People are speaking out in support of Costco after customers threatened to boycott the warehouse chain for requiring shoppers to wear masks

• Costco faced backlash after requiring shoppers to wear masks in an attempt to control the spread of the coronavirus.
• Now shoppers are rallying around Costco to support the company's new mask policy.
• "I totally support your mask policy," one person commented on Costco's Facebook page. "It is small minded individuals who don't understand the reason for it. Covid is not a hoax. It is a serious problem."
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

People are rallying around Costco after the warehouse chain faced backlash for requiring shoppers to wear masks.

Costco rolled out a new policy that, starting Monday, "all Costco members and guests must wear a face covering that covers their mouth and nose at all times while at Costco," except for children under 2 years old and people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing face masks.

Some angry shoppers protested the new policy on social media.

Adios #Costco! Won’t be renewing my membership!

I REFUSE to mask up for the low IQ mob that’s falling for the propaganda, not to mention the health risks by restricting oxygen! 🙅🏻‍♀️ 😷

Costco’s nationwide mask requirement violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pic.twitter.com/MIuzjeSoUK

— Talia (@talialikeitis) April 28, 2020

But now shoppers are speaking out in support of Costco, with thousands of people tweeting the hashtag #SupportCostco.

#Costco, you can raise my membership by $1 to help pay your front line workers more. I am thankful you have kept us supplied and it is even better now that everyone has to wear a mask. #supportcostco https://t.co/xIMNsxzvX8

— SpartanMSU (@SpartanMSU) May 8, 2020

Just a reminder to those who are upset with Costco for implementing mandatory masks. The minute you pull into that parking lot, you are on PRIVATE PROPERTY. Their property, THEIR RULES. Your rights ARE NOT being invaded. Suck it up snowflakes. #supportCostco #WearYourMask

— Flo is staying home regardless!😷 (@GretschGirl5120) May 8, 2020

I've never had a #Costco membership but just to show I #supportCostco in their "must wear masks to shop" policy I am going to purchase a membership this weekend. pic.twitter.com/CMVgwG9AVg

— MillyMac #MayDay 🌎🤟🏼🕊💟✌️✊🏼🌹✊🏿 (@GenXer4Progress) May 8, 2020

Costco's Facebook page has also been flooded with customers showing support for the chain.

"I think it is wonderful that Costco is requiring masks to go into their business," one comment said. "They are working to keep me, my family and their employees safe during a difficult time. If [you] do not want to be safe, then go somewhere else."

"I totally support your mask policy," another said. "It is small minded individuals who don't understand the reason for it. Covid is not a hoax. It is a serious problem. People are dying for God's sake. Suck it up and protect others."

Thank you #Costco for requiring masks. I usually go to Costco 3x’s a week but haven’t been since March 13 because it hasn’t been safe. Too many people with no masks. I will go again now that everyone has a mask on. Thank you for thinking of members safety #supportCostco

— Glen Roberts (@bigskippy123) May 8, 2020

Going to shop at Costco today because I feel safer there due to their mask policy. #supportCostco

— it’s just me (@msmary128) May 8, 2020

Businesses protecting their employees and other customers by requiring all shoppers to wear a mask isn’t infringing your rights; it’s being responsible during a pandemic. #supportCostco

— Just Erin 🦄 (@ErinBode) May 8, 2020

Costco did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

In response to a request for comment on the backlash last week, a Costco representative directed Business Insider to a message on the company's website from CEO Craig Jelinek.

"We know some members may find this inconvenient or objectionable, but under the circumstances we believe the added safety is worth any inconvenience," Jelinek wrote. "This is not simply a matter of personal choice; a face covering protects not just the wearer, but others too."

Some angry shoppers have taken extreme actions against retailers' new safety policies

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people wear face coverings in public to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Open businesses have adopted new policies to encourage social distancing, as well as other safety measures.

Retail workers have been forced to deal with customers who are unhappy or angry with these changes. Three McDonald's employees were shot and a Family Dollar security guard was shot and killed in the past week in incidents the police have linked to shoppers reacting violently after being told about new safety policies.

Last weekend, the police were called to a Costco in New Rochelle, New York, as a crowd waiting to enter the store became aggressive when the warehouse opened 30 minutes later than expected.

"In 30-plus years of studying retail and crisis situations, we have never seen a situation of customers being so rude to hourly employees," Larry Barton, a professor of crisis management and public safety at the University of Central Florida, wrote in an email to Business Insider's Mary Hanbury.

"It's demoralizing and, as we saw with the shooting of the security guard, a sometimes deadly environment," he added.

Recent polling has found that, despite a vocal backlash, most Americans support social-distancing guidelines and don't feel comfortable with nonessential businesses reopening.

SEE ALSO: A Family Dollar security guard was killed after he refused to let a customer into the store because they weren't wearing a mask. Experts say acts of aggression are a terrifying trend on the rise in the retail sector.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why thoroughbred horse semen is the world's most expensive liquid

* This article was originally published here