Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
CDC, State Dept. urge caution and warn against travel to Mexico because of COVID-19, violence
The federal government is warning travelers to avoid travel to Mexico due to the twin threats of COVID-19 and violent crime. Published February 2, 2022
N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul enjoys commanding lead over Democratic challengers: poll
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is dominating the Democratic field ahead of a gubernatorial primary in June with a 42-point lead over her nearest challenger, while the GOP primary is a toss-up between Rep. Lee Zeldin and former Trump administration official Andrew Giuliani, according to a poll released Tuesday. Published February 2, 2022
Biden aims to reduce cancer deaths by 50% over next 25 years
President Biden said Wednesday he will relaunch the Cancer Moonshot program he started during the Obama administration, citing progress in treatments and care. Published February 2, 2022
Pfizer set to request emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than 5
U.S. regulators are planning to review and authorize Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than 5 before data on a third -- and potentially necessary -- shot is available. Published February 1, 2022
South Koreans don the ‘kosk,’ a nose-only COVID mask for dining
A South Korean company is selling a COVID-19 mask that covers just the nose while people are eating or drinking. Published February 1, 2022
GoFundMe page for protesting Canadian truckers nears $10M
A GoFundMe page to support a massive convoy of Canadian truckers protesting COVID-19 rules neared its goal of $10 million Tuesday. Published February 1, 2022
Pfizer set to request emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than 5
Pfizer and BioNTech are reportedly preparing to ask the Food and Drug Administration to authorize a COVID-19 vaccine for kids younger than 5. Published February 1, 2022
China leans into zero-COVID strategy before Olympics with lockdowns, tight bubble
Bucking the approach in much of the rest of the world, China is deploying a "zero-COVID" approach to the pandemic that reflects Beijing's authoritarian instincts but may be unsustainable. Published January 31, 2022
Bowie State University shuts down due to bomb threat
Persons at Bowie State University were told to shelter in place Monday after a bomb threat on campus, part of a disturbing pattern of threats aimed at historically Black colleges and universities. Published January 31, 2022
Beijing clamps down before Winter Olympics: Rolling lockdowns, daily COVID-19 tests
Beijing is locking housing complexes and economic zones outside the city as it tries to stamp out any sign of the coronavirus with days to go before the Winter Games begin. Published January 31, 2022
Joe Rogan responds to Spotify protest, COVID-19 advisories
Spotify said it will put a content advisory on any podcast that discusses COVID-19 after some artists said the platform should not host Joe Rogan and his interviews with persons who object to the mainstream narrative on the pandemic. Published January 31, 2022
COVID-19 fights bleed into larger ‘anti-vaxx’ movement, threaten longtime vaccine rules in schools
The vocal backlash to COVID-19 vaccines and mandates around them is sparking concerns that the "anti-vaxx" movement is finding a way to broadcast its message far and wide and chip away at school vaccinations for other diseases. Published January 29, 2022
Alabama probes a town’s police for overzealous traffic stops, arrest threats for Facebook post
The chief of police in a small Alabama town has resigned after reports his department was overly aggressive with traffic patrols, including claims that police officers pulled over drivers who criticized them on Facebook. Published January 28, 2022
Pittsburgh bridge collapses hours before Biden arrives to talk infrastructure
A bridge in Pittsburgh collapsed early Friday, hours before President Biden was scheduled to drop into town to talk about infrastructure. Published January 28, 2022
Many Americans think catching COVID-19 is inevitable, poll finds
More than three in four U.S. adults think it is inevitable that most people in the U.S. will eventually get COVID-19, according to polling Friday that finds people across parties and vaccination status feel this way. Published January 28, 2022
Biden hails record Obamacare sign-ups, fueled by COVID subsidies
President Biden said Thursday a record 14.5 million people signed up for private health insurance during Obamacare's open enrollment season for the coming year, after Democrats used a coronavirus-relief package to increase subsidies to cut the cost of premiums. Published January 27, 2022
Moving on: Denmark drops most of its COVID-19 restrictions
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has decided to lead the way in managing COVID-19 and getting back to normal, announcing all virus restrictions will be dropped as of Feb. 1. Published January 27, 2022
Radio host Dan Bongino permanently banned from YouTube: Report
YouTube reportedly has suspended conservative commentator Dan Bongino, alleging he tried to get around a previous suspension by posting to an alternate channel. Published January 27, 2022
Washington Times panel: Citizens, policymakers should reduce harm from addiction, climate change
Policymakers can decriminalize drugs or offer a safe supply to addicts, so that they don't die from illicit drugs, taxpayers don't bear the costs of incarceration, and police and bystanders aren't placed at risk in "no knock" drug raids. Published January 26, 2022
New York mask rule back in effect — for now; appeals court grants stay on COVID rule
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's indoor mask rule will remain in effect for a while longer after an appeals judge granted a stay late Tuesday blocking a lower court's ruling against the COVID-19 mandate. Published January 26, 2022
