Chief Counselor's Log # 6 - Staying Sane In Small Spaces

Posted on Thu May 31st, 2018 @ 8:15pm by Lieutenant Commander Marit Lantry M.D., Ph.D.

Preparations for the upcoming Ion storm have been underway in earnest for some time now, and I don't have to be a psionically gifted empath to know people are tense, but trying to take things in stride as best they can. Members of Starfleet certainly seem to have their game faces on, while most civilians I've seen have tried to emulate them. I feel particularly for the children, who, whether permanent residents or those merely passing through, certainly have not expected this sort of excitement, at least not at this point. Starbase 332 has certainly seen its share of conflict and danger, but generally speaking, no one expects a virtual city in space to face the kind of danger regularly experienced on starships. Most days, it was probably easy to forget they were in space.

Still, there is an undercurrent of anxiety that is hard to escape. All dangers present some degree of unpredictability, but at least with an enemy attack, there is the opportunity to outthink and out-strategize to survive the day. One can't exactly reason with an ion storm, naturally, and I think whether we want to acknowledge it or not, that has all of us on edge regardless of how experienced and rational we are.

As expected, all of the infirmary spaces are an even more frenetic hive of activity than usual, and I can't help but liken our CMO to a general about to do battle. She seems to have a strong grasp on all that needs to be done despite the station's large size and the challenges associated with corralling this many people, complete with their diverse medical and emotional needs, into safe spaces.

In mentioning my own medical expertise and suggesting members of my staff could help provide basic medical care while in the shelters, I fear I may have left her with the impression I was trying to take over her job, and in trying to assuage those potential concerns, it seems I have left her with the impression I am overly anxious. Given the stress everyone is under, it's likely we've just gotten our wires crossed, but I am mindful when this is all over that I'd like to get to know her and Dr. DeMarck better. I know very little of the man appointed as a CMO, but he seems quite competent, if a little inexperienced with emergencies on this scale. This will certainly be one heck of a trial by fire for him and the rest of us.

Here's hoping I and my team don't have to keep people sane in small spaces for too terribly long.