Violet Affleck is using her voice to push for change. The 19-year-old Yale student, and eldest daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, spoke at the United Nations this week at an event called “Healthy Indoor Air: A Global Call to Action.”
In her speech, Violet urged world leaders to take airborne illnesses seriously and warned that the fight against long COVID is far from over. She explained why she is often seen wearing a face mask in public. Violet was diagnosed in 2019 with a post-viral condition, which showed her how medicine doesn’t always have answers for the long-term effects of even minor viruses.
She said that masks are about protecting vulnerable members of the community, not just the wearer, and warned that banning them could put people at risk. She also argued that clean air should be considered a human right, just like clean water.
Violet shared that long COVID has now surpassed asthma as the most common chronic illness in children under five and said she is terrified for kids who may grow up knowing constant pain and exhaustion. She criticized society’s rush to return to normal while ignoring ongoing risks.
In addition to masks, Violet called for universal healthcare, paid sick leave, and free distribution of masks and high-quality COVID tests to anyone who needs them. Her speech made it clear why she continues to take precautions and why she is passionate about protecting others.