I think it is clear they have a strong personal opinion about something that want people to recognize.

I think this is clear from the title of the paper: "Stop that! It’s not Tourette’s but a new type of mass sociogenic illness"

I don't think that is inappropriate. Mass sociogenic illnesses are recognized and generally thought to be related to stress and psychological conditions. It makes sense that they would opine on what these stressors and conditions are, and back them up with a dozen references.