Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
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
New York fights to preserve mask mandate after courts strike it down
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democratic officials scrambled to preserve a state mask mandate Tuesday after a judge struck it down on grounds the state health department needed legislative approval to impose the rule. Published January 25, 2022
Florida cancels 2,000 monoclonal treatment appointments after FDA move
Florida said it was closing its monoclonal antibody treatment sites late Monday after the Food and Drug Administration restricted the use of two drugs that haven't been effective against the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Published January 25, 2022
Pfizer launches clinical trial of omicron-specific vaccine
Pfizer and BioNTech on Tuesday launched a clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine that targets omicron, the globally dominant variant. Published January 25, 2022
Only a quarter of Americans think their financial situation will improve in 2022, poll shows
Only a quarter of American voters think their family's financial situation will improve in 2022, a conservative group said Tuesday in a poll underscoring the challenge for Democrats in power as they try to scramble to fix crises before the midterm elections. Published January 25, 2022
Expert panel to explore ‘harm reduction’ as an alternative public health strategy for governments
Cure-all solutions are popular for good reason -- they solve problems in a hurry. Governments pursue Holy Grail solutions for complex issues like fighting drug addiction and climate change. However, this approach is rarely successful in solving the problems. Perhaps it's time to focus on practical solutions that chip away at the risks we face every day. Published January 24, 2022
Americans have a glum outlook on costs of living, direction of the country: Poll
Majorities of Americans think the U.S. is heading in the wrong direction and they use words like "downhill," "divisive," "negative," "struggling," "lost" and "bad" to describe it, according to an NBC News that finds a doleful outlook around the country. Published January 24, 2022
WHO official hoping omicron leads to pandemic endgame
The COVID-19 pandemic in Europe could move into a new phase in which it is more manageable and rises seasonally, a top World Health Organization official said Sunday, reflecting similar optimism in the U.S. once the omicron wave subsides. Published January 24, 2022
Businesses take divergent paths after Supreme Court nixes part of Biden’s vaccine rule
The Supreme Court's decision to strike down President Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for the private sector is forcing big companies to take divergent paths, with some requiring shots anyway and others deciding it is not worth the bother. Published January 21, 2022
First COVID-19 tests arrive after website launch; millions of the free tests ordered since Tuesday
Millions of Americans ordered free COVID-19 tests from President Biden's new website this week and the initial kits began to reach households Friday, the White House said. Published January 21, 2022
Singer Adele postpones Las Vegas shows citing crew sidelined by COVID-19
English pop singer Adele postponed her Las Vegas residency a day before its launch, citing delivery delays and the impact of COVID-19 on her crew. Published January 21, 2022
