NPR News

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is telling Americans that they should be prepared for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in their community.

But what does preparedness look like in practice? The short answer: Don't panic — but do prepare.

Updated 10 p.m. ET

Law enforcement officials said at least five people were killed in a shooting rampage at the Molson Coors Beverage Co. in Milwaukee on Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities believe the gunman, who was identified only as a 51-year-old Milwaukee man, also died of what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Updated at 6:52 p.m. ET

The U.S. health care system is trying to be ready for possible outbreaks, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned communities this week to prepare for the kind of spread now being seen in Iran, Italy, South Korea and other areas outside the virus's epicenter in China.