Violet Affleck, daughter of Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, made a strong plea against the mask ban at the LA County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, July 9. Her speech was delivered during the public comment section, which was recorded in a video clip on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Violet Affleck appeals against mask ban
She introduced herself and highlighted several areas she stands for, including free quality testing and availability of masks. Understanding the gravity of the issue, which affects people differently in terms of age and social status, she emphasised the rejection of the ban on wearing face masks.
In 2019, she suffered from post-viral syndrome. Despite her rapid recovery, the incident showed her that even minor viral effects are difficult to manage medically. The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined this more than ever.
“I suffered a post-viral condition in 2019. I am fine now, but I saw for myself that medicine does not always have answers to the consequences of minor viruses. The COVID-19 pandemic has made this even more evident,” the teenager said.
He said COVID-19 is very serious, with “one in 10 infections leading to long-term COVID, a devastating neurological, cardiovascular disease” that impairs their work capacity, mobility abilities, visual acuity levels and cognitive abilities. It is important to emphasise that vulnerable groups are affected more than others.
According to the Mayo Clinic, these symptoms include fatigue, worsening of symptoms after physical or mental exertion, fever, and respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing or persistent cough. Additionally, a publication observed mass layoffs as a result of post-Covid conditions, leading to huge economic losses.
Violet Affleck calls for immediate availability of masks
Violet Affleck called for the deployment and use of masks in government institutions. “To combat the long COVID crisis, I call for the availability of masks, air filtration and far-UVC lighting in government facilities, including jails and detention centers, and for masks to be mandatory in county medical facilities,” she said.
He added, “We must expand the availability of high-quality, free testing and treatment, and most importantly, the county must oppose any ban on masks for any reason.”
“They don’t keep us safe; they make vulnerable members of our community less safe and make everyone less able to participate together in Los Angeles. Thank you,” Violet, a first-time voter, concluded.
Violet summed up her speech with an emotional thank you. She had just graduated on May 30th.
Jennifer Garner, 52, and Ben Affleck, 51, have two more children in addition to Violet: Seraphina, fifteen years old, and Samuel, twelve years old. In an interview with People in April 2023, Jennifer expressed deep empathy for teenagers and what they go through in the present. She admitted to being close to teenagers and said that she learns a lot from her children’s experiences at this stage of their lives.
Also read: ‘She has no choice’: Source claims Jennifer Garner is picking up the pieces of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s ‘broken relationship’
