Proposal from Command/Science/Medical Departments

[notlewis]

Good evening, crew and council members.

In the wake of last week's incident and the tragic deaths of our friends and colleagues, as well as the occurrences on the mission and its aftermath, the captain and several members of the command staff have been in discussion about our next steps. Our top priority is to ensure the safety of the crew, without question. As such, we've decided to propose the idea of mandatory medical physicals for all crew members.

Given the diverse nature of the crew, the fact is that our medical staff is unprepared to deal with the wide physiological differences between various species. In case of a future medical emergency, it's important for us to have a record for you so that we know how to best treat you. When you're injured and seconds count, the medical staff's knowledge of your body may be the advantage they need to save lives.

The other fact of the matter is that physical screenings are normally routine procedure for military operations, or any kind of setting where there are many people gathered together in close quarters like this. We've so far been able to put them off, but given the recent emergencies, it's obvious that action needs to be taken.

Captain Kennedy is highly in favor of this proposal, and would like me to relay that all members of command staff and the various departments will be subject to mandatory physicals under his orders. As for the rest of the crew, that is for your council members to decide. But I would personally encourage the council to pass a similar measure for all crew members to ensure their future safety.

Physicals will be performed by members of the medical staff, including Dr. Levy, Dr. Bones and myself, in an assistance role.

I understand the concerns that many of you may have about this. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer anything that's within my knowledge.

In any case, I stand behind this measure 100% and I highly encourage our council members to consider it as well.

- Dr. L. Sera
Chief Science Officer

Comments

[is-the-ultimate.livejournal.com]

...

Just WHAT are these physicals consist of? I'm not going to be turn into some lab rat just for the sake of "health". GLaDOS did that enough recently.

[notlewis]

Ordinary physicals, governed by the Hippocratic Oath and common medical ethics. I'm not asking to dissect anyone-- it'll be no different than going to the doctor.

[starlightace]

That seems perfectly fair, actually.

[notlewis]

I'm glad you think so. I understand that some people might be uncomfortable with it, but it's really very standard procedure.

[governorkang]

You've got one Council member's vote.

[notlewis]

Happy to hear it, amigo.

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

I'm going to agree with Nanoha--I think this is a good idea.

I'm not a doctor--is there a standard procedure you follow? Maybe making that procedure known to the crew so they know what to expect will help alleviate some of the discomfort.

[notlewis]

I'm not a (medical) doctor either, but I can promise it won't be anything out of the ordinary. Measurements of height, weight, a full-body scan, possibly a blood sample at the most, to check for type and if you need anything special in a transfusion. Quick and painless.

[morphitudinous]

Do you require any special preparations on our parts beforehand?

[notlewis]

Nothing in particular. Unless you are a species other than human, and then it would help if you could explain some things to the staff, but I don't think you personally have to worry.

[itsaboutaction.livejournal.com]

I just want to know one thing: this will be confidential, right? It's not that I don't have faith in you and the other doctors. I do.

I just want to make sure that someone doesn't get hurt because another found out something they weren't supposed to.

[notlewis]

Of course. I will see to it personally that all of this remains completely confidential and off-limits to anyone but the medical staff.

[echoofaperson.livejournal.com]

Considering your reference to the incident with the Shiva parasite, and the crew and security's foreknowledge of my own status, I am assuming you are looking for more like me? Or perhaps, to word it better, more like the Shiva parasite?

As the situation stands now, the tragic situation that only recently occurred, and your own knowledge of what I am, what sort of treatment do you expect I be willing to allow myself to be subjected to?

[Screened]

[notlewis]

Listen. I'm a parasitologist by trade. I understand all the issues surrounding it, I know you are concerned and you probably have every right to be.

But the purpose of these screenings is to inform, not to meddle in any other way. All we want is to know what we're dealing with when it comes to our crew members. It's none of my business beyond simple scientific fact, and none of medical's business beyond how to treat you-- or your body, as it were.

