Zinc won’t do anything without an ionophore

Zinc will be chelated by whatever is available. It can be transported into a cell by many paths.. An ionophore (in this case a hydrophobic chelating agent) will increase transport probability across a cell membrane, but it will still happen to a lesser degree without it.

I do not mean to demean the value of a good zinc ionophore. They are very important to take, substantially increasing bioavailability. But it isn't true to say "zinc won't do anything without [it]". Given the option of zinc without an ionophore or nothing at all, I assert you will be much better off taking the zinc regardless (as a protectant against the spike protein).