They can certainly use the current situation as the excuse for falling numbers, since it’s obvious it’s only a matter of time before theres no choice but to admit to negative growth.
”How can we make converts when we cannot preach?”. However the org manipulates members into fierce competition with each other and in that way gets more service hours/more money/more devotion. Not sure how they will accomplish that when there is no real way to differentiate the elite (pioneers, elders, missionaries) from the dross.