What do you do when people are frequently too close to you?

[Viv0321]

What do you do when people are frequently too close to you?

Nothing. I'm a teacher and kids often get too close to me, because it's pretty much impossible to avoid. Other people who get close either have masks on or are outside, and I'm not particularly bothered about that tbh.

Try to learn from that and avoid the eventuality as much as possible.
Shopping in very quiet places from about 3pm on a Sunday and a good plan for what is needed has worked where I am, but will depend on what would work best for you. Other behaviour changes have been to use the online PO label and stamp printing option if you can, as that's somewhere there is always a queue. If very worried, cover hair in a scarf/hat and possibly wear clear glasses that you can wash when you get in or wipe on the go. Buy your own basket for shopping, I found one that folds down online that I keep in the boot. Keep a plastic glove in the car for petrol stops. Just keep distancing wherever you have the chance to.

What is the situation in which this happens? Ultimately though take responsibility yourself and if possible increase the space by moving.

Alternatively don't wash so no-one wants to be too close.

Look into late night shopping options too, I have a garden centre nearby that opens until 8 and again it's usual to go about 7.20 and be pretty alone there. Good for cards and even some foodstuffs.

Depends on the situation but generally absolutely nothing.

Choose not to be bothered by it.

Step back.

@Ormally

Try to learn from that and avoid the eventuality as much as possible. Shopping in very quiet places from about 3pm on a Sunday and a good plan for what is needed has worked where I am, but will depend on what would work best for you. Other behaviour changes have been to use the online PO label and stamp printing option if you can, as that's somewhere there is always a queue. If very worried, cover hair in a scarf/hat and possibly wear clear glasses that you can wash when you get in or wipe on the go. Buy your own basket for shopping, I found one that folds down online that I keep in the boot. Keep a plastic glove in the car for petrol stops. Just keep distancing wherever you have the chance to.

Why are we wearing clear glasses now?

Depends on my mood.

I notice that even though there are tons of seats on the bus when I’m on someone still decides to sit either the row right in front of me or right behind me. I usually get up and move which is annoying since I shouldn’t have to but needs must. The seats are quite close so don’t know how such people don’t know how to social distance or give any thought to it. It is what happens when people believe that mask-wearing is the be all to protecting yourself from Covid.

Step away a little if I am queueing or standing still. If it's just passing someone or maybe someone comes beside me to pick up an item in morrisons, nothing. The risk comes with proximity for a decent amount of time, not just someone standing near you for 10 seconds.

Cough loudly

they usually come closer to make themselves heard/understood...then lower their mask down to chin for good measure!

i put my hand up (as if staying stop, then step back)

@Hazelnutlatteplease thats a good approach!

Kids at work lie in my lap etc. (Sen.)

I do an exaggerated backwards funny step/walk and people get the hint.

Sneeze.....loudly! It’s also funny 😂

I move away. And if I can't, I say 'excuse me please, would you mind stepping back?'.

No need for any drama.

Have a look at the sunflower lanyard website- they have masks etc. with labels for people with hidden disabilities. Some of they say Please Give Me Space.

I always give a very wide birth to none mask wearers

Either cough or start muttering stuff to myself......they soon move away if they think you're infected or crazy. Lol

That hasn't happened to me, I don't go to places where other people are very often. Maybe once a day for 10 minutes, typically.

tbh, I don't care about catching the virus except that the self-isolation would make me rather depressed. When people are too close (rare) the too close problem rarely lasts for more than 3 minutes. I live in a low case count area. My risk of getting C19 even from "too close" people is extremely low. Nothing I'm going to worry about.

Nothing. I smile & walk past. Or just ignore them if we are in a queue etc. I really can’t bring myself to be that worried. But I’m not vulnerable. My daughter will inevitably catch it at nursery or softplay or her gym class or her swim class. Way more likely than someone close to me in the shops.

I look straight at them and say, could you stay back please, I have a vulnerable adult at home. You have to be polite but firm. It took a bit of practice, but even the cheeky fuckers are usually that taken aback that they step back. I then thank them for being so understanding and if in a line and they seem decent, I have a wee chat about the situation or weather. I’m Northern Irish, so we always find something to chat about. 😁

However, I now try to shop at the quieter times, including getting random items from the local garage, late at night when they only serve through the hatch. It is part of a bit shop, so is very well stocked.

Cough

@emmathedilemma I was going to post the exact same thing. I have asthma and cough frequently, people move.

Not a lot as I’m a secondary teacher. I squeeze last students in the corridor, we’re crammed in small classrooms, we escort pupils off site so I’m surrounded by all key stages at the same time.