Violet Affleck Makes Rare Public Appearance, Advocates for Universal Masking at Los Angeles Event
LOS ANGELES, July 18, 2024 – In a rare public statement, Violet Affleck, the 18-year-old daughter of actors Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, appeared before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to deliver a formal address advocating for the continued implementation of universal mask mandates in county facilities.
WHERE: Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, Los Angeles, California.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
WHO: Violet Affleck, eldest child of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, addressing the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in her capacity as a private citizen.
WHAT: Ms. Affleck delivered a succinct, prepared statement urging the Board to maintain permanent mask requirements in county health care settings and government buildings. She cited her personal experience with a post-viral illness contraction in 2019, describing it as a severe condition that left her bedridden and with significant health challenges. She further argued that masking policies protect immunocompromised individuals and vulnerable populations from airborne viruses. The statement represents her first known public political engagement.
WHY: Ms. Affleck stated her advocacy is driven by a need to prevent others from suffering long-term health consequences similar to her own, emphasizing a public health duty to maintain protective measures.
“I lost a year of my life to a post-viral condition,” Ms. Affleck said to the Board. “I have seen firsthand that medicine does not always have the answers to prevent or cure these illnesses. The only way to protect people is to bring back masking mandates in hospitals and county buildings.”
The Board did not immediately take action following the address. Ms. Affleck departed the chamber without taking further questions.