Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
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
Coronavirus fervor stretches from coast to coast, creeps into nation’s capital
A cruise ship afflicted by the coronavirus arrived in Oakland on Monday to begin a lengthy offloading process, as federal and state officials tried to avoid a repeat of the disastrous quarantine in Japan that resulted in hundreds of infections. Published March 9, 2020
White House: Patients will carry health records on smartphone by 2021
The Trump administration on Monday finalized rules that govern how doctors share Americans' health records digitally, allowing patients to carry their data from doctor to doctor without clunky paperwork or faxes. Published March 9, 2020
Mike Pence praises coronavirus fight in Washington state
Vice President Mike Pence flew to the West Coast on Thursday to pledge support to leaders on the front lines of the coronavirus fight, as Congress sent President Trump an $8 billion package to thwart transmission and pursue a vaccine. Published March 5, 2020
Donald Trump poised to sign $8.3B coronavirus measure
The Senate approved an emergency bill that provides $8 billion for the coronavirus fight Thursday, clearing the way for President Trump's signature as Vice President Mike Pence crisscrossed the country to thank responders and pledge federal support. Published March 5, 2020
Mike Pompeo says U.S. offered to help Iran with coronavirus
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday the U.S. has offered to help Iran combat the coronavirus, as the Islamic republic contends with more than 3,500 cases. Published March 5, 2020
Trump lashes out after his ‘go to work’ comments on coronavirus sparks headlines
President Trump fumed over coverage of his response to the coronavirus Thursday, claiming the media distorted what he said about people who get sick and still go to work. Published March 5, 2020
VP Pence announces 10th death from coronavirus, will travel to Washington state
Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus has risen to 10 and he will travel to Washington state on Thursday to meet with Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee in the capital, Olympia. Published March 4, 2020
A coronavirus reprieve? Washington State votes by mail on Tuesday
Washington State votes by mail in its elections, a policy that should reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus in Tuesday's primary, since there are no lines to cough in or germ-laden screens to touch. Published March 4, 2020
Spending deal reached on emergency coronavirus funds
Congressional leaders raced to approve a roughly $8 billion package to combat the coronavirus Wednesday, as the U.S. death toll climbed to 11 and Vice President Mike Pence announced plans to visit the center of the crisis in Washington state. Published March 4, 2020
