I had Covid unknowingly: The one thing I do remember was the change in smell. It has changed my eating patterns. I hate to make a blanket statement like this, but I seem to be more influenced by basic tastes these days. Sweet, salty, spicy...and much less by the flavors determined by aroma. Fancy saffron sauces and delicate bouquets do little for me.

You really can't say this is anything other than an apocryphal observation but I doubt I am alone in this. The interesting question is how this involves into an evolutionary benefit, this ability to taste delicate aromas?

Also, your timing also coordinates with another huge step forward: The addition of advanced language skills.

Thanks for writing, this was a fun read. And I will think about this going forward.