Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
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
J&J paused COVID-19 vaccine product at Dutch plant: Report
Johnson & Johnson reportedly shut down the only plant making usable batches of its COVID-19 vaccine even though many poor and developing nations are relying on the shots to immunize their populations. Published February 8, 2022
Hong Kong imposes its toughest social distancing rules to date
Hong Kong announced Tuesday some of its toughest social distancing policies to date as rising case counts and the omicron variant challenge the sustainability of China's zero-COVID policy. Published February 8, 2022
White House launches day of action to promote child tax credit
The Biden administration on Tuesday launched a massive outreach campaign to get millions of families to file their taxes so they can receive the second half of payments from the child tax credit. Published February 8, 2022
Harm-reduction policies for drug addicts gain traction under Biden administration
The Justice Department is reportedly "evaluating" safe injection sites, a haven where people can use heroin and other illegal drugs in an effort to avoid fatal overdoses, though it is still considering the "appropriate guardrails" around the sites. Published February 8, 2022
Canadian truckers disrupt major bridge traffic as Trudeau scrambles to end protest
Truckers blocked part of the busiest U.S.-Canada border crossing as officials scrambled to try to put an end to COVID-19 protests that have disrupted daily life in Ottawa and elsewhere. Published February 8, 2022
American University unknowingly distributed counterfeit KN95 masks, says campus newspaper
American University in Washington unknowingly distributed fake KN95 masks to students during the first week of in-person classes, according to the student newspaper. Published February 8, 2022
White House taps federal workforce to serve as ‘model-actor’ for pro-union behavior
The White House on Monday proposed ways to bolster union strength in the federal workforce and support private-sector workers looking to organize as President Biden draws a straight line between the labor movement and America's history and economic progress. Published February 7, 2022
N.Y. Dems face heat for maskless photo-ops
A pair of New York Democrats are taking heat for not wearing masks during indoor photo-ops even as they urge residents to cover their faces as part of the COVID-19 fight. Published February 7, 2022
Former State Dept. spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus to run for Congress in redrawn Tennessee district
Morgan Ortagus, a former State Department spokeswoman in the Trump administration, said Monday she will run for Congress in a redrawn Tennessee district, lending drama to the GOP primary and raising questions about former President Donald Trump's clout. Published February 7, 2022
N.J. ends mask rules for schools, gives local leaders the option to keep mandates
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday he will no longer require students and school staff to wear masks as of March 7, making him the latest blue-state governor to relent after two years of divisive COVID-19 mandates. Published February 7, 2022
