Vaccines against COVID-19 have been the key weapon for managing the coronavirus’ spread and fending off its most dangerous strains, but pills to treat the virus are on the horizon. So far, pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Merck have developed experimental antiviral pills — called Paxlovid and molnupiravir, respectively — that have shown promising efficacy in clinical trials of adults with COVID-19. Below is what we know about these new COVID-19 antiviral drugs and when they might be available. Both antiviral pills — which unlike other therapeutic COVID treatments, could be available by prescription to take orally at home — bolster...