Former child star Ricky Schroder had a conniption fit after a Costco employee denied him entry into the store for not wearing a mask.
The 51-year-old who starred in shows like Silver Spoons and NYPD Blue filmed his interaction with the employee – whose name is Jason – and asked why he wasn't allowed into the store.
The employee told him:
"Because in the state of California and the county of Los Angeles, and Costco, there has been no change to our mask policy."
The video which the actor posted on Facebook came days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that people who are fully vaccinated are no longer obligated to wear masks in most public indoor or outdoor areas.
You can see the video that was shared on Twitter, here.
Former child star Rick Schroder harasses a Costco employee over face maskspic.twitter.com/HRlWeJJlt1— Fifty Shades of Whey (@Fifty Shades of Whey) 1621174390
In response to Thursday's CDC announcement, Costco – which was one of the first retailers to implement the mask-wearing policy – dropped the requirement for fully vaccinated club members.
However, CEO Craig Jelinek, did say the updated policy only applied to store locations where the state or local jurisdiction does not have a mask mandate – unlike the state of California and the county of Los Angeles where Schroder resides.
While it appears unclear whether or not Schroder was cognizant of the unchanged policy in the state, Schroder argued:
"You didn't see the news? Nationwide Costco has said you don't need to wear masks."
But Jason held firm in his position on behalf of the club and replied while maintaining decorum:
"Actually, that's not accurate. What is accurate is that Costco always goes above and beyond when following the law and the mandate in California has not changed."
Well done Jason. You not only uphold your duty as a manager at Costco but you've also protected the community from selfish offensive people such as Mr. Schroder (don't know who that is) who obviously needed to be put in his place PDQ— TLDarby \ud83c\udf41\ud83c\udf3f\ud83c\udf4e\ud83d\udc89\ud83d\ude37 Proudly Anti-Fascist (@TLDarby \ud83c\udf41\ud83c\udf3f\ud83c\udf4e\ud83d\udc89\ud83d\ude37 Proudly Anti-Fascist) 1621180294
The discussion could have ended there. But Schroder went off on a political rant.
"Oh if they grant us that, our kings? The people in power? You're going to listen to these people?" he mocked.
"They've destroyed our economy. They're destroying our culture. They're destroying our state. And you're just going to listen to their rules?"
So, another wealthy, old white man is harassing employees for wearing the weight of a paper mask for 20 minutes to keep from infecting his neighbors. \n(Evidently, Rick\u2019s \u201cred flags\u201d are showing .)https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/ricky-schroder-apos-family-tried-214716214.html\u00a0\u2026— Idealist_me (@Idealist_me) 1621174827
I will never understand why people like Ricky believe harassing a company's employee is the best way to disagree with a company policy, and that posting a video of it somehow makes it more valid.\n\nEven more mind boggling are the people who cheer this on.— Mel ... Just Mel (@Mel ... Just Mel) 1621174768
Hate this bullying of service staff. \n\nIf these anti-maskers are so tough, they should take it up with the CEOs, but they won't because they're cowards. \nP.s I remember the film, he & Jon Voight were well suited then & now— capellarec (@capellarec) 1621174705
Good grief Ricky Schroder is a big bully. What is wrong with him or anyone bullying an essential worker? What's it to him if this guy wants to wear his mask? Ricky doesn't know his health history. Has he lost loved ones to the virus? Good Lord!pic.twitter.com/QKUHc0rrV7— GeeGee (@GeeGee) 1621180293
Apparently, Mr. T needs to have another talk with him about bullying.pic.twitter.com/dh9qeRev7y— Greg Jaffe (@Greg Jaffe) 1621198117
He\u2019s no longer a star, but he still acts like a child.— KD \ud83d\udcda\ud83c\udf0e\ud83c\ude51\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@KD \ud83d\udcda\ud83c\udf0e\ud83c\ude51\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1621175565
Jason replied:
"What we are going to do is simply follow the guidelines."
This prompted Schroder to turn the camera on himself and demand people boycott Costco.
"I'm getting a refund from Costco. I suggest everybody get their refund from Costco. Give up your membership to Costco until they remove this [mask mandate]."
Schroder's self-filmed tantrum only incentivized people to shop more at Costco or become new members.
