Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
FDA pick Robert Califf pledges to make COVID-19 task ‘No. 1’
Robert Califf promised Tuesday to "hit the ground running" if he is confirmed as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, a role that he filled under President Obama but which has taken on new importance with the COVID-19 pandemic, a surging opioids crisis and alarming rates of teen vaping. Published December 14, 2021
Judge turns back another attempt to halt L.A. COVID vaccine mandate
A judge on Monday rejected the Los Angeles police union's bid to halt the city's COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Published December 14, 2021
Congressional leaders to hold a moment of silence as COVID-19 toll reaches 800K
Congressional leaders will hold a moment of silence on the U.S. Capitol steps late Tuesday as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 nears 800,000. Published December 14, 2021
Pfizer: COVID-19 pills were 89% against hospitalization, death; fought back omicron in lab studies
A Pfizer pill for COVID-19 reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% compared to a placebo group, the company said Tuesday in final study results that are similar to initial findings. Pfizer also said its drug, Paxlovid, showed "robust antiviral activity" against the omicron variant in lab studies. Published December 14, 2021
Biden signs order to make government services more customer friendly
President Biden signed an executive order that directs federal agencies to streamline routine government services like renewing a passport or applying for college loans so they are simple tasks instead of time-consuming nightmares. Published December 13, 2021
States, cities impose new COVID-19 rules amid winter spike
Philadelphia said it will require proof of vaccination at eateries; Minnesota hospitals ran full-page ads saying they are "heartbroken" and "overwhelmed" as a winter coronavirus spike takes hold and sparks new restrictions that fall short of lockdown. Published December 13, 2021
Philadelphia requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination for indoor dining, movie theaters
Philadelphia on Monday became the latest American city to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enjoy activities such as indoor dining. Published December 13, 2021
South Africa’s president tests positive for the coronavirus amid omicron spike
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tested positive for the coronavirus late Sunday, but is in "good spirits" and will delegate his duties for the rest of the week as the country battles the fast-moving omicron variant. Published December 13, 2021
U.K. confirms first death from omicron variant of COVID-19
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the first known death in his country from the omicron variant of COVID-19 on Monday, underscoring the potential virulence of the strain that moves swiftly but had appeared to cause only mild illness. Published December 13, 2021
Biden to sign order to make government services more customer friendly
President Biden on Monday will sign an executive order that directs federal agencies to fulfill a seemingly simple yet elusive task: making the government friendly and responsive. Published December 13, 2021
Kamala Harris promotes Biden’s electric-car goals during Maryland tour
Plugging in an electric car should be as easy as filling up at the gas station, Vice President Kamala Harris said Monday as she outlined White House plans to build a national network of charging stations in pursuit of President Biden's goal of ensuring that electric cars make up half of all vehicle sales by 2030. Published December 13, 2021
Democrats’ message shifts as Biden’s hard line on worker vaccines backfires
Democrats are increasingly talking up the testing option for employees who refuse to get vaccinated for COVID-19, a tacit acknowledgment that they are losing the public relations battle over President Biden's mandates. Published December 10, 2021
N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James quits governor’s race, will focus on Trump probe
New York Attorney General Letitia James has decided she will focus on her investigation of former President Donald Trump and his finances instead of seeking higher office. Published December 10, 2021
Inflation reaches 6.8%, highest in 40 years, government reports
Prices climbed 6.8% in November compared to last year, a 40-year high, putting the squeeze on American consumers and complicating the political outlook for President Biden and Democrats pushing their big-spending plans. Published December 10, 2021
Michigan reports first omicron case amid a nation-leading COVID-19 surge
Michigan reported its first case of the omicron variant late Thursday as the state battles one of the worst surges of COVID-19 in the nation. Published December 10, 2021
Coronavirus troubles, inflation weigh down Biden approval numbers, poll finds
President Biden's ratings on COVID-19 and the economy are sinking and his overall approval has stabilized at a low level of 41%, according to the CNBC All-America Economic survey released Friday. Published December 10, 2021
White House defends OSHA vaccinate-or-test mandate after Senate disapproval vote
The White House on Thursday defended a heavily litigated regulation that would force workers at large companies to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or tested for the virus and said President Biden will veto a disapproval resolution if it makes it to his desk. Published December 9, 2021
De Blasio’s parting vax edict while crime soars leaves double-barrelled headache for next NYC mayor
Bill de Blasio is deploying a sweeping COVID-19 vaccine mandate in his final act as New York mayor but isn't pulling out the stops to combat rising crime, befuddling critics who say the liberal leader is leaving twin headaches for Mayor-elect Eric Adams. Published December 9, 2021
HHS secretary names Lawrence Tabak as acting NIH director
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Thursday said a seasoned federal official will serve as acting director of the National Institutes of Health when Director Francis Collins steps down later this month. Published December 9, 2021
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s vaccine mandate called a big middle finger to successor Eric Adams
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's decision to mandate vaccines for all private workers in the final days of his administration is a big "eff you" to fellow Democrat Eric Adams, according to surrogates of the mayor-elect, who now must decide whether to scrap the mandate or keep it and possibly defend it in court. Published December 9, 2021
