Before revision:  Taking the example of COVID-19 data for New York City, we show that our model yields a significantly larger estimate for the initial basic reproduction rate than other models, much more accurately accounts for the dynamics of the epidemic after  restrictive public congregation measures were introduced, and provides a novel way to determine the incubation period .
After revision:  Taking the example of COVID-19 data for New York City, we show that our model yields a significantly larger estimate for the initial basic reproduction number (R_0). The correct description, based on integral equations, can be implemented in most of the reported models and it much more accurately accounts for the dynamics of the epidemic after restrictive public congregation measures were introduced, and provides a novel way to determine the incubation period .