When I had my golf cart accident, my friend who was with me was thrown and wound up with brain damage. One effect of the damage was loss of smell and taste.

As you said, she doesn’t know if food has gone bad.

Doesn’t know if her kitty litter smells or if her house smells when guests come over to her house.

Smell food burning or anything burning.

Smell food almost done. When you bake the food starts to smell as it nears ready.

Baby needs changing.

Fresh cut grass.

Flowers.

Summer suntan lotion and swimming pool chlorine.

For me, less often than you would think. I have never had a sensitive sniffer. Pre-covid or not (I haven’t had Covid, thank goodness).

My nose sensitivity is pretty poor, so I rely on other senses (sight, touch) instead.

^^ Mine is too although I can smell when someone is smoking dope in the area.

Pretty much all the time. Even while sleeping your nose can alert you of smoke in the air (oops maybe not).
It is dangerous to try to navigate the world without the sense of smell.

It’s easier to lose weight when nothing tastes right.

I wonder if people who have no sense of smell still have that tickle that lets you know you’re about to sneeze. It doesn’t involve smelling, but I just wonder.

@smudges I can smell some stuff, but yes.

I have a very poor sense of smell and I don’t really use it at all. My sense of smell does exist and I am aware of smells but I don’t actively use it.

@longgone I imagine you use your nose (like I do) to assess the health of your dogs. I smell their ears, their breath, their feet, etc if I suspect something might be wrong.

Checking if clothes are still good to wear.

Knowing if my older dog has peed on her blanket. (Time to wash that…again)

Catching a wiff of a passer-by’s perfume/cologne. Some are so good I want to start following them. Ya know, in a non-stalkery way.

Becoming alert and relaxed to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee. My daughter liked the smell of coffee so much, she used to keep coffee beans in her pocket.

That briney, fresh smell from the ocean. I hate the beach, but I love the sound and smell of the ocean.

FRESH. BAKED. COOKIES.

That slight mildew smell that lets you know the laundry was left in the washer too long. (Time to rewash those…again)

The smell of fresh basil, thyme, and rosemary. Mmmm, herbs.

A newborn baby’s head. Ahhh.

Towel right out of the dryer.

To tell if a car is burning oil or gas.

That tangy iron smell from rusty pipes and plumbing. Do not drink that water.

Cigar and pipe smoke. I hate cigarettes and smoking in general, but those two have a special place in my heart.

That whole house smell on Thanksgiving morning as the bird cooks in the oven.

The smell in the air just before a rain or snow storm.

That awesome corn chip smell of your dog’s paws. Their head has a great smell too.

Old leather furniture and old books have a great smell.

To know if neighbor is burning trash and label off her cans.

If wind is blowing the other way, to know if neighbor is smoking pork butts yummy . . .

To know if my neighbors are burning leaves or using their wood stove. Love those smells.

When I was whites with bleach, that smell when I open washer door at the end of the cycle.

The smell of my wife’s homemade mocha frosting or almond biscottis or Greek cookies.

I mostly use mine to keep my glasses attached to my face.

I once used mine to push the button to close the garage door. My hands were full, and the button was at the right height.