Audience Health

AUDIENCE HEALTH
A thought for theatre managers/owners to consider . A plea from a theatre /dance critic who is very susceptible to colds and flu. Given the return of the drenching winter rains and sudden freezing storms , if we audience members arrive totally soaked with soggy shoes and socks ( let alone clothes and hair) why is it not possible to temporarily borrow a hairdryer to dry our squelchy cold and wet feet ?
For those of us prone to colds and flu it is enormously awkward - the last thing we want/need is to sit uncomfortably for about two or three hours with cold wet feet in damp clothes – perfect conditions for developing colds/flu and passing it to/from others. What about actors/singers attending a show on their day off ? Also I do not need or want to be forced to take yet another two weeks off as sick leave because of a cold or flu . I shouldn’t need to start carrying an extra pair of shoes and socks with me !.
Some theatres have paper towels in the amenities - not much help !.I should not have to cloak my sopping shoes and sit for three hours in damp socks .
Surely as a matter of audience health it would be possible to organize access to hairdryers ?You could possibly even make quite a bit of money if you charged say $5 a turn for use. At the larger theatres especially ( eg the Capitol, Lyric at Star City, Sydney Opera House, Theatre Royal for starters) surely something could be organized with for example the wardrobe departments ?

What do other people think ?

Lynne