Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Ron DeSantis, Florida gov., praises ‘innovative’ churches ahead of Easter
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told houses of worship on Monday to stay "innovative" and maintain social distancing as they mark Passover and Easter during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Published April 6, 2020
Trump urges Americans to voluntarily don masks: ‘I won’t do it’
President Trump on Friday urged Americans to voluntarily don cloth masks to combat the spread of coronavirus. Published April 3, 2020
White House to require quick coronavirus test for anyone to meet Trump, Pence
The White House says anyone who wants to get close to President Trump or Vice President Mike Pence will have to take a quick coronavirus test, as COVID-19 cases in the U.S. surged beyond a quarter-million. Published April 3, 2020
New Jersey governor orders flags at half-staff to honor COVID-19 dead
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ordered all flags in his state lowered to half-staff Friday in honor "all those we have lost and those we will lose" to the coronavirus. Published April 3, 2020
Boris Johnson, UK prime minister, still in isolation due to coronavirus symptoms
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday he will stay in isolation because he is still feeling the effects of his coronavirus infection. Published April 3, 2020
Donald Trump warns Democrats against coronavirus response ‘witch hunt’
President Trump warned House Democrats on Thursday to back off plans for what he called another "witch hunt" investigation, this time over his administration's response to the coronavirus outbreak. Published April 2, 2020
Donald Trump again tests negative for COVID-19, this time in ‘rapid point-of-care’ test
President Trump tested negative for COVID-19 Thursday in a follow-up test that produced results in 15 minutes. Published April 2, 2020
Trump uses Defense Production Act to get supplies to ventilator makers
President Trump on Thursday invoked wartime-production powers to "facilitate the supply of materials" to select companies that are making life-saving ventilators amid the coronavirus pandemic. Published April 2, 2020
DNC postpones convention until August over coronavirus fears
The Democratic National Committee said Thursday it is moving its presidential nominating convention to late August, postponing it about a month due to fears around the coronavirus. Published April 2, 2020
Scott Gottlieb, FDA chief: We must chase coronavirus therapy as urgently as vaccine
Former Food and Drug Commissioner Scott Gottlieb on Thursday said global regulators need to be just as aggressive in chasing a COVID-19 treatment as they've been with a vaccine, saying it will buy time while the world waits up to two years for a preventive shot. Published April 2, 2020
Ron DeSantis, Florida gov., issues 30-day order to stay home of coronavirus crisis
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday ordered his 21 million residents across the state to stay home for 30 days because of the coronavirus pandemic, saying the "national pause" dictated by the White House pushed him to limit movements to essential activities like grocery shopping. Published April 1, 2020
Donald Trump: Stay home through April 30
President Trump, speaking in unusually somber tones, told Americans on Tuesday to brace for a "very, very painful two weeks" and begged them to stay at home as much as possible through April 30. Published March 31, 2020
GOP, Trump blaming impeachment for distractions during virus outbreak
President Trump and his allies are increasingly blaming Democrats' impeachment drive for distracting Washington's attention from the coronavirus outbreak last winter. Published March 31, 2020
Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia on lockdown as coronavirus cases, deaths mount
Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia announced new "stay at home" orders Monday that imposed severe restrictions on residents, joining a growing number of states that have passed near-total lockdowns in response to the escalating coronavirus outbreak. Published March 30, 2020
Trump says next 30 days will be pivotal in coronavirus fight
President Trump pleaded with Americans Monday to put their lives on hold for another 30 days, saying their behavior over the next month will make or break the country's fight against the coronavirus. Published March 30, 2020
Johnson & Johnson says it has ‘promising’ vaccine candidate for coronavirus
Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson said Monday it has a promising COVID-19 vaccine candidate that will go into human trials by September and could be available for emergency use by early next year. Published March 30, 2020
Donald Trump extends coronavirus guidelines through April 30
President Trump on Sunday said he wants Americans to stay at home until April 30, abandoning his hope of opening up businesses by Easter as modeling suggested the U.S. coronavirus death toll could reach tens of thousands and peak two weeks from now. Published March 29, 2020
Trump: Ventilator mass production happening over next 100 days
President Trump on Sunday said the U.S. will make three times more ventilators over the next 100 days than it typically produces in a year. Published March 29, 2020
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
