Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Alabama says it is out of ICU beds amid COVID-19 surge; Miss., Texas erect field hospitals, tents
Alabama ran out of intensive-care unit beds at midweek, according to hospital officials who say they're entering "uncharted territory" as the delta variant rips through states with poor COVID-19 vaccination rates. Published August 19, 2021
Biden tells nursing homes to require worker vaccinations if they want federal money
The White House said Wednesday that President Biden will require nursing homes to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for their workers as a condition of federal funding. Published August 18, 2021
Biden officials to begin COVID-19 booster vaccine program on Sept. 20
The Biden administration said Wednesday it is ready to begin offering booster COVID-19 shots on Sept. 20 to Americans who completed their vaccination course at least eight months ago, citing clear evidence that immunity against infection and mild and moderate disease from the delta variant wanes over that interval. Published August 18, 2021
Texas school district sees loophole in Gov. Abbott’s ban, adds masks to dress code
A Texas school district says it found a way around Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's ban on mask mandates to fight COVID-19 ahead of the first day of classes Thursday -- just add the coverings to the dress code. Published August 18, 2021
Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson to U.S. workers: Get vaccinated by Oct. 4
Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson is requiring its workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4, making it the latest employer to forge ahead with a mandate as the U.S. nears full approval of the shots while other firms wait for a final regulatory decision to avoid legal headaches or workplace tumult. Published August 17, 2021
Biden team to roll out vaccine booster plan ‘very shortly’
The Biden administration will announce a plan "very shortly" to give booster shots to people who completed their initial round of COVID-19 vaccination eight months ago, a top federal official said Monday. Published August 17, 2021
Biden admin. crafts COVID-19 booster plan; WHO says poor nations need initial shots
The Biden administration this week is coalescing around a plan to administer booster shots to people who completed their COVID-19 vaccinations eight months ago. Published August 17, 2021
Back-to-school season reignites mask wars
Schools across the country are reopening this month but the mask wars won't go away. Published August 16, 2021
N.Y. Gov. Cuomo mandates COVID-19 vaccines for health, nursing home workers
Departing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday ordered all health care workers and nursing home staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 27 as leaders across the country use incentives and mandates to outrace the delta variant of the coronavirus. Published August 16, 2021
Dallas school district defies Texas Gov. Abbott, court ruling on COVID-19 masks
A school district in Dallas is keeping its mask mandate in place when school reopened Monday, defying Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and a Texas Supreme Court ruling that temporarily blocked local mandates. Published August 16, 2021
At least seven dead in chaos at Kabul airport as U.S. troops scramble to maintain order
Chaos enveloped the international airport in Kabul on Monday, with U.S. troops trying to maintain order while throngs of people rushed the tarmac and large crowds crushed against the facility's outer gates amid mounting collective fear a day after the Taliban swept back to power in the Afghan capital. Published August 16, 2021
N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy mandates masks in schools
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday that K-12 school students, teachers and staff will have to wear masks at the start of the academic year regardless of vaccination status, a reversal of previous guidance that left mandates up to individual districts. Published August 6, 2021
‘The Biden plan is working,’ president proclaims
President Biden said a rosy jobs report Friday proves his recovery plan is working, but a fast-moving strain of the coronavirus poses a threat that must be overcome with broader vaccination. Published August 6, 2021
United Airlines requires U.S.-based workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19
United Airlines said Friday it will require all of its U.S.-based workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by late October, making it the first major airline to take the step amid a steady drumbeat of employer mandates across the country. Published August 6, 2021
Trump slams Cuomo over impeachment and COVID-19, predicts a GOP governor in N.Y. speech: Report
Former President Donald Trump used a New York fundraiser Thursday to slam Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a leader with "real problems" after a state report detailed a pattern of sexual harassment by the Democratic governor. Published August 6, 2021
Biden launches vaccination effort at schools
The Biden administration said Thursday it will promote COVID-19 vaccination in schools this fall by pushing the shots at sports physicals, educating parents on "Back to School" nights and helping school districts offer pop-up clinics at their schools. Published August 5, 2021
N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy to anti-vaccine protesters: ‘You’ve lost your minds’
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is slamming anti-vaccine protesters as the "ultimate knuckleheads" as he and other officials battle those who have contributed to lagging uptake of the COVID-19 shots. Published August 5, 2021
Trump’s lawyers fight order to give Congress tax returns
Former President Donald Trump's lawyers told a federal court Wednesday to block the Treasury Department from giving his tax returns to the House Ways and Means Committee, arguing lawmakers are wading into uncharted territory in a bid to embarrass the ex-president. Published August 4, 2021
Majority of reluctant unvaccinated adults find COVID-19 shots scarier than the virus, poll shows
Three-quarters of U.S. adults who say they will "definitely not" get a COVID-19 vaccine believe getting the shots is a bigger risk to their health than becoming infected with the coronavirus, according to a poll released Wednesday that underscores the challenges of getting the most resistant to come forward. Published August 4, 2021
Obama scraps big birthday bash and scales back party after backlash, virus concerns: Report
Former President Barack Obama has reportedly canceled plans for a big 60th birthday celebration in Martha's Vineyard that created a backlash due to concerns around the delta variant of the coronavirus. Published August 4, 2021
