The Pale Horse Virus and Gas Masks

The Pale Horse Virus is a genetically modified virus that incorporates strains of SARS, Smallpox, and Bubonic plague into one incredibly infectious, incredibly deadly virus that has a 96% mortality rate without complications from the destruction of the the infected's immune system.  It was designed to survive for several hours outside of a host after being transmitted by fluid contact with skin.  If someone were to sneeze into their hand they would infect anyone they touch for up to three hours.

Inside most of the old world cities are pockets of infection.  Those with gas mask that has a clean filter will be immune to these pockets.  Dirty filters will increase the likelihood of infection through aerosol contamination.  No one knows why there are these small pockets dotted throughout cities nor how to detect them so its best to wear a gas mask the entire time you are in one of these cities.

The virus incubates inside the body for 6 hours and after that they become infectious.  Up to 16-24 hours later they begin showing symptoms.  A high fever, chills, headache, overall discomfort, rash inside the mouth and throat, swollen and painful lymph nodes, weakness are the primary symptoms with rarer and deadlier symptoms being harder to detect.  As the virus progresses the rash develops over the entire body and becomes pustules.

With a 96% mortality rate in the first world, there is a near 99% mortality rate even when treated with medicinal herbs.  Those that survive will have the tale-tale pockmarked scars from the rash across their entire body.  They may also keep a dry cough for the rest of their life.

Gas Masks are the lifeblood of those scavengers who venture into the Old World Cities.  They are worth more than clean water and maintained better than a rifle.  If properly maintained they will keep you alive long enough to allow you to get rich scavenging the walled in cities.  If poorly maintained, they will insure you don't live to see week's end and probably end up killing your friends and family while you're at it.

Real filters are even harder to find than the gas masks themselves.  But these filters will last you several forays into the cities without needing to be changed out.  The only downside is that when used up, they can't be cleaned and reused giving you a great but expensive tool better used in a last ditch effort.

Makeshift filters are usually homemade from several industrial strength air filters cut and squeezed into a plastic or metal container screwed into the mask.  How long these filters last varies from a couple hours to almost as long as a real filter.  Depending on how often they've been cleaned, more times cleaned means less time able to be used effectively.

Medical masks/Dust Masks are the last ditch effort for those inside the city.  They usually last only half an hour under sustained contact with the Virus but they aren't expect to be used while scavenging, just as a means of escape.

Rags/Bandanas/Balaclavas and things like these are the worst thing you can wear, other than nothing, while in the Old World Cities.  They provide no protection whatsoever to the Virus but those who are desperate will still use them and try to scavenge the cities.

Real Gas Mask filters last for up to three forays into the cities if properly cared for.  This means as long as you use a real Gas Mask you can use it for up to nine(9) threads, which means three(3) threads equal one day in the city.  After the 9 threads are up, the masks work for an additional 6 posts with a dice roll to decide if you get infected after each post.  After those 6 posts are over, you will roll a dice if you don't replace the filter to see if you get infected.

Makeshift filters have several different varieties but for simplicity sake, and as a temporary measure, Makeshift filters last 6 threads or two days in a city before they need to be replaced.  After those 6 threads, the masks work for an additional 3 posts with a dice roll to decide if you get infected after each post.  After those 3 posts are over, you will roll a dice if you don't replace the filter to see if you get infected.

Medical/Dust masks last for 1 thread inside the city before they no longer work at all.  Any threads after that, if you don't replace the mask, you will roll a dice to see if you get infected.

Bandanas/Cloth/Balaclavas and things like these do not prevent infection and ever post will require a dice roll to see if you get infected.