How sad to see fences go up along the lawn at our Providence Hospital. It makes it look like there is some kind of physical conflict that can’t be resolved, (“Nurses at 6 Providence hospitals start a 3-day strike Tuesday. Here’s what it means for patients,” June 17). That is exactly the image that we do not need in our country right now. The nurses at Providence go to work every day committed to relieving suffering and offering comfort to people who have real, urgent needs. I’m sure that the mission of Providence Health & Services aligns completely with their efforts, and is also dependent on their work to be successful.

Providence should provide the nurses with everything they need to accomplish this, including the means and time to live a worthy and meaningful life. Please take down those fences - both outside, and at the agreement table inside.

Richard Strahm, Central Point

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