I ignorantly wonder (and wander beyond my territory) if zinc has a role here, considering chloroquine's apparent ability to allow it to become intracellular and work thusly against the virus, which it seems to do with co-administration.
"We propose that the immunomodulatory effect of hydroxychloroquine also may be useful in controlling the cytokine storm that occurs late-phase in critically ill SARS-CoV-2 infected patients."
This seems like:
a. This would have no prophylactic benefit (to avoid infection or reduce early symptoms)
b. The benefit would only apply to people who are already in the late stages and experiencing a cytokine storm
As hydroxycholoquine is immunosuppressant, I might suspect that its use in non-critical cases could actually worsen outcomes by suppressing the functioning immune response. As someone who was looking into it as a potential tool in the prep kit, I think this is likely a drug that is best administered only at the discretion of a doctor.
Would love to hear opinions from others who are more knowledgable though.
"Chloroquine is a cheap and a safe drug that has been used for more than 70 years and, therefore, it is potentially clinically applicable against the 2019-nCoV."
But we haven't had a readout on the Chloroquine trials yet. Early results say they are promising. So, it's not a huge leap to say there is a good chance that Hydroxychloroquine is even better (based on in-vitro results) and has a better safety profile.
It's easier to buy Chloroquine online though, than Hydroxychloroquine.
For an intelligent, less befuddled perspective, see medcram lecture 34 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U7F1cnWup9M