Went to our allotment today. It was a beautiful peaceful day. Just before leaving another plot holder came to say hello. He kept his distance but low and behold he sneezed, not once but twice. I am so paranoid about people coughing and sneezing although I suffer from hay fever. I asked him if he had hay fever and he said not as far as he knew but he also had watery eyes and had been like it a few days. I went straight into our summer house and washed my face and hands and put hand sanitiser all over my face. Am I being paranoid? Myself and hubby are so careful as to protect ourselves. We were in the open air with plenty of space and the culprit said he didn’t feel ill but he is a Caretaker in a OAPs warden assisted complex. Oh boy, I won’t sleep tonight. I wish people would stay away from us, nice or not Iwould rather not see them. Grrrrrrrr.......
Fresh air today. But......... - SHARE Metastatic ...
Fresh air today. But.........
Bet it was lovely to get out in allotment fresh air does us good. I dont think your being paranoid at all I would be the same, but you were socially distancing, but know how you feel, I was in treatment room at hospital when this woman started coughing and didnt cover her mouth either. I have sneezed a few times today nothing wrong just a sneeze, you did all the right things, I wish you all the best, try not to worry I know it's not easy
Thank you Kiera. We were more than distancing but I worry. Coughing near people and not covering your mouth is not on right now. Some people just don’t care. Best wishes
Cheryl
Oh, what a shame to have your enjoyable time at the allotment end that way! Was he not wearing a mask? The fact that we generally can't control a sneeze is a pretty compelling reason to wear them!!
It does sound like you took the right steps but, if you're anything like me, you'll be a bit nervous until a week or so passes....Even though I'm sure you'll be fine! 
No he didn’t have a mask on. I’ve had to tell him before to keep his distance as well. One day I really shouted at him and then felt awful but he was getting to close. Think we are a magnet for him. He hasn’t been near or bye today thank goodness.
No you're not paranoid. I would and have felt the same when someone i was talking to sneezed in my direction.
These situations are part of the new 'norm'.
Xx
You did everything right. You kept your distance and washed your hands and face straight away. There is nothing more you can do. I don’t think sneezing is one of the symptoms of the virus, and people sneeze for all sorts of reasons. I get mild hay fever and this year it seems worse than usual, he may have hay fever and just not know it.
He could have. It’s also very dry and dusty everywhere right now. I just don’t understand the mentality though. I have Hayfevef and it’s so annoying but when I feel it coming on I avoid everyone. Mind you I don’t go near anyone right now anyway and wear a mask every time we go out. Even in the car.
Hi Cheryl,
You are not being paranoid at all. During such times as these we have good reason to be cautious and alert to what is going on around us. We are also more vulnerable than many others, as we are already dealing with cancer. We don't want to add coronavirus into the mix as well. You said that you kept your distance, and washed your hands and face straightaway, so I am sure you will be fine. He may well have hay fever, but not know it. Or he may have sneezed for some other reason. As far as I know, sneezing is not a symptom of coronavirus. I would keep an eye on your health over the next few days, just to be on the safe side. Hopefully there is nothing to worry about though. Next time you are at your allotment you will probably want to give this man a wide berth if you see him again.
Sophie
I will just tell him to stay away like I have before but he hasn’t listened. 🤬
I’m sorry to hear that. It might be best to just try and avoid him then. I normally cross the road or walk in the opposite direction if I see people walking towards me.
Sophie
I genuinely understand your concern. I’m very careful myself.
I think you’re unlikely to be exposed based on what the latest studies show. Exposure is based on dose+time+proximity. When we are outside versus inside, the exposure is further reduced with this equation because the droplets are not in as confined a space. I hope this helps alleviate some of your concern.
Thank you. Info makes it easier. Take care xx
Yes and don't they ever watch the news. Or do they think it doesn't apply to them?
Wow. Cheers, June S.
Don’t think a lot of folks are listening now. We have to drive to our allotment, which we are allowed to do thank goodness as it’s excersise and food growing but the traffic was awful. What’s going on?
what's an allotment?
Allotments are pieces of land you rent from the local council to grow food. It’s wondeful outdoor space and very therapeutic.
We just had our Memorial Day, where we remember our fallen soldiers. Those soldiers gave their lives so we could live in safety. Stupid people here can't even bear wearing a mask to do the same. Yes, I have a large problem with non mask wearers, especially if they don't cover their mouths while coughing, sneezing.
Especially in his work environment. I wear one all the time and dislike it immensely but it has to be done. Take care
Glad you got out to enjoy your day. I feel the same fear of being infected by other people. You did the recommended protocols when you got home.
Here it is allergy season so I think maybe sneezes and irritated eyes are everywhere.
