Can we use our garden safely in this scenario?

[Gardenworrync]

Terraced houses, gardens maybe 2.5/3m width. 6ft fences but there are gaps in them in places. Neighbour hangs out of window overlooking our garden to smoke, she has a very bad cough (not new) and doesn’t cover her mouth or anything so having her hacking away above us is a common thing. Both sides sit in the garden to smoke and cough a lot.

Can we use our garden safely or are we at risk of being infected by neighbours on either side if they get it and cough away in their gardens/out that window as they usually do?

Or am I just being paranoid now

If they sit up against or near their fence and you're near your fence, then presumably the space between you is less than 6ft, in which case it's no better than being in the park/shop/street/anywhere.

I think it's ok to use the garden, but I'd avoid when the neighbours are out coughing into your space! Or at least stay over the other side.

I would keep to the other side just to be safe xx

Unfortunately both sides are as bad as each other for coughing while they are in their gardens so it may be a no go :( thank you for your replies though!

You can go in your garden. They will have smokers coughs if you are saying their coughs aren't new.

I would be going out when they go in! Even before Corona - smoke and constant coughing is grim to be near...
Are they creatures of habit - and are inside for their meals then maybe you can be flexible and be outside when they are having their meals? I would even chuck coats and hats on and go out in the dark - spot stars, any planes, bats.... Not ideal but better to be inventive than stuck I side all time...

Both neighbours have new, barking coughs either side of me. Wish they’d stay inside!

I would want to keep a 2 metre distance from the fences on both sides so it sounds as though that would be quite difficult to do. In your situation I don't think I would want to be out there they same time as they were out there. They may only have a smokers cough, but there would be no way of knowing if they were also infected. Sounds revolting anyway having to smell smoke and listen to people hacking away. I would be tempted to put some loud annoying music on in the garden to see if they piss off inside for a bit. Obviously not all day but just for a bit so you can get out in your own garden

Do you have any space out front to use at all?