Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Fauci, Paul spar over whether Wuhan virus lab spent U.S. money on gain-of-function research
Sen. Rand Paul accused Dr. Anthony Fauci on Tuesday of lying to Congress about U.S. support for gain-of-function research in the Wuhan virology lab at the heart of probes into COVID-19's origins, sparking a fiery exchange. Published July 20, 2021
CDC: Delta variant accounts for 83% of sequence virus samples
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday said 83% of sequenced coronavirus samples in the U.S. are the dreaded delta variant that spreads rapidly and is fueling fears of a major setback in the pandemic fight at home and abroad. Published July 20, 2021
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos delivers as Blue Origin rocket reaches space
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and three other passengers roared into space Tuesday in the first crewed ride by the billionaire's Blue Origin space company, fulfilling a longtime goal for Mr. Bezos and opening a new chapter in space tourism. Published July 20, 2021
Sean Hannity: Do your research, go get vaccinated
Fox News host Sean Hannity late Monday told viewers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 after his network was accused of fueling skepticism around the shots. Published July 20, 2021
‘Extremely frustrating’: New York Democrat rips Biden’s hesitation on reopening border with Canada
"It is extremely frustrating that the United States government has failed to reciprocate current family exemptions already allowed by the Canadian government and failed to show a lack of urgency to make any progress on this side of the border toward lifting restrictions," Rep. Brian Higgins said. Published July 19, 2021
Canada to open border for fully vaccinated Americans
Canada announced Monday it will allow fully vaccinated Americans to cross into the country as of Aug. 9. Published July 19, 2021
Biden backpedals after saying Facebook is ‘killing people’
President Biden said Monday he wants social media companies to "look in the mirror" and combat bogus information about COVID-19 vaccines on their own, a clarification of prior remarks that seemed to suggest Facebook was "killing people." Published July 19, 2021
Rep. Vern Buchanan tests positive for COVID-19
Rep. Vern Buchanan said Monday he tested positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated and is self-isolating at home in Florida with mild symptoms. Published July 19, 2021
Canada surpasses U.S. in share of fully vaccinated against COVID-19
Canada is now beating the U.S. in the race to vaccinate populations against COVID-19. Published July 19, 2021
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos: Excited to see how space changes me
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said Monday he is excited to see how his visit to space changes him as he prepares for the first crewed flight of his Blue Origin space company. Published July 19, 2021
U.S. gymnast alternate tests positive for COVID-19 at Olympics
An alternate on the U.S. women's gymnastics team tested positive for COVID-19 Monday while training for the Tokyo Summer Games, raising fresh concerns about transmission four days before the Olympics begin. Published July 19, 2021
Biden, Merkel meet at WH in German leader’s final visit
President Biden and Angela Merkel huddled in the White House on Thursday as the German chancellor takes a final trip to Washington to restore and strengthen trans-Atlantic ties and reach for common ground on China, vaccine-sharing and a controversial gas pipeline. Published July 15, 2021
White House: ‘Failed ideology’ in Cuba led to a health crisis
The White House on Thursday said Cubans are protesting oppression under communism and the pandemic-related deprivations that stem from that "failed ideology." Published July 15, 2021
VP Harris hosts German Chancellor Merkel for breakfast
Vice President Kamala Harris is hosting Angela Merkel for breakfast on Thursday as the departing German chancellor enjoys a swan song in Washington and President Biden tries to stabilize relations with the European power. Published July 15, 2021
Surgeon general’s first advisory sounds the alarm over COVID-19 myths, bad vaccine info
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy pleaded Thursday with social media companies and everyday Americans to combat bogus information about COVID-19 vaccines, declaring misinformation about the shots an "imminent and insidious" threat to the nation's health. Published July 15, 2021
Pop star Olivia Rodrigo promotes youth vaccination during White House visit
Actress and pop star Olivia Rodrigo popped into the White House briefing room Wednesday to prod young Americans to get vaccinated as the federal push for widespread immunity stalls out. Published July 14, 2021
HHS: Two million join Obamacare during Biden sign-up push
More than 2 million people have selected an Obamacare plan since President Biden reopened the marketplace in February, the administration said Wednesday, trumpeting an "all-time high" in enrollment as it promotes supercharged subsidies that patched affordability gaps in the law. Published July 14, 2021
E! personality Catt Sadler had ‘breakthrough’ COVID-19 infection
Former TV host Catt Sadler said she got sick with COVID-19 after caring for someone with the virus -- even though she was vaccinated and wearing a mask. Published July 14, 2021
Nearly two-thirds of Republicans oppose Biden’s door-to-door vaccine push: Poll
A majority of voters support President Biden's plan to send vaccine promoters door to door but nearly two-thirds of Republicans oppose the plan, underscoring a partisan divide over federal efforts to push the shots as the dreaded delta variant takes hold. Published July 14, 2021
Former FDA chief: We might not need COVID-19 boosters forever
The former head of the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday said people might not need COVID-19 booster shots on a recurring basis, citing the ability's body to build a long-lasting immune response after a jumpstart from vaccines. Published July 14, 2021
