Answer the questions below based on the following passage:

Others held a more cruel opinion, one that in the end probably guaranteed their safety, saying that there was no better or more effective medicine against the disease than to run away from it; convinced by this argument, and caring for no$-$one but themselves, huge numbers of men and women abandoned their rightful city, their rightful homes, their relatives and their parents and their things, and sought out the countryside, as if the wrath of God would punish the iniquities of men with this plague based on where they happened to be$,$ as if the wrath of God was aroused against only those who unfortunately found themselves within the city walls, or as if the whole of the population of the city would be exterminated in its final hour.

What is the BEST historical interpretation of this source?

many people fled areas where plague appeared

the author believes the plague was sent by God to punish selected cities.

during the plague, people sought security with their homes and loved ones.