Getting Sick on Tour
Illness on tour requires judgment about performance, contagion, medical care, travel, and contractual obligations.
Decide whether performing is appropriate
Severity, contagion, voice, medication effects, travel, and contractual requirements all matter. Seek medical advice when needed.
A heroic bad decision can infect a whole lineup.
Protect the room as well as the performer when illness is contagious.
Medication and Basics
Routine medications and simple health supplies need enough planning that a delayed flight does not become a medical scramble.
Carry enough routine medication
Bring the needed supply plus a reasonable delay margin when legally and medically appropriate. Keep required prescription labels and documentation.
International rules can differ.
Do not let travel turn routine medication into an emergency.
Illness
Illness can force the uncomfortable choice between performing, rescheduling, replacing, or cancelling.
Use health judgment
Voice, fever, contagion, medication, dehydration, and travel ability all matter.
Seek medical care when appropriate.
Do not turn illness into secrecy until the audience is seated.
Emergency Replacement Comics
A replacement can save a show when someone cannot perform.
Keep a real bench
Know capable local and regional comics at different set lengths and content levels.
A random warm body is not a feature replacement.
A replacement works when the role is replaced, not merely the person.
