neighbour with COVID coming out for cigarette breaks!

[Lechatnoir]

I live in a flat with an entrance shared with 2 others. One of the ladies is quite a heavy smoker and I often pass her in the lobby on my way to/from work, putting the rubbish out etc. So yesterday I got in from work, she was there, we stopped for a brief chat as usual but then she said she'd just tested positive for covid but don't worry she'll use her sleeve to open the door . I was slightly taken aback so other than wishing her well and scurrying indoors, I didn't say anything. I'm really pissed off that she's clearly going to be touching shared surfaces the door handle, doorframe, the post box etc not to mention sharing the air space in a semi enclosed lobby .
I've warned my family not to touch anything and use elbows/sleeves and wash on entry and departure but my children and husband and definitely less conscientious/more blasé about hand hygiene.

What can I do without falling out and seeming totally heartless - she is on her own and finding lockdown tough so I get a chat with the neighbour is probably a lifeline for her but surely not when you've
got bloody covid!! I can't see her giving up smoking nor can I force it, but think she's being incredibly selfish and inconsiderate here and feel I need to say something for my own families safety if nothing else.

Could you ask her to just smoke out of her window? And point out she faces a large fine for breaking quarantine and endangering the health of others?

Surely if someone tests positive for covid19 they aren't supposed to go out of their home at all (self isolate)...

She is putting you and everyone else who lives in the flats at risk of catching it....and not only putting you all at risk, but everyone you all then come in contact with (because if you catch it, you could spread it even if you get no symptoms)

Is there any other neighbours you can talk to about this?...it's not fair on the rest of you to put you all at risk of catching it...

I do need to address this as aside from us being exposed, we all have regular deliveries and they won't know to not touch surfaces but unless/until I next see her, not sure how to approach it or what to say . A note seems wrong but not wild about knocking on her door as it's a very small inner hallway

bloody hell. She can fume out the window like most people do.

more constructively, perhaps drop her a note offering support - a daily phone chat, shopping collection etc etc and wishing her the best during the time that she can't leave her flat.

yes, she is a risk to all of you.

I think I would have to say something to her.

Not only is she putting you all at risk she is also at risk of potentially taking up a hospital bed due to Covid affecting the lungs and her being a smoker. Who will go for her cigarettes when she runs out ?

A daily phone chat? You what?

As a smoker myself, I know it’s disgusting, I would be seriously concerned about her nipping to the shops for fags so I’d offer in a bit under the door “here’s my phone number I can get you basic supplies/fags since your not supposed to cross your threshold as your so infectious and I think you should maybe smoke out a window in the mean time as I’m worried for our safety please and thank you” that kinda thing

I like @TheMawisbraw's suggestion

I do wonder what if we get covid we are supposed to do if bin day?
Mine are round back if the house but we have to wheel them down alley but and round front ? Couldn't let rubbish build up but would have to leave house ( im aware of tissues kept seperate for 72hrs etc ) just not sure what we would do with bin, so wouldn't dream of going outside to smoke

Going to take the bins out is a specific exception in the isolation rules. Obviously you are supposed to avoid people as much as possible.

You have to speak to her. Posting on here won’t change your situation!

I like TheMawisbraw's suggestion. As an ex-smoker, I know I would have had to go to the shops for more cigarrettes, despite my better judgment.

What I can't understand is why she can't smoke in her flat if she is living alone

I guess it might be against her tenancy/fierce smoke alarm, but it wouldn't hurt to smoke out of the window and put a shower cap over the alarm for a few days.

Or maybe she's going stir crazy. She needs to realise she can't get too close to other people at present though.