Tom Howell Jr.

Biden asks Supreme Court to reinstate vaccine mandate on health workers

President Biden wants the Supreme Court to reinstate his COVID-19 vaccine mandate on health workers who work at hospitals that receive federal funding.

December 17, 2021

White House says Biden will win on Build Back Better as bill stumbles into 2022

President Biden will be victorious in getting his social welfare bill across the finish line, the White House said Friday despite signs the massive legislation will stumble into the new year without final passage.

December 17, 2021

Dr. Fauci: Redefining fully vaccinated is on the table as boosters begin to be distributed

Redefining what it means to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is "on the table," Dr. Anthony Fauci said Friday, as the administration promotes a vaccine series, plus a booster, as the best way to protect against the coronavirus and its surging omicron variant.

December 17, 2021

Biden pleads for wider vaccination amid omicron threat, warns unvaccinated of a deadly winter

President Biden told unvaccinated Americans on Thursday they face a winter of "severe illness and death" as he pleaded with Americans to use COVID-19 shots, including boosters, as a bulwark against the omicron variant.

December 16, 2021

CDC panel recommends Pfizer, Moderna shots over J&J vaccine, citing rare blood-clotting side effect

COVID-19 vaccines that use messenger RNA are preferable to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday after reviewing data on an extremely rare but serious blood-clotting disorder linked to the J&J shot.

December 16, 2021

Broadway struggles with COVID-19 surge; cancellations common

The winter spike in COVID-19 is exacting a heavy toll on Broadway, with top shows announcing cancellations due to cases among cast and crew.

December 16, 2021

White House to companies: Hackers love to strike on holidays

The White House told companies to reset passwords, maintain IT staffing and patch vulnerabilities in their network in a Thursday memo that says hackers love to "lie in wait" for a holiday before attacking networks.

December 16, 2021

France bans nonessential travel from the U.K., fearing omicron surge

France will ban nonessential travel from the U.K. on Saturday to try and slow the omicron variant that is surging on the other side of the English Channel.

December 16, 2021

White House says no need to lock down amid omicron scare

The Biden administration said there isn't a need for lockdowns as the U.S. battles a coronavirus surge and the omicron variant threatens to romp through states in the coming weeks.

December 15, 2021

NYC workplace vaccine mandate calls for fines up to $5K; de Blasio insists he’ll work with employers

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued an order Wednesday that says businesses will face fines that start at $1,000 and reach $5,000 per violation of his sweeping COVID-19 mandate that requires all private-sector employees to show proof of vaccination as of Dec. 27.

December 15, 2021

Amtrak scales back COVID-19 vaccine mandate amid court order, fears of service cuts

Amtrak is backtracking on its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees after a court decision prompted it to reevaluate its policy and take steps to avoid service cuts the rules might have caused.

December 15, 2021

NYC Mayor-elect Eric Adams selects Keechant Sewell to lead NYPD

New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams said Wednesday he will appoint Nassau County Chief of Detectives Keechant Sewell as the city's next police commissioner, making her the first woman to serve in the role.

December 15, 2021

Georgetown University to require COVID-19 booster shots as of Jan. 21

Georgetown University said it will require people on campus to get a booster shot for COVID-19 by Jan. 21, a sign that some institutions will strengthen the definition of what it means to be fully protected by vaccines.

December 15, 2021

FDA pick Robert Califf pledges to make COVID-19 task ‘No. 1’

Robert Califf promised Tuesday to "hit the ground running" if he is confirmed as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, a role that he filled under President Obama but which has taken on new importance with the COVID-19 pandemic, a surging opioids crisis and alarming rates of teen vaping.

December 14, 2021

Judge turns back another attempt to halt L.A. COVID vaccine mandate

A judge on Monday rejected the Los Angeles police union's bid to halt the city's COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

December 14, 2021

Congressional leaders to hold a moment of silence as COVID-19 toll reaches 800K

Congressional leaders will hold a moment of silence on the U.S. Capitol steps late Tuesday as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 nears 800,000.

December 14, 2021

Pfizer: COVID-19 pills were 89% against hospitalization, death; fought back omicron in lab studies

A Pfizer pill for COVID-19 reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% compared to a placebo group, the company said Tuesday in final study results that are similar to initial findings. Pfizer also said its drug, Paxlovid, showed "robust antiviral activity" against the omicron variant in lab studies.

December 14, 2021

Biden signs order to make government services more customer friendly

President Biden signed an executive order that directs federal agencies to streamline routine government services like renewing a passport or applying for college loans so they are simple tasks instead of time-consuming nightmares.

December 13, 2021

States, cities impose new COVID-19 rules amid winter spike

Philadelphia said it will require proof of vaccination at eateries; Minnesota hospitals ran full-page ads saying they are "heartbroken" and "overwhelmed" as a winter coronavirus spike takes hold and sparks new restrictions that fall short of lockdown.

December 13, 2021

Philadelphia requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination for indoor dining, movie theaters

Philadelphia on Monday became the latest American city to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enjoy activities such as indoor dining.

December 13, 2021