With the sting of wintry weather taking hold as COVID cases surge, the sun is still shining on what seems a desolate stillness.

Fort Hancock, at the end of Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook, captures the embracing, ghostly gander of bygone days. The picture comes into focus as a worn, rough one tinged with tenacity, bravery and rays of light — hope.

Photos capture the essence of it all: The discouraging pandemic reports came in at the week’s start as reminders circulated that it had been 79 years on Monday since the “date which will live in infamy,” Pearl Harbor Day, the day President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan after the attack at the U.S. Naval Base in Hawaii in which 2,403 were killed.

Fort Hancock, a long abandoned relic of wartime heroics and triumph, is a reminder of a spot where gun battery defenders would keep watch, poised “to support the upcoming war against any sea attack by German U-boats and warships or use antiaircraft guns to shoot down enemy planes,” Gateway National Recreation area posted on Monday. Take a look (and click to enlarge and scroll) and remember. The sun casts a bright hue on the reminder.

And as wartime was remembered, COVID-19 statistics soared in the area. As war is waged against the pandemic, it has, to date infected a reported 377,055 in all of New Jersey, or resulted in that many positive tests. It has also been attributed to 15,590 deaths with 1,836 more probable deaths.

In Monmouth County, officials announced today that there were 438 new positive cases and three new deaths.

“As the number of cases continues to rise, the Freeholders and the Monmouth County Health Department are strongly urging residents to do their part to slow the spread by practicing social distancing, wearing a face covering when social distancing is not possible, not gathering in large crowds, washing their hands and staying home when sick,” county officials said in a released statement.

Locally, in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, the rise in positive cases has been alarming with Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli announcing in his Friday message to the public that with a current 42 active cases in the borough, quadruple the number of positives when the pandemic began, there are far too many residents not adhering to the safety protocol.

“We are noticing that the mask and social distancing protocols imposed by executive orders (Federal, State and Local) are not being adhered to. Please follow regulations in place and wear a mask and be sure that you are socially distanced while patronizing businesses or venturing out of your home.”

Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli in his Friday message to the public

Fair Haven has, as of Tuesday, had 146 positive COVID test reports, up from 139 just the day before, on Monday. Rumson has 198, up five from 193 the day before. Little Silver has 164 cumulative positive results, Red Bank has 778 and Sea Bright has 55.

As the weather gets colder, the opportunity for outdoor dining is dwindling. The governor has limited outdoor gatherings to 25 now, because of non-compliant behavior. Schools in the Rumson-Fair Haven area have remained closed to in-person instruction because of the surge.

The cold snap is here to stay for a while at least. There’s a chance of snow, then rain, then snow and/or rain tomorrow and a high of 42 degrees. The rest of the week shows a forecast of sunny to cloudy and rainy weather on Saturday with temperatures ranging from a high of 49 to 55 degrees. Click here for more.

Stay warm. Stay safe. Smile and remember: Here stays the neighborhood … always.

Photos/Elaine Van Develde

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