Pfizer has announced they are starting trials for two medications to treat COVID-19 patients. One is an oral drug that could be prescribed to patients at the first sign of infection. It’s a protease inhibitor that prevents the virus from replicating in cells, much like current medications to treat HIV and hepatitis C. Generally, those medications have been safe for patients. Pfizer is also testing an IV medication to be used for patients hospitalized with COVID. Other drug companies are studying their own medications to treat COVID-19. While getting more Americans vaccinated is critical, developing treatments to help people who still get infected with the coronavirus will be a key to getting back to normal.