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?!

Ive got second hand cringe from all the "here is the link that proves my point"....and the link goes on to indeed disprove their point 😭💀

Please point me to the NHS webpage that says if you have a common cold you should be isolating at home.

Hint, there isn’t one. Because it’s not 2020. As much as you want it to be.

I did not say they were mandatory. Lots of things are not mandatory but still socially expected. Like standing in a queue.

People don’t have to stay at home for a cold.

What guidelines?
There is nothing about coughing.

A cough can be anything.

Like not shouting at people because you've unilaterally decided they shouldn't be out in public.

They have listed it as “respiratory illnesses” because that is the umbrella term which includes a common cold, the flu, Covid, pneumonia, whooping cough, etc.

It would be the height of inefficiency to publish separate announcements for each respiratory illness. Especially since you can’t tell which one you have without a blood test because the symptoms are the same.

A cold is a respiratory illness
The nhs advice the pp linked is for those with respiratory illnesses

So it is relevant to you

It is not relevant as op felt well enough to carry our her normal activities.

The comments on this thread are absolutely insane. OP has a cold not the bubonic plague!

Some people do believe the NHS is on its knees. We hear it all the time. Just ignore him.

I had a cough like that for about a month ago couple of years ago. Of course I didn't stay at home. The man was mad.

Or unilaterally decided that they should go to the back of the queue.

Yes the shouting was not on, but OP’s attitude of I have had a cold all week but instead of getting a coffee to take away, I’ll just sit in the cafe drinking it and coughing. She even said that if my cold is actually Covid, it wouldn't make a difference to her. She would have done it anyway.

Selfish and entitled.

NHS guidance says you can go out if you feel well enough.
My nasty colds have been body aches and headaches. Maybe a bit ot snot.

One symptom of a respiratory illness is a cough. OP knew for a fact she had a respiratory illness for a week and was not yet fully recovered.

There is no point defending her behaviour with what ifs that never happened.

That's not actually what I said.

I said "what difference does it make"

Because I am at the tail end of it, and it doesn't change what has gone before.

She has a post nasal drip.

It also says to wear a mask, only go out if you need to and avoid exposing others. If OP had to have her special coffee, why couldn’t she have had it to take away??? She deliberately maximised exposure to others.

And one symptom of being an utter cunt is shouting at lone women in public.
Where are the NHS guidelines to get this man self isolating?

Another symptom of a respiratory illness. Post-nasal drip is a condition where excess mucus accumulates in the back of the throat, often caused by respiratory illnesses like colds and sinus infections.

No, the NHS absolutely does not say that if you have a cold you need to wear a mask and avoid all but essential trips out.

It’s relevant because OP said it’s a common cold ( in capital letters) and therefore she thought not relevant
She didn’t say it wasn’t relevant because she was well

Irrespective of this thread
honestly
She’s had a cold all week and went to work. No mask. Works for the nhs

I don’t know why people are dwelling just on the cafe visit tbh

Yes, she went out on purpose to make everyone ill.
Who is the hyperbolic one now?

If people feel well enough they can do what they like. If they feel too ill then they’ll stay home anyway.

@SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice that guidance clearly says stay at home if you have a temp, many people will have to work with a cold as cannot be off home and they may be serving in shops / cafes etc as well or travelling on public transport