Mayor Francis ‘Mac’ Womack, Township Council President Carlo Socio, Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Zychowski and Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Cafferty gathered at Community Park on Tuesday, March 2 to reflect on the lives of the 78 North Brunswick residents lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

78 flags were placed at the Community Park sign near Route 130 South. A wreath, candle and flags were also laid at the sign during the remembrance.

“We invite you and your family to drive by and come by the entrance of Community Park. Take a minute and pause and grieve and remember those who have been lost,” said Mayor Womack. He said that residents are invited to drop off flowers or a personal item at the base of the Community Park memorial.

Womack added that there will be a permanent memorial and ceremony to honor Township residents lost to COVID-19.

Council President Socio said, “What these flags represent are our neighbors, volunteers, parents, siblings. Each flag has its own special memory of what that resident gave to their family, to their friends and to the community.”

Dr. Zychowski said, “The flags are a sober reminder that we must stay and remain vigilant and we also must honor those who have passed.”

During the Township’s daily video briefings, Mr. Cafferty reads the number of daily COVID-19 cases and the number of deaths in New Jersey, Middlesex County and North Brunswick.

“Every day that I have to read another death it is a difficult day,” he said. “We are losing a family member, a friend, a neighbor. It is difficult to imagine that we have lost 78 people to this pandemic.” 

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“The COVID-19 vaccine has given residents around the nation and our County the hope that they have been longing for throughout this COVID-19 pandemic. Middlesex County has been committed to ensuring everyone that wants a vaccine receives a vaccine; however, unfortunately, the County is not immune to the vaccine supply challenges, including those caused by recent severe weather around the country, facing counties throughout the United States. Specifically, as a result of the severe weather around the Country, and particularly in the mid-west last week, the State of New Jersey’s vaccine shipments from the federal government have been delayed. As of this morning, we have received the delayed shipments and are actively working on rescheduling appointments.

Though these challenges have forced us to cancel appointments over the past week, those appointments will be rescheduled for this week. If a resident had an appointment canceled, they will receive an email from NJVSS with a date for your new appointment. For those concerned about the timing of their second dose, while it is recommended that a second dose of the vaccine be received within 28 days of the first dose, we want to reassure residents that second doses are effective up to six weeks following a first dose. We recognize the desire for those vaccine-eligible residents to receive their first and second doses, but we ask for residents’ understanding as we deal with factors outside our control.”