Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Treasury: First expanded Child Tax Credit payments to go out July 15
The Biden administration said Monday the first round of payments from the expanded Child Tax Credit will go out on July 15. Published May 17, 2021
CDC: Mask policy driven by ‘evolving science,’ not Joe Biden
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flipped the script on masks based on plummeting cases and "evolving science" about the COVID-19 vaccines, its director said Sunday, attempting to quell suspicion that the administration whisked out the guidance to give President Biden a win in a rough week. Published May 16, 2021
New CDC policy on masks creates confusion among businesses, local governments
Walmart, Costco and Trader Joe's said they will allow fully vaccinated customers to go maskless in their stores, while companies such as Home Depot and Target say customers should still cover up for now. Published May 16, 2021
States, companies grapple with overnight change on masks
Trader Joe's said it will allow fully vaccinated persons to go maskless in stores, while places like Home Depot, Target and Starbucks say customers should still cover up for now. Published May 14, 2021
WHO presses wealthier nations to share COVID-19 vaccines
The World Health Organization told wealthier nations Friday to consider donating COVID-19 vaccines to global-sharing programs instead of vaccinating younger persons at low risk of developing severe disease. Published May 14, 2021
Andy Slavitt, Biden adviser, insists mask guidance based on science, not political pressure
The White House learned Wednesday night that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials planned to drastically relax its mask guidance for vaccinated persons, Biden adviser Andy Slavitt said Friday, insisting the sudden change was based on incoming data and not political pressure. Published May 14, 2021
Donald Trump grumbles over lack of COVID-19 vaccine credit: ‘Just a mention please!’
Former President Donald Trump complained on Friday about the lack of credit his team gets for developing the COVID-19 vaccines that are ushering in a sense of normalcy and led the new administration to relax its mask guidance. Published May 14, 2021
CDC chief: OK for vaccinated parents to model mask behavior for kids
The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday it is an OK idea for fully vaccinated parents to keep wearing their masks -- despite new guidance saying they don't have to -- if it helps their kids maintain the practice while they wait for vaccines in their age group. Published May 14, 2021
Scientists: We need a better probe into the coronavirus’ origins
The world of science has learned plenty about how the coronavirus behaves and spreads, but "more investigation is still needed to determine the origin of the pandemic," a group of 18 scientists from top universities and medical centers said Friday. Published May 14, 2021
Irish Health Service hit by a ransomware attack
The Irish health service closed down its IT systems Friday after a significant ransomware attack. Published May 14, 2021
Retail, grocery union airs concern about mask revision
A labor union for grocery and retail workers says it fears the Biden administration's decision to relax its mask rules for COVID-19 vaccinated persons will put its members at risk because unvaccinated persons will use it as an excuse to ditch their face coverings. Published May 14, 2021
CDC: Fully vaccinated don’t need masks indoors or outdoors
Fully vaccinated people can ditch their masks and ignore physical distancing both outdoors and indoors, the Biden administration said Thursday in a dramatic shift for a federal team that has been panned as overly cautious and a drag on the return to normal life. Published May 13, 2021
Fauci: Vaccinated persons can toss mask aside outdoors
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday it is OK for fully vaccinated people to take off their masks outside unless they are in a "completely crowded" place. Published May 13, 2021
Colonial Pipeline paid $5M ransom to hackers: Report
Colonial Pipeline reportedly paid foreign hackers a $5 million ransom on Friday, shortly after a cyberattack crippled the large fuel channel that serves much of the U.S. East. Published May 13, 2021
Biden announces $7.4B to bolster, restock health workforce
The Biden administration said Thursday it will use $7.4 billion from its virus-relief package to recruit the health workforce it needs to stamp out the pandemic and prepare for future threats. Published May 13, 2021
Sens. Steve Daines, Amy Klobuchar to FTC: Protect Americans against travel scams
A pair of senators told the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday to protect Americans against travel scams as vaccinated persons splurge on big trips. Published May 13, 2021
GOP senators to Joe Biden: No sanctions relief to Iran amid Israel-Palestine violence
Senate Republicans told President Biden on Thursday to withhold any sanctions relief from Iran as administration officials plot the next steps in nuclear talks amid street violence and the heavy exchange of airstrikes between Israelis and Hamas militants in Gaza. Published May 13, 2021
McDonald’s announces wage increase at company-owned sites; move comes amid labor shortage
McDonald's on Thursday said it is raising hourly wages at its company-owned restaurants by an average of 10% as it tries to hire 10,000 more employees for the busy summer season. Published May 13, 2021
Univ. of South Carolina president resigns, used unattributed text from Adm. McRaven in speech
The president of the University of South Carolina resigned, effective Thursday, after he borrowed parts of a famous graduation speech from Adm. William McRaven, the former head of U.S. Special Operations Command, in a commencement address to his own students. Published May 13, 2021
Biden: Colonial Pipeline to return to full capacity Thursday; disruptions could last until weekend
President Biden said Thursday that Colonial Pipeline is taking fuel to most of its markets and reaching full capacity "as we speak," but a return to normal might take until the weekend. Published May 13, 2021