MINNESOTA — DFL congressional candidate Dan Feehan held a virtual town hall for the youngest members of southern Minnesota. Feehan was joined by his 9-year-old son Conor in answering questions from kids.

Feehan said he has been hearing from adults for the last several weeks and wanted to turn his attention on the youngest constituents.

Feehan said the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the only times in a kid’s life that they are experiencing something their parents have never gone through. Feehan explained that usually when kids are experiencing something difficult, their parents can relate because they went through it, but COVID-19 is new for kids and adults.

“I am telling you as a parent, it is kind of hard,” Feehan said. He advised kids to be open with how they are feeling to help parents understand.

Dan and Conor Feehan opened the town hall with a difficult literary question, what is the better book series: Harry Potter or Percy Jackson.

Conor decided it was a tie.

The Feehans took questions from kids in the chat. The first question was about why people needed to wear a mask in public.

Conor Feehan said if you have the virus and you wear a mask, you won’t spread it to other people.

Dan Feehan agreed. He said the mask doesn’t necessarily protect the wearer but protects loved ones and anyone else nearby.

Conor was also asked what it was like to be quarantined with a new baby sister. Conor admitted it was good and bad. It was good because he got to see her all the time, but bad because it was stressful for his parents.

Dan Feehan admitted it was a stressful last couple of months because their six-month-old daughter Maeve is not sleeping as much as she should.

Asked how kids can have fun during quartine, Conor said he rode a bike, went for walks, explored the woods and talked to his friends online through videogames. Conor said the most difficult part of the last few months is an inability to do normal activities and see friends. It is still possible to visit with friends online.

The father/son team also tackled advice for washing hands. Conor said the virus can transfer to a person’s hands through touch but can be killed by washing hands. Both Feehans prefer to wash hands to the tune of Happy Birthday. Later they sang Happy Birthday to a boy Dominic who turned 5 years old on Sunday.

The Feehans were asked what kids can do when scared. Conor said if a kid is scared about what is happening, they should talk to parents. Dan agreed and added that being scared is completely normal.

“Being scared is one of the most real feelings you can ever have,” he said. “Every time I’ve been scared, one of the biggest most helpful things for me to do is to tell someone else I was scared. Dan said talking about fears out loud could help a person feel less afraid.

Dan Feehan encouraged families to be open with their feelings during the pandemic.

“I hope this was a great way for parents and kids alike to talk about how you are doing,” he said. “The only way to go through it together is to talk about how you are doing.”