[hider=Plague Chronology]
Mar 2024.  
First Plague victims.  The Plague is characterized as a flu-like disease with a slow, debilitating wasting symptom not unlike walking pneumonia.  At first they appear in major population centers, then they spread rapidly to the rural areas.  It is soon determined that the Plague is airborne, but may be spread by fluids, or contact.  It spreads slowest in colder climates where temperatures are below freezing.  The disease is 100% fatal with patients becoming terminal in 1-3 months.

April 2024.  
10% of the planet has symptoms.  First deaths.

May 2024.  
25% of the planet infected.  Death toll rises to 7 million.

August 2024.  
The virus is pandemic reaching every continent. 1% of the world's population is dead - 70 million.  50% are infected.  Martial Law declared.

Sept 2024 thru Nov 2024.  
The Hell months. During this time the world becomes nearly apocalyptic as 50% of the population dies.  The virus continues to spread largely through panic to 90%.  The power grid fails, internet crashes toward the end of Fall.  Many Zoos release their specimens rather than simply allow them to starve.  Many farmers do the same with livestock.  Pets run wild. Dogs begin forming into packs.  Cats turn feral.

Dec 2024 thru Mar 2025 Winter. 
The death toll is staggering.  A few scattered remaining humans remain - less than 0.01% worldwide. (NYC with a population of 10 million before the Plague would now have less than 1000 survivors at this point.)  Small pockets of quarantine zones pop up in rumors - Sanctuaries.  But most are discovered as lifeless husks of civilization.  Those that still survive have strict quarantine policies.  The remaining population of the Earth is now 700,000 or less - lower that ever in history since before biblical times.  The population is around 60,000.  These figures continue to dwindle.

Apr 2025  
Gasoline powered cars no longer run dependably.  Diesel still runs with problems.

August 2025  
Start of RP.  Diesel is failing badly.  Gasoline stored in tankers, gas pumps, cars fuel tanks has gone sour and has likely been eating up fuel lines even if good fuel is found.
[/hider]