COEUR d’ALENE — Be prepared.

That was the message Thursday evening as Kootenai County Sheriff candidate Robert Norris addressed about 80 people at a public awareness event in the age of coronavirus.

Norris spent a half hour at the Best Western Coeur d’Alene Inn outlining methods that emergency responders and law enforcement use during large-scale emergencies.

The corona virus threat has not risen to the emergency level, he said.

“I don’t think there’s need for panic right now, but there’s room for concern,” he said.

As part of a Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office team that prepared responses to emergencies that affected large communities, Norris — who retired after 30 years in law enforcement — said public awareness is the first goal of agencies, and should be foremost on the mind of community members.

That means people should use reliable sources to learn about a threat.

So far, the coronavirus hasn’t spread in the U.S. the way it has in other countries, but he encouraged people to monitor its effects using reliable websites from agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control or Panhandle Health.

And he encouraged community members to be prepared by keeping on hand at least a two-week supply of food, water and any medication they need.

Being in the know, and being prepared, reduces stress and increases confidence, he said.

“I haven’t heard of any supply interruptions, but the next 30 to 60 days will tell,” he said. “We need to be ready.”

That means having contingency plans such as places to stay in case an evacuation is necessary — natural phenomenon such as fires, earthquakes and possible the spread of disease may require moving — pooling resources with neighbors or family members, and keeping an ample supply of medications.

The presentation, not much longer than 30 minutes, allowed audience members ample time for questions, and to voice their own concerns.

Emily Cox of Coeur d’Alene said she has not been able to find usually-inexpensive respiratory masks, and she had to turn to Amazon, where the mouth and nose coverings are selling for $17 apiece.

Norman Leffler, 91, a former practicing physician gave the audience a brief history of antibacterial medicines and explained that the coronavirus is made of strands of proteins, it is not a bacteria. The best preventatives, he said, include hand washing, staying away from people with cold or flu symptoms, and getting enough sleep.

“Get enough rest,” Leffler said, noting between seven and eight hours is best.

“People have to keep up their immune mechanisms,” he said.

Sleep helps do that.

Sue Erickson said the Thursday evening forum was interesting and provided her with useful information.

The Coeur d’Alene resident said she cans hundreds of quarts of garden vegetables and fruit annually and likely already has 90 days or more of food stocks.

“Everybody has to be aware and has to know that if something happens we may not be able to go to the store every day,” Erickson said.

At the same time, she took the evening’s information in stride.

“We have to be careful we don’t overreact,” she said.