Violet Affleck, the 18-year-old daughter of Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, has taken a public stand against mask bans, urging Los Angeles officials to implement mask mandates in medical facilities to mitigate the risk of long COVID. During a recent L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting, Violet introduced herself as a Los Angeles resident and first-time voter, sharing her personal experience with a post-viral condition she developed in 2019. Although she has since recovered, the experience highlighted for her the limitations of medicine in addressing the consequences of even minor viruses, a reality that the COVID-19 pandemic has made more apparent.
In a clip shared on social media, Violet emphasized the severe impact of long COVID, a condition that affects one in ten infections and can lead to debilitating neurological and cardiovascular issues, impairing individuals’ ability to work, move, see, and think. To combat this, she called for the availability of masks and other preventive measures such as air filtration and far UV-C light in government facilities, including jails. She also advocated for mask mandates in county medical facilities and the expansion of high-quality, free COVID tests and treatments.
Violet stressed the importance of opposing mask bans, arguing that they do not enhance safety but rather endanger vulnerable community members and hinder collective participation in Los Angeles. She pointed out that COVID-19 continues to disproportionately affect communities of color, disabled individuals, the elderly, trans people, women, and those in public-facing essential jobs.
Her comments come at a time when COVID-19 cases are rising again in the U.S., particularly in western states. Since the pandemic began, millions of Americans have experienced long COVID, also known as post-COVID syndrome, which can include symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, memory loss, generalized pain, and orthostasis. Mask mandates were widely implemented across U.S. cities at the height of the pandemic in 2020 but have since been lifted in most places as cases declined. Recently, some cities have considered proposals to ban masks, a development that concerns those who rely on masks to prevent illness.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has supported a mask ban in New York City’s subway system to prevent criminals from covering their faces, with exceptions for health-related mask use. Similarly, a local alderman in Chicago proposed a mask ban earlier this month, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has considered a mask ban for protesters to facilitate the identification of individuals committing crimes. California’s Division of Public Health rescinded its mask requirement for medical professionals in February when COVID cases decreased but indicated that the mandate could be reinstated if the threat of COVID increases. The department still recommends mask use for those infected with COVID or who may have been exposed, as well as for vulnerable individuals like the elderly or those with medical conditions.
Strategic masking, or wearing a mask in situations where it might be most beneficial, remains an option for reducing COVID risk, according to a 2023 report from Yale Medicine. The report advises considering personal risk factors, such as medical conditions, living in a care facility, being elderly or pregnant, or being in a medical facility or crowded place, when deciding whether to wear a mask.
Violet Affleck’s advocacy highlights the ongoing need for protective measures against COVID-19, especially for those at higher risk of severe illness. Her call to action underscores the importance of maintaining mask availability and opposing mask bans to ensure the safety and inclusivity of all community members in Los Angeles.
Source: CBS News, TODAY.com, PEOPLE
