Coronavirus: Karl Stefanovic grills US protest organiser on live TV

Karl Stefanovic grilled one of the organisers behind the USA’s coronavirus protests on live TV. Things got heated.

Today host Karl Stefanovic has gone head to head with a conservative American business owner who wants the US state of Michigan to open, despite coronavirus fears.

Thousands of angry residents took to Michigan streets over the weekend to protest Governor Gretchen Whitmer's stay-at home measures.

Many were photographed carrying Make America Great Again (MAGA) gear and carrying Donald Trump/Mike Pence signs as they protested what they saw as an infringement on their democratic rights.

Stefanovic spoke to one of the organisers of the protest this morning, small business owner Meshawn Maddock, and things got heated.

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Americans protested against lockdown measures over the weekend.

Stefavonic went on the attack straight away, asking Ms Maddock, “Do you not see it (the protests) as possible negligence?”

He also added that the world “condemned” the actions of American protesters.

Ms Maddock defended her stance and said she doesn't care about the world's condemnation, she just wants to protect businesses.

“I don't have medical experience. I am a small-business owner,” she said.

“I know what it is like to lay off seven people in my business, which is upsetting. I am protecting us financially. Those are the things I'm focused on.”

Karl grilled the American woman on live TV.

Stefanovic pushed back, and tried to point out the large crowds could lead to an outbreak of the virus.

“No-one wants to be in lockdown but yesterday 50,000 people turned up. You do realise that could lead to a catastrophe with this virus,” he said.

Ms Maddock said that the demonstrators “were very well-behaved”, while slamming the “heinous encroachments” on their liberty.

“I don't see it that way. I see the numbers as plateauing. That's what most of Michigan feels,” she said.

“Everyone behaved because the numbers were dire and terrifying. We are not near those numbers.

“The truth is we are not in the panic that our Governor instituted. Maybe it’s because of our shutdown but if we don’t financially get some of the workers back to work, Michigan will never recover, our nation might not recover.”

Americans clearly did not follow social distancing measures during the protests.

Ms Maddock then lashed out at Stefanovic when he asked her whether she was concerned about contracting the virus.

“I've just responded to you three times. It's not I'm not worried about getting it,” she said.

“I know this is a serious disease but I think people can safely get back to work. There is no reason why a family who wants to paint their home in quarantine shouldn't be able to buy a gallon of paint. Guess what? They can't.

“These decisions are arbitrary, capricious, not born out of science. Our Governor wants to put a boot on the taxpaying members of Michigan, taxpaying members of Michigan, because she is trying to launch herself into a public limelight and be a Vice Presidential candidate with Joe Biden.”

She justified the protests by saying the state is not seeing even 10 per cent of the “dire” case numbers that experts predicted.

Her claims come as the United State's death toll surpasses 41,000 deaths. The embattled country currently has more than 740,000 infections.