Health

Trader Joe's just ripped a page out of Costco's playbook ... it's drawing a line in the sand on refunds due to the coronavirus.

The popular grocery store chain has instituted a new company-wide return policy ... "Due to the current circumstances we are unable to accept returns on overbought products. Thank you." This sign was posted at a SoCal location.

So, what does that mean? For example, if ya bought a food item like a bag of chips and it tastes awful, you can return it. But, if ya bought 18 packs of chips and wanna return them 'cause you were hoarding, the company's now saying no dice.

The new policy is a big about-face from its regular return policy loved by all loyal customers -- full refunds with no questions asked when you bring a receipt.

The move comes just a little over a week after Costco implemented a "no refunds" policy on some of the more popular items that have been flying off the shelves since the rise of the coronavirus ... from toilet paper and hand sanitizer to wipes and Lysol.

Trader Joe's, like many grocery stores, has gone to great lengths to keep its employees and customers safe. TJ is also asking its customers NOT to bring their own reusable bags in an effort to stem the spread of the virus. They've also instructed customers to remain at a distance while employees bag customers' groceries to limit the amount of interaction.

#StaySafe

Katherine Schwarzenegger is just one of many Angelenos up in arms over the amount of people at a local farmer's market -- and she's asking the Mayor to step in and shut it down.

Kat, along with several other people, tagged and responded to Mayor Eric Garcetti's message to citizens Sunday ... pointing out just how packed the Brentwood Farmer's Market was this morning, with not too many people practicing social distancing at all.

The photos circulating online are stunning -- you'd never guess anyone was under quarantine or safer-at-home orders ... it looks like a regular weekend in L.A., even though it really isn't. KS wrote, "The farmers market in Brentwood still being open seems like a huge issue when it comes to social gatherings 👏🏽" The implication ... please put a stop to this, Mister Mayor.

What's crazy is that cops in and around L.A. have, in fact, been issuing tickets to people who brazenly get too close to other people in public. We spoke with someone who was stopped by LAPD cops outside a Silverlake Starbucks in the L.A. area who said she was told she was getting a $400 ticket for being too close to another customer. When she told cops it was her roommate, they gave her a warning. That said, it begs a serious question.

Why are events like this allowed to go on if they will put people in harm's way? Sure, food is sold here -- which seems to fall under the essential business criteria -- but in reality, the photo makes it clear -- this is insanely dangerous.

It's especially weird, because Brentwood is extremely liberal, and most people presumably would be listening to Dr. Fauci rather than Donald Trump. But, by squeezing into such a small space, they're acting like Trumpers.

The LAPD tells us they didn't get any calls complaining about the market, but they say they're on their way out to the market now. They told us their job is to educate and keep people apart, not to ticket.

There seems to be a disconnect because there is a law on the books that says it's a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment to violate the social distancing rules.

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are cutting more fat checks to help coronavirus relief efforts ... and this time they're donating to folks on the front lines.

Ryan and Blake just donated $400,000 to four New York hospitals that are getting hit hard by the pandemic ... TMZ has confirmed.

The famous couple just made personal $100,000 donations to 4 hospitals getting slammed with COVID-19 cases ... NYU Hospital, Mount Sinai, Northern Westchester and Elmhurst.

As you know ... New York is considered the epicenter of coronavirus in the United States, and hospital staffs are working around the clock to fight the virus and save lives.

We're told Ryan and Blake are also encouraging folks across America to help their local hospitals, healthcare workers and communities during this difficult time.

It's the second major donation from Ryan and Blake ... earlier this month, they donated $1 million to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada.

Rihanna, Kylie Jenner and more have also opened their wallets for coronavirus relief ... as well as Conor McGregor, Drew Brees and Steve Ballmer, who is pledging $25 million.

Good news, bad news from the NCAA. Good news -- spring sport athletes who can't compete due to the COVID-19 pandemic will get another year of eligibility.

And, the bad news?? The winter sports -- including basketball -- athletes will NOT get an extra year of eligibility ... which will be a huge bummer for seniors who didn't get to finish their final season at the college level.

"The Council's decision gives individual schools the flexibility to make decisions at a campus level," M. Grace Calhoun of the D1 Council said in a statement.

"The Board of Governors encouraged conferences and schools to take action in the best interest of the student-athletes and their communities, and now schools have the opportunity to do that."

