A Florida man whose violent outburst over Costco's mask policy went viral online has since been fired from his job, CBS News reported.
Daniel Maples, who was filmed passionately objecting to wearing a mask inside the Fort Meyers location, lost his job as an insurance agent after declaring that he felt "threatened" by the store's new policy.
But I think it's about time we come up with some sort of a name for the male version of these self-righteous shoppers who have zero interest in protecting other people's health. Because it's not just middle-aged women who feel they should be exempt from mask policies. And Maples certainly proves that.
So what do we think of calling them "Kens"? I kind of like it, but feel free to share your thoughts and other name suggestions in the comments below.
An unidentified man who defended the woman against Maples, then found the customer's wrath turned on him as he captured the scene on his phone.
Maples, wearing a red tee-shirt that reads, "Running the World Since 1776", accuses the other gentleman of harassing him before launching an outrageous attack, right there in the middle of the store.
"Back up!" Maples continues, prompting the man behind the camera to take several steps backwards as he continues filming the shocking outburst.
That's when Maples dares him to "threaten me again!" while following the retreating customer.
"Back the f--- up and put your f---ing phone down," Maples shouts upon noticing this.
The video was later shared to Twitter by filmmaker Billy Corben who explained Maples "[flipped] out" on an elderly woman who had asked him to wear a mask while inside the store, and the man behind the camera who had come to her defense.
In a follow-up tweet, Corben explained what happened after the video ended, as per the unidentified man who filmed the whole encounter:
"To give Costco the credit, they escorted him out and made me wait inside and monitored him until he left and then they send someone with me to the care [sic] to make sure I'm okay."
According to a photo tweeted by Corben, a bio for Maples which has since been removed previously identified him as the company’s “highest-producing sales agent”. It also listed some of his interests, including hot yoga, travelling, cooking and “mentoring”.
However, it would appear Maples is no longer employed with the company at all, as a direct result of his meltdown.
Explaining the former employee's behavior was "in direct conflict with [their] company values," the tweet confirms Maples' employment has been terminated.
"Threatening behavior and intimidation go against our core mission to be trusted advisors in our community," the company says in a followup tweet. "We are also committed to immediately reviewing our internal existing culture at TTI."
He also reiterated that indeed, Maples has been fired, and said once again that the former employee does not represent the company's values.
"Wear a mask," he finished the tweet. "Be love."
h/t: CBS News
