Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
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
NIH launches clinical trial of coronavirus vaccine in Seattle
A person in Seattle received a trial vaccine for the coronavirus as part of a clinical trial Monday, as scientists race to thwart the pathogen that's wreaking human and economic havoc. Published March 16, 2020
WHO: Fighting the coronavirus must be ‘everybody’s business’
The World Health Organization said Monday lockdowns and other efforts to thwart the coronavirus won't work unless the public buys in and makes it "everybody's business." Published March 16, 2020
First Lady Melania Trump scraps Easter Egg Roll, citing coronavirus
Add the White House Easter Egg Roll to the list of things canceled by the coronavirus pandemic. First Lady Melania Trump said Monday she decided to scrap the April 13 event on the South Lawn out of an "abundance of caution." Published March 16, 2020
CDC: Coronavirus spread mandates canceling events of 50 people
The U.S. faced mounting pressure Sunday to mimic Europe and stop crowded bars and public spaces as Americans from coast to coast become sick with worry and the new coronavirus that is taxing the nation's hospitals, economy and political leaders at an unprecedented scale. Published March 15, 2020
Trump tells people to ‘relax,’ stop hoarding groceries
President Trump said people need to "relax" and not hoard groceries amid the coronavirus pandemic, saying store executives have assured him that supply chains are intact. Published March 15, 2020
AOC to New Yorkers: Stop jamming into the bars
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urged young New Yorkers on Saturday to stop crowding into bars and restaurants amid the coronavirus outbreak because they might be spreading the pathogen even if they feel OK. Published March 14, 2020
Trump declares national emergency to deal with coronavirus
President Trump declared a national emergency Friday to deal with the new coronavirus that's swept the globe and hit the U.S., freeing up federal disaster funds for states and municipalities. Published March 13, 2020
HHS spends more on coronavirus testing, appoints a coordinator
The administration said Friday it will expand testing for the new coronavirus by providing over $1 million to companies whose kits can detect the disease in an hour, as President Trump shifted blame for diagnostic fumbles onto his predecessor and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention itself. Published March 13, 2020
‘Social distancing’ urged as coronavirus spreads without treatment or vaccine
Drugmakers are racing to land a vaccine or treatment for the new coronavirus, but the science takes time, meaning Americans are left with an onslaught of canceled parades, suspended sports leagues and school closures while they wait for next season's cures. Published March 12, 2020
Anthony Fauci says U.S. is behind other nations in testing, dubs it a ‘failing’
The U.S. official in charge of infectious diseases told Congress the country is behind other nations in testing for coronavirus, dubbing it a "failing." Published March 12, 2020
Donald Trump in coronavirus address halts Europe travel, outlines ‘unprecedented’ actions
President Trump late Wednesday said he will ban travel from Europe for 30 days as the World Health Organization declared a pandemic and U.S. health officials forecast a surge in cases, citing hot spots on both coasts and cases hitching a ride across the Atlantic after months of relative calm. Published March 11, 2020
White House outlines ways for Washington, California to reduce COVID-19
The White House on Wednesday said Washington state and California should take more drastic steps to thwart the spread of the coronavirus for 30 days, from expanding sick leave for workers to moving church services to video and playing pro and college games behind closed doors. Published March 11, 2020
World Health Organization declares COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic
The World Health Organization said Wednesday it now considers the spread of coronavirus to be a global pandemic, raising the stakes around the mysterious pathogen that's spread to over 100 countries. Published March 11, 2020
Andrew Cuomo sends National Guard to N.Y. town: ‘New Rochelle is a particular problem’
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday he is sending the National Guard to bolster the coronavirus response in a hard-hit suburb north of New York City, signaling a new front in the domestic response. Published March 10, 2020
Insurers tell White House they will cover virus testing, waive copays
Major health insurers told President Trump on Tuesday they will include coronavirus testing in their covered benefits and waive out-of-pocket costs. Published March 10, 2020
Coronavirus 101: What you need to know about the virus and the latest on the response
Many Americans probably hadn't even heard of "Wuhan" before a strange new virus crept into the headlines at the end of December. Now, the virus that sparked a full-blown crisis in the central Chinese city has reached its tentacles across the globe. Published March 10, 2020