The decision came down Monday afternoon ... but another major discussion will have to be had soon about the status of the fall sports schedule.

Of course, there are people like Kirk Herbstreit who would be shocked if the NCAA football season happened in 2020 due to the coronavirus scare.

Losing part or all of the football season would be a huge hit to the NCAA and the schools that depend on that revenue to fund other programs.

Roger Federer won't let a bit of quarantine or snow keep him from being the G.O.A.T ... 'cause the tennis superstar braved the cold for a trick shot sesh ... and it's impressive as hell!!

Of course, the entire sports world is getting antsy with the coronavirus scare preventing athletes from competing ... but some tennis lovers have gotten creative -- remember the people who hung outside their windows to volley a bit earlier this month??

Fed is gettin' in on the action ... posting a vid of his tweeners and behind-the-back shots against his wall while cooped up at home. Turns out, he's pretty talented.

"Making sure I still remember how to hit trick shots #TennisAtHome," Federer tweeted.

Of course, Federer is no stranger to these kinda shots -- he's pulled off the between-the-legs shots in matches ... and he makes it look TOO easy.

The Pac-12 has officially shut down ALL of its sports until at least May 31 ... forcing UCLA to cancel its annual spring football game next month.

The conference made the announcement Monday, saying in a statement schools cannot have ANY organized team activities "of any type" amid the suspension due to coronavirus.

The conference also says it will NOT allow in-person meetings ... and says virtual workouts -- supervised by a coach online -- are also not permitted.

As a result, the Bruins said in a statement, "In light of today's announcement by the Pac-12, our Spring Preview event on April 18 has been canceled."

It all begs the question ... with no spring practices and the start of organized offseason workouts nowhere in sight -- could this be the beginning of the end of the college football season in 2020?

Remember, ESPN star Kirk Herbstreit said just a few days ago he'd be "shocked" if there was a season next year.

"I'll be so surprised if that happens," Kirk said ... "I don't know how you let these guys go into locker rooms and let stadiums be filled up and how you can play ball. I just don't know how you can do it with the optics of it."

Some internet scumbags are trying to profit off the misery of others in the middle of the pandemic -- trying to hawk prescription meds on eBay before they get caught.

We found at least 2 listings on eBay for albuterol inhalers, a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. People who suffer from asthma rely heavily on this device ... and it's available by prescription only.

But, with the mounting cases of COVID-19 across America, albuterol has also been one of the first lines of defense in emergency rooms to combat one of the virus' main symptoms ... respiratory distress. That strategy is increasing demand for albuterol inhalers.

With insurance, the inhalers can cost as little as $5 and between $30-$60 without insurance. But, a couple of fools are clearly trying to gouge the public, listing them on eBay for $122 and $150.

But, there's one problem ... eBay explicitly prohibits the sale of medical devices that require a prescription. We've reached out to the site to see if it plans to remove the listings.

While the coronavirus has upended the world and created a new way of living, it's also causing a frenzy with folks looking to cash in on the pandemic ... who are racing to lock down the rights to the oft-heard term, "social distancing."

TMZ did some digging, and since March 15 -- when U.S. cities began to really understand the threat of COVID-19 and implement guidelines to help stop the spread -- more than 10 people and companies have filed trademark applications for "social distancing."

According to the docs ... the trademark types range from beer and CBD oil to common merchandise products like t-shirts, hats, signs, stickers and games.

There's also one applicant looking to slap "social distancing" on an online photography school.

A couple notable names in the hunt for a trademark include the creators of the popular game, What Do You Meme? -- which unsurprisingly wants the rights to make "Social Distancing: The Game" -- and Maxx Sports and Entertainment ... which reps a bunch of famous athletes and brands.

So, prepare to hear a lot more about social distancing in the coming weeks, and if these shrewd business folks get their wish ... long into the future.

Here's some good news out of Boston ... Celtics star Marcus Smart says he was cleared of COVID-19!!

"Corona free as of two days ago!' Smart announced on his Twitter Sunday night.

Remember, Smart tested positive for the coronavirus shortly after Utah Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell also contracted the virus about 2 weeks ago -- forcing the league to postpone the season.

Well, after being quarantined since March 19, the 26-year-old is GOOD TO GO, saying he was cleared by the Massachusetts Department of Health!

"Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers and I'm doing the same for everyone that's been effected by this!"

"Stay safe and stay together - apart! Much love!'