Hot off the presses, a little good news about anosmia, loss of smell. https://archive.is/dqhGD
tldr: While colds, flu, sinusitis can all cause loss of smell due to one mechanism, obstruction and swelling, Covid 19 has another mechanism. It attacks the substrate supporting the olfactory nerves. This can even lead to loss of the peripheral olfactory nerves. The somewhat good news is that they regenerate. The not so good news is that it takes a long, long time. And though it doesn't say so here, possibly in some cases the substrate destruction can't be overcome.
My taste and smell came back quickly. Maybe because of the monoclonal antibodies I received?? But, it was strange that certain things still didn't have taste after it I recovered. It look weeks to taste soda. I don't drink soda often but had it a few weeks later with dinner and could not taste it. I still can't really taste bread. Sugar has desensitized. I've theorized this is a good thing .... I certainly don't need those things. But, I'm glad it regenerates. When others lost their sense of taste and smell I didn't think it was a big deal. It really is strange to eat and taste nothing or to have a great candle burning and not be able to smell it. I'm also concerned that I still have low-grade immflamuation if my body -- if my taste and smell aren't 100% back I am sure other things are going on inside of me that I am unaware of.
The distortion of smells also happened. When I came into our house I'd always ask my husband if it smelled. It smelled like vinegar. My toothpaste tasted like chemicals.
My nose was, and is, clear.