Myanmar’s Weaponization of COVID-19 Karen National Union (KNU) The KNU has imposed restrictions on later forced to cease their medical checks and travel into and within their territory to prevent abandon60 their screening posts in Thaton to the spread of coronavirus. The subnational prevent further conflict. The KNU’s prevention level Ministry of Border Affairs in Karen State activities are implemented throughout its – headed by Myanmar military personnel – territory, and particularly in areas that border issued a formal objection59 on 17 April to the Myanmar government-controlled territory, the KNU’s medical checks of travelers on a road KNU’s general secretary Padoh Saw Ta Doh through Mon State’s Thaton District and an Moo told ethnic media.61 The KNU was of the order of overnight curfews in their Brigade 1 first EAOs to call for cooperation between the territory. The minister recommended that the government, military and EAOs in fighting the KNU “follow the NCA, control its forces, and coronavirus, particularly to prevent it from not intervene in border administrative matters” reaching internally displaced persons (IDPs). and pointed to existing government-issued “If this virus infects IDPs, many people will rules regarding the prevention of COVID-19. suffer – I cannot imagine it,” Padoh Saw Ta Doh When the Myanmar military troops showed up Moo said in late March.62 on site in the first days of May, the KNU was Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) Teams of medics from the RCSS were trav- in southern Shan State’s Mongpan Township.63 eling to villages throughout the organization’s Later, villagers in Mongpan were warned by territory, sharing awareness of COVID-19 in Myanmar military troops “not to accept assis- Shan language, checking villagers for fever, tance” from RCSS medical teams in the form and encouraging handwashing. These medics of care or personal protective equipment, lest came under attack by the Myanmar military in they be faced with arrest for interacting with mid-April while trying to provide their services them.64 59 Mon News Agency. “Karen State Security and Border Affairs Minister Oppose KNU’s Response to COVID-19.” 20 April 2020. BNI Multimedia Group. Available at: https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/karen-state-security-and-border-affairs-ministry-oppose-knus-response-covid-19 60 Network Media Group. “Burma Army Threats Force KNU to Stop COVID-19 Medical Checks in Thaton.” 4 May 2020. Available at: http://www.nmg-news.com/2020/05/04/10674 61 Network Media Group. “KNU to Burma Army: Stop Fighting Us So We Can All Fight Coronavirus.” 30 March 2020. Available at: http://www.nmg-news.com/2020/03/30/10378 62 Ibid. 63 Nang Seng Nom. “Burma Army Attacks RCSS While Shan Medics Perform COVID-19 Wellness Checks.” Shan Herald Agency for News. 15 April 2020. Available at: https://english.shannews.org/archives/20783 64 Seng Phoo. “Civilians Threatened With Jail Time for Accepting Face Masks.” 23 April 2020. Shan Herald Agency for News. Available at: https://english.shannews.org/archives/20835 19