Each year a crowd gathers to watch a groundhog named Phil look for his shadow atop Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, so that we know how much winter we have left. Not next year though. Because coronavirus:

Even though people want to see Phil’s prognostication in person for the 135th time — the critter gives worldwide attention to the tiny Jefferson County town — the Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club has determined it is in the best interests of public safety that Phil crawl out of his hole without his screaming fans cheering him on.

If people gather, there could be COVID.

In deciding to go virtual on Feb. 2, the club said it has been in contact with health officials and those providing guidance on safe practices during the pandemic.

A virtual version of the event should generate all of the excitement of the Democrats’ dud of a virtual convention last August. If this is the new normal, next time around they won’t even bother.

Does anyone really think canceling this as a public event months in advance will keep the world safe from the ChiCom virus? Maybe. But given that authorities have not hesitated to egg on massive Black Lives Matter riots even with the pandemic raging, it seems more likely that Punxsutawney Phil has been identified as a tradition. Like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and every other American tradition, he is part of our culture and therefore subject to cancelation by asphyxiation.

On a tip from Stormfax.

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