EXCLUSIVE: Interior designer and 'freedom fighter' who smugly waived a dubious 'exemption' at a bottle shop worker when asked to wear a mask gives a bizarre reason for her outburst and reveals why she can no longer leave her home
An interior designer who abused a bottle shop worker when he asked her to wear a face mask indoors has described herself as 'unvaccinated, untested and unafraid' of Covid-19.
Katherine Militello was caught on CCTV waving a supposed exemption letter in the face of Glenorie Cellarbrations store manager Alan in Sydney's north-west on July 23.
The store manager said he felt Ms Militello was 'aggressive and rude' and did not trust the legitimacy of the letter, so he refused her service.
But the mother-of-one told Daily Mail Australia she has a genuine medical exemption, admitting: 'I did not handle the rejection of service in a gracious manner'.
Ms Militello, whose Instagram account has been reported for allegedly 'inciting violence' and supporting anti-lockdown protests, said she is a woman of Christian faith and was 'distraught' when the CCTV footage was shared online.
'The very public display on my very private battle has left me nothing short of devastated... It has left me distressed to the point of throwing up,' she said.
Katherine Militello (pictured with her husband) claims she had a medical exemption for not wearing a mask. She also is vocal about her anti-vaccine and anti-mask stance online
On Ms Militello's Instagram account, she describes herself as 'unvaccinated, unmasked, untested, unafraid and unapologetic'.
'Doing it for the kids,' she posted.
She has previously promoted her anti-vaccine stance on Instagram, describing herself as a 'freedom keeper'.
The freedom keeper movement is a combination of thousands of people across each Australian state who either don't believe Covid exists or are actively ignoring lockdown orders.
They claim to be advocates for human rights and offer unfounded and incorrect vaccine advice, while also promoting illegal rallies and protests.
A woman who claims to know Ms Militello said she is a vocal anti-vaxxer and has encouraged those closest to her not to be afraid of Covid.
'She thinks it's a conspiracy,' one woman said.
Ms Militello previously promoted her anti-vaccine stance on Instagram, describing herself as a 'freedom keeper'
Viral CCTV footage captured a Sydney bottle shop manager being berated by a maskless woman after refusing to serve her
Since the video was shared, Ms Militello said she's been 'sick at the thought of leaving home' and fears performing basic tasks, including going to the grocery store.
'I have not been able to face people within my beloved communities and networks. During such a time of crisis and great divide, we all need to become united.
'Life is hard enough and each of us are dealing with it as best as we can.'
Shopkeepers are entitled to ask a customer to wear face masks indoors and Sydneysiders are also required to wear masks outdoors.
But Alan told Daily Mail Australia he would not serve any customer who was aggressive, regardless of exemptions.
Ms Militello also describes herself as 'unvaccinated, unmasked, untested, unafraid and unapologetic'
The woman snatched the piece of paper of the counter as the manager takes the bottles of the shelves
'Like most other businesses, we won't serve someone if they're rude or aggressive,' he said.
'She was not swearing, but she was being very aggressive, I think the video speaks for itself.
'We have signs from NSW Health that say wearing a mask is a condition of entry. It (the note) looked fabricated, and she was being rude.'
The manager said NSW Health signs are situated at the store's entrance
Ms Militello allegedly failed to check in with the QR code or take note of the masks-only sign at the front of the store - but was far from the only one.
'We have had about 20 people come in without masks in the last two weeks,' he said.
NSW Police said the incident was reported and officers responded, but no fines were issued nor was any formal action taken.
Under NSW Health rules, a customer's entry to a shop can be refused if they are not wearing a mask.
'It is a matter for the occupier of each premise to exercise judgment on what is appropriate for their premises and for the well-being of their staff and customers,' the NSW Government website reads.
Ms Militello has since removed her Facebook and Instagram pages.
On Ms Militello's Instagram account, she describes herself as 'unvaccinated, unmasked, untested, unafraid and unapologetic'
The woman refuses to leave until the manager appears to threaten to call the police