[godbydefinition.livejournal.com]

I understand that there will be a certain measure of confidentiality involved in these 'physicals'. However, I must express some concern, on behalf of those on the ship whom it may affect. To base the requirement of these physicals on recent negative encounters with life forms alien to you... does that not cast some doubt as to the purpose? Our crew members may not feel at ease with this, if they believe they may face discrimination based on matters such as race or physiology.

If it is for emergency medical procedures, would simply inquiring not be efficient on its own? Those with special needs would surely be willing to provide your staff with details about medical treatment.

I of course mean no disrespect, Doctor Sera. I can understand how this could be an efficient way to avoid problems. I am simply concerned for the mental health and safety that some might feel compromised with such an action. I will, however, cooperate however I can.

[notlewis]

It's partially due to the fact we're unfamiliar with these life forms that we want to undertake these screenings. I'm not willing to take the risk of unintentional discrimination against non-humans that would result from continued ignorance about the physiological makeup of our crew-- more non-humans will die on the operating table, by simple merit that our doctors have more experience with humans.

I wish that we could simply ask about this, but I'm afraid that it wouldn't be sufficient to give us all the information we need. Not all of the crew are doctors or medically inclined-- we may find out important things about their bodies by scanning them that they couldn't tell us.

No offense taken, amigo. I completely understand the ethical problems with this situation... but the fact is, if the crew were assembled in any other method than this, these screenings would have already happened. I give you my word that I will see to the confidentiality of these results, and the respect of all crew members, regardless of species.

[fieldpromoted]

You hadn't already made this mandatory, Luis? I figured I'd just slipped under the radar.

[notlewis]

Well, it really should have been, but with people arriving on the ship the way that they do, I figured an immediate physical wouldn't be great for their mental state.

[Screened]

And no, that doesn't count, you still have to come in and get one.

[in-venting.livejournal.com]

Am I exempt?

[notlewis]

Nope.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Minion of Zetta, transcribing:

I'm a f--

Minion of Zetta, summarizing the Overlord's objections and excising profanity:

The Overlord states that he is, at the moment, a book, in a tone and with adjectives of a nature designed to cast aspersions on the value of monitoring the physical well-being thereof.

[notlewis]

Tell your overlord that if the measure passes, nobody is exempt.

But I promise we will take good care of him in any case.

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

While I can't speak for those who wish to keep their own biological secrets to themselves, it is a good idea.

However I'd like to call the council in on this just to make sure everyone's in agreement, and hear some the arguments of the populace before we make certain we're fully prepared to initiate a ship-wide event like this.

[notlewis]

Agreed. I wouldn't think of it any other way.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

I've already got a scan on file. Brainiac 5 did one on me...I don't even remember how long ago now.

I'll sit one again if you need me to, I guess.

[notlewis]

For the sake of fairness, we'll be repeating the scan on everyone. Thanks for your understanding.

[hack-rat.livejournal.com]

I've got Sam studying me already.

I don't like doctors as it it, and as I'm sure he can attest to.

Three things:

1.) How invasive is this? I saw you said that it's like going to the Doctor's, but I've never been to a normal civilian doctor, and our doctors were... well, yeah...

2.) Can I at least have Sam do mine? I've... I sorta hate saying it, but he's gotten more of my respect than any other doctor I've met, so... I'd rather have someone I at least have gotten familiar with.

3.) It's a good idea and all, but still, I hate doctors.

[sanguineroyal.livejournal.com]

Finally. It is as important to know of your allies as it is to know of your enemies.

I, for one, will be glad to have my medical information available officially, to doctors aside from Sam.

I also have quite a few warnings on treating me. My race is rather complex. I only know so much about my own body. Honestly, I would be open to a vivisection for further study, perhaps you might even find a way to increase the survivability of the human passengers aboard the ship.

[favoredfire.livejournal.com]

This Council member understands the need for these procedures, but making them absoltuely mandatory is an infringement of personal liberties.

[foreseen-future.livejournal.com]

Now for clarification, who exactly will be doing these scans?

You?