People are boycotting Costco for requiring shoppers to wear masks in stores — and it reveals the frightening misconceptions that still exist about the pandemic

Shoppers flock to a Costco in Hawaii, March 5, 2020.Duane Tanouye / Reuters

• Starting May 4, Costco shoppers will be required to wear face coverings in stores.
• Following the announcement of the new policy, angry Costco shoppers took to social media to voice their frustrations, some calling for a boycott of the warehouse chain.
• Some view the policy as an annoyance, saying that masks are not proven to help prevent the spread of the virus.
• The CDC recommends that people wear face coverings in public settings in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
• "We know some members may find this inconvenient or objectionable, but under the circumstances we believe the added safety is worth any inconvenience," Costco CEO Craig Jelinek wrote in a public message on the company's website.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Costco will soon require its shoppers to wear masks while in stores. And some members of the warehouse chain are not pleased with the policy change.

"Adios #Costco! Won't be renewing my membership!," a user posted on Twitter on Tuesday in response to the new policy. "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!"

This user was one of many who took to social media to express frustration with Costco's new policy. Some called to boycott the warehouse chain and many took issue with the policy for promoting a safety measure that they view as ineffective and an infringement of their rights.

The policy, which is effective May 4 in all Costco stores, states that "all Costco members and guests must wear a face covering that covers their mouth and nose at all times while at Costco" and excludes children under two years old and people whose medical conditions do not allow for them to wear such coverings.

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

"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."

Costco's new policy is in line with CDC recommendations, which advise people wear face coverings in public settings in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Still, angry shoppers took to social media to express their frustration with the new policy.