Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin (D-Woodbridge) sent a letter to Governor Ralph Northam on Friday urging him to send more COVID-19 testing kits and other necessary resources to Prince William County.

“As the second largest jurisdiction in Virginia, it is imperative that Prince William County receive these resources as soon as possible. Testing is critical in determining the scope of the virus throughout the community. Without additional testing kits, we are placing our residents in substantial risk in spreading COVID 19 which will cause further disruption to our economy,” Franklin stated in the letter addressed to Governor Northam.

Additionally, the letter asked for more measures to provide relief for small business owners and their employees. It also asks that Governor Northam protect taxpayers and families by eliminating late fees for state services and guaranteeing that localities have the ability to provide resources such as meals to families and individuals in need.

“It is my utmost priority to ensure the residents of our county are taken care of and that we have every possible measure in place to control the spread of the virus and treat individuals who are infected,” said Franklin. “I implore Governor Northam to send more testing kits and provide relief for our residents during this State of Emergency,” 

Franklin’s letter follows a joint letter that was cosigned by all of the members of the Prince William County Board of County Supervisors to Vice President Mike Pence.

Franklin is serving her first term as supervisor. She was elected in November and is one of the first two Black women to serve on the Prince William County Board of County Supervisors.