Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Johnson & Johnson launches massive human trial of COVID-19 vaccine
Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson started a massive human trial of its coronavirus vaccine Wednesday, lining up another option as federal officials told Congress they will resist political pressure ahead of an unprecedented push to inoculate the country. Published September 23, 2020
Keith Kellogg fired Olivia Troye when work performance dropped
The national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence scolded Olivia Troye -- the former aide painting a damning portrait of President Trump's coronavirus response -- in unusually blunt terms Tuesday, saying she made up stories from the task force room and couldn't do her own job. Published September 22, 2020
Public health officials fear college students will spread coronavirus
Few college students are landing in the hospital from the coronavirus but they remain the crosshairs of public officials who fear their parties and lax adherence to quarantine rules are bound to fuel community spread off-campus, hurting the vulnerable. Published September 22, 2020
Donald Trump, in Ohio, vows to reverse ‘blue-collar carnage’
President Trump told Ohio voters on Monday that he will win the state again because he is leading an economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and reversing "blue-collar carnage" that his predecessors ignored. Published September 21, 2020
Trump vetting ‘five women’ for Supreme Court
President Trump said Monday he is vetting five women for the vacancy on the Supreme Court and confirmed he will make his selection by the weekend. Published September 21, 2020
Biden: Don’t get ‘numb’ to COVID-19 death toll of 200K
Americans cannot become "numb" to COVID-19 as the death count reaches 200,000, Joseph R. Biden said Monday, saying complacency will cost more lives and using a speech in Wisconsin to fault President Trump for the world-leading toll of fatal cases. Published September 21, 2020
Nation memorializes COVID-19 deaths as somber milestone nears — 200K
Thousands of flags will adorn the National Mall on Monday to memorialize 200,000 deaths from the coronavirus, one of many memorials as the U.S. closes in on a once-unfathomable milestone in its battle with a virus unknown to humans one year ago. Published September 21, 2020
Trump on Supreme Court pick: It will be a woman
President Trump said Saturday it cannot be "more clear" that he's empowered to fill the vacant Supreme Court seat left by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and that his pick will be a woman, beaming as a North Carolina crowd chanted, "Fill that seat!" Published September 19, 2020
Trump: U.S. on track to deliver 100M vaccine doses by end of 2020
The U.S. is on track to manufacture 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccine by the end of this year and have enough for "every American" by April, President Trump said Friday, putting down a marker for delivery as drugmakers race to determine whether candidates in late-stage trials are safe and effective. Published September 18, 2020
CDC reverses controversial guidance on asymptomatic testing
The Trump administration is fighting itself alongside the coronavirus, offering conflicting messages on testing, masks and vaccine timelines as a defector from the White House task force says President Trump is too self-centered to lead an effective response. Published September 18, 2020
Moderna targets November to know coronavirus vaccine’s effectiveness
Drugmaker Moderna will probably know by November whether its vaccine is effective against the coronavirus, describing its human trial in detail Thursday to gain public trust while the White House defended its speedy timeline for inoculating the country. Published September 17, 2020
Trump says coronavirus vaccine distribution starting in October
President Trump on Wednesday said the government is poised to begin distributing a coronavirus vaccine as soon as next month, potentially giving the country and his reelection campaign a shot in the arm Published September 16, 2020
Michael Caputo, embattled HHS aide, to depart for 60 days
The Trump administration on Wednesday said Michael Caputo, an assistant secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services, will take a 60-day leave of absence in the wake of twin controversies that erupted over the weekend. Published September 16, 2020
CDC chief Robert Redfield: Masks could be more powerful than coronavirus vaccine
The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday defended the scientific integrity of his agency and said that masks might be even more protective against the coronavirus than a vaccine. Published September 16, 2020
Fed gov’t begins to detail a ‘highly controlled’ vaccine distribution plan
The Trump administration provided an overview Wednesday of how it will distribute a coronavirus vaccine at no cost to Americans, from syncing supply with demand to making sure doses match, though said widespread distribution to the public may stretch well into next year. Published September 16, 2020
Joe Biden to drop $65 million on ads this week with focus on health care
Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden on Wednesday unleashed a new $65 million ad blitz that hones in on President Trump's efforts to repeal Obamacare, following the lead of down-ballot Democrats who are prioritizing the health-care law in their ads and pitches to voters. Published September 16, 2020
Trump admin. removes tariff on Canadian aluminum
The Trump administration said Tuesday it will no longer slap a 10% tariff on Canadian aluminum but reserves the right to reimpose the levy if imports surge above anticipated levels. Published September 15, 2020
Reports: Embattled HHS aide considering medical leave
A top aide at the Department of Health and Human Services is reportedly considering medical leave after becoming embroiled in controversies that involve political influence over scientific reports and bizarre comments on Facebook Live. Published September 15, 2020
CDC: 121 people under 21 died of COVID-19 through July
The U.S. recorded 121 coronavirus deaths among those under 21 years old and many of them were minorities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday in a report that indicates young people aren't immune to COVID-19 but represented a tiny fraction of fatal cases during the first half of the year. Published September 15, 2020
Charles Schumer calls on HHS Secretary Azar to resign over COVID-19
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer called on Health Secretary Alex Azar to resign Tuesday over charges that President Trump's political desires are overriding scientific reason at the Department of Health and Human Services. Published September 15, 2020
