Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

I can hear next door coughing

101 replies

Likeacatoutofhell · 05/09/2020 07:58

My neighbours (a young couple) seem to have a developed a cough over the last few days.
Obviously in recent times I wouldn’t have cared, but they’ve been going out in the car most days. They have a small child who I think they struggle with as I’ve seen the mother crying on more than one occasion.

What can I do? They should be isolating if they have coughs and they definitely sound continuous.

OP posts:
GoudaGirl · 05/09/2020 10:50

So OP how do you know that you are not carrying it asymptomatically and passing it to others? A cough isn't exclusive to COVID nor the only symptom of it. Are you going to test everyone and then comment as to how they may live their lives.

Reedwarbler · 05/09/2020 10:51

Don't seem scared to me Chance, the amount of times I see it mentioned as a hoped for retribution for people not appearing to obey the rules, it seems more like a threat tbh.

mylittlesandwich · 05/09/2020 11:01

Maybe you're my next door neighbour. We have all had a cough. We were tested on Wednesday and had negative results back on Thursday. I also have PND. I'm receiving treatment but have periods where I am less ok. I am not however "struggling" with my child.
If you're nice and have an ok relationship with your neighbour then you could ask how she's doing. If you're like my neighbours and keep them awake with parties at the weekend then keep your nose out.

YummyJamDoughnut · 05/09/2020 11:06

How do you know the first time they went out wasn't to a testing centre and they tested negative?

I will not self isolate for a cough, I cough all winter due to cough variant asthma. (obviously I will test when it begins, but if negative, I will have to get on with my life).

midgebabe · 05/09/2020 11:14

I guess that actually most people are not "gagging for a second lockdown " but have sense enough to recognise that if people behave will fully it's what will happen. There are also people who are at very high risk who won't care if you think your cough is of no concern.

ChanceChanceChance · 05/09/2020 11:15

@Reedwarbler

Don't seem scared to me Chance, the amount of times I see it mentioned as a hoped for retribution for people not appearing to obey the rules, it seems more like a threat tbh.
Maybe you could learn a bit about human psychology.

There's a whole lot of messiness around at times of crisis.

I see nastiness everywhere. All driven by fear imo.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 05/09/2020 11:17

There are also people who are at very high risk who won't care if you think your cough is of no concern.

What do you suggest I do then? I cough from March to at least September and it's worse this year. I can hardly stay indoors for all that time, especially as coughing in your own home is apparently now a problem!

midgebabe · 05/09/2020 11:28

Talk to your doctor about the cough, sounds like your asthma isn't well controlled ? ( speaking as fellow sufferer).

be more aware of triggers and how to minimise or avoid them ( scarf around face when outside in the cold helps some people reduce cough for example)

. If you are in a public area like a supermarket ( where vulnerable people will have to go sometimes ) thibk how they might feel and if there is a way you can act to help them, extra distance as well as a mask for example,

wait in the doorway for 5minites to let your body settle ( if I go quickly from outside to inside it can set off a cough , having a slower transistion can help )

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 05/09/2020 11:33

@midgebabe I don't have asthma. I can't bear a scarf around my face so I can't do that either (I struggle with a mask but obviously wear one for the minimum amount of time possible). I've had hay fever for years, this year happens to be the worst ever unfortunately!

AnyFucker · 05/09/2020 11:46

Mind your own fucking business

That's the 3rd time I have typed that on here in 3 days

LeSquigh · 05/09/2020 11:48

@Multipack5678

Do you have any red paint? If so, you could paint a cross on their door to warn the community. If you have time you could also ring a bell when they leave the house.
Hilarious!

OP - Get a fucking grip.

tinseltitsandlittlegits · 05/09/2020 11:51

They could be weed smokers that makes people cough 🤔

jessstan2 · 05/09/2020 11:52

It's not your business but people do cough even in 'normal' times (I think I coughed more!). I presume you don't have to get up close and personal to them.

vodkaredbullgirl · 05/09/2020 11:54

I cough most days, dont have covid. Tested weekly at work all negative.

Ellsbells12 · 05/09/2020 12:05

Omg people are going insane over this ... mask police , social distancing police and now cough police get a grip!!! They are far more treatments now if you are scared don't go out !

Ellsbells12 · 05/09/2020 12:07

@Jrobhatch29

I didn't realise there was so many busy bodies until covid.
Hello my love :-) I always love your posts @Jrobhatch29
midgebabe · 05/09/2020 12:19

@Ellsbells12

Omg people are going insane over this ... mask police , social distancing police and now cough police get a grip!!! They are far more treatments now if you are scared don't go out !
So anyone at very high risk should stay indoors and get food left at the door for another year or so? How kind!

Personally I would rather take a few simple actions to allow those people to live

midgebabe · 05/09/2020 12:22

Oh you can't bear it? Oh dear, poor you

peakygal · 05/09/2020 12:24

The coughing is one thing but automatically assuming because you have seen the mother crying that she is struggling as a parent?!? Wtf? There is a number of reasons she could be crying.. You really need a hobby OP Hmm

Iamtooknackeredtorun · 05/09/2020 12:27

Very Orwellian all of this!

Kaiserin · 05/09/2020 12:32

You could ask them how they're doing (from a distance, e.g. next time they get their bins out), and if they could use any help?

TheSeedsOfADream · 05/09/2020 12:34

She's probably crying because she can't take anymore of the OP's snout and gossiping on MN about her tbf.

StarCat2020 · 05/09/2020 12:45

Can you turn the TV volume up so you don't hear it ??

U8myufo · 05/09/2020 12:46

Is it a wind up??

StarCat2020 · 05/09/2020 12:50

They have a small child who I think they struggle with as I’ve seen the mother crying on more than one occasion.
So now she is a bad mother because you saw her crying??