You have two different things mixed together.

"can they be exempt from paying taxes,"

No. But, if that is a Qualifying disaster distribution, there are provisions that include spreading the taxable amount over three years for income tax purposes. Optionally, on Form 8915-E, you can report all of it in the 2020 tax year and pay income taxes on it.

"I check the boxes on the Qualified Disaster Distribution Smart Worksheet and it makes a HUGE decrese"

If that is the Qualified Distribution box, you just waived the Penalty, which is 10% of the distribution, which would still apply if this is not a qualified distribution.

As the tax preparer, you need to read and learn what applies:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/coronavirus-relief-for-retirement-plans-and-iras

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/coronavirus-related-relief-for-retirement-plans-and-iras-questions-and-...