Burning Ears extra

Responding to a Globe and Mail news item about an outbreak of mumps in Halifax, a reader with the handle Dr. Mephistopheles says: "The problem is the hygenic conditions and the sheer poverty of people living in Halifax. People there are so poor and public restrooms backward and dirty there is no wonder we are seeing a resurgance of third world disease. Really if Halifaxers could just start washing after wiping and stop licking their hands after a good day's catch the whole thing would clear up in a few days — Doctors orders." (full comment here) Funny thing is, it's hard to tell if this is the work of a gifted satirist or an average Globe reader. What do you think?