Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
FDA approves South Korean kits for COVID-19
Three South Korean makers of COVID-19 kits will soon be able to sell their products in the U.S., a development that comes after President Trump requested medical supplies from President Moon Jae-in earlier in the week. Published March 28, 2020
Trump defends travel to Va. amid coronavirus pandemic
President Trump on Friday defended his decision to see off a Navy ship, the "Comfort," that is heading from Virginia to New York City on Saturday to help with the coronavirus crisis, saying it's an expression of patriotism even if his own guidance calls on people to avoid travel and stay at home. Published March 27, 2020
Trump forces GM to accept federal contracts for ventilators, citing Defense Production Act
President Trump on Friday used war-time production powers to require General Motors to "accept, perform, and prioritize" federal contracts for ventilators. Published March 27, 2020
John Kerry, President Trump find common ground: Trashing Rep. Thomas Massie
President Trump and former Secretary of State John Kerry both ripped into the Kentucky Republican for threatening to force a roll-call vote on the coronavirus-rescue package that was approved by the Senate earlier this week. Published March 27, 2020
Trump says Navy ship heading to NYC ahead of schedule
President Trump said Thursday the Navy ship "Comfort" will be dispatched to New York Harbor on Saturday to aid the coronavirus-stricken city and free up space for hospitals reeling from the pandemic. Published March 26, 2020
Donald Trump says new coronavirus guidelines are on the way
President Trump pledged new guidelines Thursday to help states decide whether to relax "social distancing" measures that are curbing the spread of COVID-19 but are ravaging the U.S. economy, with jobless claims soaring above 3 million last week. Published March 26, 2020
China bars foreigners, citing fears of imported virus cases
China announced it is barring the entry of foreign nationals holding visas or residence permits as of midnight Saturday as part of its efforts to prevent a flare-up of the coronavirus pandemic that started in their country. Published March 26, 2020
Donald Trump, in coronavirus briefing, pushes return to normalcy in ‘little affected’ parts of U.S.
President Trump on Wednesday said parts of the country deserve to get back to normal sooner than others, arguing the "lamestream media" is using the coronavirus to hurt the economy and his reelection chances even as the U.S. suffered its deadliest day of the pandemic and New York said efforts to restrict society have paid off. Published March 25, 2020
Trump says ‘lamestream media’ wants to keep nation closed to hurt him
President Trump accused the mainstream media on Wednesday of cheering on coronavirus closures to hurt his chances of reelection in November. Published March 25, 2020
Spain’s coronavirus death toll surpasses China’s
Spain has reported over 3,400 deaths from the new coronavirus, making it the second nation to pass China's death toll. Published March 25, 2020
New York City residents fleeing coronavirus should self-quarantine, White House says
White House officials on Tuesday told people fleeing the coronavirus in New York City to isolate themselves so they don't spread the disease to other parts of the country. Published March 24, 2020
Coronavirus, COVID-19: What we’ve learned
The coronavirus pandemic began in China last year and hit the world's radar in January. Two months later, the virus has spread to nearly every country, infecting more than 400,000 people and killing over 18,000. Published March 24, 2020
Donald Trump: America ‘not built to shut down’
President Trump said Tuesday that he wants the U.S. open and "raring to go" in less than three weeks, proposing an optimistic end date to the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as he pushes to reinvigorate an election-year economy that has been turned on its head. Published March 24, 2020
Mike Pence: Trump admin supports state measures, still no national lockdown planned
Vice President Mike Pence said the White House believes in its 15-day guidelines for slowing transmission of the coronavirus and has no plans to force everyone to shelter in place. Published March 24, 2020
U.S. braces as coronavirus accelerates: ‘This week, it’s going to get bad’
The World Health Organization said the coronavirus pandemic is "accelerating" as Britain imposed a three-week lockdown Monday and New York, bracing for a tidal wave of cases, ordered hospitals to increase their capacity by 50%. Published March 23, 2020
Donald Trump defends Asian-Americans amid ‘Chinese virus’ bias claims
President Trump said Monday that Asian-Americans should not be abused or somehow held responsible for the spread of a pathogen he's frequently dubbed the "Chinese virus" because of its origins in the city of Wuhan. Published March 23, 2020
WHO chief urges G-20 to work together in equipping coronavirus fighters
The World Health Organization said Monday it needs the Group of 20 nations to increase the production of hospital gear and drop export bans to ensure that countries with the greatest need are equipped to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Published March 23, 2020
Democrats sink Senate Republicans’ coronavirus stimulus plan that would send cash to families
Congress was unable to reach an agreement Sunday on a $1 trillion-plus stimulus package that gives cash to families and keeps small businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, deepening fears of economic chaos as Rand Paul of Kentucky became the first U.S. senator to confirm he's contracted the disease. Published March 22, 2020
Donald Trump will not ‘nationalize’ companies under Defense Production Act
The president urged auto executives to "go for it" but he said he has resisted using the Defense Production Act, a Korean War-era law that empowers the president to compel production because it would smack of "nationalization" and is not necessary at this time. Published March 22, 2020
Donald Trump supports letting Congress vote remotely during coronavirus pandemic
President Trump said he'd be in favor of letting members of Congress vote remotely during the coronavirus crisis. Published March 22, 2020
