Thank you very much for this interesting session!
Well, I also wondered about it, because it was clear that for whatever reason Putin chose to take a step back and leave the handling of things to others. And "others" happened to be liberal officials backed by IMF and WHO.
It's quite possible that he is aware that this virus was tweaked in the lab, and that's why Russian military was sent to Italy. In general, the reaction indicates that Putin maybe saw the virus as a bioweapon, despite some official bodies denying it and even persecuting or banning people and sites that talked about it. But the topic could still be discussed during talk shows or various interviews. So go figure!
The main issue with various restrictions obviously had to do with the economy. Putin was giving orders to the officials regarding helping measures to people and businesses, and the officials were blatantly ignoring the orders, or making the procedure of getting help so complicated and a total bureaucratic mess, that in the end people were not getting it anyway.
Several times Putin had to reiterate the orders and make sure that what was promised will be implemented.
Russian analysts or economists propose all kind of theories regarding this. For example, Khazin said that by distancing himself Putin wanted to show the total inadequacy and negligence of the liberal economic system. That it isn't possible for various reasons to fight them head on, so this is his way of slowly removing them from power, by exposing their total inability to do their job.
But this approach is also questionable, because naturally people see Putin as the main responsible, and now public trust is damaged, and it could have an effect on voting on the Constitution. Or other consequences as well. It is quite possible that Putin doesn't care about his own image as long as it benefit Russia, but then for me personally it was somewhat disappointing to realize that despite his great efforts to remove foreign influence from Russia, he still has to follow the general "trend".
But as others said, it is a lose lose situation, considering the fact that there are many authoritarian followers in Russia as well that demanded restrictions and harsh measures. Or at least they are being vocal on the Russian web.
Those that disagree simply walk outside without a mask or social distancing, and just do whatever they want or can, considering the restrictions. And there are plenty of people like this as well.