Yes, you are right. Pollen levels are high. Xx
Sneezing is one of the symptoms, but most are caused by allergies. My friend who had Covid-19 biggest symton was watery eyes and extreme tiredness. No fever. It took 28 days to recover and pass the test. She is the only one I have heard of with watery eyes. The health department said she didn't have it. A few days later she knew the watery eyes wasn't normal nor allergy related. She called her personal doctor and he sent her to a place on the beach. Everyone was in hazmat suits and full protective gear. She tested positive but husband negative.
We should be safer outside and don't get close to anyone. Please take this seriously until we have a treatment and/or vaccine. Hopefully, they won't be released without knowing if they work. Faulty testing and slow response put us in this mess. The Pandemic team could have stopped it in its tracks. Please just stay safe and protect your self and others. If we all use medical guidelines, we can get through this. It is the folks who don't follow guidelines who put the public at risk. Blessings Hannah
I think you are reasonable and not paranoid at all! Geez, even in "normal" times, it's rude to cough without covering the mouth. And I can be added to the list of those who think it is crazy to be out in public without a mask + social distancing! 3 of our cats have developed runny eyes within the last few days and I've been joking that they may be exposing us to the corona virus. We took them to the vet yesterday and it's "just" an upper respiratory infection and we have liquid meds to give them twice a day. It takes both of us to do that! So my husband went on line last night and found several videos that show the best way to give cats liquid meds. I guess almost anything can be learned on line these days, and I sure wish the morons who aren't taking care to protect others, and themselves, would go online to see how to avoid covid 19 when out and about.
Oh what a shame the cats are a bit poorly. Hopefully the meds will work. I’m glad I wear my mask and gloves when exposed. It’s a nuisance and uncomfortable but a must. Hope the cats get better soon.
You are not being paranoid. You did the right things right away. Good for you. Maybe you will have to wear a mask at your allotment. Yes, stay safe. I also sometimes remember to put a wee bit of polysporin in my nose before I go out if I know I will be around people. It might help but it makes me feel safer and I wear my homemade mask. Hugs Marlene
Thank you Marlene. I do wear a mask most times but I have mets in my lungs and I’m asthmatic so have to take it off occasionally. I will look for the polysporin as I haven’t heard of it. I spray everywhere with Isopropanol but of course I cant inhale that. It’s 99.9% alcohol. Gloves get sprayed with it, clothes and shopping. I even spray our shoes when we have been out. Thanks for replying.
All of you are so sensible. I just don’t understand how people are not being serious about this either. In the first few weeks of the whole shut down, I was at the supermarket for a very quick, necessary shop. A man right next to me coughed this wracking cough. No covering of mouth at all. And kept walking straight towards me. I had a mask on, but I was so so furious. I didn’t say anything, but have done so in my mind so many times since. I thought I was being paranoid, because he on got about 1 meters distance from me as he walked by and I tried to move further away. (And people walk towards me allllll the time) I’m so sick of it. On walks in a huge park, they tend to walk or run right towards me/each other!
Then a friend on Facebook posted this.....
medium.com/@jurgenthoelen/b...
Hi Chris,
I hear you about people walking towards you! I get that all the time too. While I'm out walking clients' dogs (I have taken all necessary precautions for my business during lockdown) I have had to spend a lot of time avoiding people. I have started a new game called "dodge the human" as I seriously encounter many more people than ever before: dozens of cyclists on footpaths getting in the way of pedestrians when they should be cycling in the road, joggers frightening dogs, lots of people crowding towards me, and so on. I often just cross the road or head in the opposite direction to avoid people. It isn't easy, but people should be more respectful of social distancing and covering up when they cough or sneeze.
Sophie
Sophie don’t start me off re cyclists...I was nearly knocked over recently by a cyclist on the pavement...I made a comment and he told me to f... off...charming!!.. I could have had a bone fracture if I’d fallen...people are so selfish
Rant over!!
Barb xx
Hi Barb!
I feel the same way, so don't worry. I'm sorry to hear you were treated so rudely by the cyclist. Respect and consideration goes both ways. I don't like the sense of entitlement some people have, even to the point of hogging the footpath. I often have to move out into the road when whole families crowd onto the footpath and walk astride, rather than in single file, so that others can stay on the path.
I hope you have a better day today. It's Friday, so it's nearly the weekend.
Sophie x
It’s such hard work for us. We have to do all the avoiding and it spoils our freedom in some ways. At least we are cautious as far as we can be. Take care and keep avoiding those selfish idiots out there.
Hi Cheryl,
You certainly aren’t being paranoid! The only way to keep ourselves as safe as possible is to be at least a little paranoid.
If this man keeps seeking you out, I would give him a mask and explain that you take some medication that compromises your immune system and that while you would be glad to chat with proper distancing and masks, without them you can’t take chances with your health. No need to tell him your diagnosis if you don’t wish to. Maybe with some education he will leave you alone if he won’t wear a mask or will decide to wear one. And offering him a mask is so much friendlier than just telling him to wear one. I lived in the south(of the US) where they teach you that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar! Otherwise you will just have to learn to run when you see him!
