The only thing it does is allowing zinc ions into the cell, i.e. it is a zinc ionophore, and zinc (inside the cell!) inhibits many viruses' replication [0][1].

The only thing it does is allowing zinc ions into the cell, i.e. it is a zinc ionophore, and zinc (inside the cell!) inhibits many viruses' replication [0][1]. So, you need both zinc and hydroxychloroquine. [0]: https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1001176 https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/j... [1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7F1cnWup9M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7F1cnWup9M