My sense of smell waxes and wanes ... it doesn't completely go away, does your sense of smell actually go away completely?

Mine does too. Not in the way it did when I "had covid" though... that was like a blackout.

(My covid experience: all I did was lose my smell for 2-3 days. No cough, fever, brain fog, or other issues. Felt fine. Continued to be outdoors, walked/biked the entire week. Avoided anyone/everyone at any visual distance. Positive PCR test.)

I had Covid-related anosmia for a few days, and it was very different from just being stuffed up and unable to smell/taste like with a regular cold. I could stand over e.g. a fire, and instead of smelling smoke, I had a sensation of smelling "nothingness."

This is probably the best way to describe it.

I was in the shower, squirted shampoo, lathered, and it hit me. Something was missing. I couldn't smell anything.

I went so far as to take the bottle and squeeze air from it into my nose. I could feel the puff, but that was it.

It was actually a little bit jarring. It was complete loss for a couple of days and got progressively better until back to normal a couple of weeks later.

Since there is no money in the other 3 we'll continue forever to believe those are not the same as COVID's pathway. But great comment - you're probably right.