In the US they are not called allotments but community gardens. I have a friend who has a plot that she calls the Pea Patch. They are very lovely places to wander through. I hope you get to enjoy yours this summer. We have a very small garden at our house. I have a hard time waiting for good summer tomatoes.
Hugs, Elaine
Thank you Elaine. It’s great your friend has a name for her plot. We live in an apartment in the City of Liverpool so our allotment is kind of our garden. I asked if he wears a mask and he said no, just gloves. I’ve said politely we should all wear one at the necessary times. He knows I have MBC in my lungs and bones but as I never discuss it with anyone other than hubby and family/friends folks do not realise how poorly I actually am. Like most of us lovelies on here we keep on going the best we can. Thank you for replying and take care. Cheryl
He needs to educate himself...gloves are the worst thing for spreading the virus...soap and water is the best...I get annoyed when I see shop assistants wearing gloves...they are under some illusion that they’re safe....only if you change them for each customer
Barb xx
This is right Barb. My husband says the same. I wear gloves when I open the door to our apartments and press the buttons in the lift then off they come. I wear them when I unpack the food parcel I receive and spray everything apart from fruit and veg with Isopropanol. I wash everything else. I noticed that a majority of shop workers don’t wear gloves, not that I’ve been to many shops.Lidl mostly as it’s empty where we live. The Students are not in Liverpool right now and the shop was mostly used by them. Hope you are feeling brighter now. Have you been on Bugsy?
Just took him out for a plod as it was hot and I wasn’t feeling very lively either...just got back from hospital...had the first faslodex shots
When I got there I burst into tears and cried for ages...felt sorry for the nurse as I was her first patient...don’t know how they do their job...she was so kind and injected slowly...I wasn’t bothered having to have the injections it was that feeling of ‘what the hell am I doing here’...I still can’t cope well with this diagnosis at the moment..went for a little walk after but felt a bit strange ...it’s the stress of the last few weeks
I really need someone to give me a kick...if anyone’s nice to me it makes me worse
We used to shop at Lidl before the lockdown but there is a permanent massive queue so he goes to the coop...if it isn’t in the coop then we don’t have it...no way am I going shopping...have bought some foodstuffs online eg posh meusli and beans..I also get my supplements online...bought some lovely pink shorts from Boden 30% off...there are bargains to be had
All the best to you
Barb xx
Oh dear Barb. I really feel for you, especially knowing you are so strong normally. The nurses are used to us tearful folks. It happens and it’s good to cry. I agree, the sympathy thing doesn’t help us. You will have strange feelings right now. It’s great you have had a little plod and a short walk. Releases those endorphins. I’m so pleased you have answered. At least we know how you got on with your jab. I’ve been shopping online as well. I take Manuka Honey every day but it’s gone up £10 a pot. It lasts a month but blow me, that’s ridiculous. I also bought a couple of Sea Salt dresses. I’m not a dress person really but thought I needed to get the air to my pegs. Take care Barb. Hope your strange feelings pass. I had them yesterday and slept nearly all afternoon. Lots of tears. None of us can explain really how we feel.
Best wishes
Cheryl
Virtual hugs x
That is how it spreads. Where do you live? in NY we still have to wear masks and in Brooklyn you cannot even get into a store unless you have a mask on. It is selfish of those who do not wear masks. The mask I wear (as told to us by Gov. online sites) does not protect US, but protects others from catching it from us. You should have told him he should have a mask on unless you live in an area that it is not a requirement.
I would have not put sanitizer on my face but I am constantly washing my hands so much the skin is coming off. The minute I touch groceries when putting them away, I count for 30 seconds. I no longer use towels to clean, I use paper towels. Once I put groceries on my counter and put them away, I then wash my counter with bleach wipes bc they live on hard surfaces for 48 hours.
No, you are doing the right thing. He is doing the wrong thing. but I would have just used regular soap on your face or now I carry face wipes with me all the time.
Hi, I live in the UK. Masks are not compulsory here even though I wear mine where I need to. Gloves also. I was at my allotment so no facility for washing correctly. (A rented plot of land to grow fruit and veg). I do keep a block of soap and a gas stove there but I wanted to act as fast as possible. I only use block soap as apparently is better than liquid soap. I showered when I got home. I’m the same as you. My groceries are wiped down with Isopropanol (99.9% alcohol) before they go anywhere near my cupboards. All my fruit and veg are washed and I even clean the shopping bags, shoes and clothes when we get back home. I will be so pleased, as will many others, when the numbers subside from this virus. Thank you for replying. Best wishes. Cheryl
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