Instead of concealing her identity with a mask, Violet, the eldest daughter of Hollywood celebrities Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, chose to reveal that she had faced a hidden health challenge.
The teenager delivered a poignant speech, available for viewing below, to the LA County Board of Supervisors. In it, she disclosed battling a “post-viral condition” since 2019.
She said she “saw first-hand that medicine doesn’t always have answers to the consequences of even minor viruses.”
Violet was confident as she stood up and introduced herself. “Hi, Violet Affleck, Los Angeles resident, first time voter, I’m 18,” she said. While she confessed: “I’m okay now,” she explained how during the COVID-19 pandemic she fell ill.
She presented a set of requests aimed at addressing the long COVID crisis, including ensuring mask availability and improving air filtration. Additionally, she advocated for the use of Far-UVC light in places like jails and detention centers.
Despite having limited time, Violet passionately articulated her points, opposing mask bans and emphasizing that such bans could endanger vulnerable members of the community. She also highlighted the severe neurological and cardiovascular consequences of long COVID infections.
According to Mayo Clinic a post-COVID condition “occurs months after COVID-19 infection and involves fatigue, postexertional malaise, dyspnea, memory loss, diffuse pain, and orthostasis. The medical, psychosocial, and economic impact of PCC is immense.”
It continued: “In the United States, PCC has caused widespread unemployment and billions in lost wages.”
Violet was praised on social media for her being “courageous,” and speaking her mind. Many said they couldn’t wait to see what her future held and branded her “bold.”
Her renowned parents are likely immensely proud of their adult daughter, who clearly has a promising future ahead. Although she hasn’t disclosed her academic plans yet, Violet will start college after the summer and is anticipated to enroll at Yale.
Jennifer expressed her immense pride when Violet recently graduated from high school, admitting she was nervous in the lead-up to this significant milestone.
“I was a wreck the whole month leading up to it,” she revealed during an appearance on Today. “Every awards ceremony, every final, everything, I just cried and cried at everything. Then, the day of (graduation) was so happy that there was nothing to be other than just so proud and happy.”
While touring colleges and planning her future education, Jennifer said Violet took it all in her stride.
“She’s handling it like a champ, she’s in control and I’m not having to ask her are ‘you doing this or are you doing that?’. It is exciting. I can see the stress, but stress and excitement go hand in hand.”