Good, I don't have to worry about running into Ricky Schroeder at Costco. Thank you, Costco.— Jules Decker \ud83c\udfad End White Supremacy (@Jules Decker \ud83c\udfad End White Supremacy) 1621190513
For the billionth time, private companies like Costco can make up whatever rules they want (barring those which are racist or sexist) regarding who they admit. \n\nSchroder can whine as much as he wants. The law is not on his side.— Brother Pietro (@Brother Pietro) 1621175092
Wait?! No more Ricky Schroeder in @Costco ?! Ahhh , shopping at Costco just got better. Thank You and give your employee a raise!— Troy Chandler (@Troy Chandler) 1621182110
I just showed my husband this video & his first words to me at the end were: \u201cI\u2019m gonna renew my membership with Costco for 5 more years since I don\u2019t to shop where that washed up actor shops.\u201d pic.twitter.com/KnaInKRf17— Zo\u00ebbethC-MeidasMighty\ud83d\udc51 (@Zo\u00ebbethC-MeidasMighty\ud83d\udc51) 1621188497
I wanna buy a Costco membership even MORE now— \ua9c1 \ud835\udcd2\ud835\udcf1\ud835\udcfb\ud835\udcf2\ud835\udcfc\ud835\udcfd\ud835\udcf2\ud835\udcf7\ud835\udcea \ua9c2 (@\ua9c1 \ud835\udcd2\ud835\udcf1\ud835\udcfb\ud835\udcf2\ud835\udcfc\ud835\udcfd\ud835\udcf2\ud835\udcf7\ud835\udcea \ua9c2) 1621180481
Towards the end of the video Jason told Schroder, "The point is Costco is simply abiding by the law, and that's the law."
The manager then appeared in the video handing Schroder a form indicating a refund.
The actor told the manager, "I'm suggesting everyone in California get a refund from Costco until this rule is lifted."
Twitter saw advantages if people actually listened to him.
OMG- if the Trumpers all give up their Costco memberships, I will shop exclusively at Costco for the rest of my life!\n\nImagine a warehouse free of idiots.— orgfarmer (@orgfarmer) 1621176491
Anyone listening to some child actor from the 80\u2019s telling people to get a refund of their Costco membership? \n\nOr are most people going to ignore the silliness and head in for some rotisserie chicken and other goodies ? pic.twitter.com/CdTnBefaMw— Fozzie \ud83d\udc3c \ud83e\uddf8 \ud83d\udc28 \ud83d\udc3b (@Fozzie \ud83d\udc3c \ud83e\uddf8 \ud83d\udc28 \ud83d\udc3b) 1621180459
Schroder later "apologized" to the Costco employee if he made him feel uncomfortable but then added his personal cause was more important than "hurting people's feelings."
He said in the video:
"Jason, it's nothing personal. I'm not upset with you or anybody in a position like you have that works for a living. I understand you were following their laws and rules."
"I was trying to make a point with the corporate overlords and I'm sorry that I had to use you to do it."
"If I hurt your feelings, I apologize, but I do think that independence from medical tyranny is more important than hurting people's feelings."
Ricky Schroder addressed the viral Costco video, offered an apology for using Costco employee Jason to \u201cmake a point to the corporate overlords,\u201d but says his anti-mask cause is \u201cmore important than hurting people\u2019s feelings.\u201dpic.twitter.com/CQmIMpCTDD— Resist Programming \ud83d\udef0 (@Resist Programming \ud83d\udef0) 1621213074
The actor formerly faced backlash in 2020 after he posed for a picture with Kyle Rittenhouse, the Illinois teenager who was arrested after traveling to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and fatally shooting Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum, and seriously injuring Gaige Grosskreutz with his AR-15 at a demonstration over the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
The photo with the teen was taken after Schroder donated $150,000 towards his bail.
I think you mean, \u2018Ricky Schroeder, the guy who pays bail money for murderous white supremacists in Kenosha and currently experiencing Scott Baio levels of irrelevance, tries his hand at video-trolling Costco employees.\u2019\n\nIt\u2019s not going well.\n\nhttps://twitter.com/davenewworld_2/status/1393932542147977217?s=21\u00a0\u2026https://twitter.com/davenewworld_2/status/1393932542147977217\u00a0\u2026— ZukiRex^2 (@ZukiRex^2) 1621175156
Rick Schroder:\n\u2014Twice arrested for domestic violence\n\u2014Largest contributor to murderer Kyle Rittenhouse\n\u2014Verbally assaulted Costco employee\n\u2014Warned by TSA for not wearing a mask\n\u2014Said wearing a mask in a pandemic is tyranny\n\u2014Trump supporter\n\nPerhaps it\u2019s time to rethink your lifepic.twitter.com/Uj1mtN1aua— Trinity (@Trinity) 1621207136
In a letter sent to Costco members Friday, Jelinek said the clubs that still have mandates "will follow the state or local regulations and continue to require members and guests to wear a face mask or face shield."
"As before, our goal is to continue to provide a safe shopping environment for our members and guests and to provide a safe work environment for our employees, while following public health advice and applicable laws."
California Governor Gavin Newsom said before the announcement of the CDC's guidance the state may lift its mask mandate on June 15 when the state plans to reopen.
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