Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
COVID-19 deaths surpass 500K in U.S.
President Biden ordered the White House flag lowered to half-staff late Monday as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 exceeded 500,000. Published February 22, 2021
White House on COVID-19 toll: Flags to fly at half-staff for five days
President Biden on Monday will order American flags on federal property to be lowered to half-staff for five days as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 nears 500,000. Published February 22, 2021
Joe Biden, at Michigan plant, says U.S. is on track to surpass 100 million vaccinations in 100 days
President Biden said Friday that the country is on track to surpass his goal of getting 100 million coronavirus vaccines administered in his first 100 days in office. Published February 19, 2021
White House: Summer school, proposed by Biden, up to local districts
The White House said summer school could be a possibility if districts decide it's needed to help children whose routines were upended by COVID-19. Published February 17, 2021
White House invests $1.6 billion in virus testing, sequencing
The White House said Wednesday it is investing $1.6 billion to keep America's eyes on the coronavirus, including an expansion of testing in schools and sequencing efforts that can spot fast-moving variants. Published February 17, 2021
Dr. Anthony Fauci: Studies show vaccinated persons less likely to transmit the coronavirus
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Wednesday evidence is growing that people who receive COVID-19 vaccines will not only be protected from disease but also will be less likely to spread the pathogen to others. Published February 17, 2021
Joe Biden vows vaccines available for all Americans by midsummer
President Biden on Tuesday said any American who wants a vaccine should be able to get one by midsummer, setting a clear marker for the immunization campaign that will define the first year of his presidency. Published February 16, 2021
Winter storm upends coronavirus vaccine rollout
A massive winter storm is disrupting the U.S. coronavirus vaccine rollout, with governors in hard-hit states postponing appointments and others facing delays in weekly shipments despite recent progress in getting shots into arms. Published February 16, 2021
White House commits to fighting Ebola in Guinea
The White House said Tuesday it will do "everything in its power" to ensure a new Ebola outbreak in West Africa doesn't spread within the region or world at large. Published February 16, 2021
Feds increase COVID-19 vaccine shipments to pharmacies, states; rollout disrupted by storms
The White House on Tuesday said a federal pharmacy program will receive 2 million doses of coronavirus vaccine week, or double the 1 million dispatched to launch the direct-to-drugstores initiative last week. Published February 16, 2021
Massachusetts companion rule for COVID-19 vaccines sparks concerns
Massachusetts is rolling out a plan to get more of its seniors vaccinated for COVID-19 — a caregiver who brings someone 75 and older to mass-vaccination sites like Fenway Park can get their own shot during the visit. Published February 15, 2021
WH launching $50M Obamacare awareness campaign
The Biden administration will launch a $50 million awareness campaign to advertise a special Obamacare enrollment period that begins on Monday. Published February 12, 2021
Biden lauds scientists for rapid vaccine development, chides Trump for slow distribution
President Biden praised National Institutes of Health scientists Thursday for their sacrifice in developing COVID-19 vaccines while taking several jabs at former President Donald Trump, who presided over the lightning-fast development of the shots. Published February 11, 2021
White House: CDC to release school-reopening guidelines Friday
The White House on Thursday said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will release guidelines on Friday that outline how schools can reopen safely, as President Biden faces pressure to get moving on his pledge to get kids back into the classroom. Published February 11, 2021
CDC tells Americans to wear two masks, make sure they fit correctly to reduce coronavirus spread
They say that whatever is worth doing is worth doing well — that includes wearing a dang mask during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published February 10, 2021
Biden: U.S. will sanction leaders of Myanmar coup
President Biden said Wednesday the U.S. will sanction military leaders in Myanmar who directed the Feb. 1 military coup in the Southeast Asian nation. Published February 10, 2021
Feds building three vaccine centers in Texas
The Biden administration said Wednesday the federal government is building three mass-vaccination centers in Texas with the aim of getting 10,000 shots into arms per day. Published February 10, 2021
Walmart, CVS, Walgreens among retailers to get vaccines under Federal Retail Pharmacy Program
Coronavirus vaccines are coming to a Walmart or Sam's Club near you as the federal government launches a program this week that sends shots directly to pharmacies. Published February 9, 2021
Biden, Harris take virtual tour of Arizona vaccination site
President Biden and Vice President Kamala D. Harris virtually toured a 24-7 vaccination site Monday at the Arizona Cardinals' stadium that could serve as a model for others, as the U.S. pivots from immunizing priority groups to reaching older Americans and racing against fast-moving variants of the coronavirus. Published February 8, 2021
White House to states: Don’t ease up now on mask, distancing rules
The Biden administration on Monday told states not to lift mask mandates and distancing rules as the coronavirus situation slowly improves, citing still-high transmission that exceeds last summer's peak and fast-spreading variants. Published February 8, 2021
