Yes, OF COURSE if you introduce a wide variety of glassware and non-atmospheric liquids between the observer and the subject, he or she will not see it so well. But that's not the situation under discussion.
The observer viewing something nearer at hand, given the same viewing conditions as when viewing it farther away, will be less affected by atmospheric interference.
Of course, if you plonk a frosted bathroom window in the way, it will make things worse.