I have and continue to be appalled by Costco's handling of the mask requirements/mandate before, during, and after the CDC has mandated them. When COSTCO put the mask mandate in play BEFORE it was required, we stopped shopping there. When it became a federal requirement we went back and renewed our membership. Then in our state the mask mandate has been removed since January and Costco still kept enforcing it. Then the CDC and our local city Health Department removed the mandate and COSTCO STILL required it. What's worse, is we walked through the entire store without one, picked out our groceries, ran by several employees (including the greeter) who clearly saw we weren't wearing masks. It was then, at the checkout after all out items had been scanned that we were told we had to wear a mask or we couldn't pay and take our items with us. We reluctantly did so but immediately canceled our membership and received a refund. Not only did it feel like Costco was just doing the bate and switch to get the sale, but it was a huge overstep of their services - after all, they are only a grocery chain. Sure businesses can impose what they want but not when I'm paying to be a member AND my input isn't sought. Since then, COSTCO has changed it's stance (probably due to backlash by other consumers). Costco is sure to suffer from their gestapo like tactics and I for one hope people will take heed. They are merely a grocery store and there are other options. I chose not to spend my money in places where I'm controlled by someone in Washington State when those statutes don't apply. To say you follow state/local protocols is untrue, you do what you want unless it serves your purpose.