even if they are being very rude. Some people are terrified. Especially they older generation who watch or listen to the news quit a lot. I wouldn't take it personally.

No one can know for certain when they are contagious. Most colds will have about a week where you are the most contagious, a day or two before symptoms and about five days with symptoms. You can be contagious for a few weeks but there is less risk as it goes on.

Anyone is allowed to go out whenever they like. I try to avoid doing so when I have symptoms other than a post-viral cough.

Sorry? The OP has lung cancer now does she? If I heard a raspy cough like the OP describes I would feel uneasy yes.

I despair.

I have asthma. It sometimes makes me cough. Am I supposed to stay at home and away from society for ever, just in case someone hears me coughing and thinks I'm spraying deadly germs all over them?

Honestly, it's not the prospect of catching flu that scares me, it's the sound of someone else hacking up that makes my skin crawl. I'd feel sympathy for them way before any anger.

Then again there are so many other things that can happen to anyone at any time. Flu? Cold? Get jabbed up and relax. Car suddenly comes off the road? Terrorist attack? Yeah, I'd rather have the flu, thanks.

That would be a ridiculous overreaction to an ordinary cold. Life would come to a standstill if everyone did that.

I’m quite glad I’ve had my sinus surgery now seeing how people turn into nutters. I used to be able to sneeze 20-30 times in a row, for no other reason than my sinuses were irritated. Usually happened during hay fever season. It was horrendous

I never described it as “raspy”

It is

From the Guardian

“An NHS leader has said people who are unwell with flu “must” wear a mask in public.

A UK government official has said if you need to go out while sick, you should only “consider” wearing a mask.
So what is the official advice, how serious is the threat posed by flu, and what should you do if have symptoms?

What did the NHS leader say?
Speaking to Times Radio, Daniel Elkeles, the chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said the UK was experiencing a “very nasty strain of flu” and people with flu or cold symptoms “must” wear a mask in public.

• Stay Home if Possible: If you have symptoms, avoid visiting others if you can.

Essentially, if you're coughing and going near unwell or vulnerable people, masking up is a simple way to be considerate and follow current best practices for infection control

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “If you have flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature, cough or are feeling tired and achy – limit contact with others, especially those at higher risk.
“Wash your hands regularly, keep indoor spaces well-ventilated, and if you need to go out while unwell, consider wearing a face mask.”

No, but you are one of the many posters who has said anyone with a cough should stay at home. A PP said she has a cough as she lung cancer.

Colds are horrible to have but they are so common that if everyone stayed at home when they had one the country wouldn’t be able to function and kids would never go to school or nursery.

If you have genuine flu or a chest infection then yes don’t spread it around. But simply coughing or sneezing should be acceptable in public. We have all had random sneezes or even choked on our own saliva for no reason.

Some of the selfish arseholes on this thread appear to think so.

and an awful lot of hospitals are

So it’s not actually NHS guidance, and instead is the opinion of one man?

I work for the NHS. when they say we have to wear masks, maybe I’ll consider it.

They’re not.

As per the NHS this weekend they’re functioning as normal. Levels of people in hospital with flu are no higher than usual.

Not from ordinary colds.

Did anyone say that? Or did they just say ‘maybe don’t go for a completely unnecessary coffee out’

No @blacksax because you have asthma which isn’t contagious

If I was the same and someone shouted at me I’d simply respond with ‘I have asthma’

Listen, you do you OP. Are you happy that a lot of posters have cheered you on for being out and about while ill? Good luck to you. I hope you’re never in a position where you feel vulnerable due to other people’s actions.

Are you ok?

I mean OP has a nasal drip which causes her to cough, what on earth causes your issues and sends you into a rant like that? I’d be more concerned about your own mental health!

Spitting
braying like an old goat

I mean, come on, OP is not going to spread the plague from a cough into her elbow! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

It says consider it in the article, from the gov that is.