When the State Took the Classroom: The Story Behind 15 Days

At the crossroads of expanding teachers’ unions, the infiltration of anti-American curricula, and the silencing of dissenting scientists and doctors lies a story that now feels distant but urgent: the closure of schools during COVID. On this episode of Don’t Know Much About, Naya Lekht is joined by filmmaker Natalya Murakhver, whose recent film, 15 DAYS: The Real Story of the Pandemic School Closures, was viewed more than one million times during an exclusive month-long run on X and is now screening across the country.

The film has galvanized parents to reclaim agency over their children’s education and health. Driven to expose how governments used the pandemic to consolidate power, Natalya sits down with Naya to discuss not only the making of the film, but a deeper and more urgent question: why parents must never outsource their children’s emotional and academic safety to the state.

Although schools have reopened, Naya and Natalya argue that the story of pandemic school closures is far from over. At its core, it is a cautionary tale about state control, the erosion of individual rights, and what happens when families surrender authority over their children to institutions that do not bear the consequences.

About our guest: Natalya Murakhver is a co-founder of Restore Childhood, a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering parents to guide their children's upbringing, education, and health. A longtime advocate for children's welfare, she spearheaded efforts against pandemic-era school closures, co-organizing #KeepNYCSchoolsOpen in 2020 and filing a lawsuit to reopen New York City schools for in-person learning. She launched the #MaskLikeAKid campaign in 2021 and collaborated with global experts in 2022 to establish the Urgency of Normal, advocating for a return to pre-COVID childhood norms. Her directorial debut, "15 DAYS: The Real Story of the Pandemic School Closures," has been viewed more than 1 million times in an exclusive month-long run on X and is now screening around the country, galvanizing parents to reclaim their agency in their children's education and health. Parents can host their own screenings and learn more at 15daysfilm.com.

Clarifying the complex. Step into my classroom.