H1N1 Virus
This virus is all over the news. It's a concern and people should be aware of it. Will it affect the touring industry as we go through the spring and into the summer? At this point who knows. I think it will depend on how much it spreads.Hopefully people will be smart and see a doctor if they start to have symptoms. Stay home from school or work if they are sick.
My gut feeling is if it does become wide spread you will see people begin to avoid gatherings especially with large crowds. With the current economy this illness could really hurt the live music business. It will interesting to see what happens.
As for myself I have still not had a tour pan out for this spring. The talk of a tour later this summer is still looking to be happening with one of my regular artists. Of course now with what is beginning to happen I wouldn't be surprised if things change.
I'm not saying it's a time to panic but a time for caution as they say.
I have not heard of anyone getting sick while on tour at the moment. Generally if there is a flu bug or cold virus going around. Road crew folks usually get it at some point since we are in such close proximity to the public. It spreads fairly quick and easy among ourselves since we travel and live on tour buses. I spent most of the month of November with a bad respiratory infection while on tour.
So we wait and see.