Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
COVID-19 hospitalization, death declines seen as positive sign, officials say
All signs herald a turning point this month in the fight against COVID-19, but federal officials aren't ready to celebrate. Published March 9, 2021
Biden to meet virtually with leaders of Japan, India, Australia; ‘Quad’ to tackle COVID-19, climate
President Biden will meet virtually Friday with Indo-Pacific leaders who form the "Quad" to discuss the COVID-19 response, economic cooperation and climate change. Published March 9, 2021
CDC releases guidelines for those ‘fully vaccinated’ against COVID-19
People who've been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should keep wearing masks in public but can visit other fully vaccinated people indoors without covering their faces or maintaining physical distance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday. Published March 8, 2021
Dr. Fauci: CDC to release new COVID-19 guidelines for vaccinated people
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will issue guidelines "imminently" for people who've been vaccinated against COVID-19. Published March 7, 2021
Catholic scholars: ‘Little, if any, moral reasons’ to reject Johnson & Johnson vaccine
A group of Catholic scholars said Friday the faithful should feel comfortable taking the Johnson & Johnson vaccine because the cell lines used to manufacture the shots are attenuated from the abortions that produced needed tissue and do not require more fetuses. Published March 5, 2021
White House pledges to hold Biden press conference in March
The White House pledged Friday to hold a real press conference with President Biden before the end of the month. Published March 5, 2021
Governors hype new Johnson & Johnson vaccine in public events
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is being received with enthusiasm across the country but Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan allowed his share of 6,000 doses to go elsewhere this week, saying he can meet the needs of those eligible with alternative vaccines he views as better. Published March 5, 2021
Joe Biden, Democrats aim to expand Obamacare in COVID-19 relief package
President Biden wants to expand Obamacare with his coronavirus relief package, saying subsidies for higher earners and sweeteners for a dozen states that refused to expand Medicaid would lift people out of the pandemic doldrums. Published March 4, 2021
Catholics urged by U.S. church leadership to avoid Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine
Catholic leaders are urging the faithful to avoid the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine if they can because it is produced using cell lines derived from abortions decades ago. Published March 3, 2021
Biden slams lifting of Texas mask mandate as ‘big mistake’: ‘Neanderthal thinking’
President Biden on Wednesday slammed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to lift a statewide mask mandate as a "big mistake" and the result of "Neanderthal thinking." Published March 3, 2021
Biden tells states to prioritize teachers for vaccine
President Biden on Tuesday told states to give at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine to K-8 teachers and childcare workers by the end of March. Published March 2, 2021
Greg Abbott rescinds mask mandate in Texas, opens business
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday he is ending a statewide mask mandate and will allow businesses to reopen at full capacity even as the virus circulates at dangerous levels, saying residents are suffering economically and vaccines provide a way out of the pandemic. Published March 2, 2021
Merck to help J&J make its vaccine
President Biden said Tuesday that he expects the U.S. to have enough vaccines for every adult by the end of May, instead of July, as pharmaceutical giant Merck agreed to help rival Johnson & Johnson make its COVID-19 vaccine. Published March 2, 2021
Trump, first lady Melania Trump got COVID-19 vaccine in January
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump were vaccinated against COVID-19 at the White House in January -- something that wasn't publicly known at the time, as other top officials rolled up their sleeves for the camera to ensure continuity of government and bolster confidence in the shots. Published March 1, 2021
White House, governors make sales pitch for new J&J one-shot COVID-19 vaccine
The White House and governors worked overtime Monday to boost confidence in Johnson & Johnson's newly approved vaccine, saying it is just as good as the others in preventing hospitalization or death from COVID-19 and is more convenient to boot. Published March 1, 2021
Johnson & Johnson vaccine’s emergency approval to accelerate public health campaign
The Food and Drug Administration's decision to approve the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use provides the U.S. a third tool to use in the COVID-19 crisis while sparking a debate about who will get the new version instead of the two existing vaccines. Published February 28, 2021
FDA approves J&J vaccine for emergency use
The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday approved the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use, clearing the way for up to 4 million doses to ship within days as demand outstrips the supply of two existing vaccines. Published February 27, 2021
Johnson & Johnson one-shot coronavirus vaccine endorsed by FDA advisers
A key panel on Friday endorsed the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine for use in the COVID-19 fight, clearing the way for the Food and Drug Administration to grant emergency approval within a day or two. Published February 26, 2021
CDC director sounds alarm over ‘plateau’ in COVID-19 cases
The Biden administration sounded the alarm Friday over a "very concerning shift" in the coronavirus pandemic in recent days, as case counts plateau instead of fall and estimates show the "U.K." variant accounts for 10% of reported U.S. infections. Published February 26, 2021
40 percent of Republicans balk at getting the COVID-19 vaccine: Kaiser Family Foundation poll
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris promoted the COVID-19 vaccine Thursday as supply gradually increases and officials think about ways to lean on leery Americans who could remain on the sidelines. Published February 26, 2021
