Like, I could see where the idea came from. I had a minor problem for months after where I had trouble with swallowing certain types of liquids, and they would just build up into a cough up of mucus-y slime a couple times a day. A few of the people I knew took just as long to get their sense of smell back in the right place. Very specific symptoms that aren't common to other similar illnesses for people to be used to the idea.
So its one of those ideas you can clearly see the seedlings of that was then blown way out of proportion. Because none of the actual examples I saw was anything above "somewhat annoying" that passed with minimal actual risk to health or function.
Like, I could see where the idea came from. I had a minor problem for months after where I had trouble with swallowing certain types of liquids, and they would just build up into a cough up of mucus-y slime a couple times a day. A few of the people I knew took just as long to get their sense of smell back in the right place. Very specific symptoms that aren't common to other similar illnesses for people to be used to the idea.
So its one of those ideas you can clearly see the seedlings of that was then blown way out of proportion. Because none of the actual examples I saw was anything above "somewhat annoying" that passed with minimal actual risk to health or function.