SYMPATHY FOR THE QUAKE VICTIMS

Letter writer John Derevlany of Venice (March 27), though he was out of town during the Jan. 17 earthquake, has the gall to berate quake victims for continuing to “yammer” about their losses. To him, all I can say is, “You had to have been here, Jack.”

Virtually everyone is interested in the welfare of these disaster victims during this difficult time. These unfortunate people should be encouraged to take as long as they need to grieve and to work out their terrors with the knowledge that most of us who were not hit are rooting for them. We know it’s just a matter of time until it’s our turn. We hope we’ll also be entitled to a bit more compassion than Derevlany could muster.

What a shame that the misery of others seemed to be messing up his day.

LEONORA HOLDER

Long Beach

Derevlany must not be aware that sharing these traumatic personal stories helps to relieve the tremendous stress and anxiety that so many earthquake victims feel. If all he can do is wish that everyone would get on with his or her life, perhaps he should get one.

KATHLEEN JOHNSON

Los Angeles