"Despite limited data on the direct effect of zinc on...

"Despite limited data on the direct effect of zinc on SARS‑CoV-2
and COVID‑19, its antiviral effects were demonstrated in other
viral diseases. Zinc was shown to have a significant impact
on viral infections through modulation of viral particle entry,
fusion, replication, viral protein translation and further release
for a number of viruses including those involved in respiratory
system pathology (37,61). Specifically, increasing intracellular Zn levels through application of Zn ionophores such as
pyrithione and hinokitiol significantly alters replication of
picornavirus, the leading cause of common cold."