Thanks for posting that article. Your awareness of the "adherents" is notable and appropriate. As to whether it is "clear cut," I merely point out the actual quote you included. He used the words "conceivable" (which means what he thinks it means) and "could have." Such is the way science works. The public sometimes takes the wrong message from his words (yes, this includes the media, who are usually not trained in science and health). Also, a quick answer to a question might not allow him the appropriate context that he would supply if he were lecturing or publishing. I'm very sensitive about how Fauci is perceived (not that I think you've done anything wrong here, in fact I think you are one of the more rational posters on this topic). Remember when "you-know-who" was bashing him about Vitamin D? Not only was the trial he cited less then impressive about the potential benefits of Vit D (and, incidentally, in that study all patients were receiving HCQ and many did poorly despite that -- I know, big surprise, right?), but the implication was that Fauci withheld this important information all along until Jennifer Garner coaxed it out of him recently (and she could coax me into saying just about anything). But he hadn't hidden anything: making sure you aren't deficient in immune-boosting nutrients has been touted by everyone this whole time, and he focused his attention to the things that make the biggest difference, such as social distancing and benefits of wearing masks.
Here's the blurb in the JAMA network back in June:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2767208
Push back on anyone who bashes Fauci. They either have their own agenda, are ill-informed, or both.