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?!

My response to 'old' man [aged about 50 by MN guess]🙄" I'm covering my cough, so stop bothering me and mind your own business." then I would ignore him.
He's made himself look at twat shouting.

I don’t “know I have a bug”

I’ve had a cold. A mild sniffly nose and a sore throat for a day. Because of my sinus issues, I get post nasal drip which makes me cough. If I was contagious, someone in my family would have it by now - but they don’t.

A cough isn’t always a ‘clear bug’ though is it? You can’t just stay home every time you have a sniffle how ridiculous.

It was probably the warm air that triggered the cough. The guy in the cafe and people on this thread are being ridiculous. If he’s worried he should keep away from busy places at this time of year.

Better than infecting others, surely? Why go to a cafe? if you must go out. Other people are vulnerable, and we ae at the height of flu season with a very nasty strain that is hospitalising thousands of people a week.

Anyone worried about catching stuff when lots of people are indoors and some will have coughs and colds should really not be in cafes and places like that

Ridiculous to say we should isolate with a cough! My child would have been off school for 5 weeks! Can you imagine the EWO accepting that he has a cough? Same with people working, employees cannot have employees off work sick for 2-3 weeks at a time with a cough. Ludicrous.

I bet a lot of people serving coffee in cafes have a bug at the moment.
It is is cold and it is close to xmas. People are going to be close together indoors.
Pre-Covid, no one really gave it a second thought. Now the seasonal flu (or even a cold as OP had) is getting people in a panic.

It’s not hospitalising “thousand of people a week” 🙄 that’s a plain lie.

I wanted a hot drink because it’s cold, thats allowed

I’d have stuck to essential shopping or open spaces. That’s not hiding away. Yes it’s just a cold to some, but to others chesty coughs put them in hospital at a time when there are no beds. Quite a lot of people have asthma and COPD.

Try to be less selfish, @wildgreyocean. Some of the people you may potentially infect could be left with lifelong issues. Or may have to stop caring for an elderly relative to avoid killing them.

It’s not hard to behave like a decent human being. I’m not surprised an old man felt irate at your thoughtlessness.

This ^

Me and dh couldn't get a flu jab and were very unwell last December with a nasty virus and didn't fancy it happening again so we haven't been mixing or going out unnecessarily. If someone wants to avoid being ill then they shouldn't go out. A post viral cough is very common and can last for weeks. Some sinus conditions are permanent and coughing is routine. It doesn't mean the person is spreading anything especially if they cover their mouth. Germs are everywhere, it's part of life.

Well, brownie points for wearing a mask,
Meanwhile in the real world, most people are not going to stay at home because they've got a cold nor should they. The country would grind to a halt if everyone did that.
Ffs when did people become so wet and pathetic? [ Immune issues / medical issues aside]

Your minor wants are more important to you than the health of vulnerable people. That’s up to you, but other people are entitled to view you as selfish.

An older person, perhaps with COPD or similar, got upset because you coughed at your elbow, near him, it’s almost Christmas and there’s a super flu about.

why are you posting about it here?!

If someone has this flu they are unlikely able to get out of bed let alone go to a cafe.

It is absolutely fine and normal to carry on as usual if you feel ok to be out. Ive got a cold brewing and im off out shopping all day tomorrow assuming i dont go downhill very quickly and going for lunch etc. and I cant wait!

By getting a coffee after I’ve had a cold?🥴

These people which are so vulnerable should really be avoiding crowded places and maybe getting an online shop

Personally, I’d feel incredibly embarrassed if I turned up to a social event with a streaming cold and infected a load of my friends.

Oh good Lord! I've had a very mild cold all week. Tickly cough, mild sinus congestion. I've not stayed home. I've gone to work, gone shopping, met a friend for lunch and walked the dog. Aside from anything else, a bit of fresh air and exercise helps.

There's a special place in hell for people who cough and sneeze on busses, all over the head of the person in front.

I always use tissue, bow down and sneeze/cough in the direction of the floor.

😂good 1

Went to the theatre on Thursday. Had some bloke sitting in front of me coughing. I got some tissues out of my bag and held them against my mouth and nose. What I really wanted to do was punch him in the back of the head.

Exactly like me. It’s been so minor. It’s left me feeling exhausted but that’s because of other health issues I have going on. I’ve not even passed it to my family who I’ve been around all week!

Agreed.