How true. It goes way back.
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/plague-in-london-1625-science-source.html
That it does. Here's DeFoe's comments about the 1665 London Plague:
Upon the foot of all these observations I must say, that though Providence seemed to direct my conduct to be otherwise, yet it is my opinion, and I must leave it as a prescription, viz., that the best physic against the plague is to run away from it. I know people encourage themselves by saying God is able to keep us in the midst of danger, and able to overtake us when we think ourselves out of danger; and this kept thousands in the town, whose carcases went into the great pits by cartloads, and who, if they had fled from the danger, had, I believe, been safe from the disaster; at least 'tis probable they had been safe.
Daniel DeFoe, Journal of the Plague Year, 1722