  We propose a mathematical model to study coupled epidemic and opinion
dynamics in a network of communities. Our model captures SIS epidemic dynamics
whose evolution is dependent on the opinions of the communities toward the
epidemic, and vice versa. In particular, we allow both cooperative and
antagonistic interactions, representing similar and opposing perspectives on
the severity of the epidemic, respectively. We propose an Opinion-Dependent
Reproduction Number to characterize the mutual influence between epidemic
spreading and opinion dissemination over the networks. Through stability
analysis of the equilibria, we explore the impact of opinions on both epidemic
outbreak and eradication, characterized by bounds on the Opinion-Dependent
Reproduction Number. We also show how to eradicate epidemics by reshaping the
opinions, offering researchers an approach for designing control strategies to
reach target audiences to ensure effective epidemic suppression.
