RE: So, the drugs must be given basically as soon as symptoms appear, or they have no effect
Every single successful doctor who administers Hydroxychloroquine or Ivermectin for Covid-19 will tell you that EARLY treatment ( within 6 days of the appearance of symptoms or positive test ) is the key to rapid recovery.
Everyone, from Dr. Zelenko to Dr. Kory will tell you that.
Most of the so-called FAILED studies administer these drugs when the patient is already hospitalized. Yet, they will still work, but the results are MIXED.
It’s like applying cancer drugs or surgery to a cancer patient who is already in stage 4. The chances of recovery decreases substantially compared to doing these in stage 1 or 2.
That is true for HCQ+Zn. Ivermectin works at all stages.