TL4-6 Plague Doctor Gear?

[Tallor]

I looked through Low-Tech and High-Tech and I can't find the Plague Doctor Gear! I remember it being a set of waterproof leather clothes that gave a large bonus to HT for resisting diseases (mostly due to avoiding skin contact and being coughed and sneezed upon).

Is this sort of thing in GURPS or did I just dream this up? o-O

[panton41]

Originally Posted by abe ray

I know that the plague doctor gear included a bird-shaped mask filled with herbs to repel the plague. maybe that would give the wearer +2-3 to avoid catching the plague?

An herb filled mask would give a +0. It was based on the idea that bad smells is what spread diseases. Other than being a physical barrier against someone coughing it's no more useful than the fad in Asia of wearing surgical masks during cold season (which also do nothing to stop the spread of disease).

[Ternas]

While there are probably a couple ways to do it, there is an existing set that actually seems to be exactly what you're looking for as TL3 Anti-Miasmal Gear in Fantasy-Tech 1 pg. 32.

The entire outfit does include the iconic bird beak breathing mask and heavy waterproof leather that gives DR 1. The entire getup grants +6 to HT rolls against airborne disease and smaller bonuses for contact diseases.

[DCB]

Originally Posted by panton41

Other than being a physical barrier against someone coughing it's no more useful than the fad in Asia of wearing surgical masks during cold season (which also do nothing to stop the spread of disease).

A physical barrier against aspirated droplets is useful - consensus seems to be that wearing a mask does reduce the risk of catching a virus; e.g.,

- http://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/mask
- http://www.livescience.com/7661-mask...colds-flu.html

For similar reasons, I would expect a bird beak mask to provide a bonus to HT to resist disease, although +6 seems on the high side.

[David Johnston2]

The fantasy-tech version would of course be more effective than realistic, just like all the other fantasy-tech. The real mask would be somewhat, but only against a few specific diseases.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by panton41

An herb filled mask would give a +0. It was based on the idea that bad smells is what spread diseases. Other than being a physical barrier against someone coughing it's no more useful than the fad in Asia of wearing surgical masks during cold season (which also do nothing to stop the spread of disease).

Anything that reduces the amount of times people touch their faces and/or sneeze/cough into their hand that they then touch objects you will as well will reduce rates of infection.
Why would you think wearing protective masks are infective?

[Tomsdad]

Also to be honest while the accepted rationale behind a funnel of herbs is wrong, it's still a physical barrier (and hell some herbs etc will have a positive effect here is some cases). It going to come down to what the disease is and what the vector is.

[DanHoward]

Originally Posted by DCB

For similar reasons, I would expect a bird beak mask to provide a bonus to HT to resist disease, although +6 seems on the high side.

Agreed. +1 or +2 to resist airborne pathogens seems reasonable.

[Anders]

It also looks awesome. Stupid, but awesome.

[mhd]

Originally Posted by Anders

It also looks awesome. Stupid, but awesome.

The long black cloaks really seal the deal (cf. Venice).

Although it pairs surprisingly well with plate armor.