What WHO says...

If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with the suspected 2019-nCoV infection.

Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.

Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.

What CDC says...

CDC does not recommend that people who are well to wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected.

The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

NEW DELHI: There has been a lot of confusion over the usage of facemasks against coronavirus. Two leading organisations, the World Health Organisation and US-based Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), say that a facemask should be used if you are infected with the virus or are near an infected person.