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Bruce Willis made to leave LA Rite Aid for being maskless after daughter Rumer told people to 'wear a damn mask'

A photo of Willis was also shared which conclusively shows that he had been wearing a bandana around his neck -- something he could have pulled up as a makeshift mask

On Monday, January 11, ‘Die Hard’ actor Bruce Willis was reportedly asked to leave a Rite Aid in Los Angeles after he refused to wear a mask. A witness to the entire episode told Page Six that people inside the American drugstore chain became upset with the 65-year-old actor for not wearing a mask.

Willis, however, was reportedly wearing a bandanna tied around his neck, something Page Six noted he could have easily pulled up. A photo of Willis was also shared in the report which conclusively shows that he had been wearing a bandana around his neck. Willis' representatives have not yet issued any statements about the incident.

Rite Aid announced in July 2020 that all customers will be required to wear a mask, adding that it would supply masks to customers without a face covering free of charge. The company’s associates have been required to wear masks since May 1, 2020. "As the pandemic continues to embattle the country, it's critical that healthcare companies lead by example and do all we can to ensure the health and safety of our associates and customers," said Jim Peters, Rite Aid COO last year. "In order to best provide communities we serve with essential pharmacy services, we're asking customers to help protect themselves and those around them by wearing a face covering."

Willis’ actions became fodder for criticism online. “Bruce Willis's next movie: Die Hard With a Ventilator,” wrote a Twitter user. Another Twitter user said, “The biggest badass in this story is whichever Rite-Aid employee told Bruce Willis to fuck off.” One Twitter user said, “Turns out Alan Rickman was the hero and Bruce Willis was the villain. Miss you, Alan. You're a dick, Bruce.”

Willis’ actions come in stark contrast to his daughter’s. In December 2020, American actress and singer Rumer Willis, the eldest daughter of Demi Moore and the ‘Pulp Fiction’ actor, made an impassioned plea to her fans and followers about the importance of masks. 

Posting a video of herself to her Instagram Story, Rumer wrote, "It's not up for discussion any more! I don't really care what you want to do for yourself but for others WEAR A DAMN MASK!" In the video, she said, "I was exposed to covid today because someone didn't feel the need to speak up about symptoms or wear a mask and I'm gonna be honest I'm pretty freaked out and angry. It's not that difficult to be a decent human being and protect yourself and others."

According to an LA Times report from January 12, Los Angeles County is fast approaching one million confirmed coronavirus cases -- essentially, one out of every ten LA citizens have been infected at some point during the pandemic. As per the report, over the past week, L.A. County has reported an average of 14,765 new coronavirus cases per day.

“Now is not the time to meet up with friends at your home to watch the game. It’s not the time to go for a walk without your face covering,” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer told the daily. “All it takes is one mistake and soon, five, ten, or 20 other people become infected. This deadly virus continues to spread at alarming rates, and the most important way to stop it in its tracks is to avoid interactions with others and protect ourselves at all times.”