Violet Affleck, the 18-year-old daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, made a rare public appearance at a LA County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday. Wearing a protective face mask, Violet addressed the board during public comments, advocating for the expansion of mask availability and other measures to maintain public safety. She shared her personal experience with a post-viral condition and emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable communities from the long-term effects of COVID-19.
The 18-year-old college student — who is the daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner — made a rare public appearance on Tuesday at a regularly scheduled meeting of the LA County Board of Supervisors.
During public comments, where residents have the opportunity to address the board, Violet — who wore a protective face mask at the public event — advocated for the expansion of mask availability and other important means of maintaining public safety, while also revealing her own experience with the long-term after effects of contracting a viral infection.
“I contracted a post-viral condition in 2019,” Violet revealed. “I”m OK now, but I saw first-hand that medicine does not always have answers to the consequences of even minor viruses. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown that into sharper relief.”
According to the Mayo clinic, a post-viral condition occurs following a viral infection, and is characterized by possible fatigue, lethargy, memory loss, inability to focus, and exhaustion, and can last for months following the initial infection. Jennifer Garner and Violet Affleck at a December 2022 dinner at the White House. – Sarah Silbiger/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images
“One in 10 infections leads to long COVID, which is a devastating neurological and cardiovascular illness that can take away people”s ability to work, see, move and even think,” Violet shared during the board meeting, while explaining that it has hit vulnerable communities hardest across the country.
“To confront the long COVID crisis, I demand mask availability, air filtration and far-UVC lights in government facilities, including jails and detention centers,” she stated, “and mask mandates in county medical facilities.”
“We must expand the availability of free tests and treatment and, most importantly, the county must oppose mask bans for any reason,” Violet declared, speaking quickly to fit her message within the allotted minute-long timeframe. “They do not keep us safer, they make vulnerable members of our community less safe and make everyone less able to participate in Los Angeles together. Thank you.”
Violet the the oldest of Affleck and Garner”s three children, followed by her 15-year-old sister, Seraphina, and 12-year-old brother, Samuel. Violet”s famous parents split in 2015 after 10 years of marriage, and finalized their divorce in 2018.
In November, Garner spoke with ET from the premiere of Netflix”s Family Switch and shared that she has learned a lot since becoming a mother all the way back in 2006.
“My kids have taught me so much,” Garner said, laughing. “Right now? Humility. They”re on a real path for teaching me humility.”
She added of being a mom to three teenagers, “My house is full of teens and they — that is hard work.”