Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s daughter speaks out against mask ban

Jennifer Garner and her daughter Violet Affleck are seen on May 11, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by: Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Violet Affleck, daughter of actors Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, spoke at a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting this week.

On July 9, the 18-year-old made an emotional plea for the availability of face masks during the public comment section of the meeting. A video of her comments was posted on X, formerly Twitter.

She introduced herself as “Violet Affleck, Los Angeles resident, first-time voter. Age 18” at the meeting with Kenneth Hahn Hall of Fame.

Wearing a face mask, she revealed that she had developed a post-viral condition in 2019.

“I’m fine now, but I’ve seen firsthand that medicine doesn’t always have answers to the consequences of even simple viruses. The COVID-19 pandemic has made that even more clear,” she explained.

“One in 10 infections leads to long Covid, a devastating neurological disease.” [and] “Cardiovascular disease, which can rob people of their ability to work, move, see and even think, exacerbates our homelessness crisis and the suffering of so many people in our city,” she continued. “It disproportionately affects communities of color, people with disabilities, seniors, transgender people, women and anyone in an essential, public-facing job.”

While many feel the pandemic is long over, it leaves a lasting impact on others.

According to the Mayo ClinicSymptoms of long COVID include fatigue, fever, respiratory problems, and symptoms that get worse after physical or mental exertion.

Long COVID, or post-COVID syndrome, occurs when someone has “new, recurring, or persistent symptoms” about four weeks after contracting COVID-19. “Some people have post-COVID syndrome that lasts for months or years or causes disability,” the Mayo Clinic says.

As a result of these findings and her own health issues, Affleck called for more face masks to be made available and addressed other ways people with these conditions can be kept safe.

“To address the long COVID crisis, I am calling for the availability of masks, air purification, and far ultraviolet light in government facilities, including prisons and detention centers, and for mask-wearing to be mandated in county medical facilities,” she said.

She also urged the council to help “expand the availability of free, high-quality testing and treatment.”

Affleck also urged the county to “oppose mask bans for any reason.”

“They don’t make us safer, they make vulnerable members of our community less safe and they make everyone less able to participate in Los Angeles together. Thank you,” she concluded.

Often times, the teen is seen wearing a face mask while going out.

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health websitePeople within the county must wear masks in certain situations. This includes, but is not limited to:

• As required in the workplace.
• As required by current law LACDPH Health Officer Orders.
• In healthcare settings, When visiting or receiving care, when the LA County COVID-19 hospital admission level is moderate or high.
• If required for the site, including some businesses, health facilities, schools and workplaces.
• If you are sick with cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, or if you have tested positive for COVID-19 (even if you do not have symptoms) and need to be around others.