MANKATO — First District Republican Congressman Jim Hagedorn listened to constituents’ concerns in a radio town hall on the COVID-19 pandemic Saturday morning.

Constituents were invited to call in with questions during the town hall. Media members could access the event in the listen-only mode online or listen on radio.

Perhaps one of the more significant subjects was blood donation.

“I encourage everyone to donate blood, especially if you’ve had COVID-19,” Hagedorn said.

Kansas Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D. was also part of the discussion and echoed Hagedorn’s thoughts.

“A little Coronavirus serum goes a long way,” Marshall said.

The men commented on masks.

“If you go to the grocery store, masks can help keep you from touching your face,” Marshall said. “I think it’s a good idea. I wear them when I’m around people. I’d encourage others to wear them too.”

“I don’t think it hurts,” Hagedorn said. “The Mayo Clinic requires them.”

A caller voiced concern about elderly death rates in Minnesota during the pandemic and Gov. Walz cancelling elective surgery while a woman said she has a large liver mass that was scheduled to be removed in April but the surgery was cancelled due to the governor’s order.

“I don’t consider it to be elective and it was against my doctor’s wishes that the surgery was cancelled,” a woman said.

“Your case is exactly why we have to get our hospitals and doctors back working,” said Hagedorn. “We have incredible medical professionals in this district, many of whom were furloughed. It doesn’t make sense. I hope you can get that surgery taken care of as soon as possible and that you’ll be ok. You are exactly the person I talk about when I bring up my own case. We pray for you on that.”

Hagedorn said every life is valuable until natural death.

“In Minnesota, we’ve had a number of deaths in nursing homes and things like that, some of which couldn’t be avoided. Now that we know (COVID-19) is really affecting people, especially at an older age, we have an opportunity to do more to continue to protect them. And we should.”

Hagedorn’s colleague, Kansas Congressman Roger W. Marshall, M.D. said allowing the federal government to completely take over health care, which some Democrats support, would allow the federal government to decide who lives and who doesn’t.

“We have the best healthcare system in the entire world. I don’t care what anybody says. It’s an incredible healthcare system that comes down to the relationship between the doctor and patient,” Marshall said. “It’s too complex for them (federal government) to decide who gets to live and doesn’t.”

Hagedorn said when things were doing down in Minnesota and it looked like there could be a massive surge in cases, steps were taken with hospitals to virtually shut them down.

“I think we’ve learned a lot from then. It isn’t going to be as severe as we expected which is a good thing,” Hagedorn said. “We’ve encouraged the governor to open hospitals as much as we can to get routine care and important surgery that really shouldn’t wait. We should really all just work together to help everyone out.”

A caller asked about masks.

“A number of studies that show they’re primarily ineffective and basically just a feel good measure,” asked the caller.

“The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has gone back and forth on masks,” Hagedorn said. “I don’t think it hurts. Some businesses are going to say you have to wear masks until everybody is comfortable. There is a confidence factor to try to get people back into stores and restaurants. We’re going to have to expect some of that.”

Hagedorn said when he goes to the Mayo Clinic for treatment, they now require masks to be worn.

“If worn properly, masks can certainly be helpful,” Hagedorn said.

“A little common sense goes a long way,” said Marshall. “Masks are helpful, not a cure all. They stop you from scratching your nose. I think it’s a good idea. I wear one in public. I encourage people to do that as well if you’re outside your car and home, at least for right now.”

Hagedorn said he doesn’t know if it matters whether the virus escaped from a Chinese lab where they were checking it out in bats or from a market.

“But they (China) have to be held accountable. We’re going to look into this. They’re an adversary,” Hagedorn said.

Marshall said he reviewed records online and said he believes Minnesota Gov. Walz was not trying to ration healthcare to anybody.

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