The point was, that it wasn't test in any of the studies that were posted back then that I did read, in the manner that it was suggested that it would best work. I don't know or care who was at fault for that.
In regards to your post, there is a possibility, through anecdotal evidence of people getting this combo treatment during that time, that disruption of the ACE2 receptors could have helped, and per the anecdotal evidence, did seem to help during the early stages of COVID.
I would say to this that COVID in your body is like a fire in your kitchen. You might be able to smother it or use your fire extinguisher early on to keep it from getting out of hand (HCQ) but if you let it get going before you try to stop it, that just isn't going to work anymore (as noted by the studies).