DEAR CHRISTINE: Hats off to all the caring nurses

Dear Christine,
Allow me to share the following [in response to the letter headlined Nurses Deserve More Respect which was carried in the DAILY NATION of January 2].
The last paragraph reads: “Please, Christine, tell your readers if they know a nurse, to give him/her a hug. Take the nurse to lunch, and tell that person how special he/she is. I hope that in 2014, someone will remember that we too play a significant role.”
[I want to say to Nurse M], you deserve the biggest hug of all. Your letter exudes passion – not only in what you wrote, but for your profession.
It is high time that someone did what you have done, and I congratulate you for so doing. Sometimes, one can no longer hold back one’s frustration, and you did what you had to do.
I have the greatest respect for nurses, and I always tell myself that I don’t know what may befall me or my relatives. I, or they, may end up in the care of a nurse someday.
I am of the opinion that whoever abuses a nurse – whether verbally, physically or mentally – should feel the full weight of the law. No slap on the wrist for them – whether male or female.
Why aren’t nurses given medals like other people? Who decides who deserves one? Many politicians do not have the decorum to be making such decisions.
I say hats off to you Nurse M. especially, and all other nurses, police officers, immigration/customs officers, teachers and so on who are in the frontline of our society.
Each of you deserves to be treated better, and no sympathy should be shown to anyone who abuses any of you.
– Anthony D.
Dear Anthony D.,
Thanks for taking time out to respond to Nurse M’s letter and for giving all nurses, police officers, [doctors], immigration and custom officers, teachers and others in the public service the encouragement they deserve.
I also wish to reach out to prison officers who work extended hours taking care of those who are incarcerated.
Their work also should not go unnoticed.
– CHRISTINE