Upbeat Breakfast talks look at life when businesses reopen

COEUR d’ALENE — If businesses deemed nonessential are allowed to reopen soon, they must remain vigilant in the fight against the coronavirus, said local officials.

The first virtual Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce Upbeat Breakfast attracted more than 100 viewers Tuesday to hear the latest on COVID-19 from Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger, Panhandle Health District Director Lora Whalen, and United Way of North Idaho Executive Director Mark Tucker. Kootenai County had 45 cases as of Tuesday and only a few new ones over the past week.

“I am encouraged by what I’m seeing,” Whalen said.

She said as the economy returns to normal and shops reopen, people must not let their guard down. Mitigation efforts to reduce the virus should be part of business operations, she said. Social distancing, use of hand sanitizer and telecommuting for employees should continue.

“Think about your business operation plan as we go forward,” Whalen said.

Whalen said the current measures are helping control the virus, which she said we haven’t seen the likes of since the Spanish flu of 1918.

But she added that those 60 and older, with respiratory issues, living in long-term care and assisted living facilities, “really need to take precautions.”

Wolfinger agreed social distancing and sanitizing must be maintained as government-ordered shutdowns and regulations are eased and the economy begins to reopen.

“This isn’t going to go away overnight,” he said.

People were urged to take health precautions, but it was also noted that businesses are in trouble.

“It’s a very delicate balance,” Wolfinger said. “There’s an economy here we have to maintain.”

Tucker said the Spring Dash, an annual fundraiser for United Way of North Idaho, would have been Saturday. While the 5-mile fun run that attracts nearly 1,000 and starts and ends at McEuen Park was canceled, it will go on in the virtual world.

People can register at www.unitedwayofnorthidaho.org/springdash, run 5 miles on their own between April 18 and April 30, and post their time.

They will still get a T-shirt that may be unveiled this week, and a race bib.

Proceeds will go to the COVID-19 relief fund being administered by United Way of North Idaho.

The fund has raised about $35,000 and two rounds of grants have been presented.

Tucker said the community has always rallied around nonprofits.

“To see it even strengthened in these times has been amazing,” he said. “There’s so many things this community is doing together.”

Jody Acevedo of Numerica said the credit union has donated $225,000 to organizations helping people survive the coronavirus crisis.

“At Numerica, we also believe in spreading goodness throughout the community at this time,” she said.