Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Biden tours pop-up vaccine clinic, offers pep talk and jokes
President Biden visited a pop-up vaccination site in a converted Virginia chapel Tuesday to thank volunteers, regale them with his brand of humor and set the table for a White House address demanding full eligibility for the vaccine in all states. Published April 6, 2021
Biden demands full vaccine eligibility by April 19
President Biden on Tuesday told states to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to all adults by April 19, signaling that he is confident that governors can offer an appointment to anyone who wants one instead of carefully moving through priority groups. Published April 6, 2021
Easter bunny crashes White House briefing
The Easter bunny crashed the White House press briefing Monday to dole out chocolates to reporters after COVID-19 prevented the administration from holding a big, family-friendly Easter Egg Roll. Published April 5, 2021
White House pledges to release Joe Biden’s budget outline ‘soon’ amid delays
The White House said Monday it hopes to release President Biden's top-line budget request for fiscal 2022 "soon" and partly blamed the outgoing Trump administration for the delay. Published April 5, 2021
CDC, states say coronavirus infections hitting younger groups
Most U.S. seniors are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but the virus is infecting younger people, setting off a race to immunize the bulk of Americans in the face of aggressive variants and a feared "fourth wave" of infection. Published April 5, 2021
J&J “assuming full responsibility” of vaccine production in Baltimore
The federal government is putting Johnson & Johnson in charge of a Baltimore vaccine facility to avoid the type of mix-up that spoiled up to 15 million doses. Published April 4, 2021
Japanese Prime Minister Suga to visit White House in April
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will visit the White House on April 16 -- and no, it won't be a ZOOM meeting. Published April 2, 2021
CDC: Fully vaccinated people can travel safely; no need to get tested or self-quarantine within U.S.
People who've been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 can travel within the U.S. without getting tested or quarantining after their trips because they are less likely to get and spread the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. Published April 2, 2021
Mitch McConnell pushes Republican men to get COVID-19 vaccine
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday called on all Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, singling out GOP men who appear to be the most reluctant to roll up their sleeves. Published April 1, 2021
J&J, Emergent stocks slide amid COVID-19 vaccine mix-up
Stocks for Johnson & Johnson and Emergent BioSolutions fell in early trading Thursday amid reports that about 15 million doses of J&J's COVID-19 vaccine failed quality checks after an ingredients mix-up. Published April 1, 2021
Feds roll out ads, ‘community corps’ to promote COVID-19 vaccines
The Biden administration enlisted a "community corps" of sports leagues, churches and labor unions Thursday to promote the COVID-19 vaccine as eligibility widens rapidly and officials start to think about the point when supply will outstrip demand. Published April 1, 2021
‘Excelsior Pass’ vaccine passport for Yankee Stadium entry pushes MLB into pandemic politics
Take me out to the ballgame -- and bring your vaccine passport. Published March 31, 2021
U.S. death rate spiked 16% in 2020: CDC
The U.S. death rate increased by 16% in 2020 -- a spike driven by the coronavirus, which was the third-leading cause of death, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday. Published March 31, 2021
Pfizer: COVID-19 vaccine 100% effective in ages 12-15
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was 100% effective in teens ages 12 to 15, the company said Wednesday, providing hope there will be an option for people under age 16 before the next school year. Published March 31, 2021
Joe Biden faces unofficial Memorial Day deadline for COVID-19 normalcy
President Biden faces an unofficial Memorial Day deadline to get America back to normal as officials fling open vaccine eligibility and public inertia demands tailored messaging about what's permissible on the cusp of summer. Published March 29, 2021
Biden: 90% of adults eligible for coronavirus vaccine by April 19
President Biden said Monday he expects nine out to every 10 American adults to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine within three weeks, as states rapidly expand their immunization categories. Published March 29, 2021
White House: Fed agencies will offer guidance on vaccine ‘passports’
The White House said Monday the government will issue guidance on COVID-19 vaccine "passports" so Americans can show proof of immunization at airports or other settings, as industries work through ways to reopen society while maintaining health-privacy protections. Published March 29, 2021
CDC director warns of ‘impending doom’ if Americans get lax, cites possible COVID-19 wave
The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday warned of "impending doom" and said she is "scared" by pandemic trends that suggest the U.S. could see a coronavirus spike like the one afflicting Europe. Published March 29, 2021
Texas, five other states open COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all adults
Texas and five other states are expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all adults on Monday as many places remain on track to easily beat President Biden's goal of making the shots widely available to those 18 and older by May 1. Published March 29, 2021
Joe Biden: U.S. working on Myanmar response after dozens killed
President Biden said Sunday his administration is working on a U.S. response to the violence in Myanmar after security forces killed dozens, including children, in a weekend crackdown on protesters decrying a Feb. 1 military coup. Published March 28, 2021
