Commentary

Opinion: COVID-19 — a Test and Warning to the Faithful

Published

6 years ago

July 9, 2020

Richard Johnson is an inmate at San Quentin State Prison. K-53293, 3.W.2

For those of us who still believe in the word of God and what it stands for, the time for earnest reflection is at hand.

This COVID-19 pandemic that confronts the entire world is merely a repeat of history.

And it’s not the first calamitous contagious disease with such devastating catastrophic world shuttering destructiveness.

What is new is the coronavirus’ timing that caught everyone by surprise.

Yet, the truth be told, it has been written that in the last days the world would be engulfed with ruinous losses on a scale as never seen before.

The fight to conquer this pandemonium could ultimately bring the world to its knees.

Nothing ever happens in a vacuum, because the Holy Bible speaks to how this event was destined to occur and it reminds us that we’re on the wrong side of life.

Because of the world’s insanity, God has no other option except to remind the people that evil can’t evade consequences and accountability.

When humanity disobeys and continues down a disastrous path, virtually in opposition to what life was meant to be, then correction will be meted out as needed.

God, being the Benevolent One, administers an exact punishment for the people who have repeatedly ignored his teaching. It matters not what faith, creed or color, for on a global scale, His power will reign supreme.

Whether one is a Democrat, Republican, believer, non-believer, Christian, Jew, or Muslim, everyone is being held to answer. No one is beyond reproach, for we are our brother’s keepers, across the land.

The self-reliant initiatives taken by some should be applauded, however, until they get down on their knees, asking for forgiveness while showing through action, that the wrong path that has been pursued, was wrong, then it will be pointless to ask God for his mercy.

A political play based on who can out-do who or when to shift blame to whom, all is foolery and nonsense with no place in what is happening in the world today.

Amends must be made with the real shaper of life that controls the destiny of man.

Is it that difficult to recognize the cause and effect that has befallen us? It doesn’t take a genius to realize that the world is being punished. Everybody is being held to answer.

This so-called war is all about our minds, hearts and souls. The virus is just an instrument or weapon.

The awakening, the social distancing, the quarantines and the vaccines all have limitations.

There’s but one solution — the restoration of the presence of God in the lives of people.

The pandemonium is also causing an upsurge is buying guns, but it will only result in more chaos. The battle for good over evil ultimately rests with us all.

Richard Johnson

Posts by Richard Johnson

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

Published

1 week ago

March 22, 2026

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post

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Advice

Financial Wellness and Mental Health: Managing Money Stress in College 

While everyone’s financial situation is unique, several common sources of stress have the potential to strain your financial health. These include financial and economic uncertainty, existing debts, unexpected expenses, and mental or physical health changes. Financial stress may differ from situation to situation, but understanding the factors contributing to yours may help you begin to craft a plan for your unique circumstances.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

As a college student, managing financial responsibilities can be stressful.

If you’ve found yourself staying up late thinking about your finances or just feeling anxious overall about your financial future, you’re not alone. In one survey, 78% of college students who reported financial stress had negative impacts on their mental health, and 59% considered dropping out. While finances can impact overall stress, taking steps to manage your finances can support your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

When it comes to money, the sources of stress may look different for each student, but identifying the underlying causes and setting goals accordingly may help you feel more confident about your financial future.

Consider these strategies to help improve your financial wellness and reduce stress.

Understand what causes financial stress

2. Determine your financial priorities

Start by reflecting on your financial priorities. For students this often includes paying for school or paying off student loans, studying abroad, saving for spring break, building an emergency fund, paying down credit card debt or buying a car. Name the milestones that are most important to you, and plan accordingly.

3. Create a plan and stick to it

While setting actionable goals starts you on the journey to better financial health, it’s essential to craft a plan to follow through. Identifying and committing to a savings plan may give you a greater sense of control over your finances, which may help reduce your stress. Creating and sticking to a budget allows you to better track where your money is going so you may spend less and save more.

4. Pay down debt

Many students have some form of debt and want to make progress toward reducing their debt obligations. One option is the debt avalanche method, which focuses on paying off your debt with the highest interest rate first, then moving on to the debt with the next-highest interest rate. Another is the debt snowball method, which builds momentum by paying off your smallest debt balance, and then working your way up to the largest amounts.

5. Build your financial resilience

Some financial stress may be inevitable, but building financial resilience may allow you to overcome obstacles more easily. The more you learn about managing your money, for instance, the more prepared you’ll feel if the unexpected happens. Growing your emergency savings also may increase resilience since you’ll be more financially prepared to cover unexpected expenses or pay your living expenses.

6. Seek help and support

Many colleges have resources to help students experiencing financial stress, like financial literacy courses or funds that provide some assistance for students in need. Talk to your admissions counselor or advisor about your concerns, and they can direct you to sources of support. Your school’s counseling center can also be a great resource for mental health assistance if you’re struggling with financial stress.

The bottom line

Financial stress can affect college students’ health and wellbeing, but it doesn’t have to derail your dreams. Setting smart financial goals and developing simple plans to achieve them may help ease your stress. Revisit and adjust your plan as needed to ensure it continues to work for you, and seek additional support on campus as needed to help keep you on track.

 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC