Decision-making processes, especially in times of crises are rarely presenting themselves so supra-rationally.

Meaning, that usually internal struggles will prevent the participants to be so generous, cool headed and foreward thinking.

Sure, the Politburo / Central Committee is small, but they still represent hundreds of millions of people, many different regions, cities, to a degree even many ethnic groups.

Usually shielding the elites does not show up as a goal, and differing circumstances of those can easily lead to serious opposition against the generally useful solutions.

We shall see how the current regime handles whatever history throws at them.