So it wasn't a hoax and this is really a distinction without a difference.

Snopes gave the claim a mixed rating because close reading of Trump's comments suggested to the article author that Trump was calling Democratic accusations of inadequate response by his administration the hoax, not the virus itself. The article is dated March 2.

But now it seems clear that the accusations were absolutely accurate, and the distinctions the author tries to draw are irrelevant.

I didn't bring up the issue, but sure. I'll focus on HCQ.