Tom Howell Jr.

Peter Gaynor, FEMA chief, says agency shipping medical gear ‘continuously’

The federal government has been shipping masks to states and hospitals "continuously," America's chief emergency manager said Sunday, though was unable to give even a rough number of how many have gone out amid the coronavirus crisis. Published March 22, 2020

Pence staff member tests positive for coronavirus

A member of Vice President Mike Pence's staff tested positive for coronavirus, the White House announced Friday. Published March 20, 2020

Andrew Cuomo, N.Y. gov.: Ventilators are to coronavirus fight what ‘missiles were to WWII’

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday said ventilators are critical to winning the fight against the coronavirus, saying they are "to this war what missiles were to World War II." Published March 20, 2020

Sean Spicer returns to White House briefing room… as a reporter

Like a baseball catcher thrown into left field, Sean Spicer found himself facing the White House podium on Friday instead of directing the action in the briefing room. Published March 20, 2020

Donald Trump says he’s putting war-power production law ‘into gear’

President Trump said Friday he's activated the Defense Production Act to compel the production of medical gear in support of the states, as coronavirus infections reached 14,250 and the death toll exceeded 200 in the U.S. Published March 20, 2020

Trump cancels standardized testing for elementary, high school students

President Trump said he is suspending student loan payments and interest for 60 days and canceling standardized tests for elementary and high school students this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Published March 20, 2020

Melania Trump offers tips for parents amid coronavirus crisis

First lady Melania Trump pitched into the fight against the coronavirus Friday, posting a video that offers hand-washing and coping tips for parents and reminds families "this will not last forever." Published March 20, 2020

Hydroxychloroquine, anti-malarial drug, tapped for coronavirus fight

President Trump on Thursday directed the Food and Drug Administration to repurpose an anti-malarial drug for use against the raging coronavirus pandemic. Published March 19, 2020

Trump seeks use of existing drugs against coronavirus

President Trump on Thursday directed the Food and Drug Administration to approve an anti-malarial drug and other therapies for use against the coronavirus, told states to order ventilators before relying on him and blamed China for the spread of the virus amid claims he was not prepared. Published March 19, 2020

Nancy Pelosi to Donald Trump: Use war-production powers now

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said President Trump must use a Korean War-era law to procure hospital gear immediately instead of waiting for the coronavirus crisis to worsen, saying there is "not a day to lose." Published March 19, 2020

Donald Trump to invoke Defense Production Act to ramp up supplies

President Trump said he is invoking the Defense Production Act in the fight against a coronavirus that's impacted all 50 states and put the White House on a "wartime" footing. Published March 18, 2020

Donald Trump: U.S.-Canada border closed to nonessential traffic

President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday announced plans to close the border between the two countries to "non-essential" traffic as the world gets a handle on the coronavirus pandemic. Published March 18, 2020

Deborah Birx, U.S. coronavirus coordinator, moves to minimize health care burden

Deborah Birx, an HIV/AIDS expert tapped to organize President Trump's coronavirus team, said ventilators and a hospital's time and attention will be at a premium, so all need to do their part. Published March 17, 2020

Secretary of State Pompeo: China took an ‘awful long time’ to sound coronavirus alarm

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said a Chinese disinformation campaign around the coronavirus is part of an attempt to shift responsibility for dragging their feet in responding to the outbreak months ago. Published March 17, 2020

Donald Trump predicts victory, implores Americans to stay put for two weeks

Americans who can postpone medical services should do so because hospitals will need the beds and patients shouldn't be distracting doctors amid the pandemic, the U.S. coronavirus coordinator said Tuesday. Published March 17, 2020

Trump keeps up spat with Cuomo over federal, state roles in outbreak

President Trump kept up his spat with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday by saying states need to be treated differently amid the coronavirus pandemic due to varying rates of transmission. Published March 17, 2020

Donald Trump rolls out tougher guidelines to combat coronavirus

President Trump implored Americans Monday to avoid groups of 10 or more and enjoy takeout instead of stepping foot in restaurants, bars and food courts for the next 15 days, as the U.S. tries to avoid the fate of China or Italy in the fight against the coronavirus. Published March 16, 2020