Why were the poor treated differently than rich during times of black death?

The poor were treated differently during times of the Black Death for several reasons:

Social Structure: Medieval societies were largely divided along class and social lines. The poor, including peasants, laborers, and the working class, generally had lower social status compared to the wealthy landowners, nobles, and clergy.

Healthcare Access: The wealthy had better access to healthcare services, including doctors and treatments, which were rare and expensive during the time. The poor often lacked proper medical care and relied on traditional or folk remedies, which were less effective against the plague.

Living Conditions: The poor lived in overcrowded and unsanitary housing conditions in medieval cities, which facilitated the spread of the plague. They often had limited access to clean water and sanitation, making them more susceptible to the disease.

Fear and Superstition: The medieval understanding of the plague often attributed its spread to religious reasons, divine punishment, or cosmic imbalances. Some individuals believed the poor were more likely to be sinners or subject to divine judgment, leading to discriminatory attitudes towards them.

Economic Factors: Many wealthy individuals fled to isolated estates or rural areas to escape the plague, while the poor often had limited options for relocation. As a result, the death toll was higher among the lower socioeconomic classes, causing further economic hardship and social instability.

Anti-Semitic Sentiments: During the Black Death, there was an increase in anti-Semitism. Jewish communities, often scapegoated for the plague, faced discrimination, persecution, and mass violence. This added another layer of hardship for the Jewish poor.

Lack of Legal Protections: The legal and judicial systems at the time offered limited protections and representation for the poor. This meant they were less likely to receive fair treatment or assistance during the pandemic.

It's important to note that not all wealthy individuals escaped the Black Death, but they generally had better resources, healthcare access, and influence to improve their chances of survival. The pandemic exposed and amplified the existing inequalities and social divisions during that era.