Pfizer announced today that its oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19 (Paxlovid) reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% compared with placebo when taken within 3 days of symptom onset, while the federal government faces push-back on vaccine mandates.The preliminary results for the antiviral drug, whose generic name is ritonavir, are from a phase 2/3 study involving 775 adults.Pfizer said researchers were ceasing the Paxlovid trial immediately based on the positive results and are adding data to the emergency use application for the drug."These data suggest that our oral antiviral candidate, if approved or authorized by regulatory authorities, has the potential to save patients' lives, reduce the severity of COVID-19 infections,