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Opinion – ‘I Can’t Breathe’ COVID-19 in Prison

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I can’t breathe is more than just a statement. It’s a living reality, both literally and figuratively.

Literally it’s the actuality that you can’t breathe due to some form of physical restraint being applied which causes suffocation.

Figuratively it applies to an oppressed people existing in America who are not able to receive justice or equality.

Which is an essential component of life.

Racial discrimination can suffocate because it denies the life-sustaining necessities.

The “I can’t breathe”  plea emphatically summarizes the nature and composition of suffering and denial figuratively.

A translation of the “I can’t breathe” chant signifies what a depressed people under the weight of tyranny oppression must endure.

People  ridden with discriminatory treatment, disguised as racial justice, are dying daily as a direct result of not being able to breathe in a toxic polluted atmosphere of inhumane conditions.

But, to be fair, Black people are not the only targeted minorities shackled with the inability to breathe freely.

Other people of color also find themselves the subjects of repugnant treatment as Blacks are and have been the pre-eminent victims of racist behavior.

Racism permeates every element in life and gives breath to hateful suffering associated with day to day survival.

“I can’t Breathe” is an American narrative detailing an ongoing tactic approval of accepted silent practices that besmirch and degrade people of color

The damages of racism, done over time, undeniably cripples and destroys racial harmony.

Until I can’t breathe is vehemently replaced with, I can breathe America will continue to be the epicenter of race-based exclusion and dehumanizing practices against people who don’t share the racial genetics of most of the population that doesn’t look like them in America and around the world.

It is time for people to stand up and take “I can’t breathe” to its final resting place.

COVID-19

The Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has far-reaching implications in prison-like it has been on a worldwide basis.

Here in the prison complex of San Quentin, social distancing as it is designed by the medical experts is a meaningless concept and practice and, therefore, structurally because of cells and cellmates it is virtually impossible to implement.

For several months the practice of transferring inmates from prison to prison was halted in order to stop the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, but then apparently.

Someone in the front offices gave the okay to transfer inmates to San Quentin where no inmates had the virus even though it was reported that a few staff members had tested positive.

The logic of sending hundreds of inmates from another prison that experienced several deaths and multiple cases of positive virus tests is still baffling because it put all of us at San Quentin at risk.

Already dozens have been exposed with many showing symptoms. They are being placed in quarantine and possibly contaminating others in their immediate surroundings.

I have learned that many prisoners and some staff have died in the statewide prison system. These facts should be of concern to the public-at-large because any efforts toward the containment of the virus in this very close environment seem futile at best.

And since prisons release many of the inmates who have varying sentences, on a staggered basis, they will return home to many communities throughout the state, and it is ludicrous to think that some of them won’t be carrying the virus.

In order to decide, the entire prison population needs to be tested, because many could be asymptomatic.

Many inmates have underlying health issues which means aggressive action is required to minimize death and contamination.

The notion that if we separate inmates and move them around from place to place will minimize the spread is risky to us here and to the outside public as well.

COVID-19 has revealed that we are all truly in this situation together.

Without the combined efforts of everyone, we will lose this battle against the virus.

This health crisis struggle is a twenty-first-century Armageddon on several levels. On June 12 they started testing staff, which is a good sign. I will continue to report on the status of COVID-19.

May God bless us all.

Richard Johnson K- 53293

3 W.2

San Quentin, CA. 94974

Since the article was received, the family of Richard Johnson contacted The Post News Group to confirm Johnson tested positive for COVID-19.

 

 

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Activism

COMMENTARY: Let’s Go to The Doctor. Obesity and Weight Management for Men

Obesity is a chronic disease.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity affects 42.8% of middle-aged adults. It is closely related to several other chronic diseases, including heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and certain cancers and joint diseases.

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Clifford L. Williams. File photo.
Clifford L. Williams. File photo.

By Clifford L. Williams

Black males, and men in general, it’s time to take our weight seriously. There’s a need to take a hard look at being overweight and address the issue of obesity.

Obesity is a chronic disease.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity affects 42.8% of middle-aged adults. It is closely related to several other chronic diseases, including heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and certain cancers and joint diseases.

Being overweight is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) between 25.0 and 29.9; a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. Although the disease is chronic, it is treatable. For people living with obesity, weight management is more than just tracking the pounds.

Obesity can negatively impact your health, but the good news is that weight loss may improve some weight-related conditions. Knowing your BMI is a great first step when starting the conversation about weight management with a healthcare provider.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes obesity is generally caused by overeating and moving too little. Suppose you consume high amounts of energy, particularly fat and sugars, but don’t burn off the energy through exercise and physical activity. In that case, much of the surplus energy will be stored by the body as fat.

Black men have seen the red flags and have chosen to act. You may cut off sugar and drinks, but exercise is what really matters. Long walks are a great place to start, and they may lead to other forms of exercise.

Getting more exercise and moving around may do wonders for your weight. Make a few adjustments occasionally; they might add up over time. Also, watch what you consume. No foods need to be eliminated from your diet, but portions should be reduced and healthy calorie intake increased.

Steps That Help Lead to a Healthier Lifestyle:

Consult Your Healthcare Provider About the Risks. You should talk to your doctor and ask them about creating a personalized strategy for you. Some Black men said they didn’t realize the dangers of being overweight until they were sick with diabetes or heart disease and their doctor brought up the link to their weight, according to research published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Work with a Personal Trainer – Losing weight is a team effort that requires both a nutritious diet and regular physical activity. Like diets, there is no “right” way to exercise. You may get individualized advice on what to eat based on your body type and the recommendations of your nutritionist, in addition to a tailored exercise program to help you attain your objectives.

Set Realistic GoalsJust as you shouldn’t anticipate losing weight overnight, you shouldn’t acquire it overnight either. No weight reduction program that uses microwaves exists, and even if it did, it probably wouldn’t last. If your objectives are too ambitious, you run the danger of being disheartened when you fail to achieve them.

To Our Readers:

For information on other health-related issues regarding men’s health, please share your thoughts and/or concerns with the Post Newspaper Group editorial staff.

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Activism

Griot Theater Company Presents August Wilson’s Work at Annual Oratorical Featuring Black Authors

The performance explores the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson whose 10-play Century Cycle chronicles the African American experience across the 20th century, with each play set in a different decade. “Half a Century” journeys through the final five plays of this monumental cycle, bringing Wilson’s richly woven stories to life in a way that celebrates history, resilience, and the human spirit.

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Late playwright August Wilson. Wikipedia photo.
Late playwright August Wilson. Wikipedia photo.

By Godfrey Lee

Griot Theater Company will present their Fifth Annual Oratorical with August Wilson’s “Half a Century,” at the Belrose on 1415 Fifth Ave., in San Rafael near the San Rafael Public Library.

The performance explores the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson whose 10-play Century Cycle chronicles the African American experience across the 20th century, with each play set in a different decade. “Half a Century” journeys through the final five plays of this monumental cycle, bringing Wilson’s richly woven stories to life in a way that celebrates history, resilience, and the human spirit.

Previous performance highlighting essential Black American authors included Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Lorraine Hansberry with Langston Hughes.

The play will be performed at 3:00. p.m. on Feb. 20, 21, 22, 27, and 28 at 7:00 p.m., and on Feb. 23 at 3:00 p.m.

For more information, go to griottheatercompany.squarespace.com/productions-v2

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Activism

Two New California Bills Are Aiming to Lower Your Prescription Drug Costs

“When basic life necessities like medication become unaffordable in Blue States, working people pay the price. As Democrats, we should be leading on making people’s lives better and more affordable,” continued Weiner. It is past time California caught up with other states and put basic protections in place to contain the astronomical cost of basic medications.”

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iStock.
iStock.

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) has introduced two bills in the State Senate that could lower prescription drug prices for California residents.

Senate Bill (SB) 40, or the Insulin Affordability Act — and accompanying legislation, SB 41, or Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Reform — comprise Wiener’s Prescription Drug Affordability (PDA) Package.

Together, the bills would cap monthly co-pays for insulin at $35 (SB 40) and create regulations for pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) whose negotiation practices, critics say, have resulted in steep price increases for prescription drugs (SB 41).

“It makes no sense that people with diabetes in states like West Virginia can access affordable insulin while Californians are stuck with higher prices,” said Wiener in a statement.

“When basic life necessities like medication become unaffordable in Blue States, working people pay the price. As Democrats, we should be leading on making people’s lives better and more affordable,” continued Weiner. It is past time California caught up with other states and put basic protections in place to contain the astronomical cost of basic medications.”

SB 40’s proposed $35 monthly co-pay was written, in part, in response to the price of insulin tripling over the past decade, Wiener’s office says. As a result of the increase, one in four people using insulin has reported insulin underuse because they can’t afford the full dose.

About 4,037,000 adult Californians have diabetes, with an additional 263,000 cases of Type 1 diabetes diagnosed each year. This rate in new cases disproportionately affects the elderly, men, and low-income patients, Wiener’s office reports.

According to Wiener, SB 41 is his follow-up to similar legislation he introduced last year, SB 966, which was vetoed by Gov. Newsom.

Middlemen in the pharmaceutical industry, PBMs buy prescription drugs from manufacturers and then sell them to pharmacies and health plans. Their position as intermediaries allows them to charge high administrative fees and significantly higher prices for drugs to pharmacies than they paid originally. This practice results in higher costs for patients seeking the prescriptions they need.

“On behalf of the Californians we serve who live with chronic and rare diseases, we are grateful to Sen. Wiener for his commitment and attempt to hold pharmacy middlemen accountable for their anti-patient and anti-pharmacy practices,” stated Liz Helms, California Chronic Care Coalition President & CEO.  “Health care costs continue to rise when patients cannot afford medically necessary medications.”

SB 41 proposes that all PBMs be licensed and that they disclose basic information regarding their business practices to the licensing entity. It also calls for a number of other requirements and prohibitions, including limiting how fees may be charged and requiring transparency related to all fees assessed.

“This bill addresses some of the worst abuses by pharmacy benefit managers: lack of transparency, unfair business practices, steering, and price gouging,” said Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog.

In 2022, drug spending in California grew by 12%, while total health premiums rose by just 4%. Last year, more than half of Californians either skipped or postponed mental and physical healthcare due to cost, putting their safety and well-being at risk. One in three reported holding medical debt, including half of low-income Californians.

So far, there is no organized opposition to the Prescription Drug Affordability package.

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