How K-12 Schools Politicized COVID--19 w/ Natalya Murakhver

Natalya Murakhver discusses her documentary '15 Days,' which explores the impact of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. She reflects on her personal experiences during the pandemic, the shifting narratives around public health, and the political dynamics that influenced school policies. The conversation delves into the role of teachers unions, the transformation of education, and the implications for childhood development and socialization. About the guest Natalya Murakhver is co-founder of Restore Childhood, a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering parents in guiding their children’s upbringing, education, and health. In 2020, as a mother of two public school daughters, she spearheaded efforts against pandemic-era school closures, co-organizing #KeepNYCSchoolsOpen and later filing a lawsuit to reopen New York City schools for in-person learning. She later launched the #MaskLikeAKid campaign in 2021 to highlight the impact of prolonged restrictions on children and, in 2022, collaborated with global experts to establish the Urgency of Normal, advocating for a return to pre-COVID childhood norms. Murakhver’s directorial debut, "15 Days" a documentary chronicling the pandemic school closures draws from her personal fight as a mom and her nationwide connections with families who shared similar struggles to reopen America's schools. Watch the film at https://www.15daysfilm.com/