Mayor wants smell cards at malls; experts say it’s not a good idea

Bengaluru: BBMP’s proposal to have smell cards for Covid-19 screening hasn’t gone down well with doctors though loss of sense of smell (anosmia) is a symptom.Mayor Goutham Kumar suggested that smell cards be used in malls, hotels, theatres and public places. The National Task Force had discussed smell and taste tests for screening, but no decision was taken.He suggested it at a meeting with the chief secretary too. “Smell cards need to have strong citrus flavour or fruit flavour, and if a person fails to detect it, he shouldn’t be allowed to enter the premises,” he added. Smell cards would be used in addition to thermal screening.However, many senior health officials opposed it. “Many people suffer from anosmia. Just because they’re unable to smell doesn’t mean they have Covid,” said a senior medical officer working in a Covid treating hospital.Dr EV Raman, ENT consultant, Manipal Hospitals, said the government shoudn’t take a hasty decision. “Smell cards should be supported other checks too,” he added.Sandra Richard, a psychologist from Mahadevapura whose daughter is an anosmic, said smell cards would be harsh measure. “My child already feels miserable. Such a test would be disturbing thing,” she added.