Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
COVID-19 raises number of overdoses, deaths by other means
The U.S. is on pace to record 400,000 more deaths for 2020 than it did in 2019, driven by COVID-19 and problems that go beyond the coronavirus but were rekindled by the pandemic, including disrupted care for other diseases and mounting drug overdoses. Published January 5, 2021
U.S. sees 400,000 more deaths in 2020 as COVID-19 wreaks havoc
The U.S. is on pace to record 400,000 more deaths for 2020 than it did in 2019, driven by the coronavirus and problems that go beyond the virus but were rekindled by the pandemic, from disrupted care for other diseases to mounting drug overdoses. Published January 5, 2021
U.K. begins using AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine; countries mull ways to maximize supply
The fast-spreading coronavirus is forcing leaders to scramble for novel solutions to build widespread immunity this year, from delaying the second shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine that debuted in the United Kingdom on Monday to a U.S. proposal -- on hold for now -- to cut in half the dosage of the Moderna vaccine, even as states struggle to stick the doses they have into arms. Published January 4, 2021
Masks will become a new norm after coronavirus pandemic ends, public officials predict
The mask remains politically polarizing, but they aren't a weird sight anymore. Health experts predict they will be a post-pandemic norm in fighting the flu and even the common cold. Published January 3, 2021
Biden: Vaccine effort is ‘falling behind,’ pledges action
President-elect Joseph R. Biden said Tuesday that President Trump's efforts to vaccinate Americans are "falling behind, far behind," and he will invoke wartime production powers after his inauguration to speed up the campaign. Published December 29, 2020
China renews crackdowns as coronavirus circles back
The place where the coronavirus crisis began -- China -- is back in the spotlight, with a cluster of locally transmitted cases in the northeast and the Lunar New Year prompting the communist government to crack down on travel. Published December 28, 2020
Novavax launches late-stage vaccine trial
A fifth company on Monday started a late-stage trial of its coronavirus vaccine, as Maryland company Novavax reached phase 3 and potentially added to immunization options next year. Published December 28, 2020
Trump signs coronavirus relief bill after days of tension
President Trump signed the massive coronavirus relief and government spending bill Sunday, ending nearly a week of suspense that flustered governors and lawmakers of both parties. Published December 27, 2020
Trump blasted for coronavirus relief bill ‘switcheroo’
Governors and lawmakers in both parties bemoaned President Trump's "switcheroo" on coronavirus relief and government funding and implored him Sunday to sign the massive bill to avert a federal shutdown and keep economic misery from billowing across the nation. Published December 27, 2020
Trump to stage rally for David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler
President Trump late Sunday said he will rally in Georgia on Monday on behalf of two Republican senators, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, ahead of races that could determine control of the Senate in the new year. Published December 27, 2020
Sen. Bernie Sanders: Sitting on relief bill is ‘unbelievably cruel’
Sen. Bernard Sanders said Sunday President Trump's decision to sit on the coronavirus relief bill is "unbelievably cruel." Published December 27, 2020
Former FDA chief Gottlieb: UK variant ‘could be here’
Former Food and Drug Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said Sunday the dreaded "U.K. variant" of the coronavirus is probably circulating in the U.S. but has not been found because Americans aren't tracking mutations as closely as other nations. Published December 27, 2020
Govs. Hogan, Whitmer say Trump should sign relief bill, then seek $2,000 checks
Two governors said Sunday President Trump must sign a $2 trillion coronavirus relief and government funding package and then fight for extra cash for Americans. Published December 27, 2020
Fauci: Should see a sense of normalcy by start of fall
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday the U.S. should return to "some form of normality" by the start of next autumn. Published December 27, 2020
Nursing homes focus of coronavirus vaccination program
U.S. officials hope a nursing home vaccination program that began in earnest this week will pump the brakes on a climbing COVID-19 death toll that has afflicted society at large but continues to fall hardest on the frail and elderly, especially those in long-term care. Published December 23, 2020
Pfizer and BioNTech to supply the U.S. with additional 100M doses of the COVID-19 vaccine
The Trump administration said Tuesday it secured 100 million additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and German company BioNTech, or enough to vaccinate 50 million people with the two-dose regimen as the U.S. races to immunize its way out of the coronavirus pandemic. Published December 23, 2020
Donald Trump names top allies to arts, scholarship posts; list includes Bondi, Hicks, Grenell
President Trump is naming a who's who of close allies and confidantes to high-profile boards on his way out the door. Published December 22, 2020
Fauci, Azar get vaccine in public to boost confidence
Anthony Fauci, the media-savvy doctor who oversees vaccine development for the U.S., rolled up his sleeve for the cameras and got his coronavirus shot Tuesday in a bid to boost confidence in an immunization campaign designed to restore normal life. Published December 22, 2020
U.S. open to Britain regardless of coronavirus variant concerns
The U.S. resisted calls for a British travel ban despite growing alarm Monday over a coronavirus strain in London and southern England that has upended the Christmas season, demoralized Wall Street and prompted dozens of countries to shut out British passengers. Published December 21, 2020
White House coronavirus team: Britain virus strain not more deadly
A key member of President Trump's vaccine team said it isn't unclear whether a variant of the coronavirus that's forcing countries to ban travel from the U.K. is truly more contagious or if sequencing of the pathogen revealed the extent of a surge in southern England. Published December 21, 2020
