The Myanmar government in exile has issued a call to arms and is encouraging a "public uprising" to take place. Radio Free Asia reported on 8 September 2021 that this is finding resonance among the general population. Meanwhile, the coup leadership is being accused of politicizing the COVID-19 pandemic, by "attempting to use its public health response as a means to justify its continued grip on the country" (East Asia Forum, 14 September 2021). World Watch Research analyst Thomas Muller comments: "The National Unity Government justified their call for an uprising by stating that no intervention or relief can be expected from the international community, neither from the United Nations nor ASEAN. The number of citizens killed stands at 1109 (AAPP, accessed 18 September 2021), which shows that the crisis is one which is boiling slowly rather than escalating quickly. Another example of how the crisis is increasing in a way more hidden from view is to be seen in the army has forced prices for medical treatment to rise steeply, creating a black market for healthcare. This can be seen as a form of civil punishment, since many medical and healthcare workers have been at the forefront of - and actually initiated - the whole Civil Disobedience Movement. At the same time, in an attempt to create a secure buffer zone, it is interesting to see how China is sending medical aid to both the army and ethnic insurgent groups at its border (UCA News, 22 September 2021)." Thomas Muller continues: "Although the numbers killed have not risen sharply, this is not to say that the emerging civil war is not violent, also for Christian minorities. As recently as 14 September 2021, a Baptist church in Thantlang town in Chin State was attacked by Myanmar Army artillery (UCA News, 15 September 2021). When Baptist pastor Cung Biak Hum helped extinguish a blaze that had engulfed 19 houses set on fire by artillery on 18 September, he was killed by soldiers, who also cut off his finger in order to steal his wedding ring (UCA News, 20 September 2021)."