Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont: Certainty is key for vaccine supply
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont says the best way to improve the vaccine-distribution plan is to give states a clearer idea of what's available. Published January 31, 2021
Gov. Doug Ducey on party censure: ‘I report to the people of Arizona’
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Sunday brushed off the state GOP's decision to censure him over perceived disloyalty to former President Donald Trump. Published January 31, 2021
Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Wall Street: ‘It’s a rigged game’
Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Sunday there is too much manipulation in the stock market and not enough regulation. Published January 31, 2021
Johnson & Johnson: 1-dose shot stiff-arms worst cases, 66% effective overall at preventing COVID-19
Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine is less powerful than existing vaccines but can stave off severe COVID-19 cases with a single shot, according to trial data, presenting a new tool in the effort while creating messaging hurdles for the Biden administration and states. Published January 29, 2021
CDC: U.S. detects first case of ‘South Africa’ variant in South Carolina
Federal disease-trackers have detected the first known case of the "South Africa" coronavirus variant in the U.S. Published January 28, 2021
Letitia James, state AG: N.Y. undercounted COVID-19 nursing home deaths by up to 50%
New York undercounted COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes by as much as 50%, according to a scathing report from the state attorney general that adds to long-running complaints about how Gov. Andrew Cuomo handled the long-term care population. Published January 28, 2021
Biden to reopen Obamacare portal from Feb. 15 to May 15
President Biden said Thursday that he will reopen the Obamacare registration website because of labor shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic, a move to expand the reach of federal coverage options after President Trump targeted the 2010 program and said a special sign-up period wasn't necessary. Published January 28, 2021
Biden team: Exploring DPA to increase COVID-19 vaccine-production sites
The White House said Wednesday it is exploring whether it is possible to make coronavirus vaccines at sites that aren't involved now, as President Biden faces intense pressure to one-up the Trump plan he dubbed a "dismal failure" and Republicans accuse him of coasting on his predecessor's groundwork. Published January 27, 2021
Sanofi says it will help Pfizer make vaccines for EU
Drugmaker Sanofi said Wednesday it will let its rival, Pfizer, access its manufacturing infrastructure this summer to produce 125 million more doses of coronavirus vaccine for the European Union. Published January 27, 2021
Limited supply of coronavirus vaccine poses problem for Joe Biden’s massive distribution plan
President Biden wants to use the full weight of the federal government to speed up the COVID-19 vaccine campaign, but he faces a problem that won't be solved overnight — there are only so many doses to go around. Published January 26, 2021
Kamala Harris receives second dose of Moderna vaccine
Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday received her second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna, meaning she is fully immunized against the disease. Published January 26, 2021
Biden announces an increase in weekly vaccine allocation
President Biden on Tuesday said states will receive a bigger allocation of COVID-19 vaccines for at least the next three weeks, hoping to demonstrate progress as governors plead for more doses. Published January 26, 2021
Champagne sales down 18% in 2020: Trade group
The first year of the coronavirus pandemic offered little to celebrate, so perhaps it's no surprise that Champagne sales dropped by 18% in 2020. Published January 26, 2021
Johnson & Johnson set to report COVID-19 trial data on one-dose vaccine by next week
Johnson & Johnson said Tuesday it will report the results of its coronavirus vaccine trial by next week, potentially placing the immunization campaign on a speedier trajectory as economies reel and nations tighten their borders against fast-moving variants. Published January 26, 2021
Joe Biden extends travel restrictions as fears of coronavirus variants mount
Reported coronavirus cases have dropped in recent weeks, but the U.S. government fears fast-moving variants will spark new trouble, prompting President Biden to extend travel restrictions while a drugmaker tests a new version of its vaccine against a potent strain detected in South Africa. Published January 25, 2021
Biden formally extends COVID-19 travel restrictions on Europe, U.K., Brazil
President Biden on Monday formally extended travel restrictions on non-U.S. passengers from much of Europe, the U.K., Ireland and Brazil, reversing former President Trump's move to relax the restrictions. Published January 25, 2021
Merck gives up COVID-19 vaccine chase, cites poor immune response
Drugmaker Merck said Monday it is giving up on the COVID-19 vaccines it was developing and will focus on treatments for the disease. Published January 25, 2021
Moderna tests revamped COVID-19 vaccine to target South Africa strain
Drugmaker Moderna said Monday its vaccine protects against emerging strains of the coronavirus but is less effective against the South African mutation than the U.K. variant, so it is exploring a revamped booster shot. Published January 25, 2021
Joe Biden faces pressure to aim higher in COVID-19 vaccine goals
The U.S. is administering roughly 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses per day, placing President Biden on track to meet his 100-day goal of 100 million shots while heaping pressure on his White House to speed the effort, as virus deaths rise and newly eligible Americans clamor to roll up their sleeves. Published January 22, 2021
Boris Johnson: U.K. variant of coronavirus likely more deadly
The fast-spreading "U.K. variant" of the coronavirus might also be more deadly, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday, an alarming development that will burden the British health system and reverberate around the world. Published January 22, 2021
