Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
FDA postpones review of child COVID-19 vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday postponed an advisory meeting on Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine for young children and will wait for data on the third dose from trials, meaning the rollout for ages 0 to 4 might not begin until April. Published February 11, 2022
Ontario premier declares a state of emergency for trucker blockade, threatens prison for protesters
Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency in the province Friday and said truckers protesting COVID-19 rules will face "severe" consequences if they do not disperse from Ottawa and other locations. Published February 11, 2022
Dozens of House Republicans tell DHS Secretary Mayorkas to resign
Nearly four dozen of House Republicans called on Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to resign Friday on grounds he is leaving the southern border "wide open" and making it difficult for agents to do their jobs. Published February 11, 2022
Scientists scramble on COVID-19 vaccine dosing; challenge remains for drugmakers
Health officials are coming to realize that while pushing COVID-19 vaccines to the market in record time likely saved hundreds of thousands of lives in America, it also meant they didn't get the dosing decisions exactly right. Published February 11, 2022
Ontario mayor seeks court order to remove trucker protest from border crossing
An Ontario mayor says he will seek a court order Friday that expands his power to remove truckers blocked a key border crossing as part of protests against COVID-19 rules. Published February 11, 2022
Nevada drops mask mandate, effective immediately, joining a trend
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak abruptly dropped a statewide mask mandate Thursday, saying a certain number of people won't get the COVID-19 vaccine and he doesn't want to hold the rest of society back. Published February 11, 2022
Biden calls on Democrats to pass drug negotiation, extend Obamacare subsidies
President Biden leaned on Democratic senators Thursday to extend supersized Obamacare subsidies and give struggling American families "breathing room" on prescription costs through Medicare negotiation. Published February 10, 2022
COVID-19 vaccines’ flaws dash hopes of reaching herd immunity
Herd immunity projection was just one of the areas where COVID-19 has humiliated policymakers and experts who have tried to lead the U.S. through the pandemic. Published February 10, 2022
Federal law enforcement increasingly worried about U.S. trucker convoy: Report
Federal law enforcement is increasingly concerned about disruptions from a U.S. trucker convoy that copies a similar protest in Canada. Published February 10, 2022
Some Democrats say they’re open to dropping the House floor mask mandate by March
Some House Democrats say Capitol Hill should ditch its mask mandate by March, as a number of blue state governors relent on COVID-19 rules because the omicron surge is easing and Americas want to get on with their lives. Published February 10, 2022
Canada warns of supply shocks, blocked goods due to trucker protest
Canadian officials are warning that trucker protests against COVID-19 rules will disrupt the flow of goods and exacerbate problems in the supply chain. Published February 10, 2022
Pandemic outcome will define Dr. Fauci’s legacy; shifts in advice divide Americans on partisan lines
Today, Dr. Anthony Fauci's face is on Halloween masks and billboards, his name has become synonymous with the COVID-19 pandemic, and anyone who doesn't recognize him must have taken social distancing so seriously that they have shut off society completely. Published February 10, 2022
White House: No crack pipes in drug harm-reduction kits
The Biden administration said Wednesday the federal government will not fund crack pipes or reimburse grantees who put them in safe smoking kits after a dustup over reports saying a program designed to reduce harm from drug use would include the devices. Published February 9, 2022
Bipartisan group urges FDA to act fast in approving over-the-counter hearing aids
Folks looking for bipartisanship in Washington should look no further than over-the-counter hearing aids. Published February 9, 2022
CDC sticking with indoor mask rules even as states move on
President Biden's coronavirus team said Wednesday it is sticking with its guidance on indoor masking as it combats the back end of the omicron surge, even as the Democratic administration finds itself lagging behind blue-state governors who are rapidly lifting divisive COVID-19 rules. Published February 9, 2022
VP Harris to attend high-profile Munich Security Conference amid Ukraine crisis
Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Germany for the Munich Security Conference this month, giving President Biden's deputy a big platform as Russia threatens to invade Ukraine, the White House said Wednesday. Published February 9, 2022
Bystanders object as man arrested for car-honking in Ottawa in support of trucker protest
A 78-year-old man was arrested in Ottawa allegedly for honking his horn in support of the trucker convoy protesting COVID-19 rules in Canada. Published February 9, 2022
Hong Kong reports over 1,000 COVID-19 cases, first deaths in six months
Hong Kong recorded more than 1,000 coronavirus infections Wednesday for the first time since the pandemic began and its first virus deaths in six months as the surge of the omicron variant challenges the city and China's broader zero-COVID policy. Published February 9, 2022
N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul set to drop indoor mask mandate: Report
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected Wednesday to drop a mandate that forced businesses to either seek proof of full vaccination or demand mask-wearing indoors, making her the latest Democratic leader to relent on divisive COVID-19 rules as the omicron surge eases. Published February 9, 2022
Va. judge temporarily blocks Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s ban on mask mandates in seven school districts
An Arlington judge issued an order Tuesday that temporarily blocks Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's ban on mask mandates in seven school districts. Published February 9, 2022
