‘I have a right to my pizza.’ Video of maskless Pasco school employee goes viral

A video of a Pasco school employee unleashing a tirade at a pizza shop has drawn national attention, inspiring “Karen” memes to be widely shared.

The middle school custodian lost her temper last week at the Papa Murphy’s on Kennewick Avenue after employees refused to serve her because she was not wearing a face mask as required in Washington state.

“I have a right to a my pizza!” the woman screamed to the workers behind the counter.

The heated back and forth that went on for more than five minutes was captured by another customer who later posted it on social media and picked up by outlets such as Reddit, TMZ and ABC in Chicago.

The Papa Murphy employee repeatedly told the woman, who claimed she had a disability, that if she went outside, they would take the pizza to her. The employee also reiterated they had the right to refuse her service inside the store.

Instead, the woman continued to furiously shake her finger at the clerk and said, “I have a right to my order” and “I have a right to see your lips.”

The video quickly spread on Facebook, prompting hundreds of comments about the “Karen” — a moniker that has gained rapid popularity during the COVID pandemic.

“Karen lost all of her marbles,” wrote one person.

The unflattering stereotype refers to a middle-age Caucasian woman who acts entitled or uses her privilege to demand her own way.

The Tri-Cities woman eventually returned to the parking lot and joined a man waiting in a truck who then yelled, “I am doing my First Amendment right! Show me the law — not a statement — that I have (to wear a mask.)“

Many online commenters made light of the confrontation.

One person wrote, “This lady is a forward thinker. ‘A right to pizza’ should be our new constitutional amendment.”

Tri-City artist Kyson “BoneFork” Cartwright even created a drawing of the customer in front of a U.S. flag with the caption, “I have a right to my pizza.”

Another posted a meme comparing the customer to Veruca Salt, a snarly demanding girl from Roald Dahl’s children’s book, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” who yells and stomps in the movie of the same name, “Don’t care how, I want it now!”

A fair number of commenters voiced their concerns for pizza store employees, saying they don’t get paid enough for put up with customers like that.

The customer later posted in a public group on Facebook that she wasn’t “proud of it by any means” but still defended her right not to wear a mask and said she sent a letter to the White House. She said she is close to losing her job over the video.

The custodian also wrote that she supports a belief that there is a “deep state” plot to unseat President Trump.

She did not return a message from the Herald.

The Pasco School District said employees will be following the requirements and recommendations made by Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the state Department of Health for reopening schools, which requires face coverings while working with students or other employees in school buildings.

That can include either a face mask or a plastic face shield, said the district.

This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 12:54 PM.