Oh gosh gosh oh yeah lol yeah I have to get iio up I think was gonna tell you what the iiii I was going through it and
Answer:
I didn't read the book or know the story but I can imagine that if it is meant to be literal, he/she said it because having the disease made him/her more careful and weary.
Explanation:
It is kind of like what happened with this Corona. We heard about the "disease" and became more weary and careful. Also: sharpened our senses.