There's no need to paraphrase a conversation that is already present. The problem is you didn't only ask for citations, on something that was also clearly an an

There's no need to paraphrase a conversation that is already present. The problem is you didn't only ask for citations, on something that was also clearly an anecdote, but also made your own greater claim i.e. the absence of something, without even providing your own anecdote. That is what you are being asked for citations on. Sure, you can nitpick over the use of the word prevalent, but it's quite clear from the context that the conclusion was drawn on basis of the experience described (other than the article).