" I ’m OK now , but I go out firsthand that medicine does not always have answers to the consequences of even underage viruses . "
Violet Affleck is speaking up about her health.
Ben AffleckandJennifer Garner’s 18-year-old daughter made a rare public appearance on July 9 to speak before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors about her medical journey and the importance of mask mandates.
Violet is the eldest of three children of Jennifer and Ben, who married in 2005 and divorced in 2018.
“I contracted a post-viral condition in 2019,” Violet said. “I’m OK now, but I saw firsthand that medicine does not always have answers to the consequences of even minor viruses. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown that into sharper relief.”
“One in 10 infections leads to long COVID,” she continued before the board, “which is a devastating neurological and cardiovascular illness that can take away people’s ability to work, see, move, and even think.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines “Long COVID” as the “continuation or development of new symptoms three months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, with these symptoms lasting for at least two months with no other explanation.”
Violet’s address noted that the virus disproportionately affects vulnerable communities beyond these gender and age groups. “It stands to exacerbate our homelessness crisis, as well as the suffering of many people in our city. It hits communities of color, disabled people, elderly people, trans people, and anyone in a public-facing essential job the hardest.”
“To confront the Long COVID crisis,” Violet said, “I demand mask availability, air filtration, and far-UVC lights in government facilities, including jails and detention centers, and mask mandates in county medical facilities.”
Violet concluded that LA County should provide more testing and oppose mask bans. “They do not keep us safer. They make vulnerable members of our communities less safe and make everyone less able to participate in Los Angeles together.”
Violet Affleck holding it down at the LA County Board of Supervisors exact mask accessibility , mask mandate in hospital , and clean gentle wind in all government buildings admit gaol and detainment gist . Go Violet ! 😷 🍉 pic.twitter.com/B8PN3jl5F6
Violet’s impassioned plea comes not too long after her mother, Jennifer,admittedshe couldn’t stop crying and was a “wreck” for an entire month ahead of her daughter’s high school graduation.
In an interview onToday with Hoda & Jenna, Jennifer said sitting alongside her mother, Pat Garner, “I was a wreck the whole month leading up to [Violet’s graduation],” she added. “Every awards ceremony, every final, everything, I just cried at everything.”
“I cried on planes trying to think about it,” Jennifer added, before revealing: “Then the day of was so happy that there was nothing to be other than just so proud and happy.”
Well, we should expect some more tears from Jennifer because Violet’s conviction during her address to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is another moment to be proud of.
Cheers to the next generation of adults speaking up for what they believe in!
