FILE - In this June 10, 2018, file photo, Dan Feehan, the Democratic candidate in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District, poses before a parade in Waterville, Minn. Feehan faces Republican Jim Hagedorn in the Nov. 6 election. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

ROCHESTER — Democratic politicians and a union leader promoted unity and staying the course in an online Zoom discussion of COVID-19 issues Saturday.

First Congressional District candidate, U.S. Army war veteran and former teacher Dan Feehan led the discussion that included a variety of people from Winona to Worthington. House District 19B Rep. Jeff Brand of St. Peter said the story of a 104-year-old Minnesota woman recovering from the coronavirus gave him hope that Minnesota has great health care.

“And thanks to Gov. Walz for listening to a team of specialists,” Brand said.

Rochester Registered Nurse Liz Boldan agreed.

“I’m very grateful to live in Minnesota right now,” Boldan said. “The risk of misinformation right now is great. We’re doing all the right things for this (COVID-19) to be as good as possible. Physical distancing must continue to be done. It’s important to slow and stop spreading the disease to others. Hand-washing is really important. We’re going to be dealing with this for a while.”

Boldan said up to half of the people with COVID-19 don’t have symptoms so they don’t know they have it.

Southeast Minnesota Area Labor Council President Pommella Wegmann said some people that get infected while working can get Worker’s Compensation.

“We’d like to expand that to all union members. We want to ensure every worker at PPE (Personal Protective Equipment),” Wegmann said. “Minnesota is leading the nation in fast-acting government officials implementing guidelines. I thank the federal government for expanding paid sick and medical leave. The pandemic is underscoring the need for a strong safety net for workers. Times are tough, but we’ll get through it.”

Boldan said many people feel Minnesota’s COVID-19 guidelines are over-reacting to it. She said others feel we’re under-reacting to it.”

“It’s hard to ensure, but we’re doing it together. Please continue to do that,” Feehan said.

District 19 Sen. Nick Frentz of North Mankato said voters need to be protected.

“We introduced a plan to vote by mail so Minnesota voters don’t have to chose between their health and the right to vote,” Frentz said. “We have to be ready so voters feel safe. I support mail-in ballots.”

District 28A Rep. Gene Pelowski of Winona echoed Frentz.

“This country ran an election during the Civil War. If we can do it then, we can do it now,” Pelowski said.

Feehan said what is known about global pandemics is that they return.

“Six feet of distancing is a standard rule, but people should be as cautious as they are able,” Boldan said. “Being more than 6 feet away is not a bad idea.”

Pelowski said small business owners can contact their local legislators about assistance programs. He recommended sending email which he said is easier to respond to, hopefully within 24 hours.

Brand said business people could visit greatermankato.com which he said is updated often with vital COVID-19 information.

“This is the year to do deal with bonding projects with pent-up demand,” Brand said. “A bonding bill is a must-do. Let’s get it done.”

Worthington mayor Mike Kuhle called a state bonding bill the best stimulus package.

Wegmann suggested businesspeople visit the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) website mn.gov that includes final guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor on Minnesota becoming one of the first states to make $600 additional compensation payments to people receiving unemployment benefits via the CARES Act.

Feehan invited small business owners trying to hold on to employees to contact his campaign office which is on Facebook.

“That’s what I want to see elevated. It gives us hope,” Feehan said.

“People are coming together, going above and beyond. We’ll overcome this together,” Boldan said.

“We’re a great state with a lot of great people. This may be on par with the Great Depression, but we’re meeting it,” Frentz said. “One Minnesota is not just a slogan. It’s what is really going on here. Dan, thanks for getting us all together.”

Kuhle said Worthington is producing more than 100,000 plastic face masks a day, retooling factory lines within a week.

“I think we’ve got it right,” Kuhle said.

Brand said Minnesota is leading the country because it doesn’t have as many roadblocks in the way of making people safe.

Feehan said another ZOOM discussion is planned for next weekend.

“We’ll get through this together in creative forms,” Feehan said. “2020 is proving to be a year that will forever shape all of us. We get to reshape 2020.”